Tie rods are fixed at one end in the tube sheet by making blind holes and the minimum number of tie rods is 4 with at least 10 mm diameter
Baffles are supported independently of the tubes by tie rods and positioned by spacers
Clearance between shell & baffles and between tube & baffles should be minimum to avoid by-passing of the fluid, but it should be enough to permit the removal of tube bundle
Bracket supports are used for horizontal shell, while saddle support is used for vertical shell
Bubble cap trays though most expensive are the best in situations, where low vapour rates is to be handled and a positive liquid seal is essential at all flow rates
Maintenance cost for valve and seive trays are comparatively more than bubble cap tray due to their relatively complicated construction features
Valve trays have the highest turn down ratio (i.e. the ratio of the highest to the lowest vapour flow rates) and thus provides the maximum flexible operating range
Murphree efficiency of all the three trays are nearly equal, however the peak efficiency is generally higher for seive and valve trays than the bubble cap
EXAMIANS