Heat exchangers are a common sight in laboratories around the world, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they are simple devices. Used to transfer heat from one substance or surface to another, heat exchangers are used in some of the most intense temperature sensitive situations. Though they may not always appear similar, each device within the multitude of different exchangers is designed with precision detail to achieve the highest quality performance. In order to ensure that you get the most out of your exchanger, consider the following helpful tips.
• Decide how many and what type of heat exchangers your system will require as soon as possible. Waiting, or trying to work them into your design later, may cause trouble during later development.
• Ensure that your vendor knows as much about your entire system as is required. The more your vendor knows, the more likely he will be to provide you with the right equipment.
• If you have to choose between increasing your pump’s power or the size of your exchanger, it is better to increase pumping power first. This will reduce the amount of stress on your system overall.
• Always keep in mind fluid thermal conductivity when specifying your heating or cooling liquids. More often than not, water is the best option.
• Strive for turbulent flow to enhance heat transfer, even though that can be difficult with viscous fluids and low flow rates.
• It may be wise to purchase the smallest possible tubing for your exchanger, as it ensures the greatest thermal performance with the least amount of volume. Clogging, however, may be a side effect if the system is not carefully watched and handled.
• Consider how long you will be using the exchanger and what type of maintenance or repairs may be needed in the future.
• Always be sure to match the inlet-port size to piping sizes throughout the rest of your system. Creating a mismatch in sizes could cause blockage, leaks, or other issues that may damage your system.
• Select the type of material that will be least likely to fail due to corrosion or erosion. Fluids can easily destroy tubing if the right components are not selected. Fluoropolymer tubing like PTFE, FEP, and PFA are frequently sought-out heat exchanger materials as a result of their ability to prevent corrosion and erosion.
• Remain firm when conversing about performance criteria. Requesting alterations such as more temperature change or higher flow capability can easily double an exchanger’s size and cost. It will take a great deal more area within your heat-exchanger to raise the effectiveness even the slightest bit, and the greater its effectiveness, the harder it becomes to improve.
Have a question about immersion heat exchangers or shell and tube heat exchangers? Contact Fluorotherm™ at 1-877-777-2629.
