Applications of Tube Sheets

As core components in pressure vessels, heat exchangers, boilers, and other equipment, the quality of tube sheets directly impacts the safe operation and service life of such devices.

Leveraging years of technical expertise and production experience, Jetvision has established a comprehensive manufacturing system and quality control standards for tube sheet production.

Where are tube sheets applied? Jetvision shares something.

1. Petrochemical Industry

In petrochemicals, forged tube sheets are primarily used in critical equipment like hydrogenation reactors, reforming reactors, and heat exchangers.

These units typically operate continuously under high-temperature, high-pressure, and corrosive conditions. Jetvision selects appropriate steel grades—such as 16Mn, 15CrMo, and 12Cr2Mo1—based on specific service requirements. By rigorously controlling forging parameters and employing optimized heating schedules and deformation levels, we ensure dense microstructures and uniform properties in our tube sheet forgings.

In practical applications, the tube sheets supplied by Jetvision for a refinery's hydrogenation reactor—measuring 3200mm in diameter and 450mm in thickness—demonstrated excellent high-temperature strength and hydrogen corrosion resistance during operation. Addressing the trend toward larger petrochemical equipment, the company has developed the capability to produce large tube sheets exceeding 5000mm in diameter. By optimizing tube hole layout design, Jetvision has effectively improved stress distribution within the tube sheets.

2. Power and Energy Sector

Within the power industry, tube sheet forgings are primarily used in equipment such as steam generators, high-pressure heaters, and condensers for nuclear and thermal power applications.

For nuclear tube sheets, Jetvision strictly adheres to nuclear safety regulations and relevant technical standards, prioritizing material purity and performance stability. Vacuum melting technology is employed to rigorously control harmful elements like sulfur and phosphorus, ensuring excellent mechanical properties and radiation resistance.

In thermal power generation, the advancement of ultra-supercritical units demands higher high temperature strength and creep resistance from tube sheet forgings. The company optimizes heat treatment processes and adjusts microstructures to maintain stable performance under high-temperature operating conditions.

For instance, tube sheet products supplied for a 600°C ultra-supercritical unit at a power plant demonstrated excellent high-temperature endurance strength and microstructural stability during operation.

3. Chemical Equipment Sector

In fertilizer, coal chemical, and salt chemical industries, tube sheet forgings endure prolonged exposure to various corrosive media.

Jetvision selects corrosion-resistant materials like stainless steel and duplex steel based on medium characteristics. By controlling chemical composition and applying appropriate heat treatment regimens, the company ensures materials achieve optimal corrosion resistance and microstructural integrity.

In a coal chemical project, the company manufactured tube sheets from duplex stainless steel. By precisely controlling solution treatment temperature and duration, the material achieved an optimal two-phase ratio, simultaneously meeting strength requirements and enhancing stress corrosion resistance.

For specialized operating conditions, the company has developed composite tube sheet manufacturing technology. Through explosion bonding or roll bonding processes, it achieves reliable integration between the base material and cladding layer.

4. Other Industrial Sectors

Beyond the primary sectors mentioned above, tube sheet forgings are also extensively utilized in industries such as papermaking, refrigeration, and seawater desalination.

In the papermaking industry, tube sheets for cooking equipment require resistance to alkali solution corrosion.

In the refrigeration sector, tube sheets for refrigeration units demand excellent thermal conductivity and low temperature toughness.

In seawater desalination applications, tube sheets must withstand chloride ion corrosion.

Jetvision provides tailored material selections and process solutions based on the specific characteristics and usage requirements of different industries.

For example, for a seawater desalination project,Wesupplied tube sheets made from molybdenum-containing stainless steel. By increasing the content of elements like chromium and molybdenum, the material's resistance to pitting corrosion was enhanced. Simultaneously, optimizing the tube sheet structural design improved fluid flow conditions, reduced corrosion deposits, and extended equipment service life.

Quality Control and Technological Innovation

Jetvision has established a comprehensive quality assurance system, implementing full-process quality control from raw material procurement to product shipment.

For raw materials, supplier qualifications are rigorously reviewed, and an incoming inspection system is enforced.

During production, process parameters such as forging temperature and deformation are strictly controlled.

In the finished product inspection stage, non-destructive testing methods like ultrasonic testing and magnetic particle testing are employed to ensure product quality.

The company prioritizes technological innovation, achieving multiple advancements in recent years in large tube sheet forging techniques and heat treatment process optimization.

Numerical simulation technology has optimized tube sheet forging processes, enhancing material utilization. Research into heat treatment processes has improved the uniformity of large tube sheet cross-sectional properties. These innovations not only elevate product quality but also strengthen market competitiveness.

With the transformation and upgrading of the equipment manufacturing industry, tube sheets will evolve toward larger dimensions, higher parameters, and superior performance. We will continue to increase R&D investment, focusing on new materials and process research.

In the nuclear power sector, we will develop reactor tube sheets suitable for higher parameters;

In the new energy sector, we will research manufacturing technologies for tube sheets used in hydrogen energy equipment;

In the energy conservation and environmental protection sector, we will optimize product design to enhance equipment heat transfer efficiency.

Simultaneously, the company will advance smart manufacturing by introducing equipment and upgrading production processes to boost efficiency and product consistency. Within the next three years, we plan to complete the modernization of large CNC machining centers, further enhancing tube sheet processing precision and quality stability.

As a critical foundation component for industrial equipment, the technological level of tube sheets directly impacts the development of multiple industries.

We will steadfastly uphold the principle of quality first, providing customers across industries with superior tube sheet products through reliable performance and a comprehensive service system. Through continuous technological innovation and management improvements, the company will relentlessly enhance its core competitiveness, contributing to the advancement of China's equipment manufacturing industry.