4. Regulatory aspects

4.1 Applying pressure vessel regulations

Generally speaking, heat exchangers are devices made up of two distinct capacities separated from each other by a heat-conducting partition of more or less complex shape, often tubular, offering the widest possible area for the passage of heat and activating convection.

The pressure vessel regulations applying to heat exchangers are not significantly different from those applying to other pressure vessels consisting of a single enclosure. Primary and secondary heat exchangers are regulated independently of each other. In this respect, it should be noted that the primary and secondary of a heat exchanger may well be subject to different regulations.

In other words, the regulatory provisions apply...