Finned Tube Heat Exchangers | Finned Pipe Heat Exchangers

Enhance heat exchanger efficiency with fins/extended surfaces

Whenever appropriate, we recommend heat exchangers with “extended surfaces”, also known as fins. We attach the fins to the primary surface on one side of a two-fluid or a multi-fluid heat exchanger, creating ‘finned tubes’. They improve the efficiency of the heat exchanger.

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What is a finned tube heat exchanger?

A finned heat exchanger increases the surface area of the inferior side on the product, typically when a gas is present. Fin construction and dimension are customised to maximise the heat transfer.

Custom finned tubes from Sterling Thermal Technology

We offer customised finned tubes to meet your extended surface heat exchanger needs.

Our expertise in the use of vortex clean air technology reduces pressure loss and fin fouling. This means lower maintenance costs and reduced energy consumption.

We can combine any tube, fin pitch, and material (e.g. copper-alloys, stainless steel, aluminium, titanium) to help you to balance budget and longevity considerations. Whether you need new equipment or to retube a heat exchanger, we can help.

Type of fins

For maximum efficiency, our extended-surface heat exchangers use the following fins:

Patented Elfin finned tube
LL-fin
T-fin
NEL fin
Gilled fin
Spiral and helical wound finned tube
HEI fin.

A finned heat exchanger success story

The problem:

A chemical production plant in the North of England required maintenance on three air blast (fin fan) units. The units were in poor condition because of the corrosion, the damage from atmospheric deposits and the consequent maintenance (low-pressure water) cleaning.

The solution: Elfin technology

Sterling Thermal Technology was chosen for the job for our unique Elfin technology – a patented, innovative style of fin tubes.

We supplied new Elfin cores matching the original material specification, but with an alternative fin construction (instead of the traditional wire-wound fin). This made it superior in quality and longevity.

Leading performance and durability

Our customer reported our supplied units were performing very well and were highly effective. So much so that they were compensating for under-performing existing finned tube heat exchangers in the same system, eliminating the immediate need to replace these older units.

Most importantly, the integrity of the Elfin block minimised issues caused by the damage from habitual cleaning in the removal of fouling. Unlike other fin types, you can clean Elfin blocks using high-pressure water.

Just like this customer, we think a huge range of processes can benefit from our high-performance finned tubes. If you want to know what we can do for you, don’t hesitate to send us a message.