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Heat Exchanger

Gelan Preheater

A Gelan Preheater helps make things warm fast. It heats air, water, or other things before they go to the central heater. This saves time and energy. It makes heating work better. Preheaters are used in many places like homes, factories, and power plants. They help make things easy. A preheater is a simple tool that makes heating easy. It saves energy and makes things warm quickly.

  • Application industries: Power Plant, Incineration Plant, Ironworks, Petroleum Refinery, Chemical, Fiber, Paper, Fertilizer, Food Industry
  • Certificate: ISO, ASME, CE
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Use Gelan , It Is Safe

Our pipes are very safe. They help clean water. The pipes need to be drained to stay good. Draining helps stop rust. Rust makes pipes weak. We use unique metal to make our pipes strong. Only we and Japan do this. Our pipes are thin and robust. They help move heat fast. They use less energy. The pipes are light and easy to use. Many people like them. They use them to clean water and in factories.

 

The fins on the pipes are strong. The fins stop wind and dust. This keeps the pipes clean. Even when it is tough, the pipes stay strong. The heat stays inside. This saves energy. Use our pipes. They are safe and robust. They last a long time. They are easy to use and not too costly. People all over the world use them. Our pipes are suitable for many jobs.

Features

The features of fins on tubes in a preheater primarily relate to their role in enhancing heat transfer, improving efficiency, and optimizing the overall design of heat exchange systems. These features can vary based on the specific application and the type of fluid being heated, but the following are key attributes that are generally present in finned tube heat exchangers used in preheating applications.

1. Increased Surface Area

  • Purpose: The main feature of fins is their ability to increase the surface area available for heat transfer. Since heat transfer occurs over the surface of the tube, adding fins significantly expands the surface area.
  • Benefit: This leads to higher heat exchange efficiency, as more heat can be transferred from the hot fluid (e.g., exhaust gases) to the cold fluid (e.g., air or water).

2. Improved Heat Transfer

  • Purpose: Fins are designed to promote better heat transfer by disrupting the flow of the surrounding fluid, creating turbulence that increases the convective heat transfer coefficient.
  • Benefit: This improves the rate of heat exchange, which allows the system to achieve higher thermal efficiency with less energy input, or recover more waste heat.

3. Material Selection and Durability

  • Common Materials: Fins are usually made from metals with high thermal conductivity, such as aluminum, copper, or steel, which allow for effective heat transfer.
  • Corrosion Resistance: Depending on the environment (e.g., flue gas, chemical process), fin materials may be coated or treated to resist corrosion, oxidation, or fouling (build-up of contaminants).
  • Durability: The fins must be designed to withstand high temperatures, pressure variations, and fluid flow conditions without degrading over time.

4. Compact and Lightweight Design

  • Purpose: By adding fins, the heat exchanger can achieve a high surface area without significantly increasing its size or weight.
  • Benefit: This leads to space and weight savings, which is especially important in systems with limited space or in portable units (such as in HVAC or small industrial processes). A compact design can also reduce material costs.

5. Fin Geometry and Arrangement

  • Variety of Shapes: Fins can be designed in different geometries, such as plain, corrugated, spiral, or louvered shapes, each of which affects heat transfer and fluid flow.
    • Louvered Fins: Used to increase turbulence and improve heat transfer in air-cooling applications.
    • Spiral or Helical Fins: These can promote better fluid flow and higher heat transfer in more compact or complex systems.
  • Spacing: The gap between the fins (called “fin pitch”) is designed to optimize the balance between heat transfer and pressure drop. A smaller pitch increases surface area but can create more resistance to fluid flow.

6. Customization for Specific Fluids and Conditions

  • Adaptability: Finned tubes are highly customizable for various fluids, temperature ranges, pressures, and operational environments. For instance, the number of fins, their material, and the spacing can be modified based on whether the heat exchanger is handling air, water, or gases.
  • Multi-phase Fluids: In some applications, finned tubes can be adapted to handle multi-phase fluids (liquid and vapor mixtures), which may be common in processes like steam generation or cooling towers.

7. Thermal Performance (Heat Flux and Temperature Gradient)

  • Heat Flux: The fins enhance the heat flux from the hot fluid to the cold fluid, leading to a more efficient temperature gradient across the heat exchanger.
  • Thermal Resistance: Fins can reduce thermal resistance, improving the system’s performance. The heat transfer rate increases as the temperature gradient (the difference between the hot and cold fluid temperatures) is better maintained across the surface area.

8. Optimized Flow Distribution

  • Flow Patterns: The geometry of the fins helps to optimize the flow distribution around the tubes. The arrangement can reduce stagnant zones (areas where fluid does not flow efficiently) and prevent hot spots that can lead to reduced heat transfer or even material degradation.
  • Turbulence: Some fin designs increase turbulence in the fluid, which improves the mixing and heat transfer properties by disrupting laminar flow and encouraging more efficient thermal exchange.

9. Resistance to Fouling

  • Fouling Prevention: The design of the fins (e.g., smooth vs. corrugated) can influence how easily particles or contaminants adhere to the surface. In environments with high particulate matter or oils, specially designed fins with self-cleaning properties or increased surface roughness may help reduce fouling, which would otherwise degrade performance.
  • Maintenance: Some finned tube designs allow easier cleaning, reducing the need for frequent maintenance or costly repairs.

10. Energy Efficiency and Cost-effectiveness

  • Energy Savings: Fins help to reduce the energy consumption of preheating systems by increasing the efficiency of heat recovery. For example, in power plants, air preheating or water preheating using finned tubes can reduce fuel consumption.
  • Cost Reduction: The improved heat transfer performance of finned tube systems can lead to smaller equipment sizes, reduced operational costs, and longer equipment lifespans, which can offset the initial investment costs.

11. Thermal Expansion Accommodation

  • Thermal Stresses: Finned tubes can be designed to accommodate the expansion and contraction that occurs due to temperature fluctuations. This is important in preheating systems where heat exchange occurs between fluids at varying temperatures, potentially creating thermal stresses in the tubes and fins.
  • Material Flexibility: Fins and tubes are often designed with materials that can handle these stresses without warping or cracking, thus ensuring longer service life and reliability.

12. Facilitation of Heat Recovery and Environmental Impact Reduction

  • Waste Heat Recovery: In industrial applications, the use of finned tube heat exchangers for preheating allows for the recovery of waste heat (such as exhaust gases), contributing to sustainability goals and reducing the environmental impact of industrial processes.
  • Lower Carbon Footprint: By improving the efficiency of preheating systems, finned tube designs can reduce overall fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

Fins on tubes in a preheater serve to enhance the heat transfer process, improving the overall thermal efficiency of the system. Preheaters are commonly used in industrial processes, such as in power plants, chemical manufacturing, and HVAC systems, where heat needs to be transferred from a hot fluid (like exhaust gases) to a colder fluid (such as air or water). Fins are typically used in these applications to increase the surface area available for heat exchange.

Key Applications of Fins on Tubes in a Preheater:

  1. Enhanced Heat Transfer:

    • Surface Area Increase: Fins expand the surface area of the tubes, which facilitates better heat exchange between the fluids. The larger the surface area, the more heat can be transferred from the hot fluid to the cold fluid.
    • Improved Efficiency: By increasing the heat transfer area, the overall heat transfer coefficient is improved, making the preheater more efficient and effective in transferring heat at a lower cost.

  2. Optimization of Space:

    • Compact Design: Fins allow for a more compact design in heat exchangers. Instead of using larger tubes or a larger heat exchanger, the addition of fins allows for a greater surface area without significantly increasing the size of the system.
    • Cost-Effective Solutions: A more compact preheater requires fewer materials (such as tube length or other structural components), which can reduce material costs and improve the design flexibility of the system.

  3. Preheating Fluids (Air, Water, Gases):

    • Air Preheating: Fins on tubes in an air preheater help to transfer heat from exhaust gases to the intake air. This is commonly used in power plants and HVAC systems to improve energy efficiency by recovering heat from flue gases.
    • Water Preheating: Finned tube heat exchangers are often used in water preheating systems to improve energy utilization. They can be used in industries such as oil refineries, food processing, and chemical plants, where water needs to be heated before further processing or use.

  4. Thermal Recovery in Industrial Processes:

    • In processes where waste heat recovery is important (e.g., in chemical plants or manufacturing facilities), fins on tubes help recover and reuse thermal energy that would otherwise be lost, improving the overall energy efficiency of the facility.
    • Finned tube heat exchangers are used in applications like air-to-air heat exchangers and air-to-water heat exchangers to reclaim waste heat from industrial exhaust streams.

  5. Preheating in Power Plants:

    • Boiler Feed Water Preheating: Fins on tubes can be used in the preheating of feedwater in thermal power plants. Preheating the feedwater before it enters the boiler improves the efficiency of the steam generation process and reduces fuel consumption.
    • Flue Gas Heat Recovery: In combined heat and power (CHP) systems or other industrial processes, fins are often employed on tubes to recover heat from exhaust gases, either to preheat incoming combustion air or water in a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG).

  6. Energy Savings in HVAC Systems:

    • In heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, preheating incoming air or water using finned tube heat exchangers improves overall energy performance by reducing the load on primary heating systems, leading to energy savings and reduced operating costs.

  7. Compactness and Flexibility in Design:

    • Adaptability: Finned tube preheaters are highly adaptable to various types of fluids (gases, liquids, or both), temperatures, and pressure conditions. This versatility allows for their use across a wide range of applications, from industrial to residential systems.

  8. Heat Recovery in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning:

    • Defrosting and Preheating: In refrigeration systems, finned tube heat exchangers can be used in the preheating of the refrigerant or air, which enhances the system’s energy efficiency, particularly in cooling towers and refrigeration cycles.

The specifications of fins on tubes in a preheater depend on the specific application, the type of fluid being heated or cooled, the thermal requirements, and the environmental conditions in which the system operates. These specifications are critical in designing an efficient and reliable heat exchanger. Below are the key specifications typically considered for fins on tubes in preheating systems:

1. Fin Material

  • Common Materials:
    • Aluminum: Lightweight and highly conductive, commonly used for air preheating or low-temperature applications.
    • Copper: Excellent thermal conductivity, typically used in smaller-scale or specialized systems.
    • Steel (Carbon or Stainless): Often used for high-temperature or corrosive environments, such as in power plants or chemical processes.
    • Titanium: Used for highly corrosive environments (e.g., seawater or chemical processes).
  • Considerations: Material selection depends on the fluid’s properties (corrosiveness, temperature), cost constraints, and the need for thermal conductivity.

2. Fin Type and Geometry

Fins are designed with specific geometries to enhance heat transfer efficiency. The type and shape of the fins influence both heat transfer performance and fluid dynamics.

  • Fin Types:
    • Plain Fins: Simple, flat fins that provide moderate heat transfer enhancement.
    • Louvered Fins: Fins with slots cut into the surface to induce turbulence in the airflow, improving heat transfer.
    • Spiral or Helical Fins: Provide continuous turbulence and can be more compact, ideal for situations with limited space.
    • Corrugated Fins: Create more surface area and promote higher heat transfer by increasing turbulence.
    • Offset or Staggered Fins: Provide more surface area and better fluid mixing.
  • Fin Geometry Specifications:
    • Height (h): The height of the fin, typically ranges from 1 to 3 mm for most applications.
    • Thickness (t): The thickness of the fin material, typically in the range of 0.1 to 0.5 mm, depending on the material strength and thermal efficiency requirements.
    • Spacing (pitch): The distance between adjacent fins, usually in the range of 1 to 5 mm. A smaller pitch increases the surface area but may reduce fluid flow, causing a higher pressure drop.
    • Surface Area: The total surface area available for heat exchange, which is directly influenced by fin height, fin pitch, and number of fins.
    • Fin Efficiency: The ratio of actual heat transfer performance to the theoretical maximum, which depends on the fin design, material, and temperature gradients.

3. Tube Specifications

The specifications for the tubes themselves also affect the fin design, as they must match or complement the tube configuration for effective heat transfer.

  • Tube Material:

    • Copper: High thermal conductivity, often used in high-performance applications.
    • Carbon Steel or Stainless Steel: Common in industrial applications due to their durability and resistance to corrosion.
    • Titanium: Used for high-corrosion environments (e.g., seawater applications).

  • Tube Diameter:

    • Typically ranges from 12 mm to 50 mm (½ inch to 2 inches) in most heat exchangers, although diameters can vary.
    • Tube diameter selection depends on the flow rate, desired heat transfer area, and the pressure drop limitations.

  • Tube Length:

    • Varies widely based on system requirements. Longer tubes provide more heat transfer surface area but increase system size.
    • Tube Bundle: The number of tubes and the arrangement (in series or parallel) is determined by the required heat transfer rate and available space.

4. Fin Pitch (Spacing between Fins)

  • Typical Range: Fin pitch typically ranges from 1 to 5 mm, with smaller pitch values used for applications requiring higher heat transfer at the cost of increased pressure drop.
  • Impact on Heat Transfer: A smaller fin pitch increases surface area, improving heat transfer, but also increases flow resistance, leading to higher pressure drops.

5. Heat Transfer Performance

  • Overall Heat Transfer Coefficient: This is a critical specification that combines the heat transfer capabilities of both the tube and the fins, factoring in the temperature difference, material, and flow conditions. It is generally expressed in units of W/m²·K.
  • Effective Heat Transfer Area: The area over which heat is transferred, typically measured in square meters (m²). The addition of fins significantly increases this area, enhancing the heat transfer rate.
  • Thermal Resistance: A lower thermal resistance indicates better heat transfer performance. The resistance depends on the material properties, fin geometry, and fluid dynamics.

6. Fluid Flow Characteristics

  • Fluid Type: The flow characteristics of the heat transfer fluid (air, water, steam, or gases) are crucial for selecting the correct fin design and tube arrangement.
    • For gases, especially exhaust gases, low-pressure drop and high heat transfer efficiency are important.
    • For liquids (water or oils), fouling resistance may become a more significant concern.
  • Flow Arrangement:
    • Counterflow: For maximum heat transfer efficiency, a counterflow arrangement (where the fluids flow in opposite directions) is often used.
    • Parallel Flow: Less efficient than counterflow but may be used when space or cost constraints exist.

7. Pressure Drop

  • Pressure Drop Across the Fins: The fin arrangement and pitch influence the fluid’s flow resistance. A higher surface area (due to finer fins or smaller fin pitch) leads to a higher pressure drop.
  • Typical Pressure Drop: In most applications, a pressure drop of 50 to 300 Pa is acceptable, but the acceptable value depends on the system design.

8. Temperature Range

  • The fins and tubes are designed to operate effectively within specific temperature ranges, typically between 100°C and 500°C for industrial applications, with the material selected to handle the thermal stresses and prevent degradation.
  • For high-temperature applications, such as power plants, heat exchangers, or chemical reactors, the materials must withstand high temperatures without losing strength or efficiency.

9. Fin Efficiency

  • Efficiency (η) of a fin is the ratio of actual heat transfer to the maximum possible heat transfer if the entire fin surface was at the same temperature as the tube. Fin efficiency typically ranges from 70% to 90% depending on the design and application.
  • Factors Affecting Efficiency:
    • The thermal conductivity of the fin material.
    • The fin geometry (height, thickness, and pitch).
    • The temperature difference between the fluid and the fin surface.

10. Corrosion and Fouling Resistance

  • Fouling Resistance: The ability of the fins and tubes to resist the buildup of scale, dirt, or other contaminants. Finned tube designs can incorporate coatings (e.g., epoxy, paint) or select materials (e.g., stainless steel, titanium) to prevent fouling.
  • Corrosion Resistance: Materials like stainless steel, titanium, or coated aluminum are selected for environments where corrosion from the fluid (e.g., seawater, acidic gases) is a concern.

11. Maintenance and Cleaning

  • Accessibility: Finned tube designs can be selected based on how easily they can be cleaned or maintained. For instance, designs that allow easy removal of fouling or scaling deposits are preferable in environments prone to such issues.
  • Self-Cleaning Features: Some fin designs (e.g., corrugated or spiral fins) help reduce fouling by encouraging turbulent flow, which can naturally clean the surfaces.

12. Dimensions and Design Constraints

  • Length, Width, and Height of the Heat Exchanger: The size and shape of the heat exchanger are influenced by the space available and the required heat exchange performance.
  • Tube Bundle Configuration: The arrangement of tubes (e.g., triangular, square, or hexagonal) influences the effectiveness of heat transfer and pressure drop.

Structure and Work Principle Preheater

A preheater is very simple. It has parts that get hot. These parts pass heat to air or water. This is called chamber preheating. Warming the air or water first makes everything faster and easier. It saves time and helps things work well.

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Fins on Tubes (Preheater)

Preheater tubes have fins. Fins are small metal parts. Fins stick out from the tube. Fins are essential. Fins help keep the tube cool. They allow the tube to work well. With fins, the tube would stay hot. Then, the tube would not work.

There are three ways to put fins on tubes. These are called extrusion, embedded, and welding. All these ways make the tube better.

Extrusion

In extrusion, the fins are made from the tube. The tube metal is pushed out to make fins. The fins and tube are one piece. This makes the fins very strong. They do not come off. The fins stay on for a long time. This is good for hot places. The tube and fins stay together. This keeps the tube working well.

Embedded

In the embedded way, the tube has small cuts. These cuts are like little pockets. The fins go into these pockets. The fins fit very tight. The fins touch the tube. This helps move heat away. The fins stay in place even if it gets very hot. They do not come loose. This keeps the tube solid and calm. The tube works well for a long time.

Welding

In welding, the fins are put on the tube with heat. The heat makes the fins stick to the tube. The fins do not fall off. They stay strong even in very hot places. Power plants like welded fins. They are solid. They stay on for a long time. The fins help move heat away. This keeps the tube working well. Welded fins do not break. They stay on even in tough places.

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Air Preheater

An air preheater heats the air before using it. It can be used in furnaces, gas ovens, or air fryers. If your gas oven not preheating is a problem, an air preheater can help. It warms the air first to make things easier. Air preheaters are used in factories, too. They help furnaces work better and save energy. They are easy to use. At home or in a factory, an air preheater makes heating faster. Air preheaters also keep homes warm

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Liquid Preheater

A liquid preheater heats water or oil before it goes to the central heater. It is helpful in factories. Warming the liquid first saves energy and makes the heater work better. Liquid preheaters make sure the liquid is warm, which means less work for the heater. This helps it last longer.

Liquid preheaters are used in factories that need warm liquid. They make the work easy and keep things running well. When oil or water is warm first, it helps machines work without breaking. Liquid preheaters are helpful at home, too.

Steam Preheater

A steam preheater uses steam to heat things. It is used in prominent places like power plants and factories. The steam preheater takes steam and uses it to warm liquids or gasses. This makes heating fast and saves energy. They use steam that is already there, which saves energy. They keep everything in the proper heat. In power plants, steam preheaters keep the steam hot, which keeps the power going. In factories, they help with cooking and other jobs that need heat.

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Product Advantages of Gelan Preheater

  • ISO and ASME Compliance: Manufactured based on ISO and ASME standards so that the CE and FDA are highly obtained in order to achieve excellent quality of manufacture up to 80% without having a high failure rate, hence little or no maintenance cost.

 

  • Saves Energy: Gelan Preheater saves time and energy. It warms air or liquids first. This helps the central heater use less energy and saves money. Saving energy is a big reason to use a preheater. It also helps keep the earth clean by using less power.

 

  • Faster Results: It makes everything quicker. For example, when you preheat the air fryer, food cooks faster and better. The preheating step helps save time. Your food tastes better, too. Preheating makes everything ready.

 

  • Less Wear on Heaters: Preheating puts less stress on the central heater. By warming things first, the preheater helps the central heater last longer. This saves money on fixing it. When the central heater works less, it lasts longer.

 

  • Easy to Use: Preheaters are very easy to use. They are simple, with few buttons or parts. You just turn it on and let it warm up. This makes it suitable for homes and factories.

 

  • Better Quality: Preheaters help make things better. Whether you are cooking or making products, preheating makes sure things are done right. Food tastes better when you preheat. Things made in factories are better, too. The proper heat helps things turn out well.

Applications of Gelan Preheaters

Using an air fryer preheat makes food crispy and tasty. If your gas oven not preheating is a problem, a preheater can help. It keeps the heat steady and makes cooking better. This helps bake or cook without cold spots. In power plants, preheaters warm air or liquid to help make power. This helps everything work well. Preheaters keep things at the right heat, which allows the machines to work better. They are essential for making power and keeping the lights on. In factories, preheaters warm oil or water before the main job. This saves time and energy. It helps machines from breaking and keeps work going. Factories use preheaters to make sure everything goes well.Preheaters are used in homes too.

FAQ

 A preheater is a machine that warms air or water before being used in the central heater. It makes heating easy and saves energy. It is used in homes, factories, and power plants. Preheaters make sure things are warm enough before the main job.

You should preheat the air fryer so the food cooks well. It helps food cook evenly and makes it crispy. Preheating makes food taste better and cook faster. With preheating, the food may cook right and might not be as yummy.

There are three main types of preheaters: air, liquid, and steam. Air preheaters heat air. Liquid preheaters heat water or oil. Steam preheaters use steam to heat things. Each type helps save energy and makes heating faster. They are used in homes, factories, and power plants.

A preheater saves energy by warming air or liquids first. This means the central heater needs less energy to do its job. It helps lower energy bills and is better for the earth. It also allows the heater to last longer, which saves on fixing.

Because Gelan uses the best quality fin tubes. Also, they use the best welding method for fixing.

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