There are several means of extending the operational life of a heat exchanger.  The relative cost and usability of any of these means is dependent upon the operating environment of the heat exchanger.

The external part, the internal part or both parts of the heat exchanger may require protection, based on the heat exchanger's application.  To accomplish this, IHT offers several means of providing protection:

• Protective Material

• Protective Coatings

• Protective Paints

• Combinations of Options

PROTECTIVE MATERIAL: Using higher-grade materials, such as stainless steel, provides for additional protection.  However, such materials usually require a larger heat transfer surface due to the, generally poor thermal performance of the materials.  Yet, the materials are not normally subject to the type of wear and tear that coatings and paint can experience.  The choice of protective materials versus coatings and paints is at the discretion of the customer.

PROTECTIVE COATINGS: Coatings, such as a baked phenolic coating, can provide suitable protection at a reasonable cost while saving on the overall size of the heat exchanger.  Although these types of coatings will not satisfy all applications and environments, they are applicable to a wide range of uses.  In most cases, the protective coatings are used on the external portion of the heat exchanger.

PROTECTIVE PAINTS: some paints, such as epoxy, can be used on several of the heat exchanger components, most notably, the water boxes (headers), the tubesheets and other steel components.  Paints are not used on the tubes and the fins.  The paints, depending on the choice, can offer significant chemical and corrosion protection.

HOT DIP GALVANIZING: Galvanizing is an industrial coating that can provide long term corrosion protection of steel and similar metals.   It is mainly used on the water boxes (headers) and the tubesheets.  This zinc coating is applicable in some cases where protective paints may not provide the desired protection.

COMBINATION OF OPTIONS: In many cases, where consideration is given to overall first cost, the type of problem involved and the long term benefits, it may be advantageous to consider the use of a combination of protection options.

Other protection options can be considered.  However, as with any application, the type of protection and the final decision is at the discretion of the customer.