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Spiral Heat Exchanger

In my plant, there are two small spiral heat exchangers which function as a shutdown cooler. I'm not sure what is the capacity and specifications of it. I have no experience using or operating them. But, I'm interested to learn about them.

Spiral heat exchanger differs a lot from plate heat exchanger (PHE). There are also pros and cons using spiral heat exchanger compared to PHE. From my limited experience, a spiral heat exchanger require less maintenance. There is no plates and no internal gaskets. To clean the internal part, a "cleaning in place" (CIP) is carried out using caustic solution up 60-75oC. The spiral heat exchanger is totally stainless steal solid and it is very heavy. One problem that can make a spiral heat exchanger useless (or very expansive to repair) is when the internal wall crack or leak. When this happen, the fluids entering the spiral heat exchanger will mixed and hence affect the production quality (reject!!!).

Spiral Heat Exchangers exhibit ideal heat transfer and fluid handling characteristics for a wide range of applications.

  • Takes up only one sixth of the space
  • Means lower costs for buildings, pumps valves and piping
  • Uses 75% less pumping energy
  • Provides higher K- value and a close temperature approach
  • Ensures continual self-cleaning effect for maximum operating efficiency
Nowadays, there are very few companies selling spiral heat exchanger compared to PHE.
For further references on this type of heat exchanger, check out Alfa laval and Heseco.


Example of a big spiral heat exchanger. The mass of it is about 5 tonnes.

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posted by Kipas Repair JB @ 11:51 PM,

6 Comments:

At Wednesday, June 06, 2007, Blogger maer wan said...

Zaki dude, thanks for your info about this. surely, it changes my view of HEX (Heat Exchanger) from just co-current and counter-current.

anyway, just wondering, did your company do something like Pinch analysis stuff for the HEN (Heat Exchanger Network)?

 
At Wednesday, June 06, 2007, Blogger Kipas Repair JB said...

for the time being no. If my company is involve in such thing, it will be me who'll be incharge of that...

we have some "consultant" approaching us to do those pinch stuff to improve our energy ....well, i'm looking into it....for the time being

 
At Wednesday, June 06, 2007, Blogger maer wan said...

well, hope u'll have fun times playing with the Pinch analysis. well, if u do need any info on that topic, just let me know.

bukannya apa, dulu, masa aku kat Kualiti Alam tuh, i was in the Tech Support team given the task to look into the pinch analysis thingy to cut down the money cost and energy cost.

we ended up suggesting that the excess heat from the incinerator and SCC (Sec. Comb. Chamber)to be used for heating of WWTP (Waste Water Treatment Plant) or sumthing like that...

ooopsie, harap aku tak kene block dari sambung keje kat kiloang tuh nanti... hehe, mampus if bapak aku tahu if aku cakap about plant nih... hahaha...

 
At Thursday, June 07, 2007, Blogger Kipas Repair JB said...

ooo....ok...thanks....later i check and refer to you....

 
At Tuesday, November 04, 2008, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Heelo there Zaki, to intoduce myself,my name is Ryan, i'm an undergraduate currently doing a research on this device, a SHE, and i'm glad to have found your informative post here. Please allow me to inquire that do you have any idea about the sources where i can learn more about the thermal analysis of a SHE?
Your kind reply is very much appreciated, thank you.
ryanfong20@hotmail.com

 
At Tuesday, December 02, 2008, Blogger Abu Mustafa said...

Heelo there Zaki, to intoduce myself,my name is mustafa, i'm an postgraduate currently doing a research on this device, a SHE, and i'm glad to have found your informative post here. Please allow me to inquire that do you have any idea about the sources where i can learn more about the thermal analysis of a SHE?
Your kind reply is very much appreciated, thank you.
mmustafa066@gmail.com

 

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The Author

zyz

I’m Zaki. I used to be a project, process and chemical engineer. Few years ago I successfully became a Chartered Engineer (IChemE) and Professional Engineer (BEM). I'm now employed as a chemical engineering educator/researcher/consultant. Hope you like reading my blog. I welcome any feedback from you. My email: zaki.yz[alias]gmail.com. TQ!


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