Wastech engineers are experienced in utilizing all types of corrosion resistant heat exchangers, including exotic metallic or thermoplastic units. Our experience enables us to select the correct corrosion resistant heat exchanger for your application. In addition, our many years of industrial process control system design enable us to integrate state-of-the-art digital process flow and temperature control into your process monitoring.
  

Heating and cooling of fluids may be accomplished in many different ways. The key is to choose the most economical method. It may be most cost effective to use a batch heating system where immersion heating or cooling coils are installed as part of a pre-fabricated system. Such a system can be converted into a continuous system with application of appropriate controls for flow and temperature. On the other hand, it may be more efficient to use external shell-and-tube or plate-and-frame heat exchangers. These are available in a variety of materials, and Wastech can make the selection.

Thermoplastic Heat Exchangers

Plastic heat exchangers, fabricated from fluoropolymers or polyolefins, are are suitable for a wide range of corrosive applications. Typically, they are utilized in applications that are highly corrosive and system temperatures are under 280°F. However, plastics do have their limitations and must be applied correctly. Plastics do not transfer heat as well as metals, and plastic heat exchanger must be designed accordingly to provide sufficient heating or cooling without requiring excess surface area and associated costs. Plastic heat exchangers are also limited in design pressure, particularly for heating applications, so proper system design is imperative. Wastech knows plastics and knows how to properly apply plastic heat exchangers into your heating or cooling system.

Metallic Heat Exchangers

Shell-and-tube and plate-type heat exchangers have been around for many years. They are fabricated in a wide variety of configurations and materials, including costly, highly exotic metals. Metals transfer heat well and are usually applied where large surface areas and higher temperatures and pressures are needed. The application of the correct material is critical, as introduction of very minute quantities of corrosive components into the process stream may dictate the use of a different material or design. Exotic metal heat exchangers generally have very thin walls to minimize cost, so the design of the heat exchange system is critical to maximize efficiency.

When heating is required and there is no utility fluid to provide the heat, such as steam or hot water, electric heaters are usually employed. Electric heaters are available in a wide variety of materials from stainless steel on up to exotic metals. While generally limited to smaller heating loads, they can be grouped together to provide larger heating loads. Process control of electric heaters is critical, as these can produce extremely high temperatures. Accordingly, fail-safe controls must be included in the design.