Understanding 4 Major Types Of Heat Exchangers

Heat exchangers are found in almost every industrial plant. Other industries that use heat exchangers extensively use HVAC units like air conditioners. So practically, heat exchangers are everywhere these days! You might have casually heard about a petrochemical plant using a spiral heat exchanger. Though all of them perform the same purpose, heat exchangers can be divided into four categories based on their shape, construction, and mechanism. In this article, we will highlight the four major heat exchanger types.

1. Plate heat exchanger

While all other heat exchangers might share a similar design, the plate heat exchanger is the exception. Plate heat exchangers, also known as plate-type heat exchangers, are built from a collection of thin, corrugated plates that are joined together. Each pair of plates forms a passageway through which one fluid can flow. When these pairs are stacked and joined together using bolts, brazing, or welding, the space between them acts as a second passageway through which another fluid can flow. 

2. Shell and tube heat exchanger

In the modern industrial sector, shell and tube heat exchangers are considered the most versatile. A cylindrical shell encloses several tubes in a shell and tube heat exchanger configuration. This heat exchanger can withstand various pressures and temperatures thanks to its famous design. A shell and tube heat exchanger is an excellent choice if you need to chill or heat a lot of fluids or gases daily. 

Despite being smaller than some of the other varieties, a shell and tube heat exchanger is simple to disassemble. Hence, this type of heat exchanger also facilitates easy cleaning and repairs.

3. Tube-in-tube heat exchangers

A tube-in-tube heat exchanger has two tubes, one for each fluid. The tubes are coiled in such a way as to create an inner and outer channel. Most of these designs are small since the tubes are coiled together, for example, a coaxial heat exchanger. High-pressure and temperature applications are the primary uses for tube-in-tube heat exchangers. Additionally, a tube-in-tube heat exchanger often has a higher efficiency since it operates at a higher output.

4. Evaporators and condensers

Condensers and evaporators are examples of heat exchangers that use the two-phase heat transfer process. When a two-phase heat exchanger transfers heat, one or more fluids experience phase changes (from liquid to gas or from gas to liquid). However, there’s a thin line of difference that makes them distinct. 

Condensers are described as those heat-exchanging mechanisms that are used to convert heated vapor or gas into liquid form by cooling the material to the condensation point. In contrast, evaporators convert fluids from liquid to gaseous state.

Bottom Line

In the industrial world, heat exchangers are tools used for both heating and cooling operations. From plate heat exchangers to coaxial heat exchangers, they come in wide varieties and are used in various industries. Hence, it is important to understand their basic working principle and design to see what applications they fit best.