Hexonic: Optimal heat exchange technology directly determines the efficiency, reliability and energy consumption

From the 11^th to the 14^th of June, the nZEB Expo took place in Bucharest – an event dedicated to energy efficient construction. Hexonic participated – an established designer and producer of heat exchange technologies from Poland, whose solutions find application across the world, including in building and industrial HVAC installations. The company’s team displayed its portfolio to interested specialists during the event in Romania. And how heat exchangers contribute to sustainability in the construction sector, Hexonic elaborated.

After more than 65,500 people visited the previous nZEB Expo, this year the organizers focused on offering a much wider multidiscipline program, including 50 key experts in the discussion segment and over 170 companies participated from different aspects of the construction industry. "NZEB Expo accelerates the transition to energy-efficient construction by connecting the public with industry professionals, companies and solutions. The event provides an environment where participants can understand how products work in practice, compare options and make informed decisions for their projects," the organizers commented.

This is why Hexonic’s presence at the forum was a natural part of the company’s mission to offer heat exchange technologies to businesses and society in general, which improve the energy efficiency of heating systems, cooling, and the production of potable hot water. "Heat exchangers are essential components of modern HVAC systems. Whether it is a central heating distribution station, a heat pump installation, a cooling installation or a renewable energy system, the performance of the heat exchanger directly influences the efficiency, reliability and energy consumption of the entire system," Hexonic explained. "With this context, the selection of the optimal model and size is a vital part of the process. There are several key factors for selecting a heat exchanger suitable for the specific application: optimal thermal capacity; acceptable pressure drop; maximum operating pressures and temperatures; compatibility with system fluids; degree of contamination and maintenance access," the specialists further commented.

Here are the most typical applications of heat exchangers in HVAC systems:

Subscription stations for central heating: Heat exchangers thermally separate the central heating network from the building installation, providing hydraulic insulation and enabling efficient heat transfer. Plate heat exchangers with high thermal efficiency are usually preferred.

Heat pumps: Heat pumps use heat exchangers in two critical roles: an evaporator that syphons heat from the source—air, ground, or water—and as a condenser delivering heat to the distribution system or the hot water tank;

"Brazed plate heat exchangers are the dominant choice. The Hexonic AS series is particularly suitable for cases where the flow rates on the refrigerant side and the water side are significantly different - the asymmetric plate geometry of this model provides up to 18% higher efficiency under these conditions," Hexonic added.

Chiller installations and cooling systems: Heat exchangers act as evaporators and condensers, with brazed plate models being used for the refrigerant, with larger gasketed models being common for the water circuit.

Dry cooler: This solution involves shell and tube heat exchangers using ambient air as the cooling medium. Hexonic dry coolers are designed for outdoor installation with axial fan grilles and are sized according to the specific climatic conditions of the installation site.

Domestic hot water: Indirect heating of domestic hot water (DHW) via a plate heat exchanger is the standard approach in residential applications, except for the smallest systems. A compact brazed plate heat exchanger connected to the boiler or heat pump heats cold tap water on demand, eliminating the need for a hot water tank in some configurations.

"In the modern HVAC industry, decarbonization, prioritization of renewable energy sources, and energy efficiency are leading criteria in the selection of technological solutions. And heat exchange technologies and their adequacy for the specific application contribute to a very high degree to better results," Hexonic concluded.

Photo source: Hexonic