Internally Profiled Tubes

Internally Profiled Tubes are tubes that have been enhanced on the inside surface by the addition of helical ribs. The rib pattern has been specifically designed to increase the heat transfer coefficient in applications using a gas or fluid with low thermal conductivity.

These tubes are extremely effective in applications involving fluids with high viscosity and/or low thermal conductivity like those found in flooded ammonia evaporators. Heat transfer coefficient increases of up to 4 times that of a bare tube have been achieved in this type of application. Performance increases of close to 2 times have also been achieved in fire tube boilers. With these performance numbers, the size of the heat exchanger can be reduced between 30% and 50% which reduces overall costs significantly.

Internally profiled tubes can also be finned for double enhancement which would be ideal for applications like oil coolers. A small number of uses have been mentioned, but a wide variety of applications can benefit from these tubes. Class Ten has the support and engineering expertise available to assist in the design of internally profiled tubes for your product.

Available Configurations

• Tube Sizes: 3/8” – 2 1/2”
• Wall Thicknesses: 0.035” – 0.105”
• Tube Materials: Carbon Steel (SA214/178A), Stainless Steel (A249/269 TP304/316)