HEADERS
Headers are an integral part of the heat exchanger bundle. Headers are used to distribute the fluid or gas from the process and direct the media through the tubes. Tubes are connected to the headers via expanding, welding or both. A few of our standard header configurations are listed below.

Plug Box Header
The most common air cooled heat exchanger header style, this general purpose design allows cleaning of individual tubes and is used for most processes with low to moderately high pressures.

Cover Plate Header
Either removable cover or removable bonnet, a cover plate header is typically used in applications or services with severe fouling conditions. This design is available for low to medium, <1,000 psi, installations.

Pipe Manifold Header
Pipe manifold headers are suitable for all pressures, and this type of header allows the economical use of a high number of tube pass for a given bundle size in a thermally advantageous arrangement, reducing the overall cost of the bundle and cooler. Tubes are not rolled into the header, but they are welded from the outside.

High Pressure - Slab Header Designs
A and M Manufacturing is capable of manufacturing “Slab” or billet steel headers with full Tube to Tubesheet welding in addition to roller expansion for tube sizes 5/8” OD and larger. This header design allows a compact cooler assembly, generally servicing multistage compressor packages for air, natural gas, and nitrogen compression. The Slab head design is also advantageous for critical service where full X-Ray of standard plug box header welds are not possible.