A tube support device is presented. The present invention includes at least two
first plates and at least two second plates each having a plurality of slots mutually
arranged and aligned so as to allow four or more plates to interlock and form a
grid of depth-wise planar extent thereby providing at least one square-shaped opening.
Each first plate and each second plate have a plurality of u-shaped nodules. At
least one u-shaped nodule along each first plate and along each second plate extends
into each square-shaped opening. U-shaped nodules are disposed parallel to and
contacting a tube passing through each square-shaped opening. The grid is surrounded
by a fluid with a flow field parallel to each tube and may include a secondary
flow field crosswise disposed with respect to each tube. In yet another embodiments,
the present invention is positioned within a shell and tube heat exchanger so as
to support a plurality of tubes passing there through.