A tube which runs back and forth a number of times between an inlet and an outlet, this is surrounded by a shell which has another inlet and outlet. A metal frame will hold the unit in place, typically these will all be made from stainless steel. One fluid will flow through the tube and another will flow through the shell. The two fluids are separated by the tube wall and transfer thermal energy through this tube wall. The different configurations result in different temperature profiles and heat transfer.

In this design, the bend at each end isn't utilized for heat transfer and heat can be wasted here. However, manufacturing this heat exchanger is cheaper and obviously easier. Other designs like this hairpin type heat exchanger which are often found in oil refineries will encapsulate the bend to fully utilise the surface area for heat transfer. This version normally uses multiple tubes to maximise the surface area and thus increase the heat transfer although this will also increase the resistance.

Pressure vessel

According to the principle of action in the production process, pressure vessels are divided into reaction pressure vessels, heat exchange pressure vessels, separation pressure vessels, and storage pressure vessels. The specific division is as follows:

Heat exchange pressure vessel (code E): It is mainly used to complete the heat exchange of the medium, such as shell and tube heat recovery boiler, heat exchanger, cooler, condenser, heater, sterilizer, dyeer, drying cylinder, steaming wok, preheating pot, solvent preheater, steamer, evaporator, electric steam generator, gas generator water jacket, etc.