Serpentine Coil Technology
Serpentine Coil Technology: How Our Innovative Coil Design Sets Our Thermal Fluid Heaters Apart
When it comes to industrial hot oil heaters, there are a number of providers in the industrial heating equipment industry to choose from. Many of them carry a variety of heating products appropriate for use in a variety of industries.
With so many options, it can be hard to know which company and product to choose. Shopping out the possibilities and determining which heating product or system is most appropriate for your business can be a daunting task.
Here at American Heating Company, we’d like to make that process a little bit easier for you by highlighting exactly what sets our thermal fluid heaters apart from the rest.
Heating Coils & Serpentine Coil Thermal Fluid Heaters
Most industrial heating equipment manufacturers solely produce thermal fluid heaters that feature helical heating coils. While we do produce helical coil thermal fluid heaters for clients in need of this specific type of equipment, the majority of thermal fluid heaters we produce feature serpentine coil technology. In fact, our standard thermal fluid heaters are designed and equipped with the more efficient, durable serpentine coil technology.
While helical coil heaters feature helically wound coils, our serpentine coil heaters feature serpentine radiant coil bundles. The difference between the two coil types can be seen in the cross-section images below.
Section A in both diagrams shows the radiant section of each heater. While heat is transferred by direct radiation only on the inside surface of the helical coil tubes, heat is transferred to the front, sides and back of the serpentine coil. As a result, the serpentine coil design allows for more even heat distribution, less oil degradation, longer tube life and higher operating oil temperature.
Section B in both diagrams shows the convection section of both types of heaters. While convection occurs only on the outside surface of the helically wound coils, it is transferred to a much larger surface area in the heater that features the serpentine coil design. This makes the serpentine coil heater significantly more efficient.
These, and other, factors set serpentine coil thermal fluid heaters apart from typical hot oil heaters and enable them to provide a number of benefits.
Benefits of Serpentine Coil Heater Design
Hot oil heaters that feature serpentine coils offer a number of advantages over conventional hot oil heaters, including:
Higher Efficiency
Serpentine coil heaters are 10 to 15% more efficient that hot oil heaters that feature helical coils.
Low Level of Fluid Degradation
Heating fluid lasts longer when utilized with a serpentine coil heater.
Higher Operating Temperatures
Typical hot oil heaters offer limited operation at fluid temperatures over 400°F, but serpentine coil hot oil heaters can operate efficiently at temperatures up to 650°F.
Long Tube Life
Tube failures are common in hot oil heaters featuring helical coils. Serpentine coils typically last two to three times longer than standard helical coils. As a result, it’s not uncommon for serpentine coil heaters to last 30 years!
Easy Maintenance
AHC serpentine coil thermal fluid heaters require minimal maintenance. When they do require maintenance, the serpentine coil can be removed and a tube can be repaired or replaced, typically in less than one day. For more information about what sets our thermal fluid heaters apart from the competition, check out our page detailing the key features and benefits of thermal fluid heaters from American Heating Company or download our informational brochure!
Our Serpentine Coil Heating Technology Can Benefit Your Business
Finding the right heating equipment for your business can be a challenge. At American Heating Company, we are proud to offer products that are built to last, requiring minimal service and maintenance so you can keep your facility up and running.
If you are in the market for an industrial hot oil heater, be sure to keep us in mind. We are the only industrial heater company in our industry featuring serpentine radiant coils in our standard thermal fluid heater design. If you are looking for an efficient, cost-effective hot oil heater for your facility, our serpentine coil thermal fluid heater may be the answer.
Interested in Learning More About Serpentine Heating Coils?
Looking for additional information about serpentine coil thermal fluid heaters and their benefits? These two articles are a great place to start:
Mechanical Reasons to Choose a Serpentine Coil Heater Over a Helical Coil Heater – Learn about the design and structural aspects of serpentine coil thermal fluid heaters that set them apart from helical coil heaters and help to make them the more efficient choice.
Thermal Fluid Heater Repairs: Helical Coil Heaters vs. Serpentine Coil Heaters – Read about common thermal fluid heater repairs and how the process for repairing serpentine coil heaters differs from the repair process for helical coil heaters.
Why Your Helical Coil Heater is Less Efficient – Get the details on exactly why helical coil thermal fluid heaters leave facilities at a disadvantage when compared to serpentine coil heaters.
