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Breech Lock Info

The document discusses screw-plug (breech-lock) heat exchangers, which are proprietary heat exchangers used in high-pressure and high-temperature applications like oil refineries. There are two main constructions - Hi-Hi, where both the shell-side and tube-side pressures are high and the tube bundle can be removed, and Hi-Lo, where the tube-side pressure is higher and the shell is removable. The document provides detailed diagrams and explanations of the design principles and construction features of each type.

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Nenad Trkulja
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291 views5 pages

Breech Lock Info

The document discusses screw-plug (breech-lock) heat exchangers, which are proprietary heat exchangers used in high-pressure and high-temperature applications like oil refineries. There are two main constructions - Hi-Hi, where both the shell-side and tube-side pressures are high and the tube bundle can be removed, and Hi-Lo, where the tube-side pressure is higher and the shell is removable. The document provides detailed diagrams and explanations of the design principles and construction features of each type.

Uploaded by

Nenad Trkulja
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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SCREW-PLUG (BREECH-LOCK) HEAT EXCHANGERS

Screw-Plug (Breech-Lock) are proprietary design heat exchangers used in high pressure, high
temperature, hazardous and dirty service typically found in oil refineries.

❑ Pressure range: 70 to 300 bar

❑ Temperature range: 250 to 500°C

Following are the typical processes where Screw-Plug designs are used.

➢ Hydro-cracking ➢ Hydro-dewaxing

➢ Diesel Hydrotreating ➢ De-Sulphurization

➢ Vacuum Gas Oil Hydrotreating ➢ Gas compression

➢ Lube Oil Base Stock ➢ Ammonia synthesis

1. Design Principle

Figure 1: Principle of Screw Plug closure

In the Screw Plug design, the thrust due to the tube-side pressure (H) is resisted by the
channel barrel, which is transmitted through ACME threads. The bolts are provided only to
generate the sealing pressure on the gasket. The bolt load (Hp) is applied exactly on the mean
diameter of the gasket, resulting in effective sealing.

There are two constructions in Screw-Plug (Breech-Lock) heat exchanger design.

1. Hi-Hi (Removable Bundle)

2. Hi-Lo (Removable Shell)


2. Construction of Hi-Hi Screw-Plug Heat Exchanger
Generally, in Hi-Hi construction the pressures on both shell-side and tube-side of the heat
exchanger are high.

The tube bundle of HH-SP-HX is designed for a specified differential pressure.

In this construction, the channel barrel is integral (welded) with the main shell, eliminating the
external gasketed joints between the tubesheet and girth flanges of shell and channel.

The tubesheet is internally sealed (gasketed) at an annular shoulder between shell and
channel.

The advantage of this construction is that the tube bundle can be removed without disturbing
the process piping connected to the equipment. This design is also known as Bundle
Removable type of Screw Plug Heat Exchanger.

Figure 2: Hi-Hi Screw Plug Heat Exchanger

Bundle removal
in this direction

Figure 3: Cross section of Hi-Hi Screw Plug Heat Exchanger


Figure 4: Channel details of Hi-Hi Screw Plug Exchanger

3. Construction of Hi-Lo Screw-Plug Heat Exchanger


Generally, in Hi-Lo construction, the pressure on the tube-side of the exchanger is higher than
on the shell-side.

In this construction, the tubesheet is integral with the channel and bolted to the shell.

Generally, in this construction, the shell is removable, and the tube bundle stays in its place.
Hence it is also known as Shell Removable type of Screw Plug Heat Exchanger. Roller and rail
arrangement may be provided below the saddle supports on the main shell, for ease of shell
removal.

Figure 5: Hi-Lo Screw Plug Heat Exchanger (tapped bolting)


Figure 6: Hi-Lo Screw Plug Heat Exchanger (through bolting)

Shell removal in
this direction

Figure 7: Cross section of Hi-Lo Screw Plug Heat Exchanger

Figure 8: Channel details of Hi-Lo Screw Plug Exchanger


4. Welded diaphragm

➢ Uses a welded diaphragm for sealing (m, y = 0)

- Welding must be done with alternate bolting installed/ removed.

- The seal weld must be GROUND-OFF to open the cover. (Isolation Reqd.)

- Care to be taken to preserve inconel buttering, else weld will crack

➢ Hydrostatic end force resisted by bolts.

- LARGE DIA. BOLTS required.

- Difficult to tighten, BOLT TENSIONER required.

➢ Large bolt size and bolt area demands larger Flange OD and thickness

- BULKY & EXPENSIVE

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