Comparison of FEA Results and TEMA Code in Tubular Heat Exchanger Design

Finite element method is applied to calculate the stress distribution and the maximum stress location of the tubesheets, tubes and other parts of a tubular heat exchanger in a petrochemical plant. Comparison between FE results and TEMA results is discussed. The temperature and stress distribution of tubesheets and other important parts can be accurately calculated by FE method, also the safety margin of the parts in the heat exchanger can be clearly given by FE method. For multi-pass heat exchanger, FE method is more useful. By analyzing FE results, it is easily to know whether the stresses in exchangers are over the allowable value. Therefore, FE method is a good measure to aid heat exchanger design when standard of TEMA is used.