Small Duty Nitrogen Heater

[sshep]

I need to find a heat exchanger that can heat 100kg/hr of 4bar N2 from 15C to 135C against 4 barg steam. This is a small duty application (<3.5kW). I am thinking there may be an "off the shelf" compact exchanger for such a service.

Any equipment links or suggestions are appreciated.

best wishes,
sshep

p.s. I am reworking a design by an operator which called for simply co-insulating the N2 with a steam line, but no basis (flow, temp, duty, length, etc) was given. This is an important application so I need something a little more deliberate than was proposed. Electric heating might be an option so you can direct me to that as well.

 

[wfn217]

http://www.exergyinc.com/

 

[StoneCold]

sshep
I would probably go with an ITT unit with welded tubes.

http://www.ittstandard.com.

Or if I could get away with it I would go with a twisted tube in a tube heat exchanger. I have a sample of one in my desk but I am not at work so I don't have a contact for you.

Regards
StoneCold

 

[Montemayor]

Shep:

For these type of small heat-up applications I often go to Graham Heat Exchangers and their "off-the-shelf" Heliflow unis. These heat exchangers are made for small loads, are self-compensating on the expansion differences (the spiral coils are a natural spring), and are very reliable and simple to install. You can get copper, steel, or stainless coils as well as a steel or cast iron shell.

For this size of unit you might get a "next-day" delivery.

Good Luck.

 

[sshep]

Thanks friends,

I am getting quotes from all of these guys and will post the merits of these options in a few days. None of these vendors specifically mention steam heaters as an application on their sites, but all claim they can do it.

best wishes,
sshep

 

[EdStainless]

I would look into self regulating electric heat tracing. The only name that I can think of is Thermon.

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