How industrial heat exchangers work

This article provides information about the different types of heat exchangers and how industrial heat exchangers work.

To keep industry working well, How Industrial Heat Exchangers Work article, there are many things to consider, first of all, maintaining a good temperature despite the size of the building and ensuring the machines are running smoothly, continuously and without sudden blockages. In some sectors it is necessary to install industrial heat exchangers, i.e. devices that allow the exchange of thermal energy between two liquids at different temperatures. These devices are used in large-scale industries where it is necessary to maintain a constant temperature in certain areas or to change the state of the liquid, for example when changing from liquid to gas.

Depending on the industry, the appropriate model should be selected to ensure maximum process efficiency. Selection factors can include: equipment material, ease of use, tightness (when working with toxic liquids), maintenance costs (which can be very high), reliability and safety. But how exactly do heat exchangers work and what are the most popular models on the market?

What is a heat exchanger?
Not all industries require a heat exchanger, only those that require specific production processes to be performed, such as: pasteurization, sterilization, change of state, for example crystallization, evaporation or condensation, or cooling or heating of liquid streams. It can therefore be concluded that these devices are irreplaceable in the food, chemical and petrochemical industries, where production environments must be characterized by a high level of safety. The most common industrial heat exchangers are plate, shell and fin heat exchangers.

The choice depends on the type of production carried out, the size of the industrial plant and the safety standards to be respected. Basically, a distinction must be made between water/air and air/air heat exchangers, as they differ in price, performance and use.

water to air heat exchanger The
water to air heat exchangers for industrial applications are able to cool/heat the environment in a very short time. They are used in very large buildings instead of air conditioning because they allow great energy and money savings. Generally, industries choose these heat exchangers when the air in the plants is oily or dusty, as they prevent moisture from entering the switchgear. The water to air heat exchanger can only be installed when the temperature outside the system is higher than inside.

air/air heat exchanger
air-to-air heat exchangers for industrial applications are often installed when the outside temperature of the system is lower than the inside temperature. These units are ideal for very small installations or rooms as they have a lower cooling capacity than water to air heat exchangers but also require less maintenance.