Heat Exchanger - Introduction, Types, Description, Applications with Images

Introduction :- 

 A heat exchanger , as its name suggests - its a static equipment or device which exchangers or transfers heat from one media to other that are at different temperatures. The media can be liquid or gas or combination of both . Such as heat exchanged or transferred from liquid to gas or liquid to liquid or gas to gas . It is a device used to transfer heat from one fluid to another, without the fluids mixing together. Heat exchangers are commonly used in various industries and applications where it's necessary to either heat or cool a fluid, such as in HVAC systems, Water Chillers, power plants, refrigeration systems, and chemical processing. 

 Here's a quick chart list outlining some common types of heat exchangers along with brief descriptions and images of each: 

 Various Type of commonly used Heat Exchanger 

 A) Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger

Consists of a bundle of tubes enclosed in a cylindrical shell. One fluid flows through the tubes while the other flows over the tubes within the shell. This type is versatile and widely used in various industries such as petrochemical, HVAC, power generation, and chemical processing due to its robust design and efficient heat transfer capabilities.

B)      Plate Heat Exchanger - PHE

Utilizes a series of metal plates with intricate patterns to facilitate heat transfer between two fluids. The plates are stacked together with gaskets or welded (BPHE – brazed plate heat exchanger ) to form alternating channels for the hot and cold fluids. Plate heat exchangers are compact, lightweight, and offer high heat transfer coefficients, making them suitable for applications where space is limited such as HVAC systems, refrigeration, food processing, and oil cooling

C)      Finned Tube Heat Exchanger

Features tubes with extended surfaces (fins) attached to enhance heat transfer efficiency. Fins increase the surface area available for heat exchange, allowing for improved performance in applications where one fluid has low heat transfer coefficients or where heat transfer area is limited. Commonly used in air conditioning, refrigeration, and oil cooling systems.

D)      Double Pipe Heat Exchanger

Comprises two concentric pipes with one fluid flowing through the inner pipe and the other flowing in the annular space between the inner and outer pipes. Double pipe heat exchangers are simple in design, easy to clean, and suitable for low to moderate heat transfer duties. They are commonly used in small-scale or low-pressure applications. They are simple in design and easy to clean, making them suitable for applications where cleanliness is essential, such as pharmaceuticals, food processing, and dairy industries.

E)      Air Cooled Heat Exchanger

Utilizes ambient air as the cooling medium to remove heat from a process fluid. Consists of finned tubes exposed to the airflow, with fans providing forced convection to enhance heat transfer. Air cooled heat exchangers are commonly used in situations where water availability is limited or where environmental regulations restrict the use of water-cooled systems. They are used in applications where water is scarce or not available, such as remote locations, oil and gas processing plants, and power plants.

Horizontal Air Cooled heat exchangers

V Type Air Cooled heat exchangers

F)      Plate-Fin Heat Exchanger

Features multiple layers of flat or corrugated plates arranged in a stacked configuration with alternating layers of fins. Fluid passages are formed between adjacent plates and fins, allowing for efficient heat exchange. Plate-fin heat exchangers offer high surface area density and are suitable for applications requiring compactness and high thermal performance, such as aerospace and cryogenic applications. They are lightweight making them suitable for applications such as air separation.

This list chart provides an overview of various types of heat exchangers, each with its own unique design and application characteristics.