Heat Exchangers: criteria for proper selection

First parameters to evaluate type of proper Heat Exchangers are operating conditions: pressure and temperature.

On utilities Plate and Frame Heat Exchangers PFHE due to gaskets material are limited up to 200 Deg C and 21 bar.

Replacing gasket with all welded WPHE we can go up to 350 Deg C and 40 bar

If we need access to one channel we can use Plate & Shell Heat Exchanger PSHE going up to 550 Deg C and 150 bar (typically Oil & Gas conditions)

When we need to have access to both channel for cleaning, we have to move to Welded Bloc type up to 700 Deg C and 50 bar

Higher operating conditions like 700 Deg C and 200 bar required Shell & Tube Heat Exchangers STHE with special design

If we make a comparison among different kind of Heat Exchangers,we can see feature of every type with competitive edge in different applications

For instance when gas are involved Bloc Type and STHE are excellent, while on the other hand with liquid PFHE and Semiwelded have better performance.

In terms of efficiency, U-value of PFHE is 4 times bigger than STHE, better flexibility (possible heat transfer increase after installation), but if we need safety (e.g.letal service on lean/rich amine interchanger) we need a welded PSHE , Bloc Type or STHE.

Required space (footprint) of PFHE is 1/9 of correspondent STHE, plus additional space requirement by STHE for extraction of tube bundle.

Many aspects should be considered in process of Heat Exchangers selection , making a comparison among different types

Therefore tomorrow when a data sheet will land on your desk, don't accept standard unit suggested, but think lateral and consider a different option...