Introduction to Coaxial Heat Exchangers

A coaxial heat exchanger (also known as a coaxial tube heat exchanger) is an innovative type of pressure equipment designed for efficient and reliable heat transfer. Unlike conventional shell-and-tube, spiral plate, or plate heat exchangers, the coaxial structure provides higher thermal efficiency, stronger pressure resistance, and excellent self-cleaning capability, making it an ideal choice for modern industrial applications.

Heat exchangers are widely used to regulate fluid temperature, recover waste heat, or change the physical state of fluids (condensation, vaporization). In a coaxial tube heat exchanger, hot and cold fluids are separated by metallic walls with high thermal conductivity. These walls act both as heat transfer surfaces and pressure-bearing components.

Working Principle of Coaxial Tube Heat Exchangers

The coaxial tube design consists of multiple concentric tubes assembled into coaxial units. Each unit contains several coaxial layers, with spiral guiding strips creating axial helical channels for fluid flow. This special flow path ensures:

• Full Turbulence Flow – Fluids continuously strike and reflect along the tube walls, eliminating laminar layers and maximizing heat transfer.

• High Heat Transfer Efficiency – Compared with shell-and-tube exchangers, the coaxial structure achieves 2–3 times higher efficiency.

• Self-Cleaning Ability – Turbulent flow prevents fouling and reduces scaling, ensuring long-term stable operation.

• Excellent Pressure Resistance – The cylindrical tube wall shape provides high strength, and the coaxial design eliminates the need for thick tube sheets and heavy flanges.

Advantages of Coaxial Heat Exchangers

1. Compared with Shell-and-Tube Heat Exchangers

• Higher efficiency: coaxial exchangers use multi-layer helical flow, while shell-and-tube exchangers suffer from low efficiency due to laminar regions.

• No clogging & easy maintenance: turbulence reduces fouling.

• Lower cost and longer service life due to simplified structure and reduced need for heavy flanges.

2. Compared with Spiral Plate Heat Exchangers

• Better pressure resistance: spiral plates lose strength as diameter increases, but coaxial units maintain stability.

• Higher efficiency & stronger turbulence: coaxial exchangers maintain full turbulence even with large heat transfer areas.

• Longer service life thanks to strong self-cleaning ability.

3. Compared with Plate Heat Exchangers

• Comparable efficiency: plate exchangers maximize thin film contact, while coaxial exchangers eliminate laminar layers.

• Much stronger pressure capacity: coaxial tube exchangers outperform plate exchangers in high-pressure conditions.

• More adaptable: suitable for both large-flow, small temperature difference and small-flow, large temperature difference conditions.

Applications of Coaxial Tube Heat Exchangers

Thanks to their high efficiency, strong durability, and fouling resistance, coaxial heat exchangers are widely used in:

• Power plants (boilers, economizers, condensers)

• Petrochemical and refinery processes

• Metallurgical and coking industries

• District heating and cooling systems

• Waste heat recovery in steel and chemical plants

Why Choose BOOYO Coaxial Heat Exchanger

Shandong BOOYO Heavy Industry Technology Group Co., Ltd. has developed advanced coaxial tube heat exchangers that integrate decades of experience in boiler and pressure vessel manufacturing. With ASME “S” and “U” certifications and proven applications across steel and coking plants, BOOYO’s products deliver:

• High-efficiency heat transfer

• Strong structural reliability

• Long service life with reduced maintenance

• Customized solutions for diverse industrial needs

• Click Here get Your Quote