Saving energy is a huge and potentially costly and is one reason that plants install a heat exchanger.  In order to salvage as much heat as possible from waste gases.

What is a Heat Exchanger?

A heat exchanger is a system used to transfer heat between a fluid (a liquid or a gas) to pass to a second fluid (another liquid or gas) without the two fluids having to mix or come together into direct contact.  Conduction transfers heat through the exchanger materials, which separate the two mediums in use. Fluids in a heat transfer, can either be oil, water, or air.

Saving Energy

In power plants, exhaust gases often contain heat that goes into the open air.  It is a waste of energy and something heat exchangers specifically reduces.

Everyday Examples:

• Hydraulic oil cooler – It removes heat from hot oil by using cold water or air.
• Swimming Pool – The heat exchanger uses hot water from the boiler to then heat the pool water.
• Car radiator – A solution of water and ethylene glycol antifreeze transfers heat from the engine to the radiator and then from the radiator to the air flowing through it. This actually keeps the car’s engine from overheating.

They design heat exchangers to remove excess heat from engines of aircraft, lasers, x-rays, military equipment and many other types of equipment, which require cooling beyond what air can provide.

Types of Heat Exchangers

There are various types of heat exchangers depending upon the application that it is being used to accomplish.  It is equally important to take into account the medium that it is going to be for.

• air-to-liquid cooling: cabinet cooling
• liquid-to-air cooling: cool process fluids
• liquid-to-liquid cooling: coolers in distilleries, commercial properties, etc.
• air-to-air cooling: heater/heating in an industrial oven, large spaces, agriculture, and biomass

Types of Heat Exchangers

• Finned Tube/Air Cooled Heat Exchanger – This works by passing liquid into a series of tubes while pumping gas or air around the pipeline to cool the fluid down. It is ideal for chemical applications.
• Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger – The exchanger works by passing a fluid, either hot or cold through tubes and it pumps counter flowing gas or fluid into the shell where heat transfer takes place. They use this in the oil and gas industry.
• Plate and Frame Heat Exchanger – This works by passing liquids through a series of plates that are compacted together side by side. Heating systems can benefit from a gasket plate exchanger.  Allowing individual houses to use the correct amount of hot water from a source. It cools oil using water where the liquids cannot mix. 

Choosing the Best Heat Exchanger Solution

Water’s predominant usage is for plant cooling purposes, in heat exchangers and condensers.

The presence of debris or salts has a negative impact on plant performance and can result in notably high operating and maintenance costs. Choosing the right type of heat exchanger for your particular industry and needs is vital.  If you have questions or are unsure about the best solution for your needs Komax engineers can help you find the best answer.