Differential Thermal Expansion of Fixed Tube Sheet Exchanger

Tubes are subjected to 180/160 degree Centigrade and Shell is subjected to 160/ambient temperature. Even if they are of same material, there will be differential expansion. This will spell on the tube joints at tube sheet.

Is there 'expansion bellow' on the shell? Watching the dimensions of this bellow will give a very good tell-tale, if there a substantial differential expansion.

Dear yesyen,

There are no expansion bellows to take care of expansion and the tube joints are safe .

What exactly i am looking for is : This is rectangular tube sheet and there pressure acting on tube side for which I have calculated the thickness of tube sheet as per design code AD2000 MERKBLATT. I want to find the additional thickness required for tube sheet to with stand the pull of shell.

Regards,

I suspect that I am asking more questions than giving answers, but here are some items to consider:

In the US, this design would fall under TEMA (Tubular Exchanger Manufacturers' Association) and/or ASME criteria. Thus, check both codes. If the tubes are expansion-rolled into grooved holes in the tube sheets, this rigid assembly would be subjected to the differential expansion forces you mention. On the other hand, I understand there may be some elastomeric joint designs (e.g., the tubes pass through silicone O-rings in the tube-sheet grooves?) that could avoid the problem of differential expansion. But then the unsupported tube sheet will need to be thick enough to withstand the pressure on the steam side.

This is only as I can understand without a drawing. The mention of aqueous LiBr suggests that this is an absorption-type chiller, such as for air conditioning. Best of luck and success with your project.