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is there a way to predict The amount of gas that can leak through the tubes of a heat exchanger. I have gas on the tube side of a kettle type reboiler. I need to understand the impact of gas leak on the temperature of the steam on the shell side...

Thanks
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Kid

[Art Montemayor]

Kid:

Why is this thread in the Process Simulation Forum? Where does the simulation come in?

Why are you putting the gas in the tube bundle of a kettle reboiler with steam on the shell side? Usually, it is the other way around (with steam in the tube bundle) except that the gas doesn't fit on the shell side. Are you dealing with a steam generator by any chance? It can not be called a "reboiler" (and using a kettle doesn't fit) if you have gas on the shell side. You MUST have a liquid in the shell side - all around the tube bundle - in order to boil it. Hence, the term "reboiler".

What kind of tube leak are you worried about or planning? Is it a tube rupture? Or is it a pin hole due to corrosion? Is it a leak through the tubesheet joint? Please be specific. And also explain all the questions raised. It would help us in order to help you out. We don't know what you are doing with the kettle exchanger; consequently, how can we speculate how the shell side temperature will be affected? Besides, I would also worry about the PRESSURE in the reboiler shell should the gas leak there. What are the fluids, temperatures, states, and pressures involved?

In the meantime, I'm moving this thread to the Industrial Forum. Or should it be the STUDENT Forum? You tell us. I see no reason to bother the computer nerds with this subject.