Does your home or company need a new heat exchanger? The Plate Heat Exchanger (PHE) was invented nearly a century ago, in 1923. Today a wide range of products are available on the market to suit consumer needs. When purchasing products from a heat exchanger manufacturer, it’s important to know the basics, from how they work to what benefits you can get.
What exactly is a heat exchanger?
Heat exchangers are important components of fuel cell systems that heat gas streams, exchange heat between flow streams and maintain overall temperature.
Before selecting a heat exchanger, it’s critical to know their basics so you can choose wisely.
How do heat exchangers work?
These units are made up of metal shells and tubes. They function by moving heat from one place to another place. For example, when a furnace operates on natural gas or propane gas, the exhaust (gas) enters the natural/propane gas. The exhaust/gas then goes through the heat exchanger.
The hot flue gas then heats the metal as the gas moves to the furnace’s exhaust outlet. While this is happening, the hot metal heats the air flowing around the heat exchanger’s exterior.
What are the benefits of tubular heat exchangers?
Tubular heat exchangers are among the most traditionally used heat exchangers because of their easy operation and flexibility. The main benefits of these options include:
- High working temperatures
- High work pressure
- High security
- Easy to enlarge
- Processing of fibre products
- Easy inspection/disassembly
These are all important benefits to consider when selecting heat exchanging equipment. However, it’s also critical to consider the heat exchanger’s applications to select the best one for your needs.
What are the main uses of tubular heat exchangers?
This type of heat exchanger is used in various industries and processes. It’s used for a wide range of applications because they are reliable, durable, and low-maintenance due to the unit’s lack of joints.
Some of the main applications of tubular heat exchangers include:
- Sanitary applications (food industry)
- Cleaning in Place (CIP) for finishes/drainability
- Pharmaceutical applications (avoid cross-contamination)
- Industrial applications (chemical/gas/oil industry)
How can you detect faulty heat exchangers?
If your furnace is malfunctioning or its emissions trigger a carbon monoxide (CO) detector, then it can be difficult to determine if the heat exchanger is experiencing any problems.
That’s why it’s important to regularly inspect and test your heat exchangers. One of the best options is a CO test. The CO Test is an effective way to determine whether or not your furnace is working safely.
In some cases, you can inspect heat exchangers visually to determine if there are any problems. Meanwhile, others require tools to check the unit closely.
This process includes using a special camera to inspect the furnace’s areas to ensure you conduct a complete inspection. Sometimes experts find heat exchangers with internal problems that otherwise wouldn’t have been discovered.
The problem is the heat exchanger might seem to be properly functioning based on the exterior’s appearance when that might not be the case inside. It’s advisable to always hire professionals to install, maintain, and test your heat exchanger.
When selecting a heat exchanger, make sure you have researched all critical information possible before approaching a heat exchanger manufacturer. Knowing the right kind of equipment you need can help you select the best heat exchanger to buy.
