Spiral heat exchanger
Tranter

The spiral heat exchanger’s single flow channel is inherently self-cleaning and fouling-resistant, because flow cannot bypass an obstruction. As a result, the flow distribution within both channels remains even and steady throughout the exchanger. Temperature differences between the fluids of less then 3°C (5°F) can be reached. The shell & tube unit instead develops an uneven temperature profile caused by fouling, tube plugging and poor flow distribution, with both dead spots and eroded surfaces.

In particle-laden service, any heat exchanger must be installed with provision for ease of cleaning. Here, the compact and thermally efficient spiral, able to be cleaned virtually within its own physical footprint, has a tremendous advantage. Not only is the shell & tube of equivalent thermal duty much larger, but it also requires more than twice its installed footprint for the tube bundle to be pulled for cleaning. Thus in retrofit service, the compact spiral exchanger can be readily integrated within existing footprints with low installation costs.

With its easily openable, hinged end covers, the spiral provides ready access to both channels for visual inspection and cleaning. The shell & tube unit must be laboriously disassembled to inspect the shell side, and special scopes are necessary to inspect each tube individually.