Chapter 8 - Compact Heat Exchangers in Practice

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This chapter discusses a number of factors ultimately affecting the long-term satisfactory operation of compact heat exchangers. Following the selection of the type of heat exchanger, guidance is given to those involved in the operation and maintenance of the unit. Fouling and, to a lesser extent, corrosion, and their minimisation, remain key priorities during the life of many heat exchangers, particularly those in arduous process industry duties. Specific types of fouling are described and design approaches to reduce fouling are presented. As process plants become more compact—process intensification—the need to handle solids becomes more demanding, and new efforts to address this are briefly presented.