Noise and Vibration Analysis of a Heat Exchanger: a Case Study

Abstract

Flow-induced vibration of heat-exchanger tube bundles often causes serious damage, resulting in reduced efficiency and high maintenance costs. The excitation mechanism of flow-induced vibration is classified as vortex shedding, acoustical resonance, turbulent buffeting, or fluid-elastic instability. This paper aims to identify the mechanism that causes flow-induced vibration in a specific heat-exchanger tube bundle with cross-flow and proposes a solution to this problem. This case is investigated through acceleration and sound pressure level measurements. Moreover, finite-element models are developed to view the acoustic models of the cavity and vibration modes of the tubes and plates. The layout pattern of the tube array, the spacing ratio, the Strouhal number, and the flow characteristics are used to determine the excitation mechanism.