What is a heat exchanger?

Heat exchangers are pieces of equipment that are designed to transfer heat from one fluid to another fluid. This exchange can be designed to either provide cooling or heating. One common example of a heat exchanger is a radiator in an automobile. In the case of an automobile radiator, hot engine coolant is passed through the radiator fins where it is cooled by air flowing over the fins.

There are a variety of applications for heat exchangers in industrial settings. Some common situations might involve cooling water or oil that is itself used to cool equipment and provide refrigeration for other devices or facilities.