SPD 12.1.10 Rev.

0 6/00

Application Note
Sentry Spiral Tube Heat Exchanger Vent Condenser Application
Many fluids are contained in atmospheric or low pressure tanks. Regulatory agencies have compiled a growing list of fluids with limits on the amount of vapors which can be exhausted into the environment. Whenever a tank is filled or the temperature of the tank increases either the pressure within the tank increases or gases will exit the tank. Exiting gases will be saturated with vapor from the tank contents. Reducing emissions from the tank will require condensing of the vapors prior to exhaust of the gas. A Sentry spiral heat exchanger can be mounted either in the piping exiting the tank or within the tank at the outlet connection. Circulating a cold fluid through the tubes of the heat exchanger will cool the exiting gas and condense some of the vapors on the tube wall. When the exchanger is mounted within the tank this condensate can drip off of the tubes back into the tank and reduce the vapor content of the discharge gas. If tube side condensing is needed, a reverse upflow manifold arrangement on the spiral can be used which allows for the condensate to drain back to the tank. This style is also used when special material requirements make tube side condensing more economic. See figs. 1 & 2. Sentry Spiral tube heat exchangers are ideally suited for this service because: 1. The compact design of the spiral tube heat exchanger allows it to frequently fit within the existing tank opening. 2. Moderate gas flow can be handled with cross flow with very low gas side pressure drop 3. Corrosion resistant materials are frequently needed for tubing material. Computerized heat transfer calculation and model selection insures a satisfactory exchanger for the desired service. This is particularly important in vapor condensing since many times multi-component fluids are present and the condensing calculations can be complex. Sentry's flexible manufacturing processes allow optimization of the exchanger design; including tube diameter, number of tubes, tube length and spacing.

Fig. 1

Because of our special manufacturing techniques and multi-product usage of stainless steel tubing, Sentry offers the unique ability to provide a welded 304 stainless steel spiral tube bundle for the same price as our competitor's brazed copper tube bundle in lower pressure/temperature applications where copper would typically be used because of cost. This provides the user with greater heat exchanger life and expanded heat exchanger flexibility with no appreciable loss in heat transfer. Additionally, we specialize in spiral tube heat exchangers with 316L stainless steel and a variety of exotic alloy materials including Hastelloy , Inconel , Incoly and specialty stainless steels to name just a few. Fig . 2 Sentry Spiral tube heat exchangers are available in either bolted or all welded shell construction. All welded units provide a significantly lower cost than bolted units when shell side inspection or cleaning is not essential or economic. Standard shell construction utilizes carbon steel with NPT pipe thread connections. Other available materials and connections including flanged, socket weld, butt weld or specialty connectors are available. ASME Section VIII Division 1 stamped heat exchangers are available upon request

Sentry Equipment Corp PO Box 127 Oconomowoc, WI 53066 Phone: 262-567-7256 Fax: 262-567-4523 E-mail: sales@sentry-equip.com Web Site: http://www.sentry-equip.com