A comparison between the heat transfer media
Thermal Fluid, Hot Water and Steam all three heat
transfer media have advantages and all of them also do have
disadvantages. Fortunately the three systems do not have the same
disadvantages; therefore you will surely find the most suitable system to
fulfill your heat transfer needs. The following list is not complete, such a
list does not exist, but it may be a guidance for those who have to consider a
new installation.
Thermal Fluid, heat transfer media
Advantages
Transfers heat at high temperature and low pressure.
No danger of freezing when the plant stops in the wintertime.
Corrosion minimized.
The only possible heating medium for higher temperatures, for example, asphalts
cargos.
Low maintenance costs.
Simple operation starts and stops.
Disadvantages
Huge quantities of thermal oil to be pumped due to low heat transfer value.
Liquid flow heat control is complicated and expensive.
Risk of discoloring when heating vegetable oil.
Risk of high temperature corrosion when heating acids in chemical carriers.
The high temperature minimizes the heat recovery from the exhaust gas heat
recovering.
The thermal oil is expensive and it has to be replaced frequently.
The staff usually lacks skills to handle a tube leakage in a thermal heat oil
furnace.
Hot Water, heat transfer media
Advantages
Simpler plants at low temperature, e.g., lower than the water boiling point.
Closed system, continuous water treatment not required.
Disadvantages
Complicated and expensive pressure control when the temperature is higher than
the water boiling point.
Relatively large quantities of water to be pumped.
Liquid flow, heat control is complicated and expensive.
Steam, heat transfer media
Advantages
Transfers huge quantities of heat with comparatively small quantities of steam
and water.
Lesser expensive heat exchangers.
Steam flow and heat control are simple.
Use of steam atomized burner is possible.
Use of steam soot blowing is possible.
Steam can also be used for various cleaning purposes.
The steam can also be used to produce power.
Disadvantages
Requires continuous chemical treatment of the water.
Skilled operators required.
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