Paper 17: Flow-Induced Vibration and Noise with Particular Reference to Heat Exchanger Tube Systems

Abstract

The general problem of vibration of structural elements or system components produced by fluid flow has become of increasing importance in recent years. The large number of mechanisms capable of producing vibration are discussed in detail in this paper. The vortex shedding, galloping and buffeting vibrations of structures are covered and flutter is briefly mentioned. The complex vibration modes produced by vortex shedding in tube systems of cross-flow type heat exchangers are described in detail and the production of noise by resonance with acoustic standing wave frequencies of the heat exchanger vessel is also covered. The jet-switch mechanism which can lead to streamwise vibration of heat exchanger tubes is described. The useful results which can be derived from mathematical work concerning vortex streets are mentioned. The prediction of flow-induced vibration is discussed, the difficulties involved are mentioned and the frequent necessity of model testing is stressed. Finally, the simple methods by which flow-induced vibration may frequently be suppressed are described.