Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company has launched a new generation heating technology – the Optimax Heat Exchanger.
The company said it used the tried and true, critical design criteria and made improvements to create the new heat exchanger.
Watlow’s new Optimax technology combines optimal fluid dynamics, efficient heat transfer, low pressure drop and a compact and reliable package to create a world-class system solution. The company’s EFD (enhanced fluid dynamic) technology provides advanced flow throughout the system without compromising the integrity of the fluid, heating elements and/or vessel. Fluid temperatures are further optimised through the use of OFT (optimised film temperature) technology in the heating elements.
These, coupled together, provide an accelerated heat transfer rate allowing the vessel to perform consistently at shorter lengths, or smaller shell diameters. In addition, the Optimax can be designed for backwards compatibility with existing designs.
Watlow highlighted that it validated these technologies through CFD/FEA modelling, as well as over 5,000 hours of laboratory testing.
It summed up its benefits and features as: improved heat transfer efficiency with Watlow EFD technology, reduced overall footprint up to 50 per cent, world-class pressure drop performance and ANSI compatibility or similar across three through 48 sizes.
The St Louis (US)-based company designs and manufactures industrial heaters, temperature sensors, controllers and supporting software as well as assemblies – all of the components of a thermal system. It partners with its customers to optimise thermal performance, decrease design time and improve efficiency of their products and applications.
EXPERTISE
Watlow brings its experience to numerous industries, including semiconductor processing, environmental chambers, energy processes, diesel emissions, medical and foodservice equipment.
Since 1922, it has grown in product capability, market experience and global reach. The company holds more than 450 patents and employs 2,000 employees working in nine manufacturing facilities and three technology centres in the US, Mexico, Europe and Asia. Watlow also has sales offices in 16 countries around the world.
