The present invention comprises a novel tube support system for a heat
exchanger that serves to replace the baffles present in typical
shell-and-tube heat exchangers. The shell-and-tube heat exchanger of the
present invention employs helically coiled wires to form a support
structure for the tubes contained within the heat exchanger shell. The
elimination of baffles and the use of the coil support structure according
to the present invention permits axial fluid flow for the shell side fluid
and significantly minimizes fouling problems and tube damage resulting
from flow-induced tube vibration.
