Selected Technical Inquiries regarding the Eighth Edition are listed below.

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subject/section (TEMA Ref) question reply

1) No. The "T" type
defines the pull through
1) Are removable shell covers required
type of floating head
for single or multipass "T" type
and not the shell cover
exchangers.
General being removable or
integral.
(220) 2) Yes, plugs are
2) Can a test ring be manufactured for provided for the bolt
a "T" type design with a removable holes in the floating
cover tubesheet. See
Paragraph E-4.13(3)
Is it acceptable to use "lap joint" type
Yes, provided the
flanges for exchanger body flanges
N2 (234) provisions of the ASME
(parts nos. 3, 10,11,13,17 in TEMA
Code are maintained.
figure N-2) ?
Does TEMA set any tolerance
Section 2
regarding maximum rotation of the
No
floating tubesheet with regard to the
(116)
stationary tubesheet?
1.) No. The tolerances
in Section F-3 are for
diameters and thickness
1.) Does Fig. F-3 refer to surface relevant to tubesheets,
F-3 flatness? partitions, covers and
flanges and are not
(219) pertinent to gasket
surface flatness.
2.) Where does TEMA specify
2.) Refer to Para. RCB-
tubesheet flatness especially for pass
6.33 and RCB-6.4.
partitions?
Is it permissible to use flange types
other than shown in Figure F-3,
Section 2 F3 (229) Yes
Section 2 provided they meet ASME
Code rules?
Yes, materials should
meet the requirements
Are SA-249 tubes acceptable for a
RCB-1 (227) of the ASME Boiler and
TEMA Class "C" exchanger?
Pressure Vessel Code
Section VIII, Div 1.
May a tube with wall thickness thinner
than that listed under Paragraph RCB
RCB 2.21 (228) Yes.
2.21 be used provided it meets the
requirements of the ASME code?
RCB-2.31 U- bend Should the minimum tube wall
requirement thickness (t1), be based on the the
Yes
largest thickness calculated for internal
(108) or external pressure?
See TEMA Parargraph
N-1.11 for determining
the nominal shell
In the tables R-3.13 and CB 3.13 what diameter. In the case of
RCB-3.13
is the correct thickness for shell inside diameters
intermediate values such as 750 mm with fractions of 12.7
(118)
(29.5 inch) nominal diameter? mm(.5 inch) and less it
is acceptable to round
down to the nearest
integer.
1) Pipe Schedules for
1) Why do 20" and 22" shells required 20" and 22" shells are
schedule 20 pipe ( .375" wall) but plate based on pipe schedule
Table CB-3.13 can be .3125" thick? dimensions shown in
Table D-1.
(130) 2) No, unless agreed
2) Can pipe with .3125" wall thickness upon between the
be used? Manufacturer and
Purchaser.
The term "intermediate
support baffles" refers
to tube supports in the
bundle which do not
affect the flow of the
fluid. They are installed
RCB-4 between baffles which
What is meant by "intermediate
direct the shellside flow.
support baffles"?
(199) They are most often
used in NTIW bundles
in which case they have
windows on both sides
and are used to reduce
the unsuppported span
of the tube.
Is unsupported tube length in
RCB-4.2
Paragraph RCB-4.2 based on the same
Yes.
defined unsupported tube length in
(142)
Tables R-4.41 and CB-4.41?
For TEMA 'F" type shell and for the
purpose of determining baffle or
support plate thickness, should the The full nominal shell
'nominal shell ID' in Table R-4.41 be diameter (see TEMA
RCB 4.4 (238)
taken as the full nominal shell ID, or paragraph N-1.11) shall
1/2 the full nominal shell ID, or the be used
hydraulic diameter due to presence of
the longitudinal baffle?
 1. RCB-4.63 does not
require tubeside
impingement plates for
any case. It only
recommends "special
devices" to prevent
1. RCB 4.63 seems to require an
erosion for high values
impingement plate for tubeside liquid
of pv^2. These can be
as a function of pv^2. What about
any of several devices
other fluids?
including tube end
inserts and distributor
baffles. It probably
should include vapors
and two phase fluids as
recommended.
RCB 4.6 2. No. RCB-4.61 does
not require
impingement plates for
all vapors and gases. It
(203) requires impingement
plates for non-abrasive,
single phase fluids
where pv^2 is greater
2. RCB 4.61 requires shellside than 1500 and all other
impingement plates for vapors and vapors and gases (that
gases regardles of pv^2. Does this is, vapors and gases
mean that other fluids have less which are not non-
erosion impact? abrasive and single
phase). It does not
require impingment
plates for fluids
(including gases and
vapors) which are
nonabrasive, single
phase, and pv^2 less
than 1500.
In TEMA Paragraph RCB -4.63, is the
V in the calculation for pV2 taken as The entrance line
RCB- 4.63 (240)
the entrance line (nozzle) velocity or ( nozzle) velocity.
the in-tube velocity.
The formula for Styles
For Styles "A" and "D" is the formula
RCB-5.141 Backing Device "A" and "D" is correct
for bending correct or must the
Thickness (Type S) (245) as shown due to the
moment be multiplied by 2?
limited rotation.
TEMA recommends a
maximum design
pressure of 300 psi for
type "P' floating heads.
What is the maximum allowable With agreement
Outside packed floating (P) design pressure (shell side) for TEMA between fabricator and
type exchanger (231) type " P" externally packed floating end user, and exercising
head exchanger? of sound engineering
 practice or proven
design experience, a
higher design pressure
can be used.
TEMA does not
recommend Type "P"
floating heads for
greater than 300 psi
design pressure. With
Can outside packed floating head
mutual agreement
(TEMA type "P") be used at design
RCB 5.2., Outside Packed between fabricator and
pressure greater than 300 psi? If yes,
Floating Heads( Type P) (232) end user, and with
what is the maximum allowable design
exercising of sound
pressure for TEMA "R" construction?
engineering judgment or
proven design
experience, it is
acceptable to exceed
300 psi design pressure.
TEMA does not address
sizes above 60" because
Referring to Table RCB-5.22, what are
TEMA does not
the corresponding dimensions for type
RCB 5.2 (233) recommend the type "P"
"P" exchangers in the size range of
floating head exchanger
60"-100"?
be used above 60"
nominal size.
RB -5.31 Would it be acceptable to use a rear
head type "W" with propane on the No
(120) tube side?
After welding tubes to the tubesheet,
See Paragraph R-6.33
(224) what is the flatness tolerance for
and CB- 6.33
tubesheets with pass partitions?
Upon agreement
between purchaser and
fabricator, exceptions to
TEMA requirements are
Are Tubesheets designed as per ASME
acceptable. An
RCB-7 (103) Section VIII, Division 1 acceptable to
exchanger may still be
TEMA?
considered as meeting
TEMA requirements as
long as the exception is
documented.
1) No. The
configuration of a DFU
type exchanger does not
match the definition of a
1) For a DFU type exchanger, may the
fixed tubesheet
required tubesheet thickness be
exchanger given in
calculated per the rules for fixed
Paragraph RCB -7.16.
tubesheets?
Specifically, a DFU
type exchanger does not
R-7 (244) have tubesheets fixed to
both ends of the shell.
2) The constant 0.31
used in Paragraph RCB-
7.133 dates back to
2) Why is the constant 0.31 used in the
early editions of the
formula for effective tubesheet
TEMA standards and
thickness in Paragraph RCB-7.133?
has been validated
through many years of
use.
1) For a CEU type exchanger , is the
pressure used to calculate the tubesheet
1) Yes
thickness due to tubeside pressure =
P= Pt + Pb ?
2) In paragraph RCB-
2) In Paragraph RCB-7.13421, Method
7.13421, Method 1, the
I, what Pressure "P" Should be used to
RCB 7.132 design pressure of the
calculate M*: Ps, Pt or the design
gasketed side should be
pressure of the gasketed side?
(127) used to calculate M*
3) When calculating the tubesheet
thickness for a CEU type exchanger,
should Pb be added to Ps when
3) Yes
considering shellside pressure as well
as to Pt when considering tubesheet
pressure?
G is defined in Table
RCB-7.132 for two
different conditions:
Shell side pressure and
tube side pressure.
When a bolted-on
channel is used on a
fixed-tubesheet
exchanger, as shown in
Figure (d) of Table
RCB-7.132, the
moments acting on the
extended portion of the
tubesheet should be
This question is in reference to Table calculated based on the
RCB-7.132, Figure (d) and the channel gasket G as
definition of G in the table for the stated in the column for
corresponding figure as applied to a "Tube Side Pressure."
fixed tubesheet exchanger with However, if the channel
differing shell and channel IDs. When is integral with the
Table RCB-7.132 (209)
designing the extended portion of the tubesheet, the value for
fixed tubesheet for gasket seating and G should be taken as the
for operating conditions, should the channel ID for the tube
moments on the extended portion be side pressure condition.
calculated based on the shell ID or This is stated in Table
channel ID? RCB-7.132, although
 the channel ID is
generically referred to in
the table as "shell ID."
The phrase "shell ID if
fixed tubesheet type
unit" must be in
reference to the channel
ID for cases involving
channels which are
integral with the
tubesheet, since this
phrase is shown in the
column for "Tube Side
Pressure."
1) Paragraph RCB -
7.162 states that G is
defined in Paragraph
RCB -7.132. Paragraph
RCB -7.132 states that
for fixed tubesheet
exchangers, G shall be
the inside shell
diameter. Therefore , for
all three cases
referenced in the
question above, G shall
be the shell inside
diameter. However the
rules of these TEMA
paragraphs were
This question is in response to the
developed for cases in
reply given for TEMA Inquiry 01-209.
which the shell and
When calculating equivalent bolting
channel inside
pressures per Paragraph RCB -7.162,
diameters are identical
what should be taken for G in each of
or approximately
the following cases, assuming that all
TEMA Inquiry Number : 01- identical. For cases in
cases involve fixed tubesheet
209 (226) which the shell and
exchangers: a) Shell ID = Channel ID
channel diameters are
b) Shell ID > Channel ID c) Shell ID <
significant different,
Channel ID
good engineering
judgment should be
used in the selection of
a value for G. Please
note that this reply
differs from the reply
previously given for
TEMA Inquiry 01-209
The reply given for
TEMA Inquiry 01-209
is currently being re-
examined by the
Subcommittee on
Tubesheet Design and
 may be subject to
revision.
2) Is it possible to construct a fixed
tubesheet exchanger in which the 2) Yes.
channel is integral with the tubesheet?
When calculating the tubesheet
thickness for an AEU or BEU type
exchanger with a flanged extension
( as shown in Table RCB-7.132(b)),
(235) Yes
should Pb be added to Ps when
considering shell side pressure and to
Pt when considering tube side
pressure?
Since the stationary
tubesheet of a CEP type
exchanger is integral
with the channel, F for
the stationary tubesheet
shall be the value
determined by the curve
For a CEP type exchanger, what value
H in Figure RCB-7.132.
RCB 7.132 (237) shall be used for F for the stationary
( This value for F is also
and floating tubesheets, respectively?
shown in Table RCB-
7.132 (C)) For the
outside packed floating
tubesheet, F shall be 1.0
as stated in Paragraph
RCB 7.132 and Table
RCB -7.132 (m)
When calculating the required
A stated in the
tubesheet thickness per Paragraph
definition for P in
RCB -7.132 for a floating tubesheet
Paragraph RCB-7.132
type exchanger, must the highest
Cooler Design to Meet PED differential pressure
design pressure be considered with no
Regulations (241) may be used in the
pressure acting on the opposite side or
calculation of tubesheet
can the tubesheet thickness be
thickness if specified by
calculated for a differential pressure
the purchaser.
condition?
1)This question is in regard to a BEU
type exchanger with the tubesheet
bolted between the channel and shell
girth flanges. The tubesheet is equal in
diameter to the adjacent girth flanges
and has drilled-and-tapped bolt holes
sized to accommodate the girth flange 1) Yes.
bolting. Does the configuration of this
tubesheet match the definition in
Paragraph 7.132 of a "tubesheet . . . .
extended as a flange for bolting to
heads or shells with ring type
gaskets"?
RCB Paragraph 7.132 2) Must the tubesheet be integral with
Tubesheet Formula Bending either the channel or shell in order to 2) No.
(250) be considered 'extended" ?
3) No, unless special
agreement is reached
between the fabricator
3) if the tubesheet bolt holes are not
and purchaser to exempt
tapped, but are instead sized to allow
the tubesheet
the bolts to pass through without
calculation from this
transferring loads to the tubesheet
requirement and
during normal operation, may the
precautions are taken to
tubesheet be exempted from the
ensure that the tubesheet
requirement to consider Pb and M* in
will never be bolted
the calculation of required thickness?
independently to the
channel or shell and
pressurized.
There is no limit as to
how much the assumed
value of Tr can vary
from the calculated
In Paragraph RCB-7.31421( Method
RCB 7.1342 value of Tr in paragraph
1), is there a limit as to how much the
RCB-7.31421( Method
assumed value of Tr can vary from the
(131) 1). The calculated value
calculated value of Tr?
of Tr in step (5) is the
minimum thickness of
the flanged extension of
the tubesheet.
In calculating the
combined tubesheet
In calculating the combined tubesheet thickness 'T' per
thickness 'T' per paragraph RCB-7.13, paragraph RCB-7.13,
what 'L' dimension should be used for use within the
RCB 7.15
within the context of RCB-7.15: a) context of paragraph
tube length between inner tubesheet RCB-7.15, the
(109)
faces (shell side tubesheets) or b) tube dimension "L" shall be
length between inner tubesheet faces taken as the tube length
(tubeside tubesheets)? between inner tubesheet
faces of the shell side
tubesheets.
In cases where the total combined tube
stress, sigma T is negative, should the
RCB-7.1544 (221) Yes
absolute value be taken to compare to
the code allowable stress, S?
Note (1) under RCB-7.161 states that J
 can be assumed equal to zero for shells
No. J may be assumed
with expansion joints whose spring
equal to zero ONLY for
rates fall below a certain limit. This
light guage bellows type
assumption results in a value of Pd =
expansion joints which
0. If this value of Pd = 0 is then
meet the requirement of
applied to the design of flexible shell
RCB-7.161 and RCB-8 Note (1) under RCB
elements as described in RCB-8, a
7.161. In no case shall
stress equal to zero may be calculated
J be assumed equal to
for the flexible shell element for the
zero when thick-walled
deflection only (no pressure) case.
(101) flanged only or flanged-
This zero stress does not seem
and-flued type
appropriate, since the flexible shell
expansion joints are
element must surely experience stress
used; rather, J shall be
while in a state of deflection. Should J
accordance with RCB
be assumed equal to zero for the
7.161 and RCB-8.6.
design of flexible shell elements as
described in RCB-8?
A) In Paragraph RCB-7.163 and 7.164, A) YES. Per Paragraph
the variable G is set equal to the port RCB-7.161, G is
inside diameter for kettle type defined in Paragraph
exchangers. Should Fq, as calculated RCB-7.132 , which
in Paragraph 7.161, be calculated using states that G shall be the
this modified value of G when the port inside diameter for
exchanger in question is a kettle type? kettle type exchangers.
B) The modified value
for Es shall be used for
B) In Paragraph RCB-7.161, what
kettle type exchangers
value of Es should be used to calculate
as shown in the "Notes"
Fq for a kettle type exchanger?
portion of Paragraph
RCB- 7.161, 7.163, 7.164 RCB-7.161
(113) C) the curves of Figures
RCB-8.51 and 8.52 are
C) In Paragraph RCB-8.52, is m
based on ratios of mean
determined from Figure RCB-
radius to thickness.
8.51using ra or r'a? Similarly, in
Therefore, r'a and r'b
Paragraph RCB-8.54, should rb or r'b
should be used when
be used when entering Figure RCB-
calculating ratios for use
8.52 to determine the stiffness
in these curves. This is
multiplier?
clarified in Paragraph
RCB-8.5
D) In Paragraph RCB-8.55, should tE
be used in the determination of m and D) Yes.
mo?
1)The determination of
the mean metal
temperatures should be
based on the operating
temperatures of both the
shellside and tubeside
fluids with due
consideration given to
 such factors as the
1) How should the mean shell and tube
relative heat transfer
metal temperatures be calculated for
coefficients of both
various operating and start up/shut
fluids , the relative heat
down cases?
transfer area of parts in
contact with both fluids,
etc. Section T-4 may be
used as a guide in
determining the mean
T-4, E-3.2 & RCB 7.2 metal temperature.
TEMA can not
(125) comment on specific
applications.
2) For multiple loading
conditions, TEMA does
not specify whether the
allowable stress of the
tubes and tubesheet be
2) If the operating temperatures for based on the highest of
alternate cases is less than the normal all design metal
operating temperatures, can the temperatures (RCB1.42)
allowable stress value of the shell/ of individual cases or
tube/ tubesheet cab be taken at the the respective design
lower temperature for those cases? temperatures of each
individual case. The
selection of the
appropriate allowable
stress value is left up to
the manufacturer.
Is the drill tolerance referenced in the
notes of Tables RCB-7.42 and 7.42 M
RCB -7.42 (246) Yes
to be used only to calculate minimum
standard ligaments?
1) Is it permissible for any tubesheet
ligament widths to be less than the
"Minimum Permissible Ligament 1) No.
Width" given in the tables regardless
of tubesheet thickness?
2) No. For tubesheets
which are thicker than
2) For tubesheets, which are thicker 6" ( 152.4 mm) , the
than 6" (152.4 mm), is the "Minimum minimum Standard
Tables RCB -7.42 and 7.42 M Standard Ligament" equal to the value Ligament Width should
(251) given for 6" (152.4 mm)? be calculated per the
notes for Tables RCB-
7.42 & 7.42M.
3) Is it allowable to extrapolate the
tables for thickness greater than 3) Yes.
6" (152.4 mm)?
 4) Does a tubesheet with ligament
widths less than the "Minimum
4) No.
Permissible Ligament Width" given
meet TEMA's minimum requirements?
In Paragraphs RB-7.44
and C-7.44 when
utilizing hydraulic
expansion, groove(s)
shall be 1/4" (6.4mm)
In Paragraphs RB-7.44 and C-7.44, wide. Tubesheets with
RB-7.44 and C-7.44 when utilizing hydraulic expansion, thicknesses less than 1
does the word 'grooves" mean that two " (25.4mm) may be
(124) grooves must be used regardless of provided with one
tubesheet thickness? groove. Other groove
configurations may be
used based on
recommendations of the
expansion equipment
manufacturer.
RCB-8.3
At what temperature are Es, Eo and Ee
Mean metal
as defined by RCB-8.3 to be
Expansion Joint Element temperature.
calculated?
Material Properties (156)
YES. Paragraph RCB-
With regard to the annular plate of a
8.9 states that the
flexible element, ASME Section VIII
allowable flexible
RCB-8.82 Allowable stress on Div. 1, Appendix CC states that the
element stresses shall be
the annular plate element allowable stress for the case of
as defined by the Code,
pressure plus axial deflection is K * S.
using an appropriate
(112) Is this the allowable stress to be used
stress concentration
for comparing Smbd calculated for the
factor for the geometry
annular plate?
under consideration.
NO. Appendix 26 of the
code is intended for use
in the design of light
gauge bellows type
Can the definitions and allowable expansion joints only.
Section 5, RCB - 8.82/8.9
stresses defined in Appendix 26 of the Allowable stresses for
code be used for designing flexible flexible shell elements
(122)
shell elements as covered in RCB-8 such as flanged-only
and flanged-and- flued
expansion joints should
be based on Appendix
CC of the code.
No, but the flanged
RCB-9.21 Should the thickness required for portion must not be less
deflection be applied to the flanged than that required by
(201) portion. ASME Code Sect. VIII
Div. 1.
6/V-8 What density (liquid or vapor) should
The liquid density
be used to calculate delta sub 2 when
should be used.
(213) the fluid is two-phase.
For straight tube
bundles, N shall be the
number of spans
between the tubesheets
(usually one greater
than the number of tube
supports) for the tube
6/ V-8 In Paragraph V-8, what value of N
analyzed. For U-tube
shall be used for bundles with multiple
bundles, N shall be the
(129) spans of different lengths?
number of spans in the
whole U-tube
(considered both legs)
including one for U-
bend, if unsupported, or
two for the U-bend if
supported mid-span.
Can the equations in paragraph T-4.33 No, the equations are
be used to determine the maximum only intended to
T -4.33 (258)
and minimum temperatures of the calculate the mean
tubesheet? temperature.
The bolting data in
Table D-5M is based on
ASME B1.13M- 1995
metric screw threads- M
profile. In RCB-11 the
statement regarding 8-
What standard is used for bolting data pitch thread series does
Table D-5M (111)
in Table D-5M? not apply to metric
threads. The bolt sizes
shown are for your
convenience, but do not
limit the use of other
metric sizes or
standards.
Tube OD 33.1 mm should read 38.1 mm is the correct
Table D7-M
38.1mm value.
It is appropriate to
Section 9; Tables D-11 & D- interpolate between
Is it appropriate to approximate the
10 values shown but it is
values beyond those given in Tables
not appropriate to
D-10, D-10M, D-11, and D-11M?
(212) extrapolate beyond
those values.
RGP-RCB 4.623 & 4.624 No, the reference should
Is the reference correct for K= Dn for
read K= Dn for Figure
Figure RGP-RCB-4.6231?
(126) RGP-RCB-4.6241
RGP- G -7.1124 pages 259- The units shown in paragraph RGP-G- The units shown are
260 7.1124 A) B) & C) for RVREFF and incorrect. The correct
RVSEFF is in-lb,(mm-kN) Are these units for RVFEFF and
(123) units correct as shown? RVSEFF is lb, (kN)

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