Enhanced Surface Tube Heat Exchangers

Key benefits

1. Increased heat transfer coefficient – Reduces the required surface area to achieve the specified heat transfer performance.
   
   
2. Optimised surface temperatures
   Ensures that temperature sensitive materials can be processed efficiently.
   
   
3. Compact
   Enhanced surfaces lead to a larger heat transfer area being attainable within a smaller equipment footprint.
   
   
4. A range of available materials
   We offer materials such as copper, carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminium, cupronickel and titanium materials. However, we can also supply other enhanced tube materials options.

How it works

There are two surfaces to be considered when discussing enhanced surface tube heat exchangers. Either or both can be engineered with a range of profiles, which run in a spiral form down the tube. Where the tube is formed from a strip, the strip is embossed with the surface contours before seam welding.

We have optimised the range of available profiles for the most frequently used processing requirements. To select the best configuration for your process, our engineers would consider various factors including heat transfer efficiency, the impact of fluid viscosity under varying operating conditions and potential for fouling. We would take these into account while working towards the most economic and lightest construction.

The most common applications using enhanced surface tube are for evaporation or condensation processes. But, many single phase applications (e.g. oil coolers) have benefited from the use of specific improved surface materials.

For gas to liquid heat exchangers, it will be beneficial to increase the gas side heat transfer surface as gas side coefficients are generally low. In these instances, the type of extruded finned tube called ‘integron’ can be used. We can optimise the height of the extruded fin and the number of fins per inch against the gas flow and available gas pressure drop.

Sterling Thermal Technology can work with you to consider all aspects of your process. We will offer our best recommendations for both an efficient and cost-effective solution to your heat transfer requirements.

If you feel you need another type of heat exchanger, visit our products and services page or contact us.