Editing Heat exchanger (section)

==Selection==
Due to the many variables involved, selecting optimal heat exchangers is challenging. Hand calculations are possible, but many iterations are typically needed. As such, heat exchangers are most often selected via computer programs, either by system designers, who are typically  [[engineer]]s, or by equipment vendors.

To select an appropriate heat exchanger, the system designers (or equipment vendors) would firstly consider the design limitations for each heat exchanger type.
Though cost is often the primary criterion, several other selection criteria are important:
* High/low pressure limits
* Thermal performance
* Temperature ranges
* Product mix (liquid/liquid, particulates or high-solids liquid)
* Pressure drops across the exchanger
* Fluid flow capacity
* Cleanability, maintenance and repair
* Materials required for construction
* Ability and ease of future expansion
* Material selection, such as [[Copper in heat exchangers|copper]], [[aluminium]], [[carbon steel]], [[stainless steel]], [[nickel alloys]], [[ceramic]], [[polymer]], and [[titanium]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Hartman |first1=A. D. |last2=Gerdemann |first2=S. J. |last3=Hansen |first3=J. S. |date=1998-09-01 |title=Producing lower-cost titanium for automotive applications |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-998-0408-1 |journal=JOM |language=en |volume=50 |issue=9 |pages=16–19 |doi=10.1007/s11837-998-0408-1 |bibcode=1998JOM....50i..16H |s2cid=92992840 |issn=1543-1851|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Nyamekye |first1=Patricia |last2=Rahimpour Golroudbary |first2=Saeed |last3=Piili |first3=Heidi |last4=Luukka |first4=Pasi |last5=Kraslawski |first5=Andrzej |date=2023-05-01 |title=Impact of additive manufacturing on titanium supply chain: Case of titanium alloys in automotive and aerospace industries |journal=Advances in Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering |language=en |volume=6 |pages=100112 |doi=10.1016/j.aime.2023.100112 |s2cid=255534598 |issn=2666-9129|doi-access=free }}</ref>

Small-diameter coil technologies are becoming more popular in modern air conditioning and refrigeration systems because they have better rates of heat transfer than conventional sized condenser and evaporator coils with round copper tubes and aluminum or copper fin that have been the standard in the HVAC industry. Small diameter coils can withstand the higher pressures required by the new generation of environmentally friendlier refrigerants. Two small diameter coil technologies are currently available for air conditioning and refrigeration products: [[Copper MicroGroove|copper microgroove]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Small Tube Copper Is Economical and Eco-Friendly {{!}} The MicroGroove Advantage |url=http://www.microgroove.net/ |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208101646/https://microgroove.net/ |archive-date=Dec 8, 2023 |website=microgroove.net}}</ref> and brazed aluminum microchannel.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}

Choosing the right heat exchanger (HX) requires some knowledge of the different heat exchanger types, as well as the environment where the unit must operate. Typically in the manufacturing industry, several differing types of heat exchangers are used for just one process or system to derive the final product. For example, a kettle HX for pre-heating, a double pipe HX for the 'carrier' fluid and a plate and frame HX for final cooling. With sufficient knowledge of heat exchanger types and operating requirements, an appropriate selection can be made to optimise the process.<ref>
* White, F.M. 'Heat and Mass Transfer' © 1988 Addison-Wesley Publishing Co. pp. 602–604
* {{cite web |url-status=dead |url=http://www.geothermie.de/egec-geothernet/prof/heat_exchangers.htm |title=Heat Exchangers |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080329040512/http://www.geothermie.de/egec-geothernet/prof/heat_exchangers.htm |archive-date=2008-03-29|first1=Kevin D. |last1=Rafferty |work=Gene Culver Geo-Heat Center |publisher=Geothermal Networks }} Last accessed 17/3/08.
* {{cite web |url=http://www.process-heating.com |publisher=BNP Media |title=Process Heating |website=process-heating.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080316055437/http://www.process-heating.com:80/ |archive-date= Mar 16, 2008 }} Last accessed 17/3/08.
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