Heat exchanger selection
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Which type of heat exchanger is most efficient in production, and what is its approximate K value?
At present, plate heat exchangers have the highest heat transfer efficiency, being about twice that of conventional shell-and-tube heat exchangers, with a K value exceeding 1000.
It depends on where it will be used. If it is to be used in the conversion section, I recommend using a high-efficiency shell-and-tube heat exchanger (finned tube); if it is to be used elsewhere, then a plate heat exchanger is the better choice.
When used in the conversion section, shell-and-tube heat exchangers tend to get clogged, and their heat transfer efficiency drops rapidly. :handshake
So which type of heat exchanger do you think is best for use in conversion systems? The most commonly used one at present is the shell-and-tube type
Shell-and-tube types are generally used; as long as the design is proper, the materials are appropriately selected, and the condensed acid is removed regularly, there should be no problems with their use for 3 to 5 years.
If computer simulation is not used, the K value can be found in chemical process design manuals; it varies depending on the type of heat exchanger and the medium involved.
For conversion processes, most manufacturers now choose shell-and-tube heat exchangers; it is said that they have a high K value, but there aren’t many actual measurements available – it’s just an estimate. Plate heat exchangers and anodic protection are also widely used in dry absorption processes. Plate heat exchangers require higher water quality standards and offer good heat transfer performance, while anodic protection has lower requirements regarding water quality, though its effectiveness is slightly inferior to that of plate heat exchangers.
It depends on where it will be used; the K value can be found in the process design manual. In case of special conditions, it is also possible to contact the heat exchanger manufacturers, as they have calculation models that can assist with the selection process