FAQ: How To Build A Water To Water Heat Exchanger?

How does a water to water heat exchanger work?

In a typical water heat exchanger, freshwater flows in and circulates around the hotter wastewater that flows out. The wastewater transfers its heat energy to the freshwater through the interior walls, heating the freshwater, typically to over 100º F, and cooling the wastewater as it exits the unit.

How does a sidearm heat exchanger work?

A sidearm heat exchanger is a device used in conjunction with an outdoor wood furnace to heat your domestic hot water. Thermosiphon is a method of heat exchange through convection. By using convection, water from your hot water heater can be drawn up through your heat exchanger without the use of mechanical pumps.

How efficient are heat exchangers?

Exchanger transferring heat from a liquid (e.g. water) to a liquid (e.g. water) often show effectiveness factors around 0.95. But of course, they can be much lower too.

Why are heat exchangers important?

The heat exchanger is designed to provide the required amount of thermal energy needed for either heating or cooling a fluid stream in the process. The rate of heat transfer is important for the selection of a particular type of heat exchanger.

Is radiator a heat exchanger?

Radiators are heat exchangers used to transfer thermal energy from one medium to another for the purpose of cooling and heating. The majority of radiators are constructed to function in cars, buildings, and electronics.

What is difference between heat exchanger and condenser?

While a heat exchanger can regulate process temperatures independently, a condenser is a component of a chiller system (water-cooled or air-cooled) which functions to remove heat generated by an industrial or commercial process.

Which heat exchanger is most efficient?

Plate exchanger is the most efficient due to turbulent flow on both sides. High heat-transfer coefficient and high turbulence due to even flow distribution are important. However, a plate heat exchanger regenerator is restricted to low viscosities. With high viscosities, a special tubular may be required.

How big of a heat exchanger do I need?

What Size Should the Plate Exchanger Have? Many customers ask, “how do you know what size plate exchanger to install in your domestic hot water tank?” A simple rule of thumb is 2 to 3 people in one house will determine a 10 plate. A 10 plate heat exchange is enough for 2 and 3 people.

How do I choose a plate heat exchanger?

Main Criteria for Heat Exchanger Sizing and Selection



For a gasketed plate heat exchanger, the gaskets must be compatible with the fluids in the unit. Thermal fluid characteristics and product mix. If the heating or cooling fluid is susceptible to fouling, a corrosion resistant material may be needed. Location.

What is a hot water heat exchanger?

As the water pumps through the pipes, it absorbs the heat energy and heats up. A heat exchanger is a device that allows heat from a fluid (a liquid or a gas) to pass to a second fluid (another liquid or gas) without the two fluids having to mix together or come into direct contact.

What is a sidearm water heater?

Sidearm water heaters were developed decades ago so that boilers could provide both space heating and domestic hot water. Generically, they are water-to-water heat exchangers that transfer heat from the boiler water to domestic water whenever the latter is flowing through.

How do wood stoves heat water?

The tank must be located very close to the wood stove to avoid long pipe runs. The drain of the water heater must connect to the input of the hot water front or coil and be higher than it. The hot water piping coming out of the hot water front, coil or U shape heater must go into the top of the range boiler.