What is tube sheet?

A tube sheet is a flat metal plate featuring multiple circular holes for connecting to pipelines. Typically, it appears as a relatively thick rectangular or circular plate, with hole arrangements and sizes designed to match the diameters of the connected pipes. The edges of the tube sheet often have a bevel or chamfer to facilitate welding and sealing. The entire structure can be envisioned as a “cake” with a flat bottom, uniformly distributing the pipe insertion holes to create fluid passages and a supporting structure.

forged tube sheets

1.Functions

Connection: The tube sheet serves to connect multiple pipes to the housing of equipment, forming a sealed fluid passage.

Support Structure: It provides the necessary support for the pipes, ensuring system stability.

Fluid Separation: In some applications, the tube sheet can help separate different types of fluid flows.

2.Materials Tube sheets are commonly made from various materials, including:

Carbon steel

Stainless steel

Alloy materials

3.Manufacturing Standards The manufacturing of tube sheets typically adheres to specific industry standards, such as:

ASME BPVC: Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

ASTM: Material standards from the American Society for Testing and Materials.

4.Design Considerations

Dimensions: The size of the tube sheet is generally determined by the diameter and wall thickness of the connected pipes.

Hole Size: The size and position of the holes are designed according to the pipeline configuration and fluid flow requirements.

5.Applications Tube sheets are widely used in:

Chemical Equipment: Such as reactors, heat exchangers, and separators.

Power Industry: Frequently used in boilers and cooling systems.