Heat exchanger tube support structure
A support plate for retaining tube array spacing within a heat exchanger tube and shell structure. The support plate having a plurality of individual tube receiving apertures formed therein. Each aperture has at least three inwardly protruding members and bights are formed therebetween when the tube associated therewith is lodged in place to establish secondary fluid flow through the support plate. The inwardly protruding members terminate in flat lands that restrain but do not all contact the outer surface of the respective tube. These flat lands minimize fretting wear and eliminate potential gouging of the outer wall of the tube. The plate wall forming each aperture has an hourglass configuration which, inter alia, reduces pressure drop, turbulence and local deposition of magnetite and other particulates on the support plates.
1. A method for reducing deposits in a heat exchanger tube and shell structure, comprising:
providing a generally flat support plate having a plurality of individual tube receiving apertures formed therein;
providing at least three members integral with the plate defining each of the apertures, the integral members protruding inwardly toward the center of the respective aperture and forming bights between at least adjacent pairs of the members in order to provide a predetermined flow area when the tube that is individual to the respective aperture is lodged in place, the flow area having an inlet and an outlet, the members having beveled end sections at one of the inlet and the outlet, the inwardmost end of each of the integral members forming a flat land area, said protruding integral member flat land area restraining but not all contacting the outer surface of the individual tube that is to be received within the respective aperture, wherein only part of the flat land area is contacting the outer surface of said tube.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the members have beveled end sections at the inlet.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the members have beveled end sections at the outlet.