SPIRAL CRIMPED FIN TUBE TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

1. Manufacturing Process

The spiral crimped fin tube production involves three key stages:

  • Base Tube Preparation: Seamless/carbon steel tubes are precision-cut to required lengths (typical tolerance ±0.5mm)
  • Fin Formation:
    • Spiral fins are cold-formed onto tubes using specialized crimping machines (rotation speed 50-200 RPM)
    • Fin pitch ranges from 2.5-12.7mm with height 6.5-16mm
    • Crimping angle maintained at 30°-45° for optimal heat transfer
  • Fin Bonding:
    • Mechanical bonding through pressure up to 3.5 tons
    • Optional brazing/soldering for high-pressure applications

2. Material Options

ComponentAvailable MaterialsTemperature RangeBase TubeCarbon steel (ASTM A179), Stainless (304/316), Copper (C12200)-40°C to 650°CFinsAluminium (6063), Copper (C11000), Carbon steel-200°C to 580°C

3. Technical Specifications

  • Standard Sizes:
    • OD: 12.7mm – 50.8mm (0.5″ – 2″)
    • Length: Up to 12m (custom lengths available)
    • Fin thickness: 0.3mm – 1.2mm
  • Performance Metrics:
    • Heat transfer coefficient: 35-60 W/m²K
    • Pressure rating: Up to 4.0MPa (with brazed fins)
    • Surface area expansion ratio: 5:1 to 12:1

4. Industrial Applications

  1. Power Generation:
    • Boiler economizers (coal-fired plants)
    • HRSG (Heat Recovery Steam Generators)
  2. Process Industries:
    • Oil refinery heat exchangers
    • Chemical reactor cooling systems
    • LNG vaporizers
  3. HVACR Systems:
    • Industrial chillers
    • Heat pump evaporators
    • District heating networks
  4. Specialty Applications:
    • Marine engine cooling
    • Waste heat recovery units
    • Solar thermal collectors

Spiral Crimped Fin Tube Installation Manual‌‌


 Pre-Installation Preparation

  1. Material Verification

    • Confirm base tube material markings (ASTM A179/A214 carbon steel, 304/316 stainless steel, or copper alloy) match design specifications.
    • Measure fin parameters:
      • Fin height tolerance ≤ ±0.2mm
      • Spiral angle deviation ≤ ±1.5°
      • Fin pitch error ≤ ±0.3mm
  2. Surface Treatment

    • Clean internal tubes using compressed air (0.6MPa pressure).
    • Apply anti-oxidation coating (recommend PTFE-based coating) for aluminum fins.

 Mechanical Installation Procedure

1. Support System Installation

Parameter Requirement
Horizontal support spacing ≤1.5m (carbon steel tubes) / ≤2m (stainless steel tubes)
Vertical tolerance ≤2mm/m
Vibration-sensitive areas Install rubber damping pads (hardness ≥70 Shore A)

2. Tube Bundle Connection

  • Flange Connection‌:

    • Bolt preload control:
      • M12 bolts: 35-40Nm
      • M16 bolts: 70-80Nm
    • Use graphite metal-wound gaskets as priority.
  • Welding Connection‌:

    Welding Type Application
    TIG Welding Stainless steel/copper alloy tubes
    MIG Welding Carbon steel tubes (argon purging required)

    Post-weld Eddy Current Testing (ECT) mandatory for joint integrity verification.

3. Fin Protection Measures

  • Installation deformation control:
    • Radial compression ≤5% of fin height
    • Axial twist angle ≤3°
  • For corrosive environments:
    • Apply epoxy protective coating (dry film thickness ≥150μm).

System Commissioning Protocol

Pressure Testing Procedure‌:

  1. Hydrostatic test: 1.5× working pressure, hold for 30 minutes (leakage rate ≤0.1%).
  2. Gas tightness test: 0.6MPa nitrogen with soap solution for leak detection.

Thermal Debugging Parameters‌:

Phase Temperature Gradient Duration
Preheating ≤50°C/h 2h
Steady-state Design temp. ±10°C 4h
Cooling ≤30°C/h To ambient

 Maintenance Regulations

  • Periodic Inspections‌:
    • Monthly visual inspection of fin fouling (permissible dust accumulation ≤1mm).
    • Annual ultrasonic thickness testing (replace if wall loss ≥10%).
  • Chemical Cleaning‌:
    • Acidic solution pH control:
      • Carbon steel: 4.5-5.5
      • Stainless steel: 2.8-3.2.

This manual complies with ASME B31.1 Power Piping Code and applies to heat exchange systems with working pressure ≤10MPa.


Annotations marked with [ ] refer to relevant clauses in international engineering standards.

Key Technical Clarifications:

  1. Fin Height Tolerance‌: Critical for maintaining uniform airflow and heat transfer efficiency.
  2. Welding Gas Protection‌: Argon shielding prevents oxidation in carbon steel tube welding.
  3. Epoxy Coating Thickness‌: 150μm ensures corrosion resistance in pH 3-11 environments.