According to Wikipedia, a heat exchanger is a system used to transfer heat between two or more fluids. It must be noted that heat exchangers are used in both cooling and heating processes. These devices play an important role when it comes to the heat transferring process of gas-to-gas, liquid-to-gas, or liquid-to-liquid. They are ideal for a wide range of industries. They deal with the flow of heat energy and temperature. “Heat can be transferred in 3 ways – conduction, convection, and radiation.” There is a great selection of heat exchanging devices that are manufactured for heating and cooling processes.
Uses of Heat Exchangers –
- Space heating
- Refrigeration
- Air conditioning
- Power stations
- Chemical plants
- Petrochemical plants
- Marine and cryogenic applications
- Petroleum refineries
- Natural-gas processing, etc.
Types of Heat Exchangers –
- Shell and tube heat exchanger (The most common type of heat exchanger)
- Plate heat exchangers (They are commonly used in Cryogenic and food processing systems)
- Plate and shell heat exchanger
- Adiabatic wheel heat exchanger
- Plate fin heat exchanger
- Pillow plate heat exchanger
- Fluid heat exchangers
- Waste heat recovery units
Characteristics of Heat Exchangers –
- Flow configuration
- Construction method
- Heat transfer mechanism
“A heat exchanger is required to normalize the temperature of liquids and gases.” Here, it must be noted that heat exchangers have multiple components that are highly essential for its overall functionality. Some of the common components are – shells, tubes, spiral tubes, plates, fins, and adiabatic wheels. Hence, we can say that when it comes to energy conservation, conversion, and recovery. Whether you are an industry owner or a plant manager, it makes sense to understand your needs before buying heat exchangers.
