»
Heat Transfer Enhancement
And for existing applications:
• Is the exchanger short of duty, throughput or outlet temperature because of tube-side limitations?
• Is there allowable pressure drop available, or can it be recovered with minor alternation such as by changing pass arrangement?
• Are plant operators looking for energy saving and increasing throughput targets with short payback times?
In both new and existing equipment, hiTRAN is a tool for enhancing the tube side heat transfer coefficient by alerting the internal flow regime. It can be used in shell-and-tube exchangers, U-tubes and air coolers; in heating, cooling, condensing, boiling and evaporating duties; and in both compact new designs and smart retrofits where the goal is to get more from the exchanger.
Help to evaluate and apply hiTRAN To benefit from the hiTRAN technology, download the free CALGAVIN. SP software from the CALGAVIN Portal. Built on over 45 years of engineering, research and application data, the software is a practical design tool that integrates seamlessly with HTRI Xchanger Suite and Aspen EDR, or runs as a standalone tool, helping engineers quickly identify the optimum level of enhancement
Figure 2. Retrofit hiTRAN in an Ethylene Vaporizer. Image courtesy of CALGAVIN Ltd.
achievable with hiTRAN inserts in both new and existing heat exchangers. The Portal also gives access to a wealth of supporting material, including videos, webinars, technical papers and case studies covering thermal engineering and our ongoing research such as“ Comparison of Twisted Tapes and hiTRAN”,“ Quick and Easy Retrofits for Energy Savings”, and“ Improved Economics & Plant Operability by Enhancing Heat Exchanger Performance”. If you would like to find out more, please visit the CALGAVIN website www. calgavin. com / resource-portal.
About the authors
Nathan Hill joined CALGAVIN in 2016 after earning a master’ s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Manchester. Prior to this, he gained experience as a process engineer with 3M Health Care and Alstom. At CALGAVIN, he worked as a Thermal Process Engineer evaluating heat exchangers for hiTRAN Thermal Systems and Twisted Tape inserts, and providing technical guidance on tube-side enhancement and the hiTRAN. SP software. He has recently been promoted to Lead Technical Sales Engineer.
Matthew Keen joined CALGAVIN as a Sales Engineer in 2024. He holds a degree in Chemical Engineering and has a strong background in process optimisation and technical leadership. His previous roles as a Process Improvement Engineer and Technical Manager have equipped him to deliver customer-focused solutions. Matthew also brings valuable insight into market opportunities and business development.
Lou Curcio has over 30 years of experience in design, troubleshooting and repair of all types of heat exchangers. Leader of technology development projects and advisor for ExxonMobil’ s global manufacturing teams. Coinventor of two U. S. patents and co-author of papers on enhanced heat transfer and fouling of heat exchange.
Himanshu Joshi retired from Shell in 2021 after 34 combined years with ExxonMobil and Shell, during which he specialized in heat exchangers and fouling. He was part of a team that was granted a patent related to fouling deposit analysis at ExxonMobil, and led applied fouling R & D projects at both companies. He has made several presentations about the field aspects of fouling and fouling mitigation, and deployed many mitigation technologies in the field. He can be reached by email at alph. hmj @ gmail. com.
www. heat-exchanger-world. com Heat Exchanger World October 2026
19