Tube Plates, Boiler Parts & Components

A tubeplate is a component of a heat exchanger. Typically there are two tubeplates connected by tubes and fitted in a sealed vessel. Fluid in the vessel passes energy to the fluid in the tubes without any contact between the two fluids.

There are a number of techniques used to seal the tubes to the tubeplates. The illustration shows a tubeplate machined ready to have tubes expanded into it.

Typically a heat exchanger will have baffles between the tubeplates. These baffles are drilled to the same pattern as the tubeplate and serve to stabilise the tubes and direct fluid flow around the tubes.

Bonnets fit on the tubeplate and are used to control fluid flow through the tubes.

Balcombe Engineering manufactures tubeplates and other boiler components up to two metres in diameter.

Injection nozzles

These are bolted into a vessel to inject material into the process away from the vessel walls.

These Weld Necks are manufactured to match the radius of the vessel and are then welded in. Their shape helps reinforce the vessel where the hole has been cut. Typically the bolting holes and the sealing face will match to ASME/ANSI B16.5.

The dimensions of long Weld Necks are described in ASME/ANSI B16.5 but the length through bore can be altered to meet specific requirements. Used for ports in pressure vessels.

Typically, tubeplates have clearly defined sealing surfaces. Sometimes it will be a spiral sealing face and other times in the case of a floating tubeplate, an 'O"-ring seal.

Additionally, specialist finishes are available, for example, - galvanising, PTFE coatings and linings and various epoxy finishes.

As an Australian manufacturer, Balcombe Engineering is able to manufacture the tubeplate and baffles in a material with the testing as required by the client specification. Typically, tubeplates will be manufactured from forged carbon or stainless steels. Typical carbon steel materials are forgings like A105, A350 LF2, A350 LF3 and forged stainless materials. Baffles are usually made from plate materials like mild steel or A240-316L. Less common but easily supplied are Super Duplex 2205 and Incoloy 625.

A tubeplate may have multiple sealing faces and requires significant sealing face protection.

Whether you want the tubeplate protected for 2 weeks or 2 years, Balcombe Engineering have a packing system that ensures that the tubeplates and baffles arrive at the installation in good condition. Our sales team are happy to provide additional information if more robust corrosion protection is required.

Every tubeplate is specifically designed for a particular pressure vessel and performance. Some have multiple grooves, various slots, unusual holes sizes, different bolting patterns and a range of special materials. Balcombe Engineering are a manufacturer with full ISO 9001:2015 certification and are able to produce to your requirements including detailed testing and documentation. All material is traced through the system and ITPs and MDRs are available on request. Your order can be packaged in line with your engineering or project specifications and we are set up to complete the tasks within remarkably short delivery time frames.