Prediction of Flow-Induced Vibrations in Tubular Heat Exchangers—Part I: Numerical Modeling

Flow-induced vibrations due to crossflow in the shell side of heat exchangers pose a problem of major interest to researchers and practicing engineers. Tube array vibrations may lead to tube failure due to fretting wear and fatigue. Such failures have resulted in numerous plant shutdowns, which are often very costly. The need for accurate prediction of vibration and wear of heat exchangers in service has placed greater emphasis on the improved modeling of the associated phenomenon of flow-induced vibrations. In this study, the elastodynamic model of the tube array is modeled using the finite element approach, wherein each tube is modeled by a set of finite tube elements. The interaction between tubes in the bundle is represented by fluidelastic coupling forces, which are defined in terms of the multidegree-of-freedom elastodynamic behavior of each tube in the bundle. Explicit expressions of the finite element coefficient matrices are derived. The model admits experimentally identified fluidelastic force coefficients to establish the final form of equations of motion. The nonlinear complex eigenvalue problem is formulated and solved to determine the onset of fluidelastic instability for a given set of operating parameters.