Heat Exchanger Design and Operations | AIChE

Heat Exchanger Design and Operations

Heat exchangers are critical to a wide variety of engineering applications –

From power plants to chemical processing facilities. When they go down, you feel the negative impact. Join heat exchanger expert Joseph Holmes or Greg Starks and get up-to-date on the latest developments and strategies in heat exchanger design and the diagnosis, correction and troubleshooting of costly operating problems.

Gain a working knowledge of recent developments  

In two days, you’ll examine in detail the design of shell-and-tube exchanger technology – the most common type of heat exchanger in oil refineries and chemical processes – and how to minimize fouling and ensure trouble-free operation.  You’ll learn how to efficiently operate other types of exchangers, including gasketed plate, spiral plate and air-cooled equipment. Plus, you’ll learn strategies to help you troubleshoot, diagnose and correct operating problems – including those common to distillation column reboilers and condensers.

By the end of the course, you’ll gain state-of-the-art information and strategies you can apply to ensure the success of your next project involving heat exchanger sizing, specification and operation. 

Learning Outcomes:

  • Describe shell-and-tube heat exchanger technology – what’s new and how to apply it.

  • Discuss the critical aspects of heat exchanger design.

  • Illustrate the thermal design of shell-and-tube heaters, coolers, column reboilers and condensers.

  • Identify methods to quickly and accurately troubleshoot, diagnose and correct operating problems in distillation column reboilers and condensers.

Who Should Attend:

New and experienced chemical and mechanical engineers involved in plant operations, technical services and project design. You’ll also benefit greatly if you handle projects and assignments related to heat exchanger sizing, specification and operation.

Day One

8:00 – 8:30 

Registration

8:30 – 10:00 

Types and applications of heat exchangers

  • Types
    • Shell-and-tube heat exchangers
    • Air coolers
    • Plate-frame exchangers
    • Compact plate-fin exchangers
  • Applications
    • Single-phase
    • Boiling/evaporating
    • Condensation

10:00 – 10:15 

Morning Break

10:15 – Noon  

Fundamentals of heat exchanger performance

  • Energy balance
  • Rating methods
    • F-LMTD
    • e-NTU
    • Incremental computer-based
  • Pressure drop
  • Performance margins
    • Fouling factors
    • Cleanliness factors

Noon – 1:00 

Lunch Break

1:00 – 3:00 

Heat exchanger selection criteria

  • Cost
  • Operating Conditions
    • Transient
  • Maintenance needs
    • Cleaning schedule
  • Material selection
    • Fluid compatibility
  • Mechanical considerations
    • Temperature and pressure

3:00 – 3:15 

Afternoon Break

3:15 – 5:00  

Single-phase applications

  • Heat transfer coefficients
  • Pressure drop
  • Extended surfaces
  • Enhancements
    • Tube inserts



Day Two

8:30 – 10:00 

Boiling applications

  • Boiling fundamentals
    • Pool boiling
    • Flow boiling
  • Two-phase pressure drop
  • Typical services
    • Refrigerant evaporators
    • Reboilers

10:00 – 10:15 

Morning Break

10:15 - Noon 

Condensing applications

  • Condensing fundamentals
    • Film condensation
    • Condensing regimes
  • Pressure drop considerations
  • Condenser geometries

Noon – 1:00 

Lunch Break

1:00 – 3:00  

Operational problems

  • Fouling
  • Vibration
  • Venting and draining
  • Reboiler problems
    • Instability
    • Film boiling
  • Temperature pinch

3:00 – 3:15 

Afternoon Break

3:15 – 5:00 

Troubleshooting

  • Use of field data
    • Accuracy of measurements
    • Accuracy of performance models
  • Inspections
    • Typical mechanical defects/degradation

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  • Course ID:
    CH294
  • Source:
    AIChE
  • Language:
    English
  • Skill Level:
    Basic
  • Duration:
    2 days
  • CEUs:
    1.50
  • PDHs:
    15.00
  • Accrediting Agencies:
    Florida
    New Jersey
    New York
    RCEP