Objectives  So far, the compact and high-efficiency heat exchanger is the best choice for floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) heat exchangers. Static strength analysis and reliability analysis are required to optimize the structural parameters of a heat exchanger and improve its performance.

  Methods   First, the strength of the heat exchanger core is analyzed using the ANSYS Workbench static analysis module, and a simplified model is established which can represent the stress level of most channels. Next, the reliability analysis of the heat exchanger is conducted using the six sigma analysis of the ANSYS Workbench by choosing the cold channel thickness, cold channel pressure, hot channel pressure and elastic modulus as input random variables, and the effects of these random variables on the reliability of the heat exchanger are studied.

  Results  The reliability analysis results show that the cold channel pressure loading is the greatest factor in structural strength, and the reliability of the heat exchanger is more than 99.9%, so the possibility of failure is very low.

  Conclusions  The results of this study can serve as valuable references for the reliability analysis of heat exchangers based on strength.