Brazed stainless steel capillary heat exchangers

Brazed stainless steel capillary heat exchangers represent an advanced design in compact thermal management, using thin stainless steel tubes or channels joined via brazing for efficient heat transfer in tight spaces. These devices leverage capillary action within narrow passages to enhance fluid flow and heat exchange, making them ideal for high-pressure, high-temperature applications. They outperform traditional exchangers in size and efficiency due to their all-stainless construction, which resists corrosion better than copper-brazed alternatives.                                                                                    

Design Features

Stainless steel plates or capillaries, typically AISI 316, form corrugated channels brazed together with nickel or iron-based fillers in a vacuum furnace. This creates a robust, leak-proof structure where fluids flow countercurrently through alternating narrow paths, promoting turbulence for optimal heat transfer. Capillary forces control brazing material flow, ensuring uniform joints even in complex geometries without filling functional channels.                                                                       

Applications

These exchangers excel in refrigeration as evaporators, condensers, and sub-coolers, handling aggressive media like biogas or oils. They suit HVAC, industrial processes, and renewable energy systems, offering high efficiency in compact footprints. All-stainless variants prevent copper leaching in corrosive environments.