FINNED COIL HEAT EXCHANGER
The finned tube heat exchanger engineered by BOIXAC is designed for industrial processes with high thermal demands, where operational reliability, mechanical robustness and energy efficiency are critical factors. It is particularly suitable for applications involving live steam, flash steam, thermal oil and superheated water, both in cooling systems and energy recovery applications.
The design of these units responds to severe operating conditions, with high pressures and temperatures, and includes the selection of high-performance materials such as stainless steel, special alloys or titanium, depending on the nature of the fluid, environmental corrosiveness and process requirements.
Thanks to these characteristics, finned tube heat exchangers are widely used in the food, pharmaceutical, paper, chemical and energy industries, where process continuity and operational safety are essential.
All equipment is subjected to pressure testing in accordance with the European Pressure Equipment Directive 2014/68/EU, ensuring regulatory compliance and suitability for regulated industrial installations. Solutions in accordance with ASME standards can also be provided.
Finned system design
Unlike exchangers with continuous fins forming a single finned block, BOIXAC finned tube heat exchangers incorporate independent helical fins individually mounted on each tube. This configuration provides key technical advantages:
Complete freedom of geometric design, allowing fin pitch, height and development to be adapted to each application
Optimised convective heat transfer, particularly efficient in air or gas systems
Improved mechanical behaviour under thermal expansion and variable load cycles
Precise adaptation to cleaning, maintenance and aggressive environments
The specific thermodynamic and aerodynamic calculations carried out by BOIXAC for each project allow the optimal exchanger configuration to be defined, maximising energy efficiency while minimising system pressure losses.
Additionally, exchangers with straight fins arranged transversely to the tubes can also be engineered, particularly suitable for applications where radiative heat transfer plays a significant role.
Custom design and special configurations
BOIXAC engineers finned tube heat exchangers with fully customised geometries, adapted to the specific conditions of each industrial process. Solutions may include:
Smooth tubes, continuous finned tubes or helical finned tubes
Designs with or without structural frames
Specific air-side sealing
Weld-free configurations in critical areas, where required by the application
These solutions are particularly suitable for superheated water, steam and thermal oil, where mechanical strength, durability and dimensional stability are essential.
Global solutions for industrial installations
Heat exchangers can be supplied with different connection types, such as threaded connections, flanges or plain tubes for direct welding, facilitating integration into both new and existing installations.
BOIXAC can also engineer solutions integrating auxiliary components such as:
Fans
Droplet separators
Humidification systems
Electric defrost heaters
Pressurised casings
This approach enables the delivery of 360° solutions, fully aligned with the process, environmental conditions and operational requirements of each client.
Typical ROI
3-12 months
Efficiency
up to 90%
Warranty
2 years
Welds
up to 70% less
Technical FAQs
What data are required to prepare a technical and commercial quotation?
To prepare a rigorous technical and commercial proposal, BOIXAC primarily relies on specific thermodynamic calculations. These require, among other data, inlet and outlet temperatures, flow rates, fluid type, operating pressure, environmental conditions and installation space constraints.
To size the water exchanger coil we need you to confirm 5 of the following values as well as the maximum available dimensions.
- Calorific capacity (kcal/h or kW)
- Air flow (m3/h)
- Air inlet temperature (ºC) and relative humidity (%)*
- Air outlet temperature (ºC) and relative humidity (%)
- Water flow (l/h or l/min.)
- Water inlet temperature (ºC)*
- Water outlet temperature (ºC)
- Maximum available sizes (length x height x depth)
To size the condenser we will need you to confirm 5 of the following values as well as the maximum available dimensions.
- Calorific capacity (kcal/h or kW)
- Air flow (m3/h)*
- Air inlet temperature (ºC)*
- Air outlet temperature (ºC)
- Refrigerant*
- Condensation temperature (ºC)*
- Maximum available sizes (length x height x depth)
To size the evaporator we will need you to confirm 5 of the following values as well as the maximum available dimensions.
- Calorific capacity (kcal/h or kW)
- Air flow (m3/h) *
- Air inlet temperature (ºC) and relative humidity (%)
- Air outlet temperature (ºC) and relative humidity (%)
- Refrigerant *
- Evaporation temperature (ºC) *
- Maximum available dimensions (length x height x depth)
To size the steam battery we will need you to confirm 4 of the following values as well as the maximum available dimensions.
- Calorific capacity (kcal/h or kW)
- Air flow (m3/h)
- Air inlet temperature (ºC)
- Air outlet temperature (ºC)
- Steam pressure (Kg/cm2 atm. or bar)*
- Maximum available dimensions (length x height x depth)
What is a finned tube heat exchanger?
A finned tube heat exchanger is a thermal device designed to increase the heat transfer surface by means of fins attached to the tubes, thereby improving heat transfer between an internal fluid and an external medium, typically air or gases.
What is the difference between independent helical fins and continuous fins?
Independent helical fins are mounted individually on each tube, whereas continuous fins form a single finned block. Independent fins provide greater geometric flexibility, improved behaviour under thermal expansion and a more precise optimisation of thermal performance for each application.
Which applications are best suited for helical finned tubes?
They are particularly suitable for applications involving live steam, flash steam, thermal oil and superheated water, as well as for energy recovery and industrial air or gas cooling processes, especially where certain fouling factors are present.
What advantages do helical fins provide in heat transfer?
Helical fins increase the heat exchange surface and promote air or gas flow turbulence, enhancing convective heat transfer and enabling more compact designs or higher thermal efficiency.
Can finned tube heat exchangers be customised for each project?
Yes. BOIXAC engineers each heat exchanger on a project-specific basis, adapting tube geometry, fin type, materials and overall configuration to the process conditions and customer requirements.
Which materials can be used for finned tube heat exchangers?
Depending on the fluid, operating temperature and environmental corrosiveness, solutions can be designed using carbon steel, stainless steel, special alloys or titanium, ensuring chemical compatibility and long-term durability.
Do BOIXAC finned tube heat exchangers comply with European regulations?
Yes. All equipment undergoes pressure testing in accordance with the European Pressure Equipment Directive 2014/68/EU. Solutions compliant with ASME standards can also be provided.
Can auxiliary equipment be integrated into the heat exchangers?
Heat exchangers can be engineered with fans, droplet separators, humidification systems, electric defrost heaters and pressurised casings, among other components, to deliver a fully integrated solution.
What data are required to size a finned tube heat exchanger?
Accurate sizing requires, among other parameters, inlet and outlet temperatures, flow rates, fluid type, operating pressure, ambient conditions and available installation space.
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