Heat Recovery Innovations
Patented
MADE IN USA

Primary Surface
Heat Exchanger

Efficiency and versatility without the fin

Explore Our Innovative Heat Exchange Design

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Primary Surface Heat Exchanger

Reach target temperatures quicker than the competition

Heat Recovery Innovation’s Primary Surface Heat Exchanger doesn’t involve any secondary surfaces and doesn’t need them to provide stellar performance. This counter flow heat exchanger is designed from two metal sheets welded together to comprise one heat exchanging plate. Hot streams flow along the outer channel and cold streams flow along the inner channel with the direction of counter flow.

Stacking plates to create an entirely custom solution

Even with multiple plates stacked together to create a larger heat exchanger when needed, this design can still be compact enough to fit into smaller spaces. It is also lightweight, making installation easier and less expensive. Customers also achieve the higher effectiveness ratings you’re looking for.

Quick Specs

Design PressureDesign TemperatureApplications
Up to 200 psig | 14 bargUp to 1650ºF+ | 900ºC+Gas/Gas Heat Recovery
Gas/Liquid Heat Recovery
AdvantagesMarkets
  • High efficiency
  • Small footprint
  • Custom designed chevron patterns for flexibility
  • Excellent performance ratings
  • Lower cost at high volume while providing a custom solution for each application
  • Automotive
  • Fuel Cell
  • Power

Learn More

Design Pressure
Up to 200 psig | 14 barg
Design Temperature
Up to 1650ºF+ | 900ºC+
Applications
Gas/Gas heat recovery Gas/Liquid heat recovery
Advantages
  • High efficiency
  • Small footprint
  • Custom designed chevron patterns for flexibility
  • Excellent performance ratings
  • Lower cost at high volume while providing a custom solution for each application
Markets
  • Automotive
  • Fuel Cell
  • Power

Learn More

Applications

Select an Application to Learn More

Primary Surface Heat Exchanger

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Plate-Fin Heat Exchangers

IT’S TIME TO UPGRADE.

Talk with one of our team members to see how our innovation can take your company to the next level.

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PLATE-FIN HEAT EXCHANGER APPLICATIONS

Solid Oxide Fuel Cell

OverviewResults

Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) are electrochemical systems that produce electricity from oxidizing fuel at high temperature rather than combustion.

In contrast, common combustion-based generation is only able to achieve 30-40% fuel efficiency

SOFCs provide high power efficiency, fuel flexibility, very low emissions, and competitive costs

The HRI heat exchangers help the system achieve exceptional fuel efficiency (greater than 60%) by recycling process generated heat
Generation TypeElectrical Efficiency
Reciprocating Engine35-40%
Gas Turbine30-40%
Nuclear Power33-37%
Coal Fired Plant33%
Solid Oxide Fuel Cell60+%
Application
Custom, fully packaged heat exchange system for SOFC stationary power unit
RequirementsFuel Preheater Requirements
  • Connect straight to the SOFC stack ​
  • 20kW modules designed for stationary power generation​
  • Air to Air Design Requirements:
    • Hot Side Temperature: 1400ºF | 760ºC
    • Flow Rate: 516 lb/hr | 65 g/s
    • Operating Pressure: 14.9 psia | 1.02 bara
    • Pressure Drop: 0.3 psi | 2 kPa
    • Effectiveness: 91%
  • Hot Side Temperature: 1526ºF | 830ºC
  • Flow Rate: 27 lb/h | 3.4 g/s
  • Operating Pressure: 14.9 psia | 1.02 bara
  • Pressure Drop: 0.3 psi | 2kPa
  • Effectiveness: 88%
DeliverablesAdditional Scope
  • Air to Air and Fuel Preheaters

HRI designed and built two versions of the heat exchangers for 2nd and 3rd Generations

  • Fuel Reformer

HRI also fabricated Inconel 718 springs to tension the SOFC stack

Overview

Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) are electrochemical systems that produce electricity from oxidizing fuel at high temperature rather than combustion.

In contrast, common combustion-based generation is only able to achieve 30-40% fuel efficiency

SOFCs provide high power efficiency, fuel flexibility, very low emissions, and competitive costs

Results
The HRI heat exchangers help the system achieve exceptional fuel efficiency (greater than 60%) by recycling process generated heat
Generation TypeElectrical Efficiency
Reciprocating Engine35-40%
Gas Turbine30-40%
Nuclear Power33-37%
Coal Fired Plant33%
Solid Oxide Fuel Cell60+%
Application
Custom, fully packaged heat exchange system for SOFC stationary power unit
Requirements
  • Connect straight to the SOFC stack ​
  • 20kW modules designed for stationary power generation​
  • Air to Air Design Requirements:
    • Hot Side Temperature: 1400ºF | 760ºC
    • Flow Rate: 516 lb/hr | 65 g/s
    • Operating Pressure: 14.9 psia | 1.02 bara
    • Pressure Drop: 0.3 psi | 2 kPa
    • Effectiveness: 91%
Fuel Preheater Requirements
  • Hot Side Temperature: 1526ºF | 830ºC
  • Flow Rate: 27 lb/h | 3.4 g/s
  • Operating Pressure: 14.9 psia | 1.02 bara
  • Pressure Drop: 0.3 psi | 2kPa
  • Effectiveness: 88%
Deliverables
  • Air to air and fuel preheaters

HRI designed and built two versions of the heat exchangers for 2nd and 3rd Generations

Additional Scope
  • Fuel Reformer

HRI also fabricated Inconel 718 springs to tension the SOFC stack