RECO-EX-W is a liquid / liquid heat exchanger for large flows and tough
operating conditions with automatic and efficient cleaning during operation

Unique construction

Compared to the plate spiral heat exchanger which is well known in the heavy process industry, the RECO-EX-W is a tube spiral heat exchanger constructed from surface enlarged tubes rolled into flat spiral shaped vortexes and laid on top of each other, with guide plates between the layers.

Due to the specially developed tube connections each circuit is an individual element which is connected to one vertical manifold common for all circuits.

This makes the RECO-EX-W exchanger, completely dismantlable, unlike the plate spiral exchanger, and suitable for very tough applications.

The RECO-EX-W is made from corrosion resistant materials, e.g. acid proof stainless steel type SS 2348 or 254 SMO.

Automatic cleaning during operation

For the RECO-EX-W the complete tube circuit is submerged in a tank. The clean cooling media flows through the inside of the tube from the periphery inwards. The process liquid or the polluted discharge water passes counter flow outside the tube circuits from the centre towards the periphery from a central distribution pipe.

Cleaning is performed intermittently during operation using the Patented implosion pulse technique. This involves adding steam and compressed air simultaneously in pulses to the central tube, where the limited liquid content is quickly heated up under pressure. When the heated liquid then flows out over the tube spirals, a quick pressure release occurs whereby thousands of steam bubbles are created. 

Spiral heat exchanger RECO-EX-W

The bubbles however are unstable and implode immediately. The implosion gives a strong mechanical treatment of the tube surface, thus removing deposits fom it.

The cleaning cycle, which consists of a number of pulses with pauses for recharging in-between, is carried out completely automatically with the required frequency e.g. hourly, such that a continually high efficiency is maintained.

Exchanger for tough applications

Due to it's unique characteristics the RECO-EX-W is suitable for heat recovery of heavily polluted discharge liquids in the process industry or the cooling of biological tanks. It has been used to solve "hopeless" heat exchanger problems within the petrochemical and process industry, such as cooling of discharge water containing thickeners and glue substances from the manufacturing of methylcellulose.

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