GB2109531A - Shell- and tube-type heat exchangers and their production - Google Patents

Abstract

A casing 26 for a shell- and tube- type heat exchanger is produced by deforming two axially spaced portions 36,37 of a tube to make their internal peripheries either larger than or smaller than the internal periphery of an intermediate portion 38 of casing 26 which is interposed between end portions 36,37. A tubestack 29 of tube elements 30 is received within casing 26, with tubeplates 31,32 disposed at least partially within end portions 36,37 respectively. When the bore of casing tube 26 is accurately sized and an end portion 37 has a larger internal periphery than said bore, transverse baffles 34 of the tubestack 29 can have external peripheries to engage the internal periphery of the casing portion 38. Otherwise, baffles 34 can have flexible tyres 48 mounted on their peripheries to engage the internal periphery of casing portion 38. Where the bore of casing tube 26 is subject to known dimensional tolerances such that it has a maximum and a minimum possible size, end portions 36,37 are deformed so that their internal peripheries are either larger than said maximum possible bore size or smaller than said minimum possible bore size. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Shell- and tube-type heat exchangers and their production This invention relates to shell and tube type heat exchangers and their production.

A conventional shell and tube type heat exchanger is shown in longitudinal cross-section in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings. The heat exchanger comprises generally a tubular shell or casing 10 having a pair of inlet/outlet pipes 11 and 12 through which a first fluid is passed, and a tubestack 13 received within the casing. The tubestack is composed of generally parallel tube elements 14 through which a second fluid is passed for heat exchange with the abovementioned first fluid, the tube elements extending between and being supported by a pair of support members or tubeplates 1 5 and 1 6. The tubestack 13 also includes a plurality of baffles 17 disposed between the tubeplates 15, 1 6 and extending transversely to the tube elements 14.The second fluid is supplied to the tubestack 1 3 by means of inlet/outlet ports 1 8 and 1 9 in respective covers 20 and 21 which are secured to the casing 10 by any convenient means, such as by bolted flanges or bolt and lug arrangements (not illustrated) provided on these parts. To prevent intermixing of first and second fluids, at one end of the heat exchanger a suitable sealing arrangement 22 surrounding the tubeplate 1 5 is interposed between the cover 20 and the casing 10, whilst at the other end of the heat exchanger the tubeplate 1 6 is provided with an extended flange 23 carrying respective packings 24 and 25 likewise disposed between the cover 21 and the casing 10.

The flange 23 also serves as an abutment relative to casing 10 and serves to locate the tubestack 13 axially within the casing.

In the above-described construction the baffles 1 7 serve to control in a desired manner the flow pattern of the first fluid over the tubes as it passes through the casing. For simplicity, the baffles are shown as plain plates though in practice first apertures are provided to receive the tube elements together with second apertures to permit passage of the first fluid from one side of the baffle to the other. In one known construction, the baffles consist of plates whose external peripheries closely conform to the internal bore of the casing and which have a centrally positioned second aperture, and plain plates of reduced external diameter with respect to the casing bore, the two type of plate being arranged alternately along the casing.For those baffle plates which closely conform to the casing bore it is important to achieve a minimum clearance between their external peripheries and the internal periphery of the casing to minimise by-pass of the first fluid between these parts, and thereby enable the maximum thermal performance of the heat exchanger to be obtained.

Customarily, this minimum clearance is achieved by known means such as machining the bore of the casing 10 to closely controlled dimensions with complementary control of the external periphery of each baffle. Usually this necessitates producing the casing by casting or manufacturing it from thick-walled tubing, both of which require a costly through-boring operation to obtain the required dimensional accuracy.

Alternatively the casing can be manufactured from commercially available tubing as it stands, the tubestack 1 3 being machined to conform to the actual bore of the piece of tube used for the casing. Unfortunately this means that each tubestack is unique to its casing and therefore the tubestack cannot be used interchangeably with other similar casings and equally the casing cannot be used interchangeably with other similar tu bestacks. Accordingly if service replacements are required for either casing or tubestack these have to be specially manufactured to specific dimensions. A further alternative is to produce the casing from tubing drawn to closely specified dimensional bore tolerances but this incurs a disadvantageous costly penalty.

The provision of a close dimensional relationship between the internal periphery of the casing and the external periphery of any baffle can also cause problems where the tubestack is intended to be removable from the casing so that after a period in service it can be extracted for inspection and cleaning. In this case, the accumulation of deposits on the internal walls of the casing can seriously impede the withdrawal of the tubestack from the casing, and in extreme cases damage can result.

Should the casing 10 shown in Figure 1 made from tubing, a further disadvantage appears due to the manner in which the inlet/outlet pipes 11 and 12 are provided. Conventionally this is done by cutting an opening of appropriate size in the casing wall and then welding a piece of pipe about or into the said opening. Normally such welding of the pipes to the casing wall causes localised distortion of the internal periphery of the casing, and requires either localised dressing by grinding or through-bore machining to be rectified.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the problems and disadvantages described above.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a heat exchanger comprises a hollow casing through which a first fluid is passed and which includes a pair of tubular end portions and a tubular intermediate portion axially interposed between the end portions, each of the end portions having an internal periphery which is either smaller than or larger than the internal periphery of the intermediate portion, and a tube stack received within the casing and including a plurality of tube elements through which a second fluid is passed for heat exchange with said first fluid and a pair of support members between which the tube elements extend, the support members being disposed at least partially within the end portions of the casing respectively.

In one particular arrangement, the casing is formed from tubing whose internal bore is subject to known dimensional tolerances such that it has a maximum possible size and a minimum possible size, the internal periphery of the intermediate portion being formed by the natural bore of the tubing. In this case, it is preferred that the internal periphery of one of the end portions is smaller than said minimum possible size of the bore, and the internal periphery of the other end portion is either smaller than said minimum possible size of the bore or larger than said maximum possible size of the bore.Where the tubestack also includes at least one baffle extending transversely of the tube elements and disposed between the support members, the baffle or at least one of the baffles (as the case may be) can have a flexible outer periphery which engages the internal periphery of the intermediate portion of the casing. In this way, a close dimensional relationship is ensured between the internal periphery of the intermediate portion of the casing and the external periphery of the baffle by virtue of the flexible nature of the latter, irrespective of the actual bore size of the tubing from which the casing is made.

In an alternative arrangement, the casing is formed from tubing whose internal bore is accurately sized, the internal periphery of the intermediate portion being formed by the natural bore of said tubing. The internal peripheries of both end portions of the casing may be smaller in size than the internal periphery of the intermediate portion, or alternatively one or both of the end portions can have a larger internal periphery than said intermediate portion.Where the tubestack also includes at least one baffle extending transversely to the tube elements and disposed between the support members, in the first of the above cases the baffle or at least one of the baffles (as the case may be) can be provided with a flexible outer periphery in the manner described previously, while in the second of the above cases the baffle or at least one of the baffles (as the case may be) can have an accurately-sized external periphery which engages the internal periphery of the intermediate portion or, as mentioned above, it can have a flexible outer periphery.

In the case where the baffle has a flexible outer periphery, the latter is preferably constituted by an annular flexible member which includes a base portion and at least one flexible arm portion extending outwardly from the base portion, the or each flexible arm portion engaging the internal periphery of the casing. The annular flexible member can include two such arm portions extending from the base portion in opposite directions transversely to the baffle.

Advantageously, the free end of the or each arm portion is curved radially inwardly of the baffle, and more particularly may take the form of a hook or a bead. Where the casing is formed from tubing whose internal bore is subject to known dimensional tolerances as aforesaid, the base portion preferably has an outwardly-facing surface which is smaller in its extent than the minimum possible size of the bore, and the or each arm portion in its relaxed state has a maximum radial extent which is not less than the maximum possible size of the bore.

At least one (and preferably both) of the extreme ends of the casing may be flared outwardly, desirably at an included angle of substantially 900.

Preferably, inlet and outlet ports for the first fluid are formed in the casing, and supply pipes are secured to the casing for passage of the first fluid to and from the inlet and outlet ports respectively, the inlet and outlet ports being formed in the casing and the supply pipes being secured to the casing in such a manner that there are no parts which project into the internal cross-section proper of the casing. In this way, it can be ensured that there are no obstructions in the interior of the casing which will interfere with insertion or removal of the tubestack.

In one particular arrangement, at least one of the inlet and outlet ports is formed by locally deforming the casing outwardly to produce a stubpipe, and the respective supply pipe is secured to the stub-pipe. In a second arrangement, a part of the casing which surrounds at least one of the inlet and outlet ports is bulged outwardly and has a generally planar surface in which said part is formed, and the respective supply pipe (which may have a plain or flanged end) is secured to said generally planar surface.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method of producing a casing for a heat exchanger comprises providing tubing having an internal bore and deforming two axially spaced tubular portions of the tubing such that the internal periphery of each said portion is either smaller than or larger than said internal bore, said two tubular portions being separated by a portion of the natural tubing.

The internal bore of the tubing may be accurately sized or may be subject to known dimensional tolerances such that it has a maximum and a minimum possible size. In the latter case, each of said two tubular portions is deformed such that its internal periphery is either smaller than the minimum possible size of the internal bore or larger than the maximum possible size of the internal bore.

The method conveniently also comprises the step of flaring outwardly at least one (and preferably both) of the extreme ends of the tubing.

The invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the remaining figures of the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a first embodiment of a heat exchanger according to the present invention; Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a casing which forms part of the heat exchanger shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a sectional view of a baffle which also forms part of the heat exchanger shown in Figure 2; Figure 5 is a sectional view of a modified form of baffle; Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of a second embodiment of a heat exchanger according to the present invention; Figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of a third embodiment of a heat exchanger according to the present invention;; Figure 8 is a part longitudinal sectional view of a fourth embodiment of a heat exchanger according to the present invention, illustrating one form of an inlet/outlet pipe thereof; Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of another form of inlet/outlet pipe and a part of the heat exchanger casing on which it is mounted; Figure 10 is a perspective view of the part of the casing shown in Figure 9; Figure 11 is a sectional view illustrating the manner in which the inlet/outlet pipe shown in Figure 9 is connected to the casing; Figure 12 is a cross-section of a further form of the inlet/outlet pipe and a part of the heat exchanger casing on which it is mounted; Figure 13 is a perspective view of the inlet/outlet pipe shown in Figure 1 2 and a seal therefor; and Figure 14 is a sectional view of the seal shown in Figure 13.

Referring first to Figure 2, the heat exchanger shown therein like the conventional construction described above comprises a hollow tubular casing 26 through which a first (shell-side) fluid is passed by means of inlet/outlet pipes 27 and 28.

A tubestack 29 is received within the casing 26 and includes a plurality of generally parallel tube elements 30 through which a second (tube-side) fluid is passed for heat exchange with the shellside fluid. The tube elements 30 extend between and are supported by a pair of tubeplates 31 and 32, the tubeplate 32 having a flange 33 on its external periphery which engages an end of the casing 26 and thereby locates the tubestack 29 axially within the casing. A plurality of baffles 34 are disposed between the tubeplates 31,32 and extend transversely to the tube elements 30 to control the flow pattern of the shell-side fluid through the interior of the casing 26.In the embodiment actually illustrated, alternate ones of the baffles have a central aperture therein (not shown) through which the shell-side fluid flows in use, while the intermediate baffles (referenced 34') each have an external periphery which is rather smaller than the internal periphery of the casing, such that an annular space is defined between each baffle 34' and the casing through which the shell-side fluid can flow. In this way, a convoluted flow pattern of the shell-side fluid is obtained to increase the heat transfer efficiency of the heat exchanger.

In this embodiment, the casing 26 is formed from readily commercially available tubing whose internal bore is subject to known dimensional tolerances in its diameter d (see Figure 3), such that the diameter d has a maximum possible value and a minimum possible value having regard to these tolerances. Typically, such a tubing has a + 1 % tolerance on its external diameter and as much as ~ 15% tolerance on its wall thickness, so that for example in a random batch of tubes having a nominal external diameter of 10 ins. and a nominal wall thickness of 1/4 in., the diameter of the internal bore may vary from tube to tube by as much as 1/4 in. or more. The magnitude of this variation usually becomes greater with increasing tube diameter and less with decreasing diameter.

The tubing employed may be seamless, or may be seamed by either longitudinal or helical welding.

During manufacture of the casing 26, a tubular portion 36 adjacent one end of the tubing is deformed inwardly by a conventional rolling, swaging or flow forming technique such that its internal diameter d1 is accurately sized to a value less than the minimum possible diameter of the tubing bore, while a tubular portion 37 adjacent the other end of the tubing is similarly deformed outwardly such that its internal diameter d2 is accurately sized to a value greater than the maximum possible diameter of the tubing bore. A tubular intermediate portion 38 disposed axially between the portions 36 and 37 retains the natural bore diameter of the tubing. Preferably, the portions 36, 37 and 38 are all co-axial, as illustrated. It will be appreciated from Figures 2 and 3 that smooth transitions are achieved between the various different internal diameters of the casing.An outboard end 39 of the portion 36 is flared outwardly at an included angle of 1, while an outboard end 40 of the portion 37 is similarly flared outwardly at an included angle of 02, 0I and 2 being substantially 900 in the illustrated construction. Such flaring of the end portions 39 and 40 serves to stiffen the casing ends and also enables sealing packings to be accommodated in a manner to be described later.

The axial lengths of the portions 36, 37 and their respective ends 39, 40 accord with the overall design requirements of the heat exchanger.

Referring back to Figure 2, the ends of the casing 26 are closed by respective covers 41 and 42 having therein respective inlet/outlet ports 43 and 44 for the tube-side fluid. A sealing packing 45 is axially interposed between the cover 41 and the flared end 39 of the casing 26, and also seals against the external periphery of the tubeplate 31.

Another sealing packing 46 is received between the flared end 40 of the casing and the flange 33 on the tubeplate 32, while a further sealing packing 47 is received between the flange 33 and the cover 42.

The tubeplates 31 and 32 of the tubestack 29 are dimensioned so that they are received with suitable clearance within the portions 36 and 37 respectively when the tubestack is fully inserted in the casing 26, any resultant gaps being sealed by the sealing packings 45, 46 and 47. The baffles 34 and 34' on the other hand are received within the intermediate portion 38 of the casing. Where the tubestack is to be interchangeable between different casings, if the baffles 34 were to take the conventional form shown in Figure 1 then their external dimensions would have to be no greater than the minimum possible diameter of the tubing bore, or else it might not be possible for the baffles to be accommodated within the casing portion 38.

However, in the event that the diameter of the tubing bore is near its maximum possible value, there will be substantial gaps between the external peripheries of the baffles and the internal periphery of the casing portion 38, with the result that substantial by-pass of the shell-side fluid will be possible.

In order to overcome this problem, each baffle 34 is provided with a flexible rim which enables it to conform to the bore diameter of the tubing from which the casing is produced. One example of such a baffle is shown in Figure 4, wherein an elastomeric tyre 48 is mounted on the periphery of a baffle plate 49. Apertures in the baffle plate 49 through which the tube elements 30 respectively pass are referenced 50 in this Figure. The tyre 48 comprises an annular base portion 51 having a groove 52 in its internal periphery within which the outer edge of the baffle plate 49 is received, the base portion 51 also having a radially outwardly facing peripheral surface 53.A pair of flexible arms 54 extend radially outwardly from the base portion 51 in opposite transverse directions with respect to the baffle plate 49 at a desired included angle, usually between 30C and 90 , and terminate at their free ends in respective rounded hook formations 55 which are directed generally radially inwardly of the baffle. The tyre is dimensioned so that, when it is fitted on the baffle plate 49, the diameter D1 of the surface 53 is less than the minimum possible diameter of the tubing bore and approximately the same as the diameter of the tubeplate 31, and the outermost diameter D2 of the flexible arms 54 when in their relaxed state is not less than the maximum possible diameter of the tubing bore, preferably slightly more than the latter.In addition, the proportions of the base portion 51 are such that it does not obscure the outermost tube apertures 50 when fitted to the baffle plate 49, and such that under any combination of induced vibration or gravitational effects (such as are encountered with a long heat exchanger mounted horizontally) there is no likelihood of the baffle plate shearing through the tyre. The tyre 48 may be formed by an extruded section cut to length with its ends joined to form a ring, or may be moulded as a ring in the first instance.

An alternative form of baffle is shown in Figure 5, being generally similar to that described above with reference to Figure 4, except that the hook formations 55 at the free ends of the flexible arms 54 are replaced by rounded heads 56 again directed generally radially inwardly of the baffle.

Typically, during insertion of the tubestack 29 into the casing 26, the flexible rim of each baffle in turn first engages the flared end 40 and then engages within the enlarged casing portion 37 and subsequently within the casing portion 38.

The flared nature of the end 40 together with the smooth transition between the casing portions causes the flexible arms 54 of the tyre 48 to deform radially inwardly of the baffle without posing any substantial resistance to the insertion of the tubestack. The rounded ends of the arms 54 provided by the hook formations 55 or the beads 56 greatly assists such insertion because it prevents the advancing edge of each tyre 48 from digging into the side walls of the casing portions 37 and 38.

When the tubestack 29 is fully inserted within the casing 26, the natural resilience of the tyres 48 maintains the arms 54 in contact with the internal periphery of the casing portion 38, thereby substantially or entirely eliminating bypass of the shell-side fluid. Moreover, as the shellside fluid flows through the interior of the casing it creates a higher pressure on one side of each baffle 34 than on the other side thereof, which causes the arm 54 on the higher pressure side of the respective tyre 48 to be pushed outwardly against the internal wall of the casing portion 38, thereby assisting the sealing action of the tyre.

The arm 54 is, however, sufficiently rigid to prevent its being forced between the base portion 51 of the tyre and the casing wall.

If in service fouling deposits accumulate on the internal walls of the casing 26, withdrawal of the tubestack 29 for inspection or replacement is not impeded because the rounded ends of the arms 54 enable the latter to ride up and over any such deposits. The arms 54 will similarly ride across the various openings in the casing (i.e. the openings of the inlet/outlet pipes 27 and 28 for the shell-side fluid, fluid drains, vents, inspection holes, etc.) and due to their rounded ends will not fold back or suffer damage even if these openings are quite sharp. In the event that the tyres 48 do become damaged or suffer deterioration, they can easily be replaced.As mentioned above, the manner in which the inlet/outlet pipes 27 and 28 are produced may give rise to localised distortion of the casing walls: however, by providing the baffles with flexible rims as described above, such distortion can be accepted without the need to machine the interior of the casing.

In the heat exchanger described above, the casing 26 can be made at low cost from relatively inexpensive tubing, while the provision of flexible rims on the baffles ensures high thermal performance by substantially preventing by-pass of the shell-side fluid, and at the same time permits removal of the tubestack 29 in service. A further advantage of the flexible rim baffle is its ability to minimise the transmission of externally induced vibrations to the tube elements 30 via the casing and baffles. Moreover, because the interior dimensions of the casing are produced by forming as opposed to through-boring, thinner walled tubing can be utilised thereby contributing to a reduction in the overall weight of the heat exchanger. Although the casing thus has a reduced wall thickness as compared with conventional constructions, its stiffness is enhanced by the flaring of its ends, as described previously.

Figure 6 illustrates a second embodiment of a heat exchanger according to the invention which is generally similar to the construction described above with reference to Figures 2 to 5, similar parts being accorded the same reference numerals. In this embodiment, however, the portion 37 of the casing 26 is deformed inwardly rather than outwardly, and its internal diameter is accurately sized to a value smaller than the minimum possible diameter of the tubing bore, preferably the same as the internal diameter of the casing portion 36. In this latter case, the tubeplates 31 and 32 of the tubestack 29 have the same external dimensions, and the baffles 34 are sized so that they can pass easily through the portion 37 during insertion of the tubestack within the casing.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 7, the casing 26 is formed from tubing whose bore diameter is accurately sized during its manufacture. As in the embodiment of Figure 2, the casing comprises portions 36, 37 and 38 whose internal diameters are respectively less than, greater than and equal to the natural bore diameter of the tubing. However, the baffles 34 are now of conventional form, i.e. they do not have flexible rims, and their external dimensions are accurately machined so as to be complementary to the internal dimensions of the casing portion 38. In order that insertion and withdrawal of the tubestack 29 is not obstructed by any welding distortions which may be present in the casing in the region of the inlet/outlet pipe 28, the enlarged portion 37 of the casing is now extended axially to just short of the final position of the baffle 34 nearest to the tubeplate 32.The resultant enlarged internal diameter of the casing in the region of the pipe 28 enables the baffles 34 readily to pass by any such distortions. Any welding distortions in the region of the other inlet/outlet pipe 27 will not affect insertion of the baffles 34 in the casing since the opening of the pipe 27 is disposed beyond the final position of the foremost baffle. Equally, such distortions will not impede insertion of the tubeplate 31 because the latter is of a lesser diameter than the interior of the casing in the vicinity of the pipe 27 and will readily pass under the distortions.

The embodiment of Figure 7 thus permits easy insertion and withdrawal of the tubestack without the need to perform a through-boring operation on the interior of the casing. Although use is made of tubing produced to very close tolerances which is generally more expensive than the tubing utilised in the previous embodiments, its cost can be offset by taking advantage of the closely controlled bore diameter to obviate the need for flexible rims on the baffles.

In a modification (not shown) of the embodiment of Figure 7, the portion 36 instead of being reduced is enlarged so that its internal periphery is larger than the natural bore of the tubing from which the casing 26 is formed. In this case, the tubeplate 31 has the same external size as the baffles 34, and the disparity between the external size of the tubeplates 31 and the internal size of the casing portion 36 is accommodated by the sealing packing 45 to prevent leakage of the shell- and tube-side fluids past the tubeplate 31.

In a further modification (also not shown). both of the casing portions 36 and 37 are reduced such that their internal peripheries are smaller in size than the natural bore of the tubing from which the casing is formed. In this case, because the baffles 34 must be small enough to pass through the reduced portion 37, they must be provided with flexible rims as described above to ensure that a seal can be formed between their outer peripheries and the internal periphery of the casing portion 38.

In the above description, it has been assumed that the inlet/outlet pipes 27 and 28 are simply welded in position on the casing exterior.

However, as mentioned previously, such welding can lead to localised distortions which may obstruct insertion and removal of the tubestack 29. Figure 8 illustrates one example of a modification by means of which this problem can be avoided in relation to each of the pipes 27 and 28. During the manufacture of the casing 26 as described previously, a small hole is pierced through the casing wall in a desired position and is then enlarged (for example by swaging or flow forming) to produce an outwardly-directed stubpipe 57 having smoothly radiussed corners 58, which pipe 57 defines a port 59 communicating with the interior of the casing. The inlet/outlet pipe 27 or 28 is then secured to the stub-pipe 57 by any convenient means (such as by welding) so that its interior communicates with the port 59.

The port 59 associated with the inlet/outlet pipe 27 may be provided in the intermediate casing portion 38 as illustrated or may instead be formed in the casing portion 36, while the port associated with the inlet/outlet pipe 28 may similarly be provided in either of the portions 37 and 38 of the casing, such that interference with the sealing action of the baffles 34 (whether plain or tyred) is avoided. The provision of the radiussed corners 58 greatly assists the passage of the tubeplate 31, the baffles 34 and the tyres 48 (when provided) through the casing when the tubestack is inserted or removed.The above technique of forming a stub-pipe may also be employed in relation to other openings in the casing: for example, by internally threading the stub-pipe to receive a correspondingly screwed plug, the technique may be applied to venting and drainage openings for the shell-side fluid as indicated at 57'.

A second modification of the connection for the inlet/outlet pipe is shown in Figures 9 to 11, the parts thereof which are similar to those previously described being accorded the same reference numerals. The casing 26 is now bulged outwardly in the vicinity of an inlet/outlet port 60 to form a localised blister 61 having a flat surface 62. The inlet/outlet pipe 27 or 28 is composed of a flange portion 63 having an aperture which is aligned with the port 60 in the casing 26, and a tubular portion 64 whose interior communicates with the aperture in the flange portion 63. A sealing gasket 65 (which may take the same form as the gasket described below in relation to Figures 12 to 14) is interposed between the flange portion and the casing exterior.The pipe can be secured to the blister 61 by means of threaded studs 66 welded to the casing exterior (as indicated in the left-hand part of Figure 11) or by means of headed bolts 67 (only one shown) sealingly secured in respective holes 68 drilled into the flat surface 62 (as indicated in the right-hand part of Figure 11).

Such securement of the bolts can be by welding or brazing, for example. The outward bulge of the blister 61 prevents the heads of the bolts 67 from intruding into the internal cross-section proper of the casing and interfering with the insertion of the tubestack or any part thereof. The provision of the blister 61 is advantageous in that, being integral with the casing 26, it is rigid and there is little or no weakening of the structure such as would be caused by welding together separate components as previously described in providing the inlet/outlet pipes for the shell-side fluid. A further advantage is that the inlet/outlet pipes may be directly incorporated in the connecting pipework for the shell-side fluid, thereby providing a saving in the space required for its installation.Blisters similar to that described above can be provided elsewhere on the casing for other purposes. For example, such blisters without any port but with securing means can be employed as mounting faces or pads for co-operation with other faces or pads at the place of installation of the heat exchanger. Additionally or alternatively, such blisters may be utilised as inspection points and may have the port closed by a blanking plate. The blisters can be provided at any convenient position on the casing in relation to the tubestack 29. For example, they can be situated between the tubeplates 31 and 32 and their respective closest baffles 34, or between adjacent ones of the baffles themselves such that interference with the sealing action of the tyres 48 (when provided) is avoided.

A third modification of t,he connection of the inlet/outlet pipe is shown in Figures 12 to 14, the parts thereof which are similar to those described in the first and second modifications being accorded the same reference numerals. As in the second modification, the pipe comprises a flange portion 63 and an integral tubular portion 64 aligning with the inlet/outlet port 60 in the casing 26. In this modification, however, the port 60 is formed by a generally plain aperture in the casing 26, and the flange portion 63 is of arcuate configuration such that it conforms to the external shape of the casing 26.The flange portion 63 has either slots 66 (as shown) or holes in opposed edges thereof, and the pipe 27 and 28 is secured to the casing by means of threaded studs 67 welded to the casing exterior and extending radially thereof, the studs being received by the slots 66 respectively and having corresponding washers and nuts (not shown) attached thereto. A sealing gasket 68 is interposed between the flange portion 63 and the casing exterior and has an aperture 69 therein which is aligned with both the inlet/outlet port 60 in the casing and the aperture in the flange portion. A number of annular serrations 70 surround the aperture 69 on both sides of the gasket 68 and serve to improve the sealing capability of the latter, particularly where surface irregularities are present on both the casing exterior and the underside of the flange portion 63. As can be seen to advantage in Figure 13, the gasket 68 in plan conforms to the shape of the flange portion 63, and in a preferred form has either slots 71 (as shown) or holes through which the studs 67 respectively pass.

Claims (30)

1. A heat exchanger comprising a hollow casing through which a first fluid is passed and which includes a pair of tubular end portions and a tubular intermediate portion axially interposed between the end portions, each of the end portions having an internal periphery which is either smaller than or larger than the internal periphery of the intermediate portion, and a tube stack received within the casing and including a plurality of tube elements through which a second fluid is passed for heat exchange with said first fluid and a pair of support members between which the tube elements extend, the support members being disposed at least partially within the end portions of the casing respectively.

2. A heat exchanger as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the casing is formed from tubing, and the internal periphery of the intermediate casing portion is formed by the natural bore of the tubing.

3. A heat exchanger as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the internal bore of the tubing is subject to known dimensional tolerances such that it has a maximum possible size and a minimum possible size, and the internal periphery of each end portion of the casing is either larger than said maximum possible size or smaller than said minimum possible size.

4. A heat exchanger as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the internal periphery of one of the end portions is smaller than said minimum possible size.

5. A heat exchanger as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the internal periphery of the other end portion is larger than said maximum possible size.

6. A heat exchanger as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the internal bore of the tubing is accurately sized.

7. A heat exchanger as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the internal periphery of one of the end portions of the casing is larger than the internal periphery of the intermediate casing portion.

8. A heat exchanger as claimed in Claim 6 or 7, wherein the internal peripheries of both end portions of the casing are larger than the internal periphery of the intermediate casing portion.

9. A heat exchanger as claimed in Claim 7 or 8, wherein the tubestack also includes at least one baffle extending transversely to the tube elements and disposed between the support members, and the baffle or at least one of the baffles has an accurately-sized external periphery which engages the internal periphery of the intermediate casing portion.

10. A heat exchanger as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the tubestack also includes at least one baffle extending transversely to the tube elements and disposed between the support members, the baffle or at least one of the baffles having a flexible outer periphery which engages the internal periphery of the casing.

11. A heat exchanger as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the flexible outer periphery is constituted by an annular flexible member which has a base portion and at least one flexible arm portion extending outwardly from the base portion, the or each arm portion engaging the internal periphery of the casing.

12. A heat exchanger as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the annular flexible member includes two such arm portions extending from the base portion in opposite directions transversely to the baffle.

13. A heat exchanger as claimed in Claim 11 or 12, wherein the free end of the or each arm portion is curved radially inwardly of the baffle.

14. A heat exchanger as claimed in Claim 13, wherein said free end has the form of a hook or a bead.

1 5. A heat exchanger as claimed in Claims 3, 4 or 5, wherein the tubestack also includes at least one baffle extending transversely to the tube elements and disposed between the support members, the baffle or at least one of the baffles having on its outer periphery an annular flexible member which includes a base portion and at least one flexible arm portion extending outwardly from the base portion, the or each arm portion engaging the internal periphery of the casing, the base portion having an outwardly-facing surface which is smaller in its extent than the minimum possible size of said bore, the or each arm portion in its relaxed state having a maximum radial extent which is not less than the maximum possible size of said bore.

16. A heat exchanger as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the extreme ends of the casing is flared outwardly.

17. A heat exchanger as claimed in Claim 16, wherein the or each said extreme end is flared outwardly at an included angle of substantially 90".

18. A heat exchanger as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein inlet and outlet ports for the first fluid are formed in the casing, and supply pipes are secured to the casing for passage of the first fluid to and from the inlet and outlet ports respectively, the inlet and outlet ports being formed in the casing and the supply pipes being secured to the casing in such a manner that there are no parts which project into the internal crosssection proper of the casing.

1 9. A heat exchanger as claimed in Claim 18, wherein at least one of the inlet and outlet ports is formed by locally deforming the casing outwardly to produce a stub-pipe, and the respective supply pipe is secured to the stub-pipe.

20. A heat exchanger as claimed in Claim 18, wherein a part of the casing which surrounds at least one of the inlet and outlet ports is bulged outwardly and has a generally planar surface in which said port is formed, the respective supply pipe being secured to said generally planar surface.

21. A heat exchanger as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 17, wherein inlet and outlet ports are provided in the casing for the first fluid, one of the ports being formed in one of said end portions of the casing whose internal periphery is larger than the internal periphery of the intermediate casing portion, the other port being formed in the intermediate casing portion adjacent to the other end portion.

22. A method of producing a casing for a heat exchanger, comprising the steps of providing tubing having an internal bore, and deforming two axially spaced tubular portions of the tubing such that the internal periphery of each said portion is either smaller than or larger than said internal bore, said two tubular portions being separated by a portion of the natural tubing.

23. A method as claimed in Claim 22, wherein the internal bore of the natural tubing is accurately sized.

24. A method as claimed in Claim 22, wherein the internal bore of the natural tubing is subject to known dimensional tolerances such that it has a maximum and a minimum possible size, and each of said two tubular portions is deformed such that its internal periphery is either smaller than the minimum possible size of the internal bore or larger than the maximum possible size of the bore.

25. A method as claimed in Claim 22, 23 or 24, further comprising the step of flaring outwardly at least one of the extreme ends of the tubing.

26. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 22 to 25, further comprising the step of forming at least one port in the tubing by locally deforming a side wall of the tubing outwardly to form a stub-pipe which defines said port.

27. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 22 to 25, further comprising the steps of forming at least one port in a side wall of the tubing, and bulging a part of said side wall which surrounds said port outwardly to form a generally planar surface in which said port is disposed.

28. A fluid seal comprising an annular flexible member having a base portion and a pair of arm portions extending outwardly in opposite axial directions from the base portion, a free end of each arm portion being curved inwardly of the annular member.

29. A heat exchanger substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 2 to 5 or any one of Figures 6 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.

30. A method of producing a casing for a heat exchanger, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 2 and 3 or any one of Figures 6 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.