Hastelloy-C Cross-flow Heat Exchangers
Hastelloy-C heat exchangers, built for corrosive fluids, high pressures, and high temperatures
We partner with petrochemical plants, refineries, and manufacturers using corrosive chemicals to handle heat exchanger maintenance, seasonal temperature changes, and complex heat transfer challenges.
Conducting maintenance or repairs on your heat exchangers often means giving up profits and operating hours. Petrochemical plants and refineries can see productivity reduced by up to 60%, and while a heat exchanger rental can help, corrosive chemicals and high temperatures require a specialty solution.
At Aggreko, we’re the only rental company with a fleet of Hastelloy-C Cross-Flow heat exchangers backed by deep expertise in the most demanding chemical contexts. We’ll help you:
- Get a temporary heat exchanger that’s resistant to corrosive chemicals and gases
- Reduce the risk of leaks with high-pressure performance
- Maximize uptime with reduced fouling
- Save time and money with less frequent cleaning and repair
- Stay energy efficient with low pressure drop and faster heat transfer
Crossflow heat exchanger applications
- Maintain business continuity through maintenance with a crossflow heat exchanger while your permanent heat exchanger is down. We’ll work with you to design and deliver a solution to keep you up and running so you can undertake maintenance with confidence and reduce your risk of unexpected failure later.
- Respond fast to heat exchanger emergencies with planning support and heat exchanger rental from Aggreko. Whether you’re dealing with high temperatures and pressures, working in a limited footprint, or handling corrosive chemicals, our Hastelloy-C Cross-Flow heat exchangers are powerful, robust, and available at a moment’s notice.
- Take an agile approach to seasonal temperatures with a temporary crossflow heat exchanger for particularly hot or cold periods. Simply introduce additional heat exchangers when you need them without committing to equipment you don’t always need.
- Improve and optimize your processes with insights from Aggreko Process Services (APS). Our senior process engineers are ready to design a turnkey solution around your challenges, then support you through Management of Change (MOC).
Solving temperature challenges across sectors
With our hands-on experience, we’ll lead you through finding, implementing, and using heat exchangers effectively.
Why choose cross-flow heat exchangers from Aggreko?
When refineries, petrochemical plants, and chemical processors need heat exchangers for the most demanding applications, they turn to us.
Exclusive equipment
We’re one of the only providers of high-performance cross-flow heat exchangers to rent.
Process engineering
Aggreko Process Services (APS) is your team of experts to resolve bottlenecks and boost efficiency.
Easier maintenance
From welded design and reduced fouling to easy access for inspections and cleaning.
Smaller footprint
Our crossflow heat exchangers offer powerful performance in a compact, easy-to-locate unit.
Robust cleaning
Our rental heat exchangers are cleaned, certified, and tested after every use.
The trusted partner
Working with Aggreko is working with an industry leader with 50+ years’ experience in 80+ countries.
Download our Hastelloy-C Cross-Flow heat exchanger brochure
See what makes cross-flow heat exchangers different and how we add value through our deep expertise in your applications – download your brochure now.
Frequently Asked Questions
A cross-flow heat exchanger is a type of heat exchanger where two fluid streams move perpendicular to each other. This design increases heat transfer efficiency by ensuring maximum thermal exchange while reducing pressure drop within the system. The cross-flow arrangement allows one fluid to pass through a series of narrow channels, while the second fluid flows across them at a 90-degree angle, enabling efficient heat dissipation or absorption.
Cross-flow heat exchangers are common in industries requiring high-performance heat transfer, particularly in environments dealing with high pressures, corrosive chemicals, or extreme temperatures. Compared to traditional shell and tube heat exchangers, cross-flow models offer a more compact footprint and lower maintenance needs, making them a preferred choice for space-constrained applications.
Heat exchangers come in different configurations, each designed for specific applications:
- Cross-flow heat exchangers
- Fluids flow at right angles to each other.
- Higher heat transfer efficiency due to greater surface contact.
- Compact design suitable for limited-space environments.
- Often made with materials like Hastelloy-C, allowing use in corrosive industrial processes.
- Shell and tube heat exchangers
- One fluid passes through tubes, while the other fluid flows around them within a shell.
- Designed for high flow rates and durability.
- Easier to clean due to removable tube bundles but require more space.
- Common in oil refining, chemical processing, and power generation.
- Plate and frame heat exchangers
- Use stacked metal plates to create alternating hot and cold fluid pathways.
- Offer very high efficiency due to the thin plates maximizing surface area.
- Require frequent gasket maintenance and are not ideal for high-pressure applications.
- Common in food and beverage processing and HVAC systems.
Cross-flow heat exchangers excel in applications where both efficiency and space-saving design are critical. They are often used in harsh industrial conditions where shell and tube heat exchangers may be too large or inefficient.
Cross-flow heat exchangers offer several key benefits, making them highly valuable for demanding industrial environments:
- High heat transfer efficiency – Their perpendicular flow pattern maximizes thermal energy exchange, allowing faster and more effective temperature control.
- Compact design – They have a smaller footprint than shell and tube exchangers, making them ideal for installations with limited space.
- Corrosion resistance – Many models, such as Hastelloy-C cross-flow heat exchangers, are specifically designed to withstand corrosive chemicals and extreme operating conditions.
- Low fouling rates – The design minimizes the buildup of contaminants, reducing maintenance frequency and improving system longevity.
- Adaptability – It’s possible to customize these exchangers to fit specific industrial needs, including high-viscosity fluid handling and high-temperature cooling applications.
Cross-flow heat exchangers are used in various industries where efficient and reliable heat transfer is essential. Key applications include:
- Petrochemical plants
- Used to cool high-temperature hydrocarbons and manage heat recovery in refining processes.
- Helps regulate reaction temperatures in chemical production, ensuring safe and efficient operations.
- Refineries
- Cross-flow exchangers are deployed in distillation columns, catalytic reforming, and crude oil processing.
- Their high-pressure resistance makes them ideal for refining processes that operate at extreme conditions.
- Chemical processing facilities
- Used in corrosive chemical applications, particularly in systems where traditional exchangers might fail due to material degradation.
- Hastelloy-C models are particularly suited for handling aggressive chemical reactions.
- Manufacturing
- Frequently installed in high-heat industrial processes, such as metalworking and automotive manufacturing, where efficient heat dissipation is necessary to prevent equipment overheating.
- Energy and power generation
- Used in turbine cooling, waste heat recovery, and steam condensation systems.
- Helps maximize energy efficiency in renewable energy plants, thermal power stations, and cogeneration facilities.
Cross-flow heat exchangers are engineered for efficiency, durability, and operational reliability, making them a smart choice for industries requiring robust thermal management solutions.