Archivos de heat exchange

Heat exchangers in the energy industry

February 17, 2025February 1, 2023 by Oficina Tècnica

ENERGY INDUSTRY HEAT EXCHANGERS FOR ENERGY OPTIMIZATION Heat exchangers are a very important product in the optimization of energy transformation processes, whether in thermal power plants, nuclear power plants or hydroelectric power plants, among others. Let’s dive deeper into the uniqueness of each of these systems below: 1. In thermal power plants, heat exchangers are used to transfer heat generated by fossil fuels such as coal, oil or gas to a fluid such as superheated water or steam. This fluid reaches high pressures and drives a turbine that generates electricity. As the fluid drives the turbine, it cools and we condense it using a new heat exchanger we call a condenser. Once condensed, we reuse the fluid to heat it with fossil combustion and generate energy again. In thermal power plants we could find cogeneration plants which, in addition to producing heat, generate electricity, as well as trigeneration plants, which, in addition to producing heat and electricity, generate refrigeration energy, which means greater energy efficiency and sustainability. 2. In nuclear power plants, heat exchangers are essential to control the temperature of the reactor with the help of a coolant. The heat transfer fluid absorbs the heat and transmits it to a steam generator which will convert the energy into electricity. This coolant, once cooled, will return to the start to start the process over. Beyond this aspect of operation, heat exchangers are also used as a preventive measure in diesel engines with the aim of controlling a possible electrical shutdown. There are many other models of energy generation, all with very particular singularities that we will analyze in other articles. Beyond the explanatory brushstrokes we have made, all projects require in-depth analysis and a highly experienced professional team. If you have any needs, contact us, we are at your disposal. Heat recovery for the energy industry Gas heat recovery Heat recuperator that economizes with the use of exhaust gases from boilers, turbines or combustion engines used for example in cogeneration. More efficiency and less emissions. Counter flow heat exchanger Cross-flow heat exchanger, usually between a stream of fumes or gases and another of air, without them mixing. With a design that is easy to clean and maintain. It is ideal for the energy, oil and gas sector. Steam heat exchanger Coil of tubes designed to convert saturated or wet steam into dry, superheated steam, usually by steam turbines for electricity generation. They can withstand temperatures of up to 950ºC.

Heat exchanger to produce ice

February 17, 2025October 3, 2022 by Oficina Tècnica

HEAT EXCHANGER TO PRODUCE ICE The heat exchanger to produce ice is a deferred cooling system that allows the production, accumulation, and storage of ice during hours of lower energy demand, when energy costs are often lower. This intelligent cooling system stores this cold source for use during periods of higher energy demand, when energy costs are often higher. This heat exchanger is especially interesting for industries that require advanced cooling systems and in countries where energy rates may fluctuate, for example, between daytime and nighttime energy consumption. ICE ACCUMULATOR TO SAVE ENERGY Beyond the significant operational energy savings of the cold accumulators, the cost of implementation should also be mentioned. Some production processes and large conditioning systems require significant amounts of cooling. Traditionally, this involves the need to install high-power refrigeration equipment with the corresponding purchase, energy, and maintenance costs. By incorporating these systems as an additional cooling source, we are able to size industrial chillers, cooling towers, and dry coolers smaller, which reduces not only energy and maintenance costs but also acquisition expenses. Among the products that could be especially interesting for this application are: 1. Pillow plate heat exschanger. 2. Smooth tubes heat exchanger. 3. Cooling jacket. 4. Ice producer.

Conduction, convection & radiation

February 17, 2025February 1, 2022 by Oficina Tècnica

CONDUCTION, CONVECTION & RADIATION HEAT TRANSFER IN NATURE In nature, we find fascinating examples of heat transfer through conduction, convection, and radiation—three fundamental mechanisms in thermodynamics. For example, imagine a summer morning at the beach. Early in the morning, the air remains calm because there is a thermal equilibrium between the temperature of the air mass over the sea and the air mass over the land. As the Sun heats the Earth’s surface, the temperature of the air over the land rises more quickly than that of the air over the sea. This creates a thermal contrast: the warm air over the land rises, while the cooler air from the sea moves toward the land to take its place. This movement of air masses is a clear example of thermal convection, the same principle that allows hot air balloons to rise. The more the Sun heats the land, the stronger this temperature difference becomes, increasing the speed of the sea breeze. This rising warm air favors the formation of small cumulus clouds, and if the temperature difference is significant enough, cumulonimbus clouds may appear, which are responsible for sudden summer storms. Unlike radiation, which transfers energy without direct contact (such as the Sun’s rays heating the sand), convection depends on the movement of fluids like air or water. On the other hand, thermal conduction occurs when two objects at different temperatures come into contact—for example, when we walk barefoot on hot sand at noon and feel the heat transferring to our feet. So, the next time you’re at the beach and notice the sea breeze picking up at midday, think of BOIXAC, the specialists in thermal exchange for the industry.