There are many types of heat exchanger products available on the market. They include direct contact, plate and frame, and shell and tube. Each one is specialized and has its own set of requirements.
Shell and tube
Shell and tube heat exchangers are among the most popular heat exchangers. They are used in many industries, from refrigeration to power generation. They are primarily based on the thermal contact of two liquids. These units are often more affordable compared to plate-type coolers.
The design of shell and tube heat exchangers can be customized for specific applications. For example, they can be single-phase or two-phase. Usually, a shell and tube heat exchanger is designed with an impingement plate. This plate prevents leakage around the partition plate.
A typical shell and tube heat exchanger features numerous inner tubes. Each tube contains a tubular insert. Turbulators increase the turbulence of the fluid. As a result, sediment can’t form.
For a shell and tube heat exchanger to operate efficiently, the material of the tubes must be of good quality. In addition, it must be thermally conductive and corrosion-resistant. Tube material should also be compatible with the fluids passing through it.
Plate-and-frame
The plate and frame heat exchanger is an energy-efficient unit that provides quick temperature changes. It can be used for liquid-to-liquid, chemical-to-chemical, and marine transfers. These exchangers are compact and easy to install and disassemble. They are also highly flexible.
These heat exchangers use corrugated metal plates that are compressed into a frame. Containers are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. Typically, plates are bolted into the frame. Corrugation adds to the thermal transfer efficiency of the device.
There are two main types of plate and frame heat exchangers: gasketed and welded. The gasket design uses high-quality gaskets that seal the ports of the heat exchanger. This allows for easy cleaning and removability. However, it can restrict the maximum temperature and fluid compatibility.
Tube-in-tube
Tube-in-tube heat exchanger products are designed to transfer heat between two fluids efficiently. These devices can be used in a variety of industrial applications. They are instrumental in industries where the viscosity of the product is high.
The rate at which the exchanger transfers heat depends on the heat exchanger type and the tube’s size. In addition, the rate of heat transfer also depends on the flow velocity and turbulence in the fluid. Moreover, a high-quality heat exchanger should be made of solid material.
Materials used to construct tube-in-tube heat exchangers include stainless steel, Inconel, and copper alloy. These types of materials are corrosion-resistant and thermally conductive.
Another critical component is the gasket. A gasket is a piece of rubber or paper between two metal surfaces. It is then squeezed to form a seal.
Tube-in-plate
A tube-in-plate heat exchanger is a heat transfer device composed of a shell and tubes. It can be designed with conventional geometry or with internal fins. The latter requires a little more engineering to size correctly.
Tubes and shells are both made of metal. While the line is relatively cheap, the shell is considerably more expensive. Typically, the shell is welded to the tube.
Both shells and tubes feature baffles. This helps to create a smoother flow and increases the heat transfer capacity of the device. Baffles are also used to achieve multiple passes in the tube bundle.
Turbulators are installed in the tubes. They produce turbulence within the lines that reduces pressure loss. Similarly, a series of gaskets create gaps between the plates in a plate-and-frame heat exchanger.
Direct contact
Direct contact heat exchanger products are one of the best and most effective ways of transferring heat between two liquids or gases. They have a variety of designs and are used in a wide range of industries. These include dryers, refrigerants, steam injection, and waste heat recovery systems.
The design and construction of a direct contact heat exchanger can make a big difference. It is essential to consider the fluids and the space available. It would help if you also felt the pressure drop that is allowed. This is an indicator of the effectiveness of the device.
To ensure efficient heat transfer, the design of a heat exchanger is crucial. This includes the construction materials. For instance, aluminum alloys provide high heat transfer efficiency and lower temperature differences.
