AIC Heat Exchangers (COM)

Plate Versus Tubular Heat Exchangers

At Advanced Industrial Components (AIC), they are often asked by their clients: “What heat exchanger type should I use - plate or tubular?” The answer is… it depends on their application.

 

Oakville, ON -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/22/2017 -- At Advanced Industrial Components (AIC), they are often asked by their clients: "What heat exchanger type should I use - plate or tubular?" The answer is… it depends on their application. Here they will take a quick look at a few variables to consider the next time someone is in the market for a heat exchanger.

Fluid Flow and Pressure Drops: A tubular type of heat exchanger (removable u-tube, straight tube, or welded shell & tube design) will generally allow for larger amounts of fluid through the unit with relatively lower pressure drops than when compared to a plate exchanger (brazed plate or plate & frame), whose dense plate packs acts as a restriction barrier.

Heat Transfer Area: Due to the thin plates and chevron designs of their tight plate packs, plate heat exchangers have a high heat transfer rate to surface area ratio, meaning that these exchangers may be more favourable for applications with lower temperature differentials or when a close temperature approach is required. For plate & frame heat exchangers, if the frame allows for it, additional plates may be added on to an existing unit, on site, to increase the heating surface area.

Hardiness: Industries such as oil & gas prefer the use of tubular heat exchangers for the ruggedness and flexibility of the design. Thick tubes and shells. Use of expansion joints. Resilience with different fluid types - viscous oils, steam, etc. There is wider scope in tubular designs than compared to plate designs, enabling more customization of the product to suit a client's particular needs.

Maintenance: Both plate and tubular designs carry products that are either 'removable' or 'welded/brazed'. Plate packs in plate & frame exchangers may be removed, cleansed, and/or replaced. Tube bundles in u-tube or straight tube heat exchangers may be removed, cleansed, and/or replaced. One may argue that it is a more arduous task in one design than the other; however, that is up to the client to determine.

Certifications: If required, both plate and tubular heat exchangers may be designed to the ASME Code. Tubular exchangers may also be governed by TEMA standards.

To view all of their heat transfer products, please feel free to visit the official AIC website at http://www.aicheatexchangers.com, contact an AIC associate by phone at (905) 829-4666, or send an inquiry to ask@aicheatexchangers.com.

About AIC Heat Exchangers
AIC specializes in the heat exchanger industry, and has a deep technical knowledge of heat transfer concepts, heat exchanger designs, and heat exchange solutions in a variety of environments and applications. AIC Heat Exchangers is pleased to offer a wide array of product solutions, and delivers exceptional support and services to its clients, while continuously working to provide innovative designs and technologies to the market.