The heat exchange system, also called a heat exchanger or heat transmitter, is a technical device for the transfer of thermal energy from one medium to another.

In general, there are three categories of heat exchangers. The most common form is indirect heat transfer. With this category, the flow of media remains separated, so that they cannot comingle.

Thermal energy can be transferred directly between the media. In this case, both media are in direct contact. They will intermingle, so that the thermal energy can be properly balanced.

Combining these two methods is called semi-indirect heat transfer, the third category. In this case, the media are separated from each other by time and circulated through the heat exchanger. Thermal energy is buffered inside the heat storage unit and is then absorbed when the second medium passes through the storage unit.

In addition to these categories, the transfer of thermal energy can also be affected by orienting the flow of medium. In practice, most transfers occur according to either the cross-flow and parallel flow principles.

The uniflow principle means that the media streams run parallel to one another. Because the media flow in only one direction, the substances adjust their temperature in a consistent manner. This is especially important for a safe and rapid cooling of the media.

In contrast with that, media pass by each other in opposed directions, following the cross-flow principle. A highly efficient heat exchanger allows the cooler substance to be placed near the hotter medium at nearly the inlet temperature. One typical example of this is heat recovery.

Because of the wide range of uses, the heat-exchangers can be designed for different kinds of substances. Regardless of whether the thermal energy is transferred between liquid or gaseous media or transferred from a liquid to a gaseous substance is required, MainTech Systems has enough skills to put your energy- and substance circulation systems on the right track.