Transient Thermal Stress Calculation of a Shell and Tube Condenser with Fixed Tubesheet

The present article deals with transient thermal stress calculation on a safety horizontal shell and tube condenser. This condenser is used in a power plant for cooling of hot steam diverted from the turbine in the case of its emergency shutdown. The standard stress calculation was provided according to the EN 13445 standard in steady regime. As consistent with this calculation, an expansion joint must be used on the shell. The main aim of this article is to describe a detailed calculation of the transient temperature field on the shell and tubes, using finite element method analysis, and longitudinal thermal stresses on the shell and tubes during the start-up process. Transient analyses are useable for more accurate EN 13445 calculation and, furthermore, for fatigue calculation.

Automated summary

This article mainly focuses on calculating transient thermal stress on a safety horizontal shell and tube condenser, and describing detailed calculations of transient temperature field on the shell and tubes, as well as longitudinal thermal stresses during the start-up process using finite element method analysis. Transient analyses are useful for more accurate EN 13445 calculation and fatigue calculation.