Selecting the right industrial heat exchanger is an important decision that impacts your budget, efficiency and project timelines. If you choose the wrong type of exchanger or material, or have a long lead time, your project can have costly delays. This heat exchanger guide will help you navigate this high-stakes decision by explaining your equipment options and helping you decide which is best for your application and budget.
Match the Heat Exchanger Type to Your Need
Three common types of heat exchangers include plate and frame, air-cooled, and shell and tube. Each type has unique functions, so understanding the differences is critical for narrowing your choice.
Shell and Tube Heat Exchangers
A shell and tube heat exchanger has a shell that acts as a pressure vessel with tube bundles. One fluid flows through the tube interiors, while a second fluid circulates outside the tubes but within the shell. The heat exchange process across the tube walls allows energy to move from the hot to the cold fluid. You can use the logarithmic mean temperature difference in heat transfer rate calculations.
Shell and tube heat exchangers are robust, making them ideal for high-temperature, high-pressure applications. Common uses include oil refining and chemical processing.
Plate and Frame Heat Exchangers
A plate and frame heat exchanger has several heat transfer plates with a gasket arrangement with single-channel flow. Liquid flows through the channels between the plates, and the gaskets direct the flow. The corrugation on the plates creates turbulence as the liquid flows, facilitating effective heat transfer.
The primary benefits of these exchangers are their compact size and high efficiency. These advantages make this type useful in HVAC and food processing applications.
Air-Cooled Heat Exchangers
An air-cooled heat exchanger uses finned tubes to cool liquid. As liquid passes through the tubes, air passes around the fins, removing the heat from the fluid to the ambient air. Where other heat exchangers move heat to water and then to air, this design doesn’t use water.
With an air-cooled heat exchanger, you can gain large cooling capacities without a large supply of cooling water. Use this heat exchanger type in applications where a water source for cooling is unavailable.
Select the Right Materials for the Job
The material of your heat exchanger determines its corrosion resistance, temperature tolerance and product purity, making it a critical decision when choosing a type. We offer a wide selection of material choices for unique, demanding processes, including:
- Stainless steel: Stainless steel has high mechanical strength, which is preserved at higher temperatures.
- Titanium: This metal is best for high-corrosion applications.
- Aluminum: Aluminum heat exchangers are strong yet lightweight, with a protective oxide layer and thermal conductivity.
Find Your Solution Faster With Louisiana Chemical Equipment Company
Louisiana Chemical Equipment Company has a vast inventory of heat exchangers to help keep your heavy equipment running optimally. Our heat exchanger options are:
- Used or surplus: We offer used and surplus heat exchangers for sale as inspected.
- Affordable: Stretch your budget with the lower price tags of used and surplus heat exchangers compared to buying new.
- Ready to ship: Avoid project delays with immediate availability. All of our heat exchangers will ship globally to your facility right away.
Get the Heat Exchangers You Need Today
Louisiana Chemical Equipment Company has been a reliable heat exchanger supplier since 1968. When you browse our inventory, you can get the heat exchanger system you need with zero hassle, no matter where your facility is located.
Bypass long manufacturer lead times and shop our extensive heat exchanger selections. Need more guidance on which heat exchanger is right for you? Contact an equipment specialist for more information.