Graphite Heat
Exchangers

Our graphite heat exchanger offer an excellent (price)competitive solution with very high and constant quality. The dimensions comply with the specified standards for each particular diameter and pressure class and are therefore easily for replacement of graphite heat exchangers from competitors. Furthermore, the versatile design makes these units ideal for a wide range of services: cooler, heater, condenser, reboiler, falling film absorber and evaporators.

Graphite Block Heat Exchangers (Graphec® RB and SB)

The graphite block heat exchangers are of great ease of maintenance and operation in corrosive environments with temperatures and pressures up to 430 °C and 20 barg. Due to the compact and versatile shape the block heat exchangers are mainly used as condensers or heaters in pickling lines.

There are two models of such a kind of unit:

Graphec® RB (cylindrical blocks)

Graphec® SB (prismatic blocks)

The blocks are available in materials:

Graphec® iSP (fine-grained, max 200 °C)

Graphec® ILP (ultra-fine grit, max 220 °C)

Graphec xLP (with special impregnation, up to 430 °C).

Technical Specifications

Graphite Shell & Tube Heat Exchangers (Graphec® ST)

Shell & tubes, block type and plates heat exchangers can be made of graphite, exotic metals or silicon carbide. We make available a wide range of competences related to heat transfer to identify the best possible solution. Construction material selection, geometry identification, set up of the useful accessories, optimal thermal sizing, safe mechanical calculation, advanced manufacturing system and a full set of international certifications: every step of heat exchangers production is carried out to minimize the total cost of ownership for our customers. Graphec®: heat transfer among corrosive fluids.

Graphec® ST are composed by graphite tube bundle fitted in a metallic cylindrical shell. Graphite S&T heat exchangers ensure complete and safe segregation between service side and process side, due to lack of gaskets or welding between tubesheets and tubes, which are joined by thermal cementing. The tubesheets are the most critical components of the heat exchangers since they are continuously under stress during operations. The bundle is a unique monolithic piece, resistant to thermal shock, fully cleanable and easy to run.

Technical Specifications

Maintenance and Operation

Fully cleanable, so they can be used in very dirty applications, like phosphoric acid. Header can be disconnected to have direct access to the bundle and perform easy and quick repair. Replacement of tubes can be done in short time,

Product Benefits

Corrosion
Resistance

Graphite is highly resistant to many acids, such as hydrochloric acid (HCl), sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, and chlorine-containing media, where steel would rapidly corrode.

High Thermal
Conductivity

Graphite has thermal conductivity comparable to some metals and much higher than many specialty alloys used for corrosion resistance (e.g., Hastelloy, titanium). This allows efficient heat transfer despite the material’s non-metallic nature.

Cost Efficiency in
Corrosive Duty

For highly corrosive applications, graphite systems are often much cheaper than exotic alloys (like titanium or nickel-based alloys), offering similar corrosion performance at lower material cost.

Good Thermal Shock
Resistance

Graphite can tolerate rapid temperature changes without cracking because of its low thermal expansion.

Non-metallic Material
Benefits

Graphite is not subject to galvanic corrosion. It is chemically inert to many substances. It is suitable for ultra-pure applications where metal contamination is unacceptable.

Lower Maintenance
Requirements

Because of high corrosion resistance, graphite heat exchangers typically have long service life and lower maintenance costs in corrosive service.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Graphite heat exchangers are heat exchange devices made from engineered (synthetic) graphite instead of metal. They are designed for processes where high corrosion resistance, good thermal conductivity, and chemical inertness are required—especially in industries handling strong acids.
Choosing graphite heat exchangers over traditional steel (carbon steel or stainless steel) heat exchangers is mainly about performance in corrosive chemical environments.

Graphite heat exchangers and silicon carbide (SiC) heat exchangers are both used in corrosive chemical environments, but they differ significantly in material properties, performance, durability, and cost.

FeatureGraphiteSilicon Carbide (SiC)
Corrosion resistanceExcellent (non-oxidizing acids)Excellent (including oxidizing acids)
Oxidizer toleranceLowVery high
Thermal conductivityHigherHigh
Mechanical strengthLowVery high
Pressure capabilityLowHigh
Temperature capabilityModerateVery high
CostLowerHigher
Typical useHCl, phosphoric acidHNO₃, hot H₂SO₄, high-purity processes
Scroll to Top