WHY ECONOTHERM?
Econotherm® is a leading UK-based manufacturer of heat pipe heat exchangers that recover waste heat, with a range of solutions that include recuperators, economisers, pre-heaters, steam generators and steam condensers. Our patented super conductor heat pipe technology is used in a wide range of applications across many diverse industrial sectors. The technology is renowned for being extremely robust and able to operate in many challenging heat recovery environments for the benefit of high energy users seeking to reduce ever-increasing energy costs. The combination of a unique low-cost manufacturing process and patented designs ensure that the many technical advantages of heat pipe heat exchangers are available to industrial users wishing to reduce running costs and carbon emissions.
WHY HEAT PIPES HEAT EXCHANGERS?
Conventional Heat
Exchangers
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Complex
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Fragile structures
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Vulnerable to catastrophic single point failures
Many common failure modes - ​
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Cold spot induced condensation leading to corrosion
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Thin metal surface required for effective heat transfer, vulnerable to erosion and corrosion
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Prone to rapid particulate fouling combined with difficulty to clean
Failure is always catastrophic and difficult to manage
Shell & Tube heat exchanger
Heat Pipe Heat
Exchangers
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Simple, robust structures with built in multiple redundancy​
Common failure modes eliminated -
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Isothermal operation eliminates cold spots and condensation
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Heat transfer not affected by wall thickness hence thicker walls typically 2.5mm or 3.5mm pipe walls with higher corrosion allowance
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Heat pipes configured for low fouling and ease of cleaning and maintenance with automated cleaning technologies
Consequence of failure is minimised and manageable
Heat pipe exchanger running since 2008
Reduced risk of failure and reduced consequence of failure
HEAT PIPE HEAT EXCHANGER OPERATION
Primary can be hot exhaust, air, liquid, solid surface.
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Secondary can be a gas, water, thermal oil, glycol, R245fa and various others.
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Working fluid chosen according to temperatures involved - water, ammonia, acetone, Downtherm etc.
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Pipe materials chosen according to performance requirement of fluid types and temperatures: carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminium, copper etc.
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HEAT PIPE ADVANTAGES
Low Fouling
Use of smooth pipes allows exchangers to be used in high particulate or oily applications
Low Pressure Drop
Low parasitic load means less capital and running cost on fans and greater energy recovery possibilities
Highly Scalable, Customisable & Configurable
Modular design allows on site assembly, can be designed for future expansion, to meet specific application or operational needs
Intermediate pipe Working Temperature
Allows higher exhaust temperature limits on some applications
More Efficient
Usually smaller and/or lighter than conventional exchangers
Reactivity
Fast reaction time, offers different control options and suitable for sensitive apparatus; does not require preheating
Multiple Redundancy
Each pipe operates independently so unit is not vulnerable to a single pipe failure. This prevents cross contamination, each heat pipe acts as an additional buffer between the two fluids
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Ease of Cleaning & Maintenance
Can be maintained in situ (no uninstall) Manual/automated cleaning systems
Robust Materials and Long Life
Design allows pipes to freely expand and contract, thus no thermal stress on structure. Thick pipe walls resist erosion/corrosion
TESTIMONIALS
Isothermal Operation - no hot or cold spots
Eliminates cold corners and condensation, allows greater energy recovery and has better longevity for thermal oil