Industrial heat exchangers and pressure vessels are important for the safe and efficient transfer or containment of gas, liquid, or vapor. A variety of industries depend on them for daily operations, including heating and cooling, petrochemical, food processing, and oil and gas. For maximum efficiency and safety, many companies choose custom pressure vessels and industrial heat exchangers, which are precision-engineered according to their exact use cases.
Learn more about pressure vessels, heat exchangers, their applications, and our capabilities here at The WEBB Corp.
Understanding Pressure Vessels
Pressure vessels are sealed containers, often rounded cylinders with end caps or heads in a dished or hemispherical shape. They’re designed to hold gases and/or liquids at significantly higher pressures than the ambient atmosphere. This is called a pressure differential, and if not contained and limited with stringent controls, it can be extremely dangerous.
Many pressure vessel accidents have occurred with fatal consequences throughout the history of pressure vessel development and application, even in recent times. Engineering authorities thus heavily regulate the design, manufacture, and ongoing use of pressure vessels. These regulations set maximum safe operating pressures and temperatures, as well as design parameters, manufacturing quality controls, and testing standards.
Understanding Heat Exchangers
Industrial heat exchangers transfer heat between multiple liquids, gases, or vapors of varying temperatures. There are several types of heat exchangers depending on the application. The most common is the shell and tube heat exchanger, consisting of a series of parallel tubes within a pressure vessel.
Heat transfer media of different temperatures flow through the tubes and the vessel, transferring heat from the warmer fluid to the cooler one without them making direct contact. Heat exchangers facilitate indirect heat exchange, where the pressurized substances are kept separate by thermally conductive materials (metal tubes and plates).
Pressure Vessel Applications
The applications of pressure vessels are wide-ranging, fulfilling critical functions in numerous sectors, including:
- Autoclaves
- Distillation towers
- Diving cylinders
- Hot water storage tanks
- Hydraulic reservoirs
- Mining operations
- Nuclear reactor vessels
- Oil refineries and petrochemical plants
- Pneumatic reservoirs
- Rail vehicle airbrake reservoirs
- Recompression chambers
- Road vehicle airbrake reservoirs
- Storage vessels for liquified gases (ammonia, butane, chlorine, LPG, propane)
- Submarine and spaceship habitats
Heat Exchanger Applications
Many of the same sectors that rely on pressure vessels also require heat exchangers to maintain the thermal stability of their industrial systems and equipment. These industries include:
- Automotive
- Chemical processing
- Food and beverage
- HVAC
- Oil and gas
- Power plants
Custom Pressure Vessels and Heat Exchangers
The WEBB Corporation specializes in designing and manufacturing equipment manufacturers need to fabricate high-quality pressure vessels and industrial heat exchangers. With any of our plate bending machines, you can roll sheet steel into cylindrical shapes. Purpose-built vessels are necessary to maximize efficiency, which reduces system stress and operating costs over the long term.
Our engineering experts can tackle the most complex manufacturing challenges and deliver the most effective solutions. We follow strict quality controls and use only premium materials to build our equipment, resulting in lasting solutions for our customers.
Choose WEBB Corporation for Your Custom Pressure Vessel and Heat Exchanger Needs
Custom-built pressure vessels made to the highest standards are the most effective way to safely manage pressure differentials. The same is true for industrial heat exchangers, where improved regulation of heated liquid or gas results in greater system efficiency.
In both cases, the high pressures and temperatures involved have the potential to cause serious accidents or injuries if not properly controlled. That’s why it’s essential to use reliable plate bending equipment from a reputable manufacturer like The WEBB Corp. With over 80,000 sq. ft. of state-of-the-art facility space and 140 years of total manufacturing experience, The WEBB Corporation addresses the most challenging engineering concerns so our customers can succeed.
For more information, contact us today.