Glossary

A
annular distributor: A cylinder of diameter larger than the shell, used to help distribute fluid into shell side of exchanger. Fluid
enters larger cylinder through a nozzle, flows around outside shell, and enters shell through evenly distributed slots cut
into shell well. Sometimes called a vapor belt.
auto straight-line: The ability to generate a straight-line heat release curve when you specify inlet and outlet temperatures and
fraction vapors for a fluid. Both fraction vapors must be between 0.001 and 0.999.
B
baffle-to-shell clearance: Diametric distance between baffle outside diameter and shell inside diameter.
baffle cut: For single-segmental baffles, segment opening height expressed as percentage of shell inside diameter. For double- and
triple-segmental baffles, defined as segment height of innermost (center) baffle as percent of shell inside diameter.
baffle cut orientation: Relationship of baffle cut to centerline of inlet nozzle, can be parallel or perpendicular to centerline. Used to
provide orientation description that is independent of shell orientation. For horizontal shell with inlet nozzle on top or
bottom of shell, perpendicular is the same as horizontal cut baffles and parallel is the same as vertical cut baffles.
baffle type: Common baffle types are single-segmental, double-segmental, triple-segmental, and rod.
bundle: Tube bundle of exchanger, consists of tubes, baffles, supports, tie rods, spacers, and tubesheets.
bundle-to-shell clearance: Diametric distance between outer tube limit and shell inside diameter.
C
central baffle spacing: Distance from center of one baffle to center of next baffle.
clean heat transfer coefficient: Predicted overall rate at which heat is transferred from hot fluid on one side of exchanger to cold
fluid on other side, with zero fouling resistance.
corbel: A projection from the refractory wall that prevents flue gas from bypassing convection section tubes.
cross baffle: Metal plate placed in bundle to alter flow pattern of shellside fluid flow.
D
detuning plate: Metal plate attached to bundle to change acoustic resonance frequencies within bundle.
dirty heat transfer coefficient: Predicted overall rate at which heat is transferred from hot fluid on one side of exchanger to cold
fluid on other side, with specified fouling.
dry weight: Weight of heat exchanger when empty.
E
effective area: Total tube outside surface area (including finned area) available for heat transfer. Surface area covered by
tubesheets is not included in this area.
effective mean temperature difference: Average temperature difference between shellside and tubeside fluids. This value is a
measure of average driving force for heat transfer.
effective tube length: Effective heat transfer length of heat exchanger's tubes; does not include tube length projecting from
tubesheet(s) or tube length contained inside tubesheet(s).
emissivity: A hypothetical black body emits radiation at a rate proportional to the fourth power of the absolute temperature of the
body. Actual surfaces emit radiation at a somewhat lesser rate. The emissivity is the ratio of the actual emissivity to that
of a black body.
end partition plate: Metal plate in front and/or rear heads used to partition heads for multiple tubepasses.
expansion joint: Cylindrical device located in shell cylinder of fixed tubesheet exchangers; designed to relieve stress caused by
difference in expansion or contraction of tube and shell materials resulting from temperature or pressure.