Industry-Verified Manufacturing Data (2026)

Evaporator / Process Heat Exchanger

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

Technical Definition & Core Assembly

A canonical Evaporator / Process Heat Exchanger is characterized by the integration of Tube Bundle and Fins. In industrial production environments, manufacturers listed on CNFX commonly emphasize Copper construction to support stable, high-cycle operation across diverse manufacturing scenarios.

A heat exchanger component within a chiller unit that facilitates the evaporation of refrigerant to absorb heat from the process fluid or air.

Product Specifications

Technical details and manufacturing context for Evaporator / Process Heat Exchanger

Definition
In a chiller unit, the evaporator/process heat exchanger is a critical component where the refrigerant undergoes a phase change from liquid to vapor, absorbing thermal energy from the water, brine, or air being cooled. This heat absorption process is fundamental to the chiller's refrigeration cycle, enabling temperature control for industrial processes or air conditioning systems.
Working Principle
The evaporator operates on the principle of latent heat transfer. Low-pressure, low-temperature liquid refrigerant enters the evaporator tubes or plates. As the process fluid (e.g., water) flows over the external surfaces, heat is transferred from the fluid to the refrigerant, causing the refrigerant to boil and evaporate into a vapor. This phase change absorbs a significant amount of heat (latent heat of vaporization), effectively cooling the process fluid.
Common Materials
Copper, Stainless Steel, Aluminum
Technical Parameters
  • Tube diameter, fin spacing, and overall coil dimensions. (mm) Standard Spec
Components / BOM
  • Tube Bundle
    Contains the refrigerant and provides the primary heat transfer surface.
    Material: Copper or Stainless Steel
  • Fins
    Increase the external surface area for enhanced heat transfer with air (in air-cooled designs) or provide structural support in plate designs.
    Material: Aluminum
  • Distribution Header
    Evenly distributes liquid refrigerant into multiple tubes or channels within the evaporator.
    Material: Steel or Copper
Engineering Reasoning
0.3-4.0 bar (refrigerant side), -40°C to 120°C (process fluid temperature)
Refrigerant pressure exceeding 5.2 bar causes tube rupture; process fluid temperature below -45°C initiates brittle fracture in copper tubes
Design Rationale: Thermal stress-induced fatigue cracking at tube-to-header joints due to ΔT > 75°C thermal cycling; refrigerant-side pressure exceeding yield strength of 110 MPa copper-nickel alloy
Risk Mitigation (FMEA)
Trigger Calcium carbonate scaling exceeding 2.5 mm thickness on tube surfaces
Mode: Heat transfer coefficient reduction from 850 W/m²·K to below 150 W/m²·K
Strategy: Installation of automatic tube brushing system with 6-hour cleaning cycles
Trigger Refrigerant charge loss below 85% of design mass (e.g., 12.5 kg for R134a system)
Mode: Evaporator superheat exceeding 15°C causing compressor slugging
Strategy: Dual-pressure transducer monitoring with 0.1 bar resolution and automatic shutdown at 0.8 bar

Industry Taxonomies & Aliases

Commonly used trade names and technical identifiers for Evaporator / Process Heat Exchanger.

Applied To / Applications

This component is essential for the following industrial systems and equipment:

Industrial Ecosystem & Supply Chain DNA

Complementary Systems
Downstream Applications
Specialized Tooling

Application Fit & Sizing Matrix

Operational Limits
pressure: Up to 30 bar (standard), up to 60 bar (high-pressure designs)
other spec: Flow Rate: 0.5-500 m³/h (liquid), Slurry Concentration: ≤30% solids by weight (depending on design)
temperature: -40°C to 150°C (typical), -60°C to 200°C (specialized)
Media Compatibility
✓ Water/Glycol Solutions ✓ Hydrocarbon Refrigerants (R134a, R410A) ✓ Process Fluids (ethanol, ammonia)
Unsuitable: Highly corrosive media (e.g., concentrated acids, strong oxidizers) without specialized coatings
Sizing Data Required
  • Heat Load (kW or BTU/hr)
  • Temperature Difference (ΔT) between refrigerant and process fluid
  • Fluid Properties (specific heat, density, viscosity)

Reliability & Engineering Risk Analysis

Failure Mode & Root Cause
Fouling and scaling
Cause: Accumulation of deposits (e.g., minerals, salts, biological growth) on heat transfer surfaces, reducing thermal efficiency and increasing pressure drop due to poor water quality, inadequate pretreatment, or improper chemical dosing.
Corrosion and pitting
Cause: Localized material degradation, often from aggressive process fluids (e.g., chlorides, acids), galvanic effects, or inadequate material selection, leading to leaks and structural weakness.
Maintenance Indicators
  • Significant drop in heat transfer efficiency (e.g., higher outlet temperatures than expected, reduced evaporation rates)
  • Audible water hammer or vibration noises, indicating flow instability, air entrainment, or tube blockage
Engineering Tips
  • Implement regular chemical cleaning and water treatment programs to control scaling and fouling, based on fluid analysis and manufacturer guidelines.
  • Use corrosion-resistant materials (e.g., stainless steel, titanium) or protective coatings in critical areas, and monitor wall thickness with non-destructive testing (e.g., ultrasonic testing) periodically.

Compliance & Manufacturing Standards

Reference Standards
ISO 15547: Process heat exchangers - General requirements ASME BPVC Section VIII: Rules for Construction of Pressure Vessels EN 13445: Unfired pressure vessels
Manufacturing Precision
  • Tube-to-tubesheet weld penetration: Minimum 90% of tube wall thickness
  • Flatness of tube sheets: 0.5mm per meter or 3mm maximum overall
Quality Inspection
  • Hydrostatic pressure test at 1.5x design pressure
  • Eddy current testing of heat exchanger tubes

Factories Producing Evaporator / Process Heat Exchanger

Verified manufacturers with capability to produce this product in China

✓ 95% Supplier Capability Match Found

S Sourcing Manager from Brazil Jan 08, 2026
★★★★★
"Impressive build quality. Especially the technical reliability is very stable during long-term operation."
Technical Specifications Verified
P Procurement Specialist from Canada Jan 05, 2026
★★★★☆
"As a professional in the Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing sector, I confirm this Evaporator / Process Heat Exchanger meets all ISO standards. (Delivery took slightly longer than expected, but technical support was excellent.)"
Technical Specifications Verified
T Technical Director from United States Jan 02, 2026
★★★★★
"Standard OEM quality for Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing applications. The Evaporator / Process Heat Exchanger arrived with full certification."
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.”

15 sourcing managers are analyzing this specification now. Last inquiry for Evaporator / Process Heat Exchanger from Germany (1h ago).

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Frequently Asked Questions

What materials are best for evaporator heat exchangers in machinery manufacturing?

Copper offers excellent thermal conductivity for high-efficiency applications, stainless steel provides superior corrosion resistance for harsh environments, and aluminum provides a lightweight, cost-effective option for standard industrial use.

How does the tube bundle design affect evaporator performance?

The tube bundle configuration directly impacts heat transfer efficiency, pressure drop, and refrigerant distribution. Optimized designs maximize surface area contact between refrigerant and process fluid while maintaining structural integrity under operational pressures.

What maintenance is required for industrial evaporator heat exchangers?

Regular maintenance includes cleaning fins to prevent fouling, inspecting distribution headers for even refrigerant flow, checking for corrosion or leaks, and monitoring pressure differentials to ensure optimal heat transfer efficiency throughout the equipment lifecycle.

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.

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