What Are The Common Applications of Glycol-gas Heat Exchangers?

What are the common applications of glycol-gas heat exchangers?

HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air - Conditioning) Systems

Air Pre - heating: In cold climates, glycol - gas heat exchangers are used to pre - heat the incoming air. A glycol solution is heated by a boiler or a heat pump. The warm glycol then passes through the heat exchanger, where it transfers heat to the cold air being drawn into the HVAC system. This pre - heated air can then be distributed throughout a building, reducing the energy required to raise the air temperature to a comfortable level.

Air Pre - cooling: In hot and humid climates, the process can be reversed. The glycol is cooled, usually by a chiller or a cooling tower. As the warm, humid air passes through the heat exchanger, the cold glycol absorbs heat from the air, reducing its temperature and humidity. This helps in improving the indoor air quality and comfort.

Industrial Drying Processes

Drying of Solids: In industries such as food processing, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals, glycol - gas heat exchangers are used to provide the heat needed for drying processes. For example, in a food - drying facility, a hot gas (such as air) is heated by a glycol - based heating system in a heat exchanger. The hot air is then used to dry food products like fruits, vegetables, or grains. The glycol acts as an intermediate heat transfer medium, allowing for more controlled and efficient heating of the drying air.

Natural Gas Processing

Gas Dehydration: Glycol - gas heat exchangers play a role in natural gas dehydration processes. Triethylene glycol (TEG) is commonly used to absorb water from natural gas. The glycol is heated in a heat exchanger to release the absorbed water vapor. The gas - side of the heat exchanger is used to provide the heat source for this regeneration process. This helps in maintaining the quality of natural gas by reducing its water content, which is crucial for preventing corrosion and ice formation in pipelines and downstream equipment.

Power Generation

Gas Turbine Inlet Air Cooling/Heating: In power plants with gas turbines, the performance of the turbine is affected by the temperature of the inlet air. Glycol - gas heat exchangers can be used to either cool the inlet air during hot weather (to increase the power output and efficiency of the turbine) or heat the inlet air during cold weather (to prevent ice formation and ensure proper combustion). The glycol - based cooling or heating system provides a more stable and efficient means of temperature control compared to other methods.

Chemical and Petrochemical Industries

Process Heat Recovery: Many chemical and petrochemical processes involve both gas - and liquid - phase reactions. Glycol - gas heat exchangers are used to recover waste heat from gas streams and transfer it to a glycol loop. The heated glycol can then be used to provide heat for other endothermic processes in the plant, such as distillation columns, reactors, or heat - sensitive chemical reactions. This helps in improving the overall energy efficiency of the plant and reducing operating costs.