Pressure vessels play a crucial role in many industries, such as oil refineries and hospitals. Even though they are common, many people don’t know what they are or why they’re important. Let’s look at these containers that safely hold gases and liquids under pressure. Defining a Pressure Vessel A pressure vessel is a closed container made to hold gases or liquids at pressures that are significantly different from normal atmospheric pressure. This can mean higher pressure, which is most common, or lower pressure, as in vacuum vessels. The main point is that pressure vessels are specifically designed and built to handle internal or external pressure without breaking or changing shape. Because of the risks associated with the contents under pressure, these vessels must meet strict design codes and safety regulations. Why Are They Necessary? Many industrial processes need materials to be stored or processed under pressure. For example, chemical reactions may require high pre...
What Are the Applications of Shell and Tube Heat Exchangers? What Are the Main Types of Heat Exchangers?
What Are the Applications of Shell and Tube Heat Exchangers? What Are the Main Types of Heat Exchangers? Shell and tube heat exchangers demonstrate ubiquitous presence across industrial sectors, facilitating critical thermal management processes while maintaining operational reliability. These versatile thermal transfer devices address diverse application requirements through proven engineering methodologies and robust construction principles. Primary Industrial Applications Petrochemical and Refining Operations Crude oil refineries utilize extensive shell and tube networks for distillation column re-boilers, condensers, and feed preheaters. These installations withstand extreme temperatures exceeding 800°F while processing corrosive hydrocarbon streams containing sulfur compounds and acidic contaminants. Catalytic cracking units employ specialized heat exchangers for reactor effluent cooling and product stream temperature conditioning. The thermal duty requirements often exceed milli...