Analytical Reconstruction of Failure of a Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger

Heat exchanger tubes are supported at intermediate points by support plates. Flow-induced vibration of tube can cause it to impact or rub against a support plate or against adjacent tubes and can result in tube fretting wear. Fretting wear damage assessment procedure has been presented. This procedure is implemented by studying classical heat exchanger cases of premature failures. The authors expect this study to be useful for estimating the fretting wear damage of heat exchanger tubes. The study shows that based on fretting wear volume rate the life of heat exchanger tube can be predicted.