Serpentine Coil Thermal Fluid Heaters
Most industrial hot oil heaters on the market rely on helical heating coils. While we offer those too, Enerquip’s standard thermal fluid heaters come equipped with serpentine coil technology—a smarter, more efficient choice for high-performance industrial heating. See the difference below.
Serpentine Coil Heat Exchange
Serpentine coils use a zig-zag tube layout, providing more even heat distribution.
In the radiant section of the heater (A), heat is transferred to the front, sides and back of the serpentine coil. This allows for better heat transfer, less coil degradation, longer tube life, and higher operating oil temperatures.
In the convection section (B) of our serpentine coil, heat is transferred to a much larger surface area in our integrated economizer. This reduces stack temperature and makes the serpentine coil hot oil heater 10–15% more efficient.
Curious what that efficiency gain looks like in dollars? Try our Thermal Fluid Heater ROI Calculator to estimate your savings.
Helical Coil Heat Exchange
Helical coils are wound in a spiral shape and heated primarily from one direction.
In the radiant section of the heater (A), heat is transferred by direct radiation only on the inside surface of the helical coil.
Convection (B) only occurs as the vapors pass over the outside surface of the helically wound coils, before leaving the stack at a much higher temperature.
Although less efficient, this design is more compact and economical.
Standard Serpentine Design
Enerquip’s serpentine coil thermal fluid and hot oil heaters come standard with the following features:
- High-efficiency serpentine coil radiant section
- High-efficiency gas-fired burner with burner management system (BMS)
- Finned convection (economizer) section – adds 10% efficiency!
- 1,000-gallon expansion tank, with an optional nitrogen blanketing system
- Recirculation pump
- NEMA 4 control panel with integrated safety features and alarms, plus optional app connectivity for remote diagnostics
- Pre-piped and pre-wired fuel train for natural gas and/or alternate fuels
- Sizes ranging from 1.3 MM BTU/Hr. to 40 MM BTU/Hr. Need something larger? Let’s talk.
Benefits of Enerquip's Serpentine Design
See why Enerquip’s serpentine coil design is a smarter, longer-lasting choice:
- Higher Efficiency: Up to 15% more efficient. On a 2MM Btu/hr system, that could mean up to $270,000 in annual fuel savings—often paying for the equipment in just 1–2 years. See how much you could save with your system using our Economizer ROI Calculator.
- Reduced Fluid Degradation: Thermal fluid lasts longer, reducing replacement frequency and cost.
- Higher Operating Temperatures: Handle fluid temps up to 650°F, compared to 400°F with many helical systems.
- Extended Tube Life: Serpentine coils typically last 2–3 times longer than standard helical coils—some lasting 30+ years.
- Easier Maintenance: For the rare times when maintenance is required, the serpentine coil can often be removed, repaired, or replaced in under a day.
Learn more about how serpentine coil heater repairs differ from helical coil heater repairs.
Ready to Learn More?
Have application-specific questions? Call us at (833) 516-6888 or contact us online to learn more about Enerquip’s serpentine coil heaters and other industrial thermal solutions.
Want pricing for your facility? Request a quote today. Estimate your potential savings today with our Economizer ROI Calculator.
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