What is a Heat Exchanger?

Put simply, a heat exchanger is a device which transfers heat from one medium to
another, a Hydraulic Oil Cooler or example will remove heat from hot oil by using
cold water or air. Alternatively a Swimming Pool Heat Exchanger uses hot water
from a boiler or solar heated water circuit to heat the pool water. Heat is
transferred by conduction through the exchanger materials which separate the
mediums being used. A shell and tube heat exchanger passes fluids through and
over tubes, where as an air cooled heat exchanger passes cool air through a core of
fins to cool a liquid.

Types of heat exchanger:

 Shell and tube heat exchangers

 Double pipe heat exchangers
 Plate heat exchangers
 Condensers, evaporators, and boilers
Heat Exchangers Selection; past experience, is always the best place to start
to guide the selection of heat exchanger types. Understanding the reasons behind
.both successes and failures will lead to better equipment selection

When comparing different types of heat transfer equipment, one must take into
:consideration the total cost of the equipment which includes

Purchase cost

Installation cost

Operating cost (pumping, fan…)

Maintenance cost

In order to make the best selection, it is important to have some knowledge of the
.different types of heat exchangers and how they operate