Finned Tube Thermal Oil Heat Exchanger

The Finned Tube Thermal Oil Heat Exchanger is a robust and energy-efficient solution designed for heating or cooling thermal oil (heat transfer oil) in high-temperature industrial applications. By combining extended fin surfaces with optimized tube layouts, this type of heat exchanger delivers superior heat transfer performance while maintaining compact size and low operating costs.

Thermal oil systems are widely used where high temperatures are required without high pressure. Finned tube heat exchangers maximize heat dissipation or recovery, making them ideal for continuous and heavy-duty industrial operations.

What Is a Finned Tube Thermal Oil Heat Exchanger?

A finned tube thermal oil heat exchanger uses metal fins bonded or welded to tubes to significantly increase the heat transfer area on the air or gas side. Thermal oil flows inside the tubes, while air or process gas passes over the finned surface, allowing efficient heat exchange even at high operating temperatures.

This design is especially effective in applications where:

• Thermal oil temperatures exceed 150–350°C

• Air or gas has low heat transfer coefficients

• Compact equipment and high efficiency are required

Key Features & Advantages

• High Heat Transfer Efficiency
  Extended fin surfaces greatly increase effective heat exchange area.

• Suitable for High Temperatures
  Designed for thermal oil systems operating at elevated temperatures without phase change.

• Energy Saving Design
  Improves heat recovery and reduces fuel or energy consumption.

• Compact & Modular Structure
  Requires less installation space compared with conventional shell-and-tube exchangers.

• Flexible Materials & Fin Types
  Available with aluminum fins, carbon steel fins, stainless steel tubes, or customized combinations.

• Low Maintenance
  Dry operation with simple cleaning and long service life.

Typical Applications

• Thermal oil heating systems

• Industrial ovens and dryers

• Chemical and petrochemical plants

• Wood, plywood, and panel board industries

• Asphalt and bitumen heating systems

• Waste heat recovery systems

• Textile, food, and rubber processing plants

Case Study: Thermal Oil Air Heater for Plywood Drying Line

Project Background
A plywood manufacturing plant required a reliable heat exchanger to supply hot air for a continuous veneer drying line. The system used thermal oil as the heat source, operating at high temperatures with strict energy efficiency requirements.

Solution Provided
A customized finned tube thermal oil heat exchanger was designed and supplied, optimized for air heating with high airflow volume.

Key Parameters

• Heat Medium: Thermal oil

• Application: Hot air generation for plywood drying

• Operating Mode: Continuous 24/7 operation

• Design Type: Air-to-oil finned tube heat exchanger

Results & Benefits

• Stable hot air temperature across the drying line

• Improved drying uniformity and product quality

• Reduced fuel consumption by utilizing efficient heat transfer

• Compact installation and easy integration with existing system

• Reliable long-term operation with minimal maintenance

The customer achieved higher production efficiency and lower operating costs, validating the effectiveness of the finned tube thermal oil heat exchanger solution.

Custom Design & OEM Manufacturing

Finned tube thermal oil heat exchangers can be fully customized according to:

• Thermal oil temperature and flow rate

• Air or gas temperature and volume

• Installation space limitations

• Corrosion and environmental conditions

OEM manufacturing is available to meet project-specific drawings, standards, and performance requirements.