Titanium heat exchangers
Titanium heat exchangers are cost-effective and long-lasting, even in corrosive conditions such as saltwater. They are popular in processes involving corrosive materials – for example, in chemical industries. They are also very lightweight, lending themselves well to aerospace applications.
Read more about titanium heat exchangers or explore other heat exchanger materials.
Why is titanium used in heat exchangers?
Titanium is used in heat exchangers as it provides:
- effective corrosion resistance,
- less risk of equipment failure and associated downtime,
- high heat transfer efficiency, particularly when paired with other appropriate configurations,
- a lightweight option for applications where weight is a vital consideration,
- a cost-effective solution over its lifetime: affordable initial costs, combined with a long lifespan.
If you think a titanium heat exchanger might be the best solution for your application, get in touch today. We manufacture titanium heat exchangers bespoke to your requirements. However, we can also offer other materials.
Find out more information about key considerations for bespoke heat exchangers.
Titanium: the metal
Titanium is the 9th most abundant element on earth. It falls into the category of reactive metals and is commonly used as an alloy to make extremely strong or corrosive resistant materials.
A key feature of titanium is that it oxidises to create a passive oxide surface film. This doesn’t corrode the metal but creates a protective top layer that gives it its corrosion-resistance.
Titanium is much lighter than other equivalent metals. This makes it popular in products where weight is a key consideration, such as in aerospace applications.
It also has an extremely high melting point: 1668°C. This, combined with its corrosion resistance and strength, makes it an ideal material for many heat exchanger designs.
Titanium heat exchanger applications
Titanium is a popular choice for heat exchangers, particularly where the application involves corrosive materials. A sub-optimal material will likely need additional maintenance or will simply lead to leaks and breakage over time. Read more about heat exchanger maintenance.
Applications for titanium heat exchangers include the below.
- Seawater applications such as desalination equipment or submarine equipment
- Aerospace
- Chemical processing plants. For example, heat exchangers used in the production of steel.
- Oil refineries
- Power plants, particularly where seawater is used as a coolant
Titanium heat exchanger designs
Designing a titanium heat exchanger begins with understanding the specific requirements of the application.
We can design:
- Titanium coolers
- Titanium shell and tube heat exchangers, including with titanium tubesheets
- Titanium finned tube designs
- Titanium condensers
And many other products.
Shell and tube titanium heat exchangers
Titanium can be a valuable material for shell and tube heat exchangers, often used in alloy grades to make the most of its various properties. It is particularly beneficial where one or both of the materials in the shell and tube product is corrosive.
Because titanium heat exchangers are frequently used in corrosive applications, the integrity of the design is essential. Our engineers are not only experienced; they are familiar with a range of international heat exchanger standards, including TEMA. This ensures they correctly design each heat exchanger for its application.
Alternatives to titanium for your heat exchanger
Titanium isn’t the only corrosive-resistant material. Depending on your application, an alternative specialist metal might be more appropriate. For example, tantalum heat exchangers have outstanding corrosion resistance.
If you’re unsure which material would be most suitable for your heat exchanger, get in touch with an expert at Sterling TT. We design and manufacture heat exchangers from a range of specialist materials and will be more than happy to help!
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