Spiral heat exchangers

⌀1400 spiral heat exchanger

Exceptionally well-suited for sludges, slurries, waste water, fouling, liquids with high viscosity, and liquids that contain fibers and solids, our SONDEX® spiral heat exchangers are the definitive solution for applications that require treatment of challenging fluids. The design allows for a countercurrent flow that makes it possible to achieve very close temperature approaches.

Since we use coiled metal sheets instead of tube bundles, we can achieve very high thermal performance without sacrificing the channel gap that lets the media flow unimpeded.

The spiral coil itself also contributes to the turbulent flow, and the single-channel design helps alleviate fouling with a “self-cleaning” effect. Accumulated deposits create local increases in velocity, creating a scrubbing effect that is enough to loosen the build-up in fouling in most cases. This allows our SONDEX^® spiral heat exchangers to operate in very long sessions without maintenance or cleaning.

Some media, however, are so challenging that the heat exchanger requires more frequent maintenance and cleaning. With this in mind, we have designed hinged covers that are sealed with C-clamps, creating a swing door that is very easy to open and close without any special tools required, letting you access the entire coil for inspection and cleaning.

Features and benefits

Single-channel design that generates high shear rates which contribute to a self-cleaning effect, preventing clogging of the unit. Spiral heat exchangers are the perfect solution for challenging, high-viscosity media.
The channel size is selected to fit the flow and qualities of the media. The many variations in diameters and widths of the spiral coil allow for many different combinations, which mean that we can create the optimal solution for every duty.
Designed to handle a very aggressive temperature program and with a wide range of materials and plate thicknesses available, we customize each spiral heat exchanger to match the requirements of any application.
Limited need for maintenance and cleaning ensures extended operational uptime. If the need for cleaning arises due to particularly difficult media, the hinged covers provide easy access to the entire heat transfer surface.
Very compact solutions, our spiral heat exchangers have minimal space requirements. Despite their small stature, the long, curved flow paths allow for very high heat transfer coefficients up to twice as high as their shell and tube counterparts.

Applications

Dairy/food/beverage industry
Biogas industry
Wastewater industry
Pulp and paper industry
Heavy industry
Petrochemical industry
Chemical industry

Technical specifications

Connections from DN32 to DN300 (1 1/4" to 12")
(Frames designed according to FEA and PED 2014/68/EU (EN13445) and ASME sec VIII, Div. 1 construction standards)
Shell materials: Carbon steel, stainless steel
Spiral materials: Carbon steel, stainless steel
Working pressure up to 16 bar (145 psi)*
Working temperatures from -20 °C to 200 °C (-4 °F to 392 °F)

*Higher pressure available upon request

SONDEX® spiral heat exchangers are the ultimate solution for even the most challenging, high-viscosity media.

Documents

Documents
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Case stories

Danfoss ensures a smoother operation for a purification plant in Italy

eco center AG has replaced its current shell-and-tube technology with spiral heat exchangers from Danfoss. Clogging and weekly cleaning of the heat exchangers is now history - with a return of investment in just one year.