Wastewater treatment plants consume a ton of energy, so it is no surprise that the industry is looking for ways to be more efficient.  In addition to operating more efficiently, they want to be more environmentally conscious.  The Heat Exchanger is a piece of equipment that was designed to help the wastewater treatment plants.  Here is a look at the heat exchangers role in the process and how the Komax design stands apart from the rest.

The Role of a Heat Exchanger 

A heat exchanger is an important piece of equipment in plants as it transfers heat between two or more fluids.  Industrial heat exchangers uses a thermal energy exchange method between two or more mediums that are at different temperatures.

They used industrial heat exchangers within a variety of industries.  A few examples are power plant generation, chemical processing, transportation, fuel, heat recovery, oil and gas, and wastewater treatment.

Within heat exchangers there are several types based on the exact process application, viscosity, and particle sizes.  Another major factor is if it is liquid to liquid, liquid-to-air, or air-to-air.

Sludge Heat Exchangers are Key in Wastewater Treatment Plants 

Before the sludge heat exchanger the most commonly found heat exchanger in wastewater was the shell-and-tube exchanger.   However, the sludge heat exchanger is more thermally efficient and has a non-clogging mixing element that works for both tubeside and shellside processes.

The hi-pass is what makes the sludge heat exchanger non-clogging as it is placed on opposite sides of the wall to allow the transfer of debris without building up.  The heat exchanger transfers heat from one medium to another by using hot sludge or water.

Komax’s Efficient Technology

When Komax assessed what was needed in the sludge heat exchanger design, they built it to handle multiple processes.  Komax Klean Wall Sludge Heat Exchangers design will mix and heat municipal sludge, FOG (fat, oil, and grease), and manure for aerobic/anaerobic digestion purposes.

The design offers many additional benefits which plants are finding solve so many of the problems that needed solutions.  The design is 4 to 6 times more efficient and does not clog, which is superior to the traditional spiral heat exchangers.  In fact, when it comes to clogging it is 25% more efficient and effective. 

The Klean Wall heat exchanger allows for the control of the temperature during the digestion process.  This enables for more accuracy during application.  The heat sludge flow rates are from 100gpm to 10,000 gpm.

Komax’s design enhances biogas production and in the production of Class A biosolids.  Overall, Klean Wall Sludge Heat Exchangers are 60% more cost-effective than spiral or shell-and-tube-heat exchangers.

The Technology is Providing the Answer

Komax saw that municipalities needed a more efficient and effective piece of equipment to preserve the environment.  With the options to customize their equipment for any application or need, it is the reason why they are installing these heat exchangers worldwide.  Komax has not only set the standards within the heat exchanger industry but also with their revolutionary static mixers.