Sterile Heat Exchangers HEX

Sterile heat-exchangers are shell and tube heat exchangers designed for the pharma industry.
Since pharma applications often require high engineering standards these heat-exchangers can be supplied with some special features:

Product characteristics

The Fluitec HEX heat exchangers are designed for each individual process according to client specifications, industrial standards and regulations. This means that the heat exchangers are capable of meeting the demands of the desired process. Sterile Heat Exchangers have some additional features compared to standard industrial heat exchangers. Most of these special characteristics are mentioned here below.

Double Tube Plate

To avoid the mixing of the shell fluid (HTM) with the tube fluid (pharma product) even when there is an internal leakage,  the HTM fluid will always leak to the outside. This ensures no product contamination and rapid detection of the leakage.

Design without dead drain spots

To avoid product contamination it is very important to be able to fully drain the Heat-Exchanger after use.
Also after CIP/SIP phases the flushing fluids should be removed completly. The HEX is therefore designed in such a way that it can be drained without any dead spots. This ensures full cleanability.

Full documentation compliance

The HEX can be delivered with all relevant design and fabrication cetrificates.
These documents are forinstance:

• O-rings with FDA certificate
• Full welding certificates
• Material certificates
• PED/ASME design calaculations
• Etc..

Material selection

Material selection is very important to ensure a Sterile design.
For the HEX design we normally use 1.4435 on the product side.
For the non-product side usually 1.4404/1.4571 is used as construction material is used.
Use of special other materials can always be discussed to meet the required design specifications

Insulation with stainless steel casing

To ensure optimal heat transfer and reduce engergy dissipation the heat exchanger is properly isolated.
As per standard we use a mineral wool layer, with a stainless steel jacket, either welded or rivoted.

Single tube pass technology

The HEX heat-exchanger has a special patented single pass design technology. This ensures high product velocities even for low flow applications. The created turbulent flow enhances the self-cleanability of the heat-exchanger. This design improves the heat transfer and reduces the chance of fouling.

Smooth Surface

Sterile process often require smooth surface treatment to prevent fouling.
Standard applications often require a RA of 0,8.
For more demanding processes the surfaces can be improved to a RA value of 0,4.

Electropolishing

After manufacturing the HEX Heat-Exchanger is electropolished. This gives the HEX a nice finishing look which matches the sterile process environment it is used in.