Shell And Tube Heat Exchanger Complying with TEMA and API 660 Standards for Oil Refineries

Yuhong Group Co., Ltd. specializes in the research, development and manufacturing of heat exchange equipment for petroleum refining, petrochemical and gas industries.

Our main products:

• Shell and tube heat exchangers (TEMA types AES, BEM, BEU, NEN and other configurations)
• Air coolers (compliant with API 661 standard)
• Pressure vessels
• Tube bundles (including U-tube type) for floating head heat exchangers
• Heat exchanger tubes: welded and seamless, including finned tubes
• Assemblies and components: tube sheets, baffles, nozzles, flanges, heads, covers, gaskets

The proposed shell and tube heat exchanger is designed and manufactured in strict compliance with TEMA standards (10th edition, 2019; 11th edition 2024 available) and API 660 standard (9th edition, 2015, including Addendum 1, 2020).

The equipment is designed for use in the following refinery units:

• Heaters (feed heaters, reboilers)
• Condensers (overhead condensers)
• Coolers (product coolers, intercoolers)
• Evaporators (thermosiphon reboilers, vaporizers)

Design class: TEMA Class R, featuring stringent mechanical strength requirements, suitable for severe refinery operating conditions.

(varying by size and design):

• Shell diameter: 325mm up to 1400mm and above
• Pressure: up to 100kgf/cm² (~9.8MPa)
• Heat exchanger tube length: 3000mm - 12000mm
• Tube specifications: 19×2, 20×2, 25×2.5, 25×2.77mm

All materials are supplied with compliance certificates in accordance with API 660 and TEMA requirements.

All heat exchangers undergo mandatory comprehensive tests per API 660.

1. Thermal expansion compensation — U-tube or floating head design offsets differential thermal elongation between shell and tube bundle, avoiding extra stress on tube sheets.

2. Vibration resistance — Design adopts flow-induced vibration analysis complying with TEMA mechanical standards.

3. Wide medium adaptability — Customized materials deliver corrosion resistance: carbon steel for H₂S and mildly corrosive media; 304/316 stainless steel for acidic and chloride-containing fluids; alloy steel for highly aggressive media and high-temperature hydrogen sulfide.

4. Flexible layout — Supports various TEMA types including AES, BEM, BEU, NEN, AKT, with adjustable tube-side and shell-side pass numbers.

Question 1: What are the differences between TEMA R, B and C classes?

Class R: Designed for severe oil refining working conditions, applicable to petroleum and large-capacity technological processes.

Class B: Used in chemical plants with high corrosion resistance requirements.

Class C: Applied in general commercial and industrial scenarios with less stringent standards.

Class R is highly recommended for oil refineries.

Question 2: Which TEMA shell-and-tube heat exchanger types are most commonly used in oil refineries?

The most widely applied configurations are as follows:

• AES — Pull-through tube sheet at front cover side, easy for tube bundle cleaning
• BEM — Fixed tube sheets on both sides, simple structure and cost-effective
• BEU — U-tube type, capable of thermal expansion compensation with single tube sheet
• NEN — Floating head with removable bundle, enabling full access to tubes from both ends

Question 3: What documents verify compliance with relevant standards?

Supplied certificates include: ASME Section VIII Div.1 (U-stamp), PED 97/23/CE (for EU market), hydrostatic test reports, EN 10204 3.1 material certificates, as well as RT/UT/PT/MT inspection records. API 660 9th Edition and TEMA 10th Edition serve as fundamental standards for design, fabrication and acceptance.

Question 4: Can finned tube heat exchangers be manufactured to improve heat transfer efficiency?

Yes, we produce externally finned tubes with rolled, wound and welded fins. Finned structure can boost heat transfer coefficient by 200% to 300% compared with plain tubes, subject to fin design and operating medium parameters.

Question 5: What is the production lead time?

The standard manufacturing cycle for shell-and-tube heat exchangers ranges from 45 to 150 days, depending on structural complexity, material grades and non-destructive testing requirements.

1. Full compliance with API 660 and TEMA Class R standards. All heat exchangers are designed and manufactured strictly in accordance with the above standards with no substitution of alternative specifications.

2. Custom manufacturing per customer drawings. We develop shell-and-tube heat exchangers of all TEMA configurations, over 50 combinations available, tailored to specific working parameters including pressure, temperature, medium composition and allowable pressure drop.

3. Full material traceability and rigorous quality control. All material batches come with qualification certificates. Welding and assembly processes are fully recorded and subject to non-destructive testing.

4. Extensive global supply experience. Our equipment serves oil refineries and petrochemical complexes across Asia, the Middle East, Europe and CIS countries.

5. Flexible lead time and personalized service. We undertake standard projects, and also provide full-cycle engineering solutions covering design and production within 40 to 60 days.