Nordstone | Shell & Tube Heat Exchangers

High-Performance Heat Transfer Pressure Vessels for Industrial Applications

A Shell & Tube Heat Exchanger (STHE) is the most widely used heat transfer equipment in process industries due to its robust design, high thermal efficiency, wide operating range, and compatibility with extreme process conditions.

These exchangers enable efficient heat transfer between two fluids at different temperatures, where at least one fluid flows inside tubes and the other flows outside the tubes through the shell.

Designed and manufactured as per TEMA, ASME Section VIII Div.1, API, and client-specific requirements, our Shell & Tube Heat Exchangers are engineered for long-term performance in demanding industrial environments.

Product Overview

Shell & Tube Heat Exchangers are essential wherever heat must be transferred between fluids in:

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Heating
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Cooling
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Condensing
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Reboiling
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Evaporation
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Heat recovery
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Gas cooling / vaporization
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Thermal energy management

They offer unmatched flexibility in design, material selection, mechanical configuration, and thermal duty handling.

Types of Shell & Tube Heat Exchangers We Manufacture

1. Fixed Tube Sheet Exchanger (Type AEM, AES, BEM, BES)

Most common and economical design
Suitable for clean fluids
No tube removal from shell side

2. U-Tube Heat Exchanger (Type BEU, CEU, AEU)

Ideal for high-temperature differentials
Tubes expand freely without thermal stress
Easy to clean tube side only

3. Floating Head Exchanger (Type AET, BET, BKT)

Allows tube bundle removal
Suitable for fouling fluids
Excellent for high-pressure and high-temperature service

4. Kettle-Type Reboiler

Used in distillation & fractionation systems
Large vapor spaces, stable level control

5. Condensers & Evaporators

Multi-pass configurations for efficient condensing
Ideal for steam, ammonia, propane, and refrigerant systems

6. Double-Pipe Heat Exchanger

For small duty applications
Compact, simple, and easy to maintain

7. Multi-Pass Shell & Tube Systems

1-2, 2-4, 1-4, 2-8 pass arrangements
Optimized for required heat transfer coefficient

Design Codes & Standards

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TEMA (R, C, B class)

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ASME Section VIII Div.1

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API 660 (Shell & Tube Heat Exchangers)

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HEI Standards

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PED 2014/68/EU

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EN 13445

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NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156 for sour service

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IS 4503, IS 2825 (as applicable)

Thermal & Mechanical Design Criteria

Our heat exchangers are engineered using advanced thermal simulation and mechanical analysis software.

Thermal Design Includes:

Heat duty calculation LMTD calculation U-value analysis Pressure drop analysis Fouling factor selection Reynolds number analysis Temperature approach

Mechanical Design Includes:

Tube thickness optimization Expansion joint design Saddle design & loads Wind & seismic loading Nozzle reinforcement Tube-to-tubesheet joints Vibration analysis

Standard Materials of Construction

Shell Side (Carbon Steel):

SA 516 Gr. 60/70
SA 106 Gr. B
IS 2062 E250/E350

Tube Materials (Multiple Options):

Stainless Steel 304/304L Stainless Steel 316/316L Duplex & Super Duplex Copper / Admiralty Brass Titanium Inconel 600/625 Hastelloy Alloy 20 Cu-Ni (70/30, 90/10)

Tubesheets & Baffles:

CS, SS, Duplex
Clad plates (CS + SS / Alloy cladding)

Gaskets:

Spiral wound
Metal jacketed
PTFE / Expanded graphite

Internal Components & Construction Features

1. Tube Bundle

Parallel tubes arranged in bundle pattern | Roller-expanded or welded tube-to-tubesheet joints

2. Baffles

Segmental, double-segmental, triple-segmental, helical baffles | Control flow direction and heat transfer efficiency

3. Tube Sheets

Drilled as per TEMA patterns | Solid or clad material options

4. Expansion Joints

Used to relieve thermal stress in shell

5. Pass Partition Plates

Partition the flow to increase turbulation

6. Channel & Bonnet Assembly

Provides access to tube bundle for maintenance

Operating Parameters

Parameter	Range
Design Pressure	Vacuum to 120 bar
Design Temperature	–40°C to +400°C
Heat Duty	10 kW to 50 MW+
Tube Side Velocity	0.5 to 3 m/s (typical)
Shell Side Velocity	0.3 to 1 m/s
Fluid Types	Liquid-liquid, gas-liquid, gas-gas

Surface Preparation & Coating

Internal (when required):

High-build epoxy Phenolic epoxy Food-grade coating Rubber lining Glass flake epoxy

External:

Epoxy primer + PU topcoat High-temperature resistant coating Marine-grade offshore coating Hot-dip galvanized supports

Quality Control & Testing

Every heat exchanger undergoes stringent testing:

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Hydrostatic testing

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Pneumatic leak test

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Helium leak test (special service)

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Radiography (RT)

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Ultrasonic Testing (UT)

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Magnetic Particle Testing (MPT)

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Liquid Penetrant Test (LPT)

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Tube-to-tubesheet joint testing

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Vibration analysis validation

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Thermal performance check

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Third-party inspection (TUV, BV, Lloyds, etc.)

Optional Features & Complete Package Deliverables

Removable tube bundle High-fouling service design Skid-mounted package Inline strainers Temperature instrumentation Pressure instrumentation Insulation cladding Steam jackets Customized nozzles Manway arrangements

Applications

Shell & Tube Heat Exchangers are used across all major process industries:

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Oil & Gas Production

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Refineries & Petrochemicals

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Fertilizer Plants

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Chemical & Process Industries

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Pharmaceutical & Biotech

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Power Plants & CHP Units

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LNG, LPG & Cryogenic Processing

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HVAC & District Cooling Systems

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Food & Beverage Processing

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Marine & Offshore Platforms

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Thermal Oil Systems

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Water Treatment & Desalination

Key Advantages

High thermal efficiency with customizable design
Handles high pressure, high temperature, and corrosive fluids
Easy cleaning, maintenance, and long service life
Suitable for severe operating environments
Cost-effective solution for large heat duties
Excellent mechanical strength and durability
Proven performance across complex industrial systems

Why Choose Us?

20+ years of advanced heat-transfer & pressure vessel design experience
In-house thermal & mechanical expertise (TEMA/ASME-compliant)
Superior fabrication with stringent QA/QC
Customized heat exchangers engineered to precise project requirements
Global supply experience with EPC contractors and end-users
Fully certified manufacturing facility with international compliance

Shell & Tube Heat Exchangers