Patent ID: 7036563
Filing Date: 2006-05-02
Classification: F28F

Abstract:
1. A tubesheet support arrangement for the support of a tubesheet within a vessel, the vessel having a vessel axis and having a first vessel interface structure and a second vessel interface structure axially spaced from one another such that an axially extending placement gap is formed therebetween and the tubesheet having a plurality of apertures arrayed relative to a radial plane through the tubesheet each for receiving therein one of a plurality of tubes such that the tubesheet maintains the tubes at fixed radial spacings from one another with the tubes extending from the tubesheet on a tube projecting side of the radial plane and the tubesheet being disposed within the vessel such that the radial plane through the tubesheet is axially co-incident with the axially extending placement gap and the first vessel interface structure is disposed on the tube projecting side of the radial plane of the tubesheet, the tubesheet support arrangement comprising: an intermediate support element having one axial end sealingly connected to the tubesheet and an opposed axial end sealingly connected to the first vessel interface structure which is disposed on the tube projecting side of the radial plane of the tubesheet, the intermediary support element supporting at least the principal portion of the weight of the tubesheet and the tubes on the first vessel interface structure; a sealing connection between the tubesheet and the second vessel interface structure in the form of a fully circumferentially extending topside boundary element having one axial end sealingly connected to the tubesheet and an opposed axial end sealingly connected to the second vessel interface structure; an outer vessel wall component extending fully circumferentially and having one axial end sealingly connected to the first vessel interface structure; and wherein the inner radius of the outer vessel wall component is larger than the outer radius of the intermediary support element and the outer radius of the topside boundary element such that a circumferentially extending annulus is formed between the outer vessel wall component, on the one hand, and the intermediary support element and the topside boundary element, on the other hand, and wherein insulation material is disposed in the circurnferentially extending annulus.