Heat Exchanger design and control is a ‘steamy’ issue

Ian Webster, Steam expert at Bürkert UK reviews the key areas of focus when designing an efficient and effective steam heat exchange system.

The initial design of a heat exchanger process is crucial in determining the efficiency, not only of the process itself, but also in terms of energy consumption and integration with the other production processes. Two of the most commonly used designs for continuous processes are 'plate heat exchangers' and 'shell and tube’ devices, both of which use large surface areas to maximise the efficiency of the heat transfer process.

Having chosen the style of heat exchanger, the method of heating or cooling must be determined. In many cases saturated steam is used to heat food products as part of a cooking or sterilisation process, but using steam efficiently and safely requires expert knowledge to ensure this expensive resource is managed and controlled effectively. Bürkert has many years experience in designing steam control circuits and manufactures a wide range of control devices specifically for this application.