What is a heat exchanger in HVAC?

What is a heat exchanger in HVAC?
5 min read
10 January 2023

Surging industrial growth led to a huge demand for industrial equipment like heat exchangers for industrial applications – from power generation to chemical processing. Heat exchanger maker are constructing and developing many different types of heat exchangers over the year. Heat exchangers are constructed with thermally conducted tubes or plates, used to transfer heat from one medium to another.

Put simply, heat exchangers are corrosion-resistant equipment that is employed in industries to transfer heat from one medium to another. 

Heat is transferred and exchanged between two separate mediums through conduction.

 

What are Heat exchangers?

As the name implies, heat exchanger devices run two different fluids at different temperatures and exchange energy in the form of heat. It doesn’t need any source of mechanical or electrical energy from the outside.

Heat exchangers are usually dependent on power, recycle heat, and prevent processes from overheating through the energy transfer process. Industries that use heat exchangers are based on the thermodynamics principle, in which heat transfer is managed through heat exchangers during the processes and equipment including automotive, electronic, chemical, petrochemical, semiconductor, marine, and aerospace.

For waste heat recovery, heat exchangers are majorly used. In this process, excess heat is transferred from one part to the other process that requires heat. This process has been adapted so far for air conditioners and refrigeration.

 

How is heat exchanged?

Thermal energy is transferred via three methods.

  • Conduction
  • Convection
  • Radiation

For HVAC purposes, heat exchangers mostly used the process of convection and conduction both. Radiation heat transfer contributes only a small percentage.

Let’s take a look that what types of heat exchangers are available in the market, according to their applications;

 

Types of heat exchangers in HVAC

A heat exchanger allows the heat to pass from one state to the other state (liquid or gas) without coming in direct contact with each other. Different kind of heat exchangers has different applications, depending on the requirement of your business. 

 

  1. Double Tube Heat Exchangers:

Double tube heat exchangers as the name suggests are structures in which one is built outside the other tube to facilitate fluid flows through the inner pipe to the outer pipe.

  • Basic and affordable
  • Suitable for tight places  allowing for some extra flexibility 
  1. Shell and Tube Heat Exchangers:

Out of all the types of heat exchangers, shell and tube heat exchangers are the most versatile, as there are few tubs placed inside a cylindrical shell allowing for a wide range of pressures and temperatures. Also can be easily broken down for cleaning and make repairs easy.

 

  1. Tube Bundles Heat Exchangers:

Similar to the other heat exchangers, there are two tubes placed inside one tube, for each fluid. However, the tubes are coiled together, so making it a compact kind of design. 

  • Can withstand high temperature and high pressure
  • Greater efficiency.
  1. Plate Heat Exchangers:

Plate heat exchanger design is an exception as metal plates are used to transfer heat between two fluids instead of coils. These plate heat exchanger offers a greater surface area to come in contact with the fluids, so it exhibits better heat transfer as compared to all other types.

 

  • More expensive
  • Design is a plus 
  • More durability and low repair rates.



Maintaining HVAC Heat Exchangers

Heat exchangers perform the phenomenon of heating or cooling a building to keep us comfortable in every weather. HVAC components are designed to use less energy during the heating and cooling process to create a robust energy-efficient system.

Unarguably, it is essential to ensure that your heat exchangers continue to operate efficiently, as without it the entire system would fail to operate. For example, if your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak and the condenser coils ice over, ac cannot cool your home or room. 

Fortunately, regular maintenance and timely servicing can help prevent problems. Regular servicing will also boost efficiency and also saves you from the massive increase in your energy bills. If you have concerns about your heat exchangers and their HVAC components, ensure to rely on an experienced HVAC repair specialist.

 

In the end!

Alaqua machinery is a leading heat exchanger maker , which provides you with high-quality, stainless steel equipment to withstand any temperature and pressure. It helps you keep your operations running efficiently. If you have concerns about any HVAC components besides heat exchangers, be sure to contact an experienced HVAC manufacturing specialist. Experts at Alaqua machinery offer efficient heat exchanger systems which eliminate underlying problems that could be compromising the performance or efficiency of your equipment.

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