Stainless steel shell and tube heat exchanger engineered for corrosive and oxidizing process fluids in chemical, pharmaceutical and food applications. SS304 / SS316L construction with configurable tube count and pass arrangement.
Stainless Steel Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger
Our stainless steel shell and tube heat exchangers are built for corrosive and oxidizing process fluids that fall outside the service range of plastic (PP/PPH) units. Constructed from SS304 or SS316L, they handle acid and alkali cooling, heating and condensation duties in chemical, pharmaceutical, food and specialty manufacturing plants.
Where Stainless Steel Fits
Polypropylene (PP/PPH) shell and tube exchangers are limited to moderate-temperature, non- or weakly-oxidizing media at moderate temperature. Silicon carbide units are specified for the most aggressive, high-temperature services. Stainless steel shell and tube exchangers cover the broad middle ground: oxidizing media such as nitric and chromic acid, and duties above the temperature ceiling of PP/PPH construction.
Key Features
- SS304 / SS316L wetted surfaces for corrosion and oxidation resistance
- Removable tube bundle on U-tube and floating-head designs for inspection and mechanical cleaning
- Counter-current or co-current shell-and-tube arrangement
- Configurable tube count, length and pass arrangement per duty
- Design practice aligned with recognized pressure-equipment codes
Typical Applications
- Dilute sulfuric acid (low concentration — confirm concentration and temperature with engineering)
- Heating and tempering of alkaline solutions
- Condensation of vapors in recovery and distillation service
- Sanitary duty in food and pharmaceutical utilities (CIP-compatible surface finish)
Construction & Materials
Shell, tubes and heads are fabricated from austenitic stainless steel. Tube sheets, gaskets and internals are selected against the specific fluid.
Selection Parameters
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Heat transfer area | [ Customizable] |
| Design pressure | [ Customizable ] |
| Design temperature | [ Customizable ] |
| Tube material | SS304 / SS316L [ Customizable ] |
| Shell material | SS304 / SS316L [ Customizable ] |
| Arrangement | Fixed / U-tube / floating head [ Customizable ] |
FAQ
When should I choose stainless steel over PP/PPH?
Choose stainless steel when the fluid is oxidizing (e.g. nitric acid), when service temperature exceeds the PP/PPH limit, or when a sanitary, cleanable surface is required.
When is silicon carbide a better choice?
For the most aggressive media and highest temperatures — strong hot acids, fluorochemicals — silicon carbide offers broader chemical resistance than stainless steel.
Request a Quotation
Share your fluid, temperature, pressure and duty, and our engineering team will size a stainless steel shell and tube exchanger to match.
