What Are the Main Types of Waste Heat Recovery Heat Exchangers for Steam?

The main types of heat exchangers for steam waste heat recovery are as follows:

Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger:

Consisting of shell and tube bundle, steam flows in the shell course and cold fluid flows in the tube course.

It is characterised by robust structure and high adaptability. For example, it is commonly used for steam waste heat recovery in large industrial installations.

Plate Heat Exchanger:

Stacked by a series of metal plates with corrugated shape, steam and cold fluid flow alternately between the plates.

High heat transfer efficiency and small footprint. For example, it is more common in places with limited space, such as small factories or commercial buildings in the HVAC system.

Spiral Plate Heat Exchanger:

Made of two parallel metal plates rolled to form two spiral channels.

Suitable for handling fluids containing solid particles or high viscosity. Can work well in certain specific chemical production processes.

Heat Pipe Heat Exchanger:

Relies on the phase change of the working fluid inside the heat pipe to transfer heat.

Has the advantages of good heat transfer performance, rapid thermal response. Commonly used in some of the higher temperature control requirements of the occasion.

Finned Tube Heat Exchanger:

In the base tube with fins to increase the heat transfer area.

Commonly used in air preheating and other conditions that require enhanced heat transfer.

Volumetric Heat Exchanger:

Composed of water storage tank, heat exchange coil, etc., can store a certain amount of hot water.

Often used in domestic hot water supply system.

Different types of steam waste heat recovery heat exchanger in the structure, performance, applicable scenarios, etc. have their own characteristics, the choice needs to be based on specific waste heat recovery needs, working conditions and economic factors and other comprehensive consideration.