Electric heater
Thread Content
The most commonly used type of heat exchanger in chemical engineering design is the shell-and-tube type. As for electric heaters, under what circumstances are they chosen, and what are their advantages and disadvantages compared to shell-and-tube heat exchangers? I hope fellow experts will share their opinions!
The shell-and-tube design has a complicated manufacturing process and high costs; it is suitable for processes where heat can be effectively utilized, thus saving energy (for example, when some fluids need to release heat while others need to absorb it). Electric heaters are generally used in gas stations or water stations where energy consumption is very low.
It’s just my personal opinion: First of all, the system should allow for electric heating. Compared to steam heating, electric heating requires wiring and control boxes, while steam heating necessitates piping (for insulation), a boiler, as well as a corresponding pure water system. With electric heating, the heating voltage can be adjusted directly using a voltage regulator; whereas with steam heating, it’s necessary to adjust the opening degree of the steam valves, and a steam trap must also be installed. As for operating costs, these include electricity bills, fuel costs, and water costs (especially in areas with water shortages)
Electric heaters can be turned off at will without the need for preheating, and they have relatively high power losses. It mainly depends on the specific circumstances. Basically, several factors need to be considered: 1. What is the power of the heater? If it’s too high, the operating costs will be excessive in the long run ； 2. What equipment do you currently have, such as steam pipes, since the cost of laying steam pipes is high. If there is anything still unclear, you can visit our website (http://www.czxwk.com) or get in touch with me (QQ: 541027239)
You work in the electric heater industry yourself; don’t you know?
I would like to ask: if we already know the power required for the electric heater, how do we choose its specifications as well as the material of the resistance wire inside it? Generally, it is used to heat water; the water side is not under pressure and the water quality is good. According to the manufacturers of electric heaters, for situations like ours, a power output of 2–3 KW per meter can be achieved. A U-shaped tubular structure is chosen because the power requirement in our case is also relatively high. I would like to ask fellow users how to make this selection? Is a diameter of 12~16 typically chosen for electric heating elements? Is the resistance wire inside made of nickel-chromium alloy?