Heat exchanger with antivibration structure

Flow induced vibration of heat exchanger U-tubes is minimised by the use of generally V-shaped antivibration bars inserted into the tube bundle at the U-shaped sections thereof, the bars inserted into alternate gaps between adjacent layers of tubes being staggered with respect to those inserted into the adjacent gaps. All of the antivibration bars are interference fits between the tube layers so as to elastically deflect the tubes thereby ensuring positive tube support at each intersection between the tubes and bars. (author)