4. Cryogenic exchangers

This equipment represents only a small part of the investment compared with compressors and drive systems. What's more, the unit's overall performance is highly dependent on the performance of these exchangers. The smaller the temperature difference between hot and cold fluids, especially in the coldest zones, the greater the efficiency of the process. This is why we look for high-efficiency exchangers not only in terms of their UA (value of the product of the heat exchange coefficient and the exchange surface area), but also in terms of their ability to distribute all circulating fluids uniformly, especially those in a two-phase state, so as not to lose efficiency through poor distribution.

For reasons of mechanical strength, the metals or alloys used are exclusively those that retain their resilience when cold, mainly aluminum alloys (see