175. When An Expansion Is Joint Needed On The Shell Side Of A Shell And Tube Heat Exchanger?
A fixed tubesheet exchanger does not have provision for expansion of the tubing when there is a difference in metal temperature between the shell and tubing. When this temperature difference reaches a certain point, an expansion joint in the shell is required to relieve the stress. It takes a much lower metal temperature difference when the tube metal temperature is hotter than the shell metal temperature to require an expansion joint.
