Beyond the Basics: Understanding the Xist^® Vibration Report

Avoiding flow-induced vibration problems in shell-and-tube exchangers is an important task best accomplished at the design stage. Xist^® completes a screening analysis using mechanistic-based methods that have been validated with real cases and data. Because there are two types of vibration (tube and acoustic) and several excitation mechanisms, careful examination of the Vibration Analysis Report is required in order to properly assess the vibration potential and identify possible actions that can reduce the vibration potential of the exchanger. After a brief overview of relevant vibration mechanisms, we will interpret the Xist Vibration Report from several example shell-and-tube exchangers and identify and assess potential improvements.