In plants, factories, and extremely large spaces, regular air conditioning systems may no longer be as effective and this is where industrial heat exchangers come in. with their ability to transfer heat between two or more fluids without the fluids being in contact with each other.
The benefits of using heat exchangers are enormous, cutting across different sectors including chemical processing, food and beverage, power generation, and in being the main component of HVAC systems
These heat exchangers are used to cool or heat up an area and do so effectively due to its structure and build.
Depending on the build, type, and use, manufacturers use various materials to build heat exchangers. And these materials in turn, affect different aspects of the industrial equipment.
Here we’ll see some of the commonly used materials and why they are used to build heat exchangers. This way you can decide which material to choose when buying an industrial heat exchanger.
It gets even better as we’ll also include the most important properties these materials possess that you should be considering when choosing the industrial heat exchanger material. All these are to help you make the best decision.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is arguably the most commonly used material for building industrial heat exchangers due to its versatility and durability. Top manufacturers like Enerquip Thermal Equipment utilize its properties for many of their industrial heat exchangers.
Their properties make them resistant to corrosion with increased durability and versatility. There are also lots of different options when it comes to stainless steel for industrial heat exchangers like the 316L and 304L stainless steel.
Stainless steel industrial heat exchangers are typically used in food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries. However, stainless steel has a lower thermal conductivity and costs more than some of the other materials.
Carbon Steel
Another popular material used for industrial heat exchanger is carbon steel with its high carbon content. Carbon steel has a high tensile strength that makes it capable of handling high pressure systems like in oil and gas and power generation.
This material is also affordable making it the go to option for cost effectiveness. However, it is highly susceptible to corrosion in aggressive environments unlike stainless steel. It typically needs to be coated and requires more frequent maintenance to keep it in good condition.
Titanum
Titanium packs a lot of qualities that makes it highly used in the manufacturing of industrial heat exchangers from its strength to its lightweightedness.
The qualities found in titanium also include low density and an extremely high corrosion resistance which makes one of the first choices for highly corrosive environments like chemical processing plants and marine applications.
Despite being lightweight, titanium is also strong with a good durability. However, it is expensive and will significantly increase the cost of setting up your heating and cooling system.
Copper
When it comes to thermal conductivity, copper is one of the best materials. High thermal conductivity improves heat transfer in HVAC systems, refrigerating units, and other small scale industrial applications.
Industrial heat exchange manufacturers use copper due these factors that also include antimicrobial qualities that inhibit the growth of molds and bacteria. This quality is highly important in industries like pharmaceuticals and food and beverage processing.
It gets even better when you factor in copper’s durability and high resistance to corrosion in certain environments. It can still be susceptible to corrosion in areas with acidic fluids. However, copper may not be as widely used for heat exchangers as it can be expensive.
Nickel Alloys
Industrial heat exchangers used in extreme conditions require additional care and this is what nickel alloys bring to the table. It has a high resistance to extreme temperatures and corrosion.
There are lots of nickel alloys that are used to manufacture industrial heat exchangers such as the expensive but durable Nickel 200, alloy 625, HastealloyC22, and Iconel.
The mechanical properties of these nickel-based alloys makes them suitable for use in aerospace, power generation, and petrochemical industries. These alloys can maintain their structural integrity in extreme conditions, but are expensive and have low thermal conductivity.
Factors Influencing Material Choice
To help you select the right materials for your industrial heat exchanger, you should consider the properties that come with them. With the best properties to focus on depending on your needs. Here are some of the most vital properties:
Corrosion Resistance
One of the main properties of most heat exchangers is being able to resist corrosion as they typically work with aggressive fluids like acids and high-temperature gases that can corrode most materials.
Materials like stainless steel, nickel alloys, and titanium have high corrosion resistance with titanium perfectly suited to seawater applications because it is resistant to corrosion caused by chloride.
Cost and Availability
Usually, the availability of a material determines the cost, rare materials tend to be more expensive thus leading to costly heat exchangers. You want to consider the cost of the material and its availability as this has a role to play in the decision you make.
Carbon steel is one of the most affordable materials used so heat exchangers made from them will typically fit most budgets.
Material Strength and Durability
You should also consider the strength of the chosen material and its durability. Check things like frequency of maintenance required, typical lifespan and the conditions it can withstand. Then cross reference with your industry to decide if you news the most durable material or a moderate one is enough.
Thermal Conductivity
The ability to quickly transfer heat is usually tied to the thermal conductivity of the material. So if you want speed and added heat transfer efficiency, you might want to consider materials like copper with high thermal conductivity.
Compatibility With Fluids
Depending on the type of heat exchanger and uses, the material used should be compatible with the fluid it’ll be in contact with. This straightforward property can increase heat transfer efficiency, prevent corrosion, and increase durability of your heat exchangers.
Conclusion
Industrial heat exchangers are vital in keeping the temperature in plants conducive. With the materials they are made with, one of the primary factors affecting their efficiency.
These heat exchangers are made from various materials and knowing the most common ones and their features will help you decide which is best for your industry.
Some of the commonly used materials by the biggest industrial heat exchangers manufacturers include stainless steel, copper, nickel alloy, carbon steel, and titanium. These materials have different features that make them suitable for heat exchangers used in different sectors.
Top industrial heat exchangers representatives and distributors like Southgate PE have exchangers with all the different materials in store.
Southgate Process Equipment sells industrial heat exchangers and serves as representatives of various manufacturing brands. They offer more than just variety as you can get customized industrial heat exchangers to fit your needs.
Southgate PE is the place to get all your industrial exchange needs sorted including professional help to help you decide on the best option.
