Welded spiral heat exchangers for dirty or viscous fluids

Handle your toughest heat exchange challenges with minimal fouling and superior thermal efficiency, perfect for managing dirty, viscous media in demanding industrial processes.

Optimizes Heat Transfer and Reduces Fouling

Alfa Laval’s welded spiral heat exchangers are engineered to tackle the most demanding heat transfer challenges. Their unique spiral design minimizes fouling compared to traditional shell-and-tube exchangers by using a self-cleaning mechanism that enhances continuous operation. Ideal for applications in biofuels, chemicals, petrochemicals, and plastic recycling, they efficiently handle viscous, particle-laden, or dirty media. Each unit is built to specification, ensuring a precise thermal fit for duties like biodiesel, ethanol production, and metal processing. With a compact footprint, they integrate seamlessly into existing production lines, reducing installation costs. The exchangers’ advanced thermal efficiency results in up to three times higher performance, which significantly cuts energy consumption and emissions. Available in various materials to suit corrosive environments, these exchangers are designed for easy access and maintenance. Supported by Alfa Laval’s global network, they ensure operational reliability while meeting industry standards for safety and environmental considerations.

Benefits

  • Enhances operational uptime by minimizing fouling and clogging in challenging media.
  • Cuts energy costs and reduces emissions with superior thermal efficiency.
  • Lowers installation and maintenance expenses due to compact design and easy access.
  • Supports diverse industrial applications with fully customizable designs.
  • Increases production capacity through reliable continuous operations.

General


Applications
Chemicals,Biofuels,Viscous media processing,Space centre applications,Tiles,Plastic recycling,Petrochemicals,Metal processing,Refineries
End products
Polymers,Refined crude oil,Ethanol,Zinc,Heavy oils,Specialty chemicals,Recycling plastic pellets,Ceramic tiles,Monomers,Propellant components,Lubricants,Biodiesel,Viscous fluids
Steps before
Preheating,Media preparation,Particulate suspension,Viscosity adjustment
Steps after
Cooling,Condensation,Fluid separation,Energy recovery
Input ingredients
dirty media,highly viscous fluids,particulate media,very dirty fluids,viscous media
Output ingredients
clean media,lower energy cost fluids,reduced emissions
Market info
Alfa Laval is renowned for its expertise in heat transfer, separation, and fluid handling technologies, providing innovative, energy-efficient engineered-to-order solutions for various industries including food, marine, and energy.

Technical Specifications


Heat transfer efficiency
2-3 times higher than shell-and-tube exchangers
Max Pressure
Customizable based on specific duty
Max Temperature
Customizable based on specific duty
Fouling resistance
Minimal fouling
Installation cost
Reduced due to compact design and reduced pipework
Maintenance ease
Easy-to-open design
Cleaning method
Quick and simple access for manual cleaning
Size
Compact
Customization
Fully customized for specific duties

Operating Characteristics


Fouling resistance
High resistance
Automation level
Manual / PLC
Batch vs. continuous operation
Continuous / Inline
Cleaning method
Easy-to-open design
Energy efficiency
2-3 times higher than shell-and-tube
Customizability
Fully customized units

Material Compatibility


Density/particle size
0.5–2.5 g/cm³ / 50–1000 µm

Physical Characteristics


Machine footprint
Compact
Shape
Spiral
Size
Customizable
Design type
Welded
Feed/discharge method
Liquid-to-liquid

Custom Options


Compact footprint
Yes
Control panel type
Customizable
Discharge method
Customizable
Integration possibilities
Full customization available
Design type
Customized for specific thermal fit
Cleaning method
Easy-to-open for quick cleaning