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heat exchanger

heat exchanger

2 4.1
A machine that moves heat between two liquids or gases without mixing them
  • noun
  • /hiːt ɪkˈsʧeɪndʒər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : intercambiador de calor
  • The design of the heat exchanger uses a series of tubes to effectively transfer heat between the two fluids.
  • shell heat exchanger
  • heat exchanger tubes
  • micro heat exchanger

Examples

  • Good thermal contact between the sample and the heat exchanger ensures that the sample is maintained at the set temperature.

    Academic text (1996)
  • The company is also taking advantage of advances in the design of electronic controls, heat exchangers, and valve actuators.

    Academic text (1994)
  • The higher density offers the opportunity to reduce heat exchanger size and weight.

    Academic text (1998)
  • Upon completion of these activities, the planned work to replace the heat exchanger was able to proceed immediately.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Now heat exchangers can take different geometrical forms.

  • A tubular or flat metal plate can be used as the heat exchanger.

    Academic text (1998)
  • And this heat exchanger is a stack of steel plates with some ridges on them.

  • A sludge-to-sludge heat exchanger was installed in May 1997 to recover heat from the thermophilic biosolids.

    Academic text (1998)
  • Typical applications include unit and space heater applications, heat exchangers, reboilers, air heating coils, main steam drips, and process equipment.

    Academic text (1998)
  • All Exergy shell-and-tube heat exchangers feature 316L seamless stainless steel tube construction with nickel-chromium vacuum-brazed joints.

    Academic text (1998)

Synonyms

radiator
vsheat exchanger
41 3.0

A metal part of a car that cools the engine by sending hot liquid through thin tubes to the air

is broader, moving heat between two fluids without them mixing
intercooler
vsheat exchanger
  • Specialized
2 7.2

A device that cools compressed air from an engine so it works better

is the general device for transferring heat between two fluids without mixing
aftercooler
vsheat exchanger
  • Specialized
8.2

A device that cools compressed air in an engine or compressor

is the general device for transferring heat between two fluids without mixing

How Cold

aftercooler
  • Specialized
8.2
intercooler
  • Specialized
2 7.2
cooler
  • US
14 2.0
heat exchanger
  • Specialized
2 4.1

Surface Forms

Morphology

heat + exchanger

The compound is fully compositional: 'heat' (thermal energy) combined with 'exchanger' (a device that exchanges) yields a device that exchanges/transfers heat. This formation is a straightforward, cross-linguistically common technical composition, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the meaning.

Etymology

Heat exchanger paints a simple picture: two streams of liquid or air flow close to each other with a thin metal wall between them, so warmth moves through the wall but the flows do not mix. So the name joins heat (the warmth that moves) and exchanger (the part that swaps it), and it means 'a device that transfers heat from one liquid or gas to another without the fluids mixing'.