ASTM A213 T9 Embedded Finned Tube with Al1060 Fins For Waste Heat Boilers

ASTM A213 T9 Embedded Finned Tube with Al1060 Fins For Waste Heat Boilers

An ASTM A213 T9 Embedded Finned Tube with Al1060 Fins is a high-grade, durable component designed for efficient heat transfer in demanding industrial applications. It consists of a strong, heat-resistant steel core tube (T9) with aluminum fins (Al1060) mechanically bonded to its outer surface.It uses a robust steel tube to contain high-pressure fluids at high temperatures and leverages highly conductive aluminum fins to maximize heat exchange with the surrounding environment, all held together by a strong mechanical bond.

Here are some detailed breakdowns:

1. Base Tube: ASTM A213 T9 seamless tubes

(1). Chemical Composition

The chemical composition is strictly controlled to ensure the desired high-temperature properties. The values are specified as maximum percentages (%) unless otherwise stated.

(2). Mechanical Properties

The mechanical properties are measured from a test specimen taken from the heat-treated tube. The standard requires a full anneal or normalize and temper heat treatment.

Key Properties of A213 T9 seamless tubes:

• Excellent High-Temperature Strength: Resists deformation (creep) under stress at high temperatures.
• Good Oxidation & Corrosion Resistance: The chromium content provides resistance to scaling and oxidation in steam and flue gas environments.
• Weldability: It is readily weldable with appropriate procedures.

2. Embedded Finned Type

(1) Fin Wrapping: A strip of aluminum fin material (Al1060) is fed into the machine. The edges of the strip are mechanically forced down into the grooves.

(2) Advantages of the Embedded Process:

High Bond Strength: The fins are very resistant to being knocked off (fin detachment).

Excellent Heat Transfer: The metal-to-metal contact is very intimate, minimizing the "contact resistance" that can hinder heat flow.

Ability to Handle Thermal Expansion: Steel and aluminum expand at different rates when heated. The embedded design allows for this differential thermal expansion without loosening the bond.

(3) Al1060 Fins - The Fin Material

Key Properties:

• Excellent Thermal Conductivity: Aluminum is chosen primarily for this reason. It is an outstanding conductor of heat, allowing it to efficiently pull heat from the core tube and dissipate it into the surrounding air or gas.
• Lightweight: Reduces the overall weight of the heat exchanger.
• Good Corrosion Resistance: Forms a protective oxide layer.
• Cost-Effective: Pure aluminum is relatively inexpensive.

Core Application Theme

The primary application of the ASTM A213 T9 Embedded Finned Tube with Al1060 Fins is in high-temperature, high-pressure heat exchange equipment where gases are heating a liquid or steam (or vice versa), and where reliability is critical.

The T9 steel core handles the internal pressure and temperature, while the aluminum fins efficiently transfer heat to or from the gas on the outside.

Specific Applications and Examples

1. Heat Recovery Steam Generators (HRSGs)

This is a classic application. HRSGs are the large boilers attached to gas turbines in power plants. They capture waste heat from the turbine's hot exhaust gas to produce steam, which then drives a steam turbine for additional electricity.

• Role of the Finned Tube: Used in the economizer, evaporator, and superheater sections of the HRSG.

2. Waste Heat Recovery (WHR) Units in Industrial Processes

Many industrial processes generate streams of hot, waste gas. This tube is used to recover that energy, improving overall plant efficiency and reducing fuel costs.

• Examples:
  • Chemical and Petrochemical Plants: Recovering heat from reactor effluent streams or furnace flue gases.
  • Refineries: Heating water or generating steam using heat from process heaters or catalytic crackers.
  • Metallurgical Industries: Capturing heat from furnace off-gases.

3. Process Gas Heaters / Air Heaters

In these units, a hot liquid (thermal oil, steam, or hot water) inside the tubes heats air or another process gas that is blown across the finned exterior.

• Examples:
  • Combustion Air Pre-heaters: The finned tubes are used to heat the air being fed to a boiler's burner using the hot flue gas leaving the boiler. This improves boiler efficiency.
  • Drying Ovens and Air Heaters for Industrial Processes: Providing clean, hot air for manufacturing processes.

4. Economizers

An economizer is a specific heat exchanger that pre-heats feedwater before it enters a boiler. It uses the residual heat from the boiler's flue gas, which would otherwise go up the stack.