How to Calculate Heat Exchanger Area and Capacity
To calculate heat exchanger area and capacity, first determine the heat duty (capacity) using Q = ṁ × cp × ΔT, then divide by the product of the overall heat transfer coefficient (U) and log mean temperature difference (LMTD) to get the required area: A = Q / (U × LMTD). Capacity tells you how […]
Heat Exchanger Sizing Calculation: Step-by-Step Guide
Heat exchanger selection calculation is the process of determining the right exchanger type, size, and configuration by calculating heat duty, log mean temperature difference (LMTD), overall heat transfer coefficient (U), required area, and pressure drop. A correct calculation prevents oversizing, undersizing, premature fouling, and unnecessary cost. This guide gives you the actual formulas, worked examples, […]
Plate Heat Exchanger vs Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger: Which Is Better?
For most clean, low-to-medium pressure applications with moderate temperatures, a plate heat exchanger (PHE) is the better choice because it delivers a closer temperature approach, higher thermal efficiency, and a smaller footprint at a lower installed cost. Choose a shell and tube heat exchanger (STHE) when you face high pressure, high temperature, heavy fouling, large […]
How to choose the right heat exchanger
Choosing the right heat exchanger starts with five parameters: duty (kW), flow rates, allowable pressure drop, temperature approach, and fluid properties including fouling tendency and corrosiveness. Match these to the correct type — plate, shell and tube, brazed, or welded — then confirm material, gasket, and certification requirements before ordering. This guide gives you the […]
Heat Exchanger Cost Analysis: How to Calculate Initial Investment and Operating Costs
The lowest heat exchanger quotation is not always the lowest-cost solution. When comparing heat exchangers, many buyers look first at the equipment price. But the purchase price is only one part of the total cost. A heat exchanger also creates costs through: Installation Piping Pumps Electricity Cooling or heating utilities Cleaning Spare parts Gasket replacement […]
Heat Exchanger Comparison Guide: Plate vs Shell and Tube vs Plate Fin
Choosing the right heat exchanger is not simply a matter of comparing prices. A plate heat exchanger, shell and tube heat exchanger, and plate fin heat exchanger use different heat-transfer structures and are designed for different operating conditions. The right choice depends on: Heat duty Fluid type Flow rate Operating temperature Operating pressure Allowable pressure […]
Heat Exchanger Sizing Calculator: How to Calculate Heat Duty and Heat Transfer Area
How do you calculate the required heat exchanger size? For a preliminary heat exchanger calculation, two questions usually come first: How much heat needs to be transferred? How much heat transfer area is required? The basic calculations are straightforward, but selecting an actual heat exchanger requires more than putting numbers into a single formula. A […]
Free Heat Exchanger Selection Tool: Get a Preliminary Solution in 1 Minute
Choosing the right heat exchanger does not have to start with a long technical specification or a complicated engineering calculation. For many standard heating and cooling applications, you can start with a few basic operating parameters and quickly determine what type of heat exchanger you may need. Our free heat exchanger selection tool is designed […]
Heat Exchanger Life Cycle Cost: Is the Cheapest Heat Exchanger Really the Cheapest?
When purchasing a heat exchanger, the lowest quotation is often the easiest option to compare. But the purchase price is only one part of the cost. A heat exchanger may operate for many years. During that time, the owner may also pay for electricity, pumping, cleaning, maintenance, spare parts, downtime, repairs and eventually replacement. This […]
Seawater Corrosion Heat Exchangers: Titanium vs Hastelloy — How to Choose
Seawater is one of the most aggressive coolants in industry. It destroys carbon steel in months, 304 stainless in weeks, and even 316L fails quickly in stagnant or high-temperature conditions. When a heat exchanger is cooled by seawater, material selection is not a cost decision — it is a reliability decision. Titanium and Hastelloy are […]