Heat Exchangers

What is a heat exchanger?

A heat exchanger is equipment designed to transfer heat from one fluid to another.

In most industrial heat exchangers supplied by AxFlow, the hot and cold fluids travel through separate passages divided by a heat-transfer surface. Thermal energy passes through that surface while the fluids remain separated.

Heat exchangers can therefore be used to:

• Heat a process fluid
• Cool a process fluid
• Recover heat from another process stream
• Condense vapour
• Support evaporation duties
• Pasteurise or thermally treat food and beverage products
• Maintain precise process temperatures
• Reduce heating and cooling utility demand through heat recovery

The correct heat exchanger is determined by the process conditions rather than thermal duty alone.

How do heat exchangers work

Heat exchangers are key in transfer thermal energy between two liquids, without the need of them coming in contact. With a usual heat exchanger, two fluid streams flow in different ways, with the first being hot and the other fluid being cold. As the hot liquid moves through the heat exchanger, it lets out its thermal energy to the walls of the heat exchanger, then conducting the heat to the cold fluid. The cold fluid will then absorb this heat, causing its temperature to increase, while the hot fluid's temperature drops.

This ongoing exchange of thermal energy will then result in the desired heat transfer between the two fluids.

Where can heat exchangers be used

Heat exchangers play a crucial role in a range of processes which includes: HVAC systems, refrigeration, power plants, and industrial processes, enabling energy-efficient heat management and maintaining optimal temperatures in different systems.

Why buy Heat exchangers from AxFlow

AxFlow specialise in the supply of high specification heat exchangers. We offer three very different types of heat exchangers giving us the ability to respond to nearly every application.

We specialize in process heat exchanger solutions for industrial, chemical process and offshore applications along with hygienic food and beverage production.

AxFlow supply a range of different heat exchangers:

Plate Heat Exchanger: widely utilised in industries such as HVAC, food and beverage processing, and automotive applications. Known for their compact footprint and high thermal efficiency, plate heat exchangers are a flexible solution for a variety of duties. Available in gasketed, brazed, and welded formats, they are ideal where space savings, fast heat transfer, and ease of cleaning are priorities.

Tube Heat Exchanger: tend to be utilised in applications in power plants, oil refineries, chemical processing, and other industries where higher pressure and temperature conditions are present. They offer a robust and hygienic construction, tube-in-tube and multi-tube designs are widely used in high-pressure or high-temperature environments. They are perfect for applications requiring long service life, minimal maintenance, and the ability to handle particulate-laden or viscous fluids.

Surface scraped heat exchangers: can be utilised in food processing, chemical processing as well as the petrochemical industry, pharmaceutical industry and more. They're known for their compact footprint and high thermal efficiency, plate heat exchangers are a flexible solution for a variety of duties. Available in gasketed, brazed, and welded formats, they are ideal where space savings, fast heat transfer, and ease of cleaning are priorities.

Each system is engineered with process performance, energy efficiency, and product quality in mind, ensuring that our customers receive a solution tailored precisely to their needs. Whether for new installations or system upgrades, AxFlow delivers reliable, cost-effective heat exchanger solutions backed by technical support and decades of experience.

Which type of heat exchanger should I choose?

There is no single heat exchanger design that is best for every application.

The most appropriate technology depends on the thermal duty and the physical behaviour of the process fluid.

These are selection principles rather than absolute rules. Final selection should always be based on the complete process duty and the operating limits of the chosen exchanger.

APV Heat Exchangers 

APV heat exchangers have a proven track record of phenomenal reliability, performance, and quality, thus rendering them a trusted choice for various industries.APV heat exchangers incorporate innovative design features and cutting-edge technology to enhance heat transfer efficiency, whilst also maintaining a focus on efficiency, as APV heat exchangers contribute to energy savings, reducing operational costs and environmental impact.