Difference betwwen heat exchanger and condenser.

[v8landy]

Is there a differnce between a heat exchanger and a condenser, when used in the appliaction of distilation in converting vapor back to liquid.

 

[ash9144]

Term condenser just refers to service as you note converting vapor to liquid. But it is in fact a heat exchanger.

Same with reboiler. It adds heat to process fluid to generate some portion of vapor.

 

[pennpiper]

"Is there a differnce between ..........."
The quick answer is , No!

What you have here is a matter of terminology.
A Heat Exchanger is a complex mechanical device that comes in a number of different designs and which performs many different functions.

The different Designs include:
- Shell & Tube
- Air Cooler (Fin Fan)
- Double Pipe (G-Fin)
- Plate & Frame
- Evaporative Cooling Tower

The different Functions include:
- Condenser (converting a gas phase to a liquid phase)
- Heater
- Vaporizer (converting a liquid phase to a gas phase)
- Cooler
- Chiller

Therefore your "Heat Exchanger is a Condenser." And your "Condenser is a Heat Exchanger."

 

[v8landy]

Thanks for clearing that up. I am just verifying some different word terms that are used in my new company/industry.

 

[rmw]

A condenser is a heat exchanger but a heat exchanger is not necessarily a condenser.

With a condenser there is a phase change and if there are non condensables present in the flow stream then there needs to be special provision made within the heat exchanger area of the condenser to be able to strip off the non condensables and remove them from the system.

If there are absolutely no non condensables, then use a plain Jane heat exchanger. If there are, use a condenser designed by someone who knows what they are doing.

rmw