Shell-and-Tube Evaporators
Heat exchanger enquiries for chilled water, glycol, comfort cooling and industrial process duties. Selection depends on actual refrigerant and process conditions, construction type, mechanical design limits and required service access.
Illustrative photograph: Saud / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; not an EVAPNEX product.
Evaporator configurations
Direct-expansion (DX) evaporators
In a DX arrangement, refrigerant undergoes evaporation while absorbing heat from the secondary fluid. Refrigerant distribution, superheat regulation, oil return, minimum flow and heat-exchanger pressure drops must be coordinated with the refrigeration circuit. Which fluid flows in the shell or tubes depends on the specific design.
Flooded evaporators
Flooded designs maintain liquid refrigerant in contact with heat-transfer surfaces. Liquid-level control, refrigerant charge, oil management, pressure-vessel requirements and controls must be reviewed as part of the complete refrigeration system.
Replacement and custom arrangements
For replacements, share the original manufacturer and model, nameplate, envelope dimensions, support details, fluid and refrigerant nozzle positions, tube-removal clearance and available drawings.
Thermal and hydraulic design data
- Net cooling duty (kW), process-fluid composition and concentration.
- Process-fluid inlet/outlet temperatures, flow rate and allowable pressure drop.
- Refrigerant, evaporating temperature, design/operating pressures and allowable refrigerant pressure drop.
- Design approach temperature, fouling allowance, water quality and corrosion constraints.
Construction and service
Tube material, shell construction, baffles, removable bundle, insulation and maintenance clearances must match the process fluid and service requirements. Pressure rating, applicable code, testing and certification should be specified at enquiry stage and confirmed for the selected supplier model.
Product availability, operating performance, dimensions, materials, approvals and documentation are confirmed against the selected manufacturer’s technical offer.