Heat Exchangers
Heat exchangers are machines used to transfer heat from one medium to another, without the two liquids or gases mixing. This is a very important device in many industries, Some examples of applications are in the chemical industry, in heating, ventilating, air-conditioning, in energy plants, air-seperators and gas-liquid separators. Heat exchangers come in various shapes and sizes, and are an increasingly important part of many different sorts of machinery.
Heat exchangers are made up of two main parts, the fluid passageway, or core, and the casing. The fluid passageway or core is the part that contains the mediums, such as water, air, steam, and other gases, which are contained inside and moved by the transfer of heat, while the casing prevents the mediums from mixing while the transfer of heat occurs. Heat exchangers have a few different types of interior construction, such as plate exchangers, shell and tube exchangers, and rotating drum exchangers.
Plate exchangers use thin plates of metal that have channels in them. These plates are then stacked together to form a wall between two liquids. As the heat exchanger core begins to move, the heat gets trapped in the thin channels and is then transferred from one side of the wall to the other, allowing for the fluids to remain separate and for the energy to move effectively. These are great for applications such as heaters, and for transferring heat from steam to condensation.
Shell and tube exchangers use a tube bundle in the core, with the two mediums flowing through the tubes and around the shell. This type of exchanger is great for transferring heat from one medium to another without the liquids mixing. This is often used in industries such as the chemical industry, where different chemical processes or reactions require different temperatures.
Rotating drum exchangers use a cylindrical core which rotates on its axis and is filled with a special medium. The temperature of one side of the drum is higher than the other, allowing the drum to transfer heat from one side to the other. This is a great option for applications that have a high temperature difference, such as those involving a large turbine engine.
Heat exchangers are versatile and can be used in a wide range of applications. From cooling water to heating up gas to transferring energy, heat exchangers are a great device for transferring heat in an efficient and controlled manner, while also controlling different temperatures at the same time. Heat exchangers are an important part of any industry and their role is continuing to grow. Without them, many of the modern energy applications we rely on would not be possible.
