Twisted Tube Heat Exchangers

Designed to be different
Koch Heat Transfer (formerly Brown Fintube) took a look at all of the problems typically associated with shell & tube
heat exchangers. Then they solved them with a revolutionary tube shaped bundle construction. The result was better
performance than ever before possible. Since 1985, hundreds of TWISTED TUBE Heat Exchangers have been
operating under a wide variety of field conditions. Over the years, TWISTED TUBE Technology has proven to be
more efficient, more reliable and more trouble-free than any other type of exchanger. Ongoing research and product
development will ensure Koch Heat Transfer Company's customers get maximum performance from their exchangers.
Twisted Tube Technology offers:
Increased heat transfer
Smaller exchanger or fewer shells
Elimination of vibration
Reduced Fouling
When used as retrofit bundles or exchangers, Twisted Tube also offers:
Increased heat transfer
Lower installed cost
Extended run time between cleanings
APPLICATIONS:
Preheat
CRU Combined Feed
Hydrotreater Feed / Effluent
Rich / Lean Amine

Sour Water Feed / Effluent

Quench Water Coolers
Overhead Condensers
Kettle Reboiler

Improvements over conventional shell & tube heat exchangers

Baffle-Free Tube Support
Koch Heat Transfers innovative Twisted Tube Design avoids the need for baffles. The unique helix shaped tubes
are arranged in a triangular pattern. Each tube is firmly and frequently supported by adjacent tubes, as shown in
the illustration on the left, yet fluid swirls freely along it's length. This support system eliminates tube vibration,
which is a common problem in some heat exchanger services.
The twist arrangement for baffle-free support with gaps aligned between the tubes also provides for easier cleaning
on the shellside.
The Twisted Tubes themselves are round at each end, allowing for convenient tube-to-tubesheet joints to be used.
Tube to tube contact points eliminate vibration

Each tube is "locked" in place by the six surrounding tubes.

More Efficient Heat Transfer

Twisted Tube heat exchangers provide a higher heat transfer coefficient than any other tubular heat exchanger.
Here's why:
Complex swirl flow on the shell side induces the maximum turbulence to improve heat transfer.
Powerful tubeside turbulence is achieved even at high viscosities and/or low velocities.
Uniform flow distribution gives more effective length and surface area than other shell & tube exchangers.
Reduced Fouling
Baffle-free design eliminates dead spots where fouling can occur.
Velocity is constant and uniform.
Constant flow distribution controls tube wall temperature.
No Vibration

Baffle-free design directs shell side fluid to true longitudinal flow.

Each Twisted Tube is extensively supported at multiple contact points along its entire length.
Tube fretting and failure due to vibration is eliminated.

Lower Pressure Drop

Twisted Tube technology's longitudinal swirl flow reduces the high pressure drop associated with
segmental baffles.
Twisted Tube exchangers are usually shorter in length and have fewer number of passes, for a
lower pressure drop on the tubeside.
Improved Tubeside Flow
40 % higher tubeside heat transfer coefficient
High localized velocities scrub tube wall to combat fouling

Twisted Tube provides the highest heat transfer coefficient possible in tubular heat exchangers.
Swirl flow in tubes creates turbulence to improve heat transfer.
Turbulent flow achieved even at low velocities and/or high viscosities.

Uniform shellside velocity greatly

reduces fouling caused by dead
spots/hot spots

Uniform Shellside Flow

Heat transfer coefficient is consistently high.

Complex interrupted swirl flow on shell side maximizes turbulence while minimizing pressure drop.
Flow distribution and velocity are homogeneous.

Uniform flow distribution

Turbulent swirl flow

Uneven flow distribution

Fouling build-up

Areas of low velocity

(dead spots)

Twisted Tube Cleaning Efficiencies

Shellside
Cleaning lanes allow for complete mechanical cleaning by hydroblasting.
Chemical cleaning-in-place (CIP) is more effective in Twisted Tubes than conventional shell & tubes due to
uniform flow distribution.

Tubeside
Tubeside effectively cleaned by hydroblasting.
Chemical cleaning-in-place (CIP) is more effective in Twisted Tube than conventional shell & tubes due to
swirl flow.
No special tools required.

Link to Delta T Heat Exchangers Website

Link to Koch Heat Transfers Website