Industry-Verified Manufacturing Data (2026)

Tubular Heat Exchanger

Based on aggregated insights from multiple verified factory profiles within the CNFX directory, the standard Tubular Heat Exchanger used in the Food Manufacturing sector typically supports operational capacities ranging from standard industrial configurations to heavy-duty production requirements.

Technical Definition & Core Assembly

A canonical Tubular Heat Exchanger is characterized by the integration of Heat Exchange Tubes and Tube Sheets. In industrial production environments, manufacturers listed on CNFX commonly emphasize Stainless Steel 316L construction to support stable, high-cycle operation across diverse manufacturing scenarios.

A heat transfer device using concentric tubes to exchange thermal energy between fluids in aseptic processing

View Full Specifications Explore Manufacturing Sources

Product Specifications

Technical details and manufacturing context for Tubular Heat Exchanger

Definition
A critical component within the Integrated Aseptic Fruit and Vegetable Processing Line that facilitates precise temperature control by transferring heat between product streams and heating/cooling media through tubular arrangements, ensuring thermal treatment while maintaining sterility.
Working Principle
Utilizes concentric tube arrangements where one fluid flows through the inner tube while another flows through the annular space between tubes, enabling efficient heat transfer through conduction across tube walls while maintaining complete separation of fluids to prevent contamination.
Common Materials
Stainless Steel 316L
Technical Parameters
  • Tube diameter and length specifications determining heat transfer surface area and flow characteristics (mm) Standard Spec
Components / BOM
  • Heat Exchange Tubes
    Primary surface for heat transfer between fluids
    Material: Stainless Steel 316L
  • Tube Sheets
    Support and secure tubes in position while providing sealing
    Material: Stainless Steel 316L
  • Shell Casing
    Enclosure containing the tube bundle and directing shell-side fluid flow
    Material: Stainless Steel 316L
Engineering Reasoning
0.5-6.0 bar differential pressure, 2-120°C temperature gradient
Tube burst at 12.7 bar internal pressure, tube collapse at -0.85 bar external pressure, thermal stress fracture at ΔT > 150°C
Design Rationale: Tube wall yielding at 241 MPa hoop stress (ASTM B75 copper alloy), Euler buckling instability at critical pressure, differential thermal expansion stress exceeding 172 MPa yield strength
Risk Mitigation (FMEA)
Trigger Fluid velocity exceeding 3.2 m/s causing erosion-corrosion
Mode: Tube wall thinning to <0.8 mm leading to pinhole leaks
Strategy: Installation of sacrificial anode zinc rods and flow restrictors maintaining velocity <2.5 m/s
Trigger Biofilm accumulation exceeding 0.5 mm thickness on inner tube surfaces
Mode: Thermal resistance increase to >0.00025 m²·K/W causing 35% efficiency loss
Strategy: Automated CIP system with 2% NaOH solution at 80°C for 30 minutes every 72 hours

Industry Taxonomies & Aliases

Commonly used trade names and technical identifiers for Tubular Heat Exchanger.

aseptic tubular heat exchanger food manufacturing stainless steel 316L heat exchanger tubes concentric tube heat exchanger for food processing tubular heat exchanger BOM components food grade heat exchange equipment specifications

Industrial Ecosystem & Supply Chain DNA

Complementary Systems
Downstream Applications
Specialized Tooling

Application Fit & Sizing Matrix

Operational Limits
pressure: Up to 100 bar (standard), 200+ bar with reinforced construction
flow rate: 0.5 to 50 m³/h per tube (scalable with multiple tubes)
temperature: -20°C to 200°C (typical), up to 300°C with special materials
slurry concentration: Up to 30% solids by volume (with appropriate tube diameter)
Media Compatibility
✓ Pharmaceutical buffer solutions ✓ Dairy products (milk, cream) ✓ High-purity water systems
Unsuitable: Highly abrasive slurries with sharp particles
Sizing Data Required
  • Required heat transfer duty (kW)
  • Inlet/outlet temperatures of both fluids
  • Fluid properties (viscosity, density, specific heat)

Reliability & Engineering Risk Analysis

Failure Mode & Root Cause
Fouling and scaling
Cause: Accumulation of deposits (e.g., minerals, biological growth, corrosion products) on tube surfaces, reducing heat transfer efficiency and increasing pressure drop, often due to poor water treatment, inadequate filtration, or unsuitable operating temperatures.
Corrosion and pitting
Cause: Chemical attack on tube materials, leading to wall thinning or localized pits, typically caused by aggressive fluids (e.g., chlorides, acids), galvanic effects from dissimilar metals, or inadequate material selection for the service environment.
Maintenance Indicators
  • Significant drop in heat transfer efficiency (e.g., outlet temperatures deviating from design by more than 10%) or abnormal pressure differentials across tubes
  • Visible leaks at tube-to-tubesheet joints, tube ends, or shell, or audible hissing/whistling indicating fluid escape under pressure
Engineering Tips
  • Implement regular water treatment and filtration to control scaling and biological growth, coupled with periodic mechanical or chemical cleaning schedules based on fouling rates
  • Use corrosion-resistant materials (e.g., titanium, duplex stainless steel) for tubes in aggressive environments, and apply protective coatings or cathodic protection where feasible, while monitoring wall thickness with non-destructive testing

Compliance & Manufacturing Standards

Reference Standards
ISO 16812:2021 - Shell-and-tube heat exchangers ASME BPVC Section VIII Division 1 - Pressure vessel standards EN 13445-3:2021 - Unfired pressure vessels
Manufacturing Precision
  • Tube-to-tubesheet joint: 0.25mm maximum gap
  • Tube bundle alignment: ±1.5mm perpendicularity tolerance
Quality Inspection
  • Hydrostatic pressure test: 1.5 times design pressure
  • Eddy current testing of tubes for wall thickness and defects

Factories Producing Tubular Heat Exchanger

Verified manufacturers with capability to produce this product in China

Add your factory

✓ 93% Supplier Capability Match Found

T Technical Director from Germany Jan 14, 2026
★★★★★
"The technical documentation for this Tubular Heat Exchanger is very thorough, especially regarding technical reliability."
Technical Specifications Verified
P Project Engineer from Brazil Jan 11, 2026
★★★★☆
"Reliable performance in harsh Food Manufacturing environments. No issues with the Tubular Heat Exchanger so far. (Delivery took slightly longer than expected, but technical support was excellent.)"
Technical Specifications Verified
S Sourcing Manager from Canada Jan 08, 2026
★★★★★
"Testing the Tubular Heat Exchanger now; the technical reliability results are within 1% of the laboratory datasheet."
Technical Specifications Verified
Verification Protocol

“Feedback is collected from verified sourcing managers during RFQ (Request for Quote) and factory evaluation processes on CNFX. These reports represent historical performance data and technical audit summaries from our B2B manufacturing network.”

9 sourcing managers are analyzing this specification now. Last inquiry for Tubular Heat Exchanger from Vietnam (1h ago).

Supply Chain Compatible Machinery & Devices

Automated Food Packaging Integrity Tester

Automated system for non-destructive testing of food package seals and integrity.

Explore Specs →
Automated Food Moisture Analyzer

Automated system for precise moisture content measurement in food products

Explore Specs →
Automated Food Color Consistency Analyzer

Automated inline system for real-time color measurement and consistency control in food processing.

Explore Specs →
Control Panel

A centralized interface for monitoring and controlling industrial equipment and processes

Explore Specs →

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is stainless steel 316L preferred for tubular heat exchangers in food manufacturing?

Stainless steel 316L offers superior corrosion resistance, especially against chlorides and acidic food products, meets food safety standards, and provides easy cleaning for aseptic processing requirements.

What are the main components in a tubular heat exchanger BOM for food applications?

The bill of materials typically includes heat exchange tubes for fluid transfer, a shell casing to contain the system, and tube sheets to secure tubes and separate fluids, all designed for sanitary food processing.

How does a tubular heat exchanger maintain aseptic conditions in food processing?

The concentric tube design prevents cross-contamination between fluids, while the smooth stainless steel surfaces and sealed construction allow for effective sterilization and meet hygienic standards in food manufacturing.

Can I contact factories directly on CNFX?

CNFX is an open directory, not a transaction platform. Each factory profile provides direct contact information and production details to help you initiate direct inquiries with Chinese suppliers.

Data Specifications verified by CNFX Industrial Index (v2.6.03) for Food Manufacturing sector.

Get Quote for Tubular Heat Exchanger

Request technical pricing, lead times, or customized specifications for Tubular Heat Exchanger directly from verified manufacturing units.

Your business information is encrypted and only shared with verified Tubular Heat Exchanger suppliers.

Thank you! Your message has been sent. We'll respond within 1–3 business days.
Thank you! Your message has been sent. We'll respond within 1–3 business days.

Need to Manufacture Tubular Heat Exchanger?

Connect with verified factories specializing in this product category

Add Your Factory Contact Us
Previous Product
Thickness Control System
Next Product
Underflow Apex