Plate heat exchangers can be used in the ventilation system of chemical workshops to cool and reduce the temperature of high-temperature exhaust, transfer heat to fresh air, and achieve energy recycling. For example, in petrochemical plants, the high-temperature gas generated by the reaction is cooled by a plate heat exchanger and then subjected to subsequent treatment, which not only improves energy utilization efficiency but also protects subsequent equipment. At the same time, for the possible corrosive gases in the chemical workshop, corrosion-resistant plate heat exchangers can be used to ensure stable equipment operation and maintain good ventilation and air quality in the workshop.
How to reduce energy consumption in mall air conditioning systems
Plate heat exchangers, with their efficient energy recovery mechanism, can transfer heat or cold during the exchange process between exhaust and fresh air. According to actual data statistics, after installing plate heat exchangers, the energy consumption of air conditioning systems in shopping malls can be reduced by 20% -30%, greatly reducing electricity and fuel consumption, lowering operating costs, and responding to the national call for energy conservation and emission reduction, helping to achieve the "dual carbon" goal.
Cooling method for solar inverters
Air cooling: Air cooling is a common cooling method. The air-cooled heat exchanger we produce has good heat dissipation effect and can adapt to inverters of different powers. We can design the number, position, and speed of fans for you based on the heating situation of the inverter, in order to achieve efficient heat dissipation.
Liquid cooling: For high-power solar inverters, liquid cooling is more suitable. Liquid cooling systems typically consist of cooling pipes, coolant pumps, radiators, and other components. The coolant circulates in the cooling pipes inside the inverter, absorbing heat and dissipating it to the outside through the radiator. Our liquid cooled heat exchanger has the advantages of high heat dissipation efficiency, precise temperature control, and low noise.
The importance of cooling for solar inverters
Solar inverters generate heat during operation due to energy losses in their internal power devices during the conversion of electrical energy, which are released in the form of thermal energy. If this heat is not dissipated in a timely manner, the temperature of the inverter will continue to rise.
Excessive temperature can have a negative impact on the performance and lifespan of inverters. On the one hand, an increase in temperature can lead to a decrease in the performance of power devices, a decrease in conversion efficiency, and thus affect the overall power generation efficiency of the solar power generation system. On the other hand, long-term high-temperature operation will accelerate the aging of components, increase the probability of faults, and shorten the service life of inverters.
What is air to air heat recovery unit?
An air-to-air heat recovery unit is a device that transfers heat (and sometimes moisture) between two separate air streams—typically incoming fresh air and outgoing exhaust air—without mixing them. It improves energy efficiency by recovering heat from the exhaust air to precondition the incoming air, reducing the energy needed for heating or cooling in HVAC systems or industrial processes.
Key Features:
- Operation: Uses a heat exchanger (e.g., counterflow, cross-flow, or rotary) to transfer heat. In counterflow units, air streams flow in opposite directions for maximum efficiency (70-90%).
- Types:
- Plate Heat Exchangers: Fixed plates separate air streams, transferring sensible heat (temperature only).
- Rotary Heat Exchangers: Rotating wheels transfer both sensible and latent heat (moisture).
- Heat Pipes: Use phase-change technology for efficient heat transfer.
- Applications: Ventilation systems in buildings, industrial processes, data centers, and energy recovery systems.
- Benefits: Lowers energy costs, reduces carbon footprint, and maintains indoor air quality by preventing cross-contamination.
- Example: In winter, a unit might transfer heat from warm exhaust air (e.g., 20°C) to cold incoming air (e.g., 0°C), raising the fresh air temperature to reduce heating demands.
Does a heat exchanger remove humidity?
A standard air-to-air heat exchanger primarily transfers heat between two airstreams and does not directly remove humidity. The airstreams remain separate, so moisture (humidity) in one airstream typically stays within that airstream. However, there are nuances depending on the type of heat exchanger:
- Sensible Heat Exchangers: These (e.g., most plate or heat pipe exchangers) only transfer heat, not moisture. Humidity levels in the incoming and outgoing air remain unchanged, though relative humidity may shift slightly due to temperature changes (warmer air can hold more moisture, so heating incoming air may lower its relative humidity).
- Enthalpy (Total Energy) Exchangers: Some advanced designs, like rotary wheel or certain membrane-based exchangers, can transfer both heat and moisture. These are called hygroscopic or enthalpy recovery ventilators (ERVs). The core material or wheel absorbs moisture from the humid airstream (e.g., warm, humid indoor air) and transfers it to the drier airstream (e.g., cold, dry outdoor air), effectively managing humidity levels to some extent.
- Condensation Effects: In certain conditions, if the heat exchanger cools humid air below its dew point, condensation may occur on the exchanger’s surfaces, removing some moisture from that airstream. This is incidental, not a primary function, and requires a drainage system.
So, a standard heat exchanger doesn’t remove humidity unless it’s an enthalpy-type ERV designed for moisture transfer or if condensation occurs. If humidity control is a goal, you’d need an ERV or a separate dehumidification system.
How does the air to air heat exchanger work?
An air-to-air heat exchanger transfers heat between two separate air streams without mixing them. It typically consists of a heat-conductive core (like a series of thin metal or plastic plates or tubes) where one airstream (e.g., warm indoor air) passes over one side, transferring its heat to the core, while the other airstream (e.g., cold outdoor air) passes over the opposite side, absorbing that heat.
Here’s how it works:
- Warm Air Input: Warm, stale indoor air (from a building) enters the exchanger.
- Heat Transfer: As this air flows through the core, it transfers heat to the core’s walls, which are made of a conductive material like aluminum.
- Cold Air Input: Simultaneously, cold, fresh outdoor air flows through adjacent channels in the core, picking up heat from the core’s walls.
- Exhaust and Supply: The now-cooled indoor air is exhausted outside, while the warmed outdoor air is supplied into the building.
The process can reverse in cooling mode (e.g., in summer), where cool indoor air transfers its "coolness" to warm outdoor air. The airstreams are kept separate to avoid contamination, often using counterflow or crossflow designs to maximize efficiency. Efficiency can reach 50-80%, depending on the design and conditions.
Common types include:
- Plate heat exchangers: Use stacked plates for heat transfer.
- Heat pipe exchangers: Use sealed tubes with a working fluid that evaporates and condenses to transfer heat.
- Rotary wheel exchangers: Use a rotating wheel to transfer heat and sometimes moisture.
It’s used in HVAC systems to save energy by pre-conditioning incoming air, reducing the load on heating or cooling systems.
Introduction to Surface Coolers and Their Applications
A surface cooler (table cooler) is an efficient heat exchange device widely used in central air conditioning, industrial refrigeration, and ventilation systems. It operates by circulating chilled water or refrigerant through copper tubes, exchanging heat with air via aluminum fins to lower air temperature and remove moisture. Compact in structure and highly efficient, surface coolers are applied in the following scenarios:
- Commercial Buildings: Such as malls, hotels, and offices for air conditioning and dehumidification.
- Industrial Settings: Such as electronics and pharmaceutical plants to control temperature and humidity.
- Data Centers: To maintain a constant temperature and humidity for server operations.
- Hospitals: For precise temperature and humidity control in operating rooms and wards.
- Transportation: In air conditioning systems for subways and train stations.
Surface coolers enable energy-efficient and precise environmental control, meeting diverse needs across various applications.
What is a heat pump and how does it work?
A heat pump is a device that transfers heat from one place to another, typically to heat or cool a building. It works by using a refrigerant to absorb heat from a colder area (like the outside air, ground, or water) and release it into a warmer area (like inside a home).
How it works:
- Evaporation: The refrigerant, a special fluid, absorbs heat from a low-temperature source (e.g., outdoor air) in the evaporator coil. This causes the refrigerant to evaporate into a gas.
- Compression: The gaseous refrigerant is compressed by a compressor, which increases its temperature and pressure, making it very hot.
- Condensation: The hot gas flows into the condenser coil, where it releases its heat to the indoor space (for heating) or outside (for cooling). As it loses heat, the refrigerant condenses back into a liquid.
- Expansion: The liquid refrigerant passes through an expansion valve, which reduces its pressure and temperature, preparing it to absorb heat again in the evaporator.
Key points:
- Reversible: Most heat pumps can switch modes to either heat or cool a space by reversing the refrigerant flow.
- Efficiency: They’re highly efficient because they move heat rather than generate it, often using less energy than traditional heaters or air conditioners.
- Types: Common types include air-source, ground-source (geothermal), and water-source heat pumps, depending on the heat source.
For example, in winter, an air-source heat pump extracts heat from cold outdoor air to warm your home. In summer, it reverses to act like an air conditioner, removing heat from indoors.
Key Considerations for Radiators in Energy Storage Containers
- Efficiency: Counterflow radiators are inherently efficient due to their design, which maintains a consistent temperature difference between fluids. This is critical for energy storage systems where heat dissipation or retention is a priority.
- Material: The radiator material must withstand high temperatures, resist corrosion, and conduct heat effectively. Common materials include aluminum (lightweight, excellent conductor) and copper (superior heat transfer but heavier and costlier).
- Size and Space: Energy storage containers often have limited space, so compact, high-output radiators are ideal.
- Compatibility with System: The radiator must integrate with the container’s cooling or heating system, whether air-cooled, liquid-cooled, or hybrid.
- Durability: Radiators must endure harsh conditions, including temperature fluctuations and potential exposure to chemicals or moisture in energy storage environments.
- Counterflow Advantage: The counterflow design ensures maximum heat transfer by keeping the hottest part of one fluid in contact with the coldest part of the other, ideal for maintaining optimal temperatures in battery or thermal energy storage systems.