Why are there no heat exchange devices with interchangeable heat exchange materials?
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Depending on the processing volume and season, some materials of the device have varying recoverable heat amounts. For example, it is more common in summer and less common in winter. For example, the heat generated by steam in our workshop. Now, air cooling is used for cooling. So, why can’t we consider using a heat exchanger for recovery? Does a heat exchanger use different heat transfer media at different times of the year? For example: in summer, when there is a lot of heat, some process materials need to be heated. In winter, there is less heat, so heat exchange occurs with other materials (such as hot water). It should be more cost-effective than using air cooling. It also overcomes the drawback of being unable to perform its heating function properly when there is insufficient heat. Switching through such processes shouldn’t be very troublesome either. But I’m not sure if the device allows it, and are there any other drawbacks? I’m not sure if there is a process design that allows for switching of the heat exchange medium; please, fellow users, discuss this and verify it. I think by recovering heat in this way, it should be more cost-effective than air cooling or circulating water cooling.
Different media have different heat capacities. Each heat exchanger is designed and manufactured using materials and heat exchange surfaces chosen based on the known properties of the material being handled. If the material is changed, a larger design margin is necessary, which increases costs. Moreover, different materials require different types of materials, and switching materials can lead to leaks, posing safety risks; in such cases, heat recovery cannot serve as a substitute.