Helixchanger Solutions in Canada
Altex’s Helixchanger heat exchangers are engineered for superior thermal efficiency and reduced fouling, thanks to their innovative helical baffle design. Ideal for challenging process conditions, Helixchanger designs deliver enhanced flow distribution, lower pressure drop, and longer run times.
Tired of cleaning shell & tube bundles
due to high-fouling on the shell-side?
Helixchanger® shell & tube heat exchangers are best suited to high-viscosity and/or high-fouling shell-side processes. The helical baffle design allows us to maximize the shell-side velocity within an allowable pressure drop.
Altex Industries was the first Helixchanger® Licensee in Canada and has fabricated over 100 Helixchanger bundles and exchangers since 2003.
- Higher average shell-side velocity
- Greatly reduced dead-zones (low-velocity areas).
- Increased heat transfer
- Reduced fouling (and reduced fouling-related corrosion)
- Optimized and potentially smaller exchanger sizes
- Reduced capital and operating costs.
When compared to a conventional shell & tube exchanger, Helixchanger® designs result in:
- Higher average shell-side velocity
- Greatly reduced dead-zones (low-velocity areas).
- Increased heat transfer
- Reduced fouling (and reduced fouling-related corrosion)
- Optimized and potentially smaller exchanger sizes
- Reduced capital and operating costs.
Helixchangers® are a licenced technology of Lummus Technology.
“The HELIXCHANGER® heat exchanger uses Lummus Technology’s industry-proven, enhanced heat transfer technology to provide solutions for common issues such as shell-side fouling, high-pressure drop and vibration. In the HELIXCHANGER® heat exchanger, quadrant shaped baffle plates are placed at an angle to the tube axis in a sequential arrangement to create a helical flow pattern.
Whether the need is to extend the operating period between cleaning campaigns of crude preheat exchangers, reduce capital costs in a petrochemical plant or improve energy-efficiency of feed/effluent towers, Lummus Technology’s advanced heat exchanger technology offers a lower life-cycle-cost solution.
Our experience and know-how comes from more than 4,000 HELIXCHANGER heat exchanger installations in refining, power and petrochemical facilities worldwide.”
Helixchangers® is a licensed technology of Lummus Technology.
The HELIXCHANGER® heat exchanger uses Lummus Technology’s industry-proven, enhanced heat transfer technology to provide solutions for common issues such as shell-side fouling, high-pressure drop, and vibration. In the HELIXCHANGER® heat exchanger, quadrant-shaped baffle plates are placed at an angle to the tube axis in a sequential arrangement to create a helical flow pattern.
Whether the need is to extend the operating period between cleaning campaigns of crude preheat exchangers, reduce capital costs in a petrochemical plant, or improve energy-efficiency of feed/effluent towers, Lummus Technology’s advanced heat exchanger technology offers a lower life-cycle-cost solution.
Our experience and know-how come from more than 4,000 HELIXCHANGER heat exchanger installations in refining, power, and petrochemical facilities worldwide.
Experience the enhanced thermal performance and reduced fouling of Helixchanger® technology. Altex is your source for reliable, ASME-compliant solutions tailored to your exact process requirements. Contact us to explore the benefits for your application.
Experience the enhanced thermal performance and reduced fouling of Helixchanger® technology. Altex is your source for reliable, ASME-compliant solutions tailored to your exact process requirements. Contact us to explore the benefits for your application.
FAQs
What is a helical baffle heat exchanger?
A helical baffle heat exchanger uses quadrant-shaped baffle plates arranged in a spiral pattern to create a circular flow for the shell-side fluid. This design eliminates "dead zones" and optimizes heat transfer compared to traditional segmental baffles.
How does helical flow improve heat exchanger efficiency?
Helical flow creates a uniform velocity profile and promotes turbulence at lower velocities, which significantly increases the shell-side heat transfer coefficient. This allows for smaller, more compact exchanger designs while achieving the same thermal duty.
What are the benefits of reduced shell-side pressure drop?
Reduced pressure drop lowers the energy consumption of pumps and compressors, leading to significant long-term operational cost savings. It also allows for increased throughput in existing systems without exceeding mechanical design limits
How do helical baffles impact the lifespan of a heat exchanger?
By eliminating vibration and reducing localized hot spots or corrosion in dead zones, helical baffles reduce mechanical stress on the tubes. This leads to a longer service life and fewer emergency repairs compared to standard shell-and-tube designs.
What is the difference between segmental and helical baffles?
Segmental baffles force fluid into a zig-zag pattern that creates high turbulence but also high pressure loss and dead spots. Helical baffles guide fluid in a smooth, continuous spiral, optimizing the balance between heat transfer and pressure energy.
