Nov-2023

Benefits of spiral and welded plate heat exchangers (RI 2023)

Nexson is a French company based in Garchizy in the Nièvre region. Aware of environmental issues, the company helps manufacturers optimise their manufacturing processes by saving energy. It provides its customers with concrete solutions to combat energy wastage and its impact on the environment.

C.VIGNERON
nexson group

Article Summary

Heat exchangers play a crucial role in various industries, including oil, gas, refining and petrochemicals. They are essential for efficient heat transfer, which is often required for different processes in these industries. Two commonly used types of heat exchangers in these sectors are spiral and welded plate heat exchangers.

Spiral Heat Exchangers
Some of the key uses and benefits of Nexson’s spiral heat exchangers include:
1 Single channel: Single channel flow is a unique feature.

2 Self-cleaning effect: Thanks to the single channel configuration, a turbulent flow is created to handle tough media. As it is a single-channel heat exchanger, if there is any cross-section reduction inside the channel, flow velocity will increase, flushing out the deposit.

3 Space-saving design: They have a compact footprint, making them ideal for installations where space is a constraint. They offer a high heat transfer surface area relative to their size, maximising heat exchange within limited space.

4 Robust construction: Nexson utilises high-quality materials and employs advanced manufacturing techniques to ensure the durability and longevity of its spiral heat exchangers. This makes them suitable for harsh operating conditions, including corrosive environments.

5 Versatile applications: They are highly versatile and well-suited for a wide range of applications in the oil, gas, refining and petrochemical industries. They are particularly useful for heat exchange involving high fouling or fouling-prone fluids, as their self-cleaning mechanism minimises maintenance requirements.

6 Tough process conditions: Thanks to their robust construction, they are designed to handle cycling duties. They can expand without mechanical failure when pressured or by increased temperature.

Welded Plate Heat Exchangers
Nexson’s welded plate heat exchangers offer excellent heat transfer performance and flexibility along with the following benefits:
1 Optimal heat transfer efficiency: The corrugated plates in the welded plate heat exchangers create turbulence in the fluid flow, enhancing heat transfer efficiency. This results in reduced energy consumption and improved overall process performance.

2 Close temperature approach: The unique corrugated plate design allows the GreenBox™ – S to reach a very close temperature approach and even reach crossover temperature by achieving high heat transfer K coefficient values.

3 Compact size: They have a compact design, making them easy to install and well-suited for applications with space and weight restrictions. Their modular configuration allows for customisation to suit specific heat transfer requirements.

4 Easy to inspect: Thanks to the totally bolted design, you can easily dismount the unit for inspection and cleaning.

5 Interchangeable ‘heart’: Thanks to their modular construction, Nexson can remove parts that need to be replaced and, at the same time, keep the parts in good condition.

6 Evolutionary design: GreenBox adaptable and removable baffles make it easy to adjust pressure drop and fluid velocity to meet thermal performance.

7 Versatile configurations: Nexson offers a wide range of plate materials and construction options, allowing its heat exchangers to handle various process fluids and conditions. This flexibility ensures compatibility and performance across different applications.

Applications in oil, gas, refining and petrochemical Industries
Both spiral and welded plate heat exchangers find extensive use thanks to their excellent thermal performance and compact designs. They play a vital role in various processes, such as:
• Crude oil desalting, gas dehydration, atmospheric and vacuum distillation, fluid catalytic cracking, hydrocracking, visbreaking processing, bitumen processing, catalytic reforming, amine treating, sour water stripping, alkylation, catalytic hydrodesulphurisation, hydrotreating, and monoethylene glycol reclamation
• Petrochemical production: Spiral and welded plate heat exchangers are employed in separating and cooling various chemical compounds, ensuring efficient heat recovery.

Conclusion
Spiral and welded plate heat exchangers provide significant benefits. Their efficient heat transfer capabilities, space-saving designs, durability, and versatility contribute to improved process efficiency, reduced energy consumption, and enhanced overall performance. With Nexson’s focus on quality and innovation, its heat exchangers are trusted solutions for critical heat transfer applications in the oil, gas, refining and petrochemical industries.

This short article originally appeared in the 2023Refining India Newspaper, which you can VIEW HERE