What is the purpose of allowing floating ends of exchangers to move freely?

Allowing the floating ends of heat exchangers to move freely serves the crucial purpose of accommodating thermal growth. As the temperature of the fluid inside the heat exchanger changes, the materials that make up the exchanger will expand or contract. If these ends were rigidly fixed, the stress induced by thermal expansion could lead to mechanical failure or damage to the exchanger, such as cracking or leakage.

By designing floating ends that can move, the exchanger can adjust to these changes without imposing excessive stress on the joints and connections. This design feature enhances the mechanical integrity and longevity of the heat exchanger, ensuring that it operates reliably during its service life.

While preventing vibration, facilitating cleaning, and enhancing airflow are important considerations in heat exchanger design, the primary function of allowing the floating ends to move is specifically to accommodate the thermal expansion that occurs with temperature fluctuations.