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Explore ceramic heat exchangers

Ceramic works better than metal in that it increases the operating temperature that's used when constructing heat exchangers for power generation systems of electricity, as well as increases the power cycle's efficiency. They are also helpful when used in dryers in that they are able to help the system reach the heat needed to work efficiently.

I recommend: Cermatec has an interesting article about the use of ceramic heat exchangers in a gas turbine power generator. Manufacturers of these industrial heat exchangers are SGL CARBON Technic and Heat Transfer International.

Let coaxial heat exchangers help with refrigeration systems and electronics

Coaxial heat exchangers work well for refrigeration systems because they help the condenser keep its high pressure while allowing the vapor that leaves the evaporator low pressure by transferring the heat between the liquid refrigerant.

I recommend: Two manufacturers of the coaxial heat exchangers are Doucette Industries and Packless.

Look at air heat exchangers and what they have to offer

Air heat exchangers are a book to the electronics industry in that they help to absorb waste heat that can be harmful to electronics, then transfer it to the cooler airstream.

I recommend: Manufacturers of these heat exchangers are Exothermics and Noren Products.

Consider fireplace heat exchangers when building anew or renovating

In a time when people consider alternate heating sources, a fireplace heat exchanger is one method of increasing the efficiency of a notoriously inefficient source of heat: the fireplace. The builder or renovator will appreciate the ease of installation for the fireplace heat exchanger, and their clients will appreciate the warmth they will receive.

I recommend: My Fireplace Info has a good article on fireplace heat exchangers. A source for fireplace heat exchangers is Fireplace Doors Online.

Let flat plate heat exchangers heat water in pools and solar hot water systems

Flat plate heat exchangers can be in swimming pools, domestic hot water systems as well as solar hot water systems, and they can effectively melt snow. Because they have a small footprint, they can be for use in a variety of systems.

I recommend: Two manufacturers of the flat plate heat exchangers are the Blue Ridge Company and SunEarth.

Let plastic heat exchangers work for you

Plastic heat exchangers also work well in heating the water of pools--especially those systems that are a combination of plastic and titanium. All-plastic heat exchangers also work well in heating or even cooling liquids that are corrosive.

I recommend: Two manufacturers of these heat exchangers are Turbotech Products and George Fischer.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Contact heat exchanger manufacturers directly for more information as well as information about pricing.

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Buy from the right heat exchanger manufacturers

The heat exchanger industry is broad, so there a lot of sources to choose from. Make sure you find a vendor that either offers a wide range of units that cover an equally wide range of applications, or shop a source that's specific to your needs. Limiting yourself to a source that sells only a few heat exchangers could mean you end up buying a unit that's less than ideal for your situation.

I recommend: Doucette Industries, Inc. has a tremendous selection of chillers and specialty heat exchangers. API Heat Transfer is a large, experienced company that delivers quality solutions for industrial applications.

Find your way around the heat exchanger industry

If you haven't purchased a heat exchanger before, you might not know which design is best for you. If you're not sure if a coaxial heat exchanger would be best, or if you should look for ceramic heat exchangers, there are some quick ways get yourself pointed in the right direction.

I recommend: Heat Exchangers Online has a user-friendly website full of information to help the consumer understand how their products work and what they're used for. They carry a fairly wide range of products, including air heat exchangers and various models for swimming pools. Lytron also has a great deal of information on the products they offer. Check out these companies first to do some fast, effective research.

Maintain and repair your heat exchanger

Heat exchangers usually have two materials flowing through them. The flow of these materials is parallel, or they flow perpendicularly to one another. In any case, the flow leaves residue that sometimes results in leaks and/or lowered efficiency. In some cases, there is also the possibility of biofouling, the result of microorganism growth. Using river water for cooling often results in biofouling.

I recommend: Rolan Plant Services, Inc. offers a wide range of industrial cleaning services, including hydro-blasting and chemical cleaning. Hennigan Engineering is another industrial choice; they even handle nuclear plants. When servicing commercial heat exchangers, pay close attention to the manufacturer's literature.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  To test the maintenance condition of your heat exchanger without dismantling it, use an eddy current method.

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Go to heat exchanger manufacturers for product literature or operations manuals

Sometimes the best people to tell you about something are the people who made it. Operations manuals from a manufacturer give detailed equipment diagrams and troubleshooting instructions. Manufacturers know their product and want customers to be pleased with it too. Quick access to correct information that they offer in the manuals makes a customer happier with the product.

I recommend: American Precision Industries, producer of heat exchangers for use world-wide, offers literature on their products so readers can learn about the equipment. KJ Productions lists heat exchanger manufacturers to contact for equipment manuals.

Get a quick lesson on heat exchangers online

A benefit to acquiring training online is that the lessons are more interactive than reading an operations manual. Many times the courses are available on CD or direct from the Internet. While it may not be the most portable source of information, online training covers a lot of information in a short amount of time. The medium also allows for trainings to be highly specific.

I recommend: At Training-Classes.com, you can take an intermediate level class on heat exchangers from the home or office. Online training specifically for the oil and gas industry can be obtained from Atlas Interactive.

Attend a training session to help with your knowledge of industrial heat exchangers

Many seminars require that the attendee already have a basic understanding of the equipment. Instead, they offer a more intermediate level of training, usually brand-specific. Onsite trainings allow for the benefit of hands-on learning.

I recommend: The American Society of Mechanical Engineers lists trainings available and information on each offering. Companies like Applied Performance Strategies provide custom training sessions to meet your company's needs.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Engineers as well as equipment vendors and technicians need heat exchangers education and training because most often, they are the ones selecting the equipment to be used.

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Thermodynamics

Thermodynamics is the study of energy conversion between different forms. Engineers and others use this science to determine how well heat exchangers work and to strive to make heat exchanger models more effective.

I recommend: See more on thermodynamics at PhysLink. For more on thermodynamics of heat exchangers, check out this page from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Mathematics.

Heat transfer coefficient

The heat transfer coefficient is a measure that engineers use for the effectiveness of a heat exchanger.

I recommend: See more on the heat transfer coefficient at the Engineering Toolbox online.

Plate heat exchangers

Plate heat exchangers are a specific type of heat exchanger that are built for a specific kind of heat transfer and efficiency. Plate heat exchangers are a good industrial solution for many kinds of temperature control projects.

I recommend: See a detailed breakdown of how plate heat exchangers are generally put together, along with great visual diagrams and charts, and a lot of scientific data at CheResources.

Ceramic heat exchangers

Ceramic heat exchangers are models that take advantage of the conductive qualities of ceramic material to provide a heating unit. Ceramic heating is popular with small residential space heaters, but can be used in industrial capacities as well.

I recommend: Take a look at specs and details on ceramic heat exchanger units at HeatXChange.

Shell and tube heat exchangers

The shell and tube heat exchanger generally consists of an outer shell filled with smaller tubes. A fluid runs through the tubes and another runs outside of the tubes through the shell. These two fluids at different temperatures facilitate an exchange.

I recommend: Check out more on shell and tube heat exchangers at Catalytic Products.

Biofouling

When a business uses natural water or another similar element in its heat exchanger apparatus, there is the possibility of biofouling. Biofouling happens when natural debris or organic elements get into a heating or cooling system and jam elements of its operation.

I recommend: Find out more about biofouling at this page from ProQuest.