In order to understand the different types of heat exchangers, it is vital first to know what it is. A heat exchanger is a device that allows two fluids (either gases or liquids) to transfer heat from one to the other. This action aids in changing the temperature of the fluids within the system.
There are many different types of heat exchangers that HVAC technicians should know about before installation into the HVAC system. They include the following:
1. Tube and Shell Heat Exchanger
Shell and tube heat exchangers are the most common type of heat exchanger in use today that every HVAC tech should know. They are used for both heating and cooling applications and work by transferring energy between two fluids that flow in opposite directions.
The shell side usually contains a fluid that is being cooled, while the tube side contains a fluid that is being heated. Each fluid is contained in its own pipe, and there is usually some kind of insulation around each pipe. This helps prevent the liquid from losing heat while traveling through the system.
The idea behind a shell and tube heat exchanger is simple enough. The fluid being cooled enters through one end of the shell side and flows through all of the tubes inside. Then, it exits at the other end as a cooler liquid.
The same thing happens with the hot fluid. It enters through one end as a hot liquid. It travels through all of the tubes inside and then exits as a hot liquid on the other side.
2. Double Tube Heat Exchanger
The double-tube heat exchanger is made up of two concentric tubes, the inner tube being smaller than the outer tube. As an HVAC technician, when installing, know that a double tube heat exchanger is used for applications where high pressures are involved.
The liquid enters the bottom of a double tube heat exchanger from one end and exits from the top at the other end after going through a number of passes along its length. The design is such that it allows for good contact between fluids in contact with each other. It also allows for good mixing between both fluids without causing any turbulence or loss in efficiency.
3. Plate Heat Exchanger
The plate heat exchanger is made up of flat plates, which are welded together to form one large unit. These plates can be made out of metal or plastic material depending upon their usage and application requirements, as seen from dealers like Zwirner Equipment or Turnbull & Scott.
To satisfy your client as an HVAC expert, select the appropriate plate, either from stainless steel, copper, or aluminum, depending upon their usage and application requirements. They’re placed in an alternating pattern with each other so that they form channels through which fluids pass while exchanging heat between them.
4. Tube in Tube Heat Exchanger
This type of heat exchanger is used for air conditioning and refrigeration applications where high-pressure drops and good capacity are required. The tube-in-tube design consists of two concentric tubes, one inside the other, as in the other heat exchangers above.
The inner tube is directly exposed to the refrigerant that passes through it, while the outer tube is only exposed to the coolant (usually water). Advise your clients to install this HVAC system where a small amount of heating or cooling must be added to a larger stream of air. They can also be used to remove moisture from air streams by circulating water through an outer jacket around the inner core of tubes.
5. Pillow Plate Heat Exchanger
Pillow plates are constructed out of a series of round plates held together by bolts or fasteners that allow for easy disassembly for cleaning or repair. These exchangers can be either single-pass or double-pass designs, depending on what you’re installing.
These heat exchangers have a greater surface area than shell-and-tube units. Thus, they allow more heat transfer per unit of time than shell-and-tube units do.
6. Adiabatic Heat Exchanger
An adiabatic heat exchanger is a device that allows one substance to be heated or cooled without adding or removing any other substance from the system. As an HVAC technician, you can install this system for your customers in various industries, including chemical plants and food manufacturing facilities. Adiabatic heat exchangers are also commonly used in refrigeration plants because they allow for quick temperature changes and don’t require much maintenance over time.
7. Air-to-Air Heat Exchanger
An air-to-air heat exchanger is another common type of exchanger that you can install for your customers. As you showcase your HVAC expertise through an online platform, remember that this exchanger is used where the hot and cold fluids are both gases.
You can arrange them either in parallel or in a series configuration. Parallel configurations have multiple tubes that branch off from one another for each circuit and lead to one or more collectors. In a series configuration, all the tubes branch off from one collector and lead to a single outlet tube.
8. Finned Heat Exchanger
A finned heat exchanger is also called a finned tube heat exchanger. This type of heat exchanger uses fins to increase the surface area of a metal pipe, thereby increasing its heat transfer efficiency.
These fins are usually made from copper or aluminum. However, they may be formed from any ductile metal capable of withstanding high temperatures and pressures. So, you can cut-cost for your clients due to different materials offering the same satisfaction.
You can install this exchanger in the automotive industry. Here, they are used in the exhaust system to cool down hot gases before they enter the catalytic converter. They can also be found in heating and cooling systems for air conditioning and refrigeration systems, such as those found in cars, trucks, buses, trains, ships, and aircraft.
Types of Heat Exchangers: Conclusion
As HVAC technicians, you should know these heat exchangers so that you can install the appropriate types for your clients. It is because there are many different types of them out there, and each one has its own properties.
In this blog post, we’ve discussed eight different types of heat exchangers you might encounter in your career as an HVAC technician. The type of heat exchanger that is best for your client depends on a number of factors, such as the building’s design, the climate where it will be installed, and what kind of system is already in place.
For example, if your customer has an oil-fired boiler, then an air cooler is the best option to install to cool down their home’s water supply. We hope that this information will help you on your journey as an HVAC technician. Good luck!
