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How to Make Double Pipe Heat Exchangers

A double pipe heat exchanger, also called a tubular exchanger, has a smaller diameter pipe secured inside of a larger diameter pipe. Building a double pipe heat exchanger is pretty simple with the right tools and parts. The key element is to secure the inner pipe inside the outer pipe. As two different fluids flow through the exchanger, their flow rates could be too high. If the exchanger is not built properly, the vibration will be excessive and the exchanger could fail.

Things You'll Need

6-inch diameter pipe with two flanged tee connections on each end
2-inch diameter pipe with one oversized flanged end (6 inch) and one threaded end.
Flange bolts and gaskets
Threaded oversize flange (6 inch)
Wrench

Instructions

- 1
  Insert the 2-inch diameter pipe into the 6-inch diameter pipe. The threaded end of the 2-inch pipe should enter first. Ensure the entire smaller pipe is all the way through the larger annulus.
- 2
  Insert the gaskets between the flanges. Bolt the smaller pipe flange to the larger pipe flange using the wrench and flange bolts.
- 3
  Connect the threaded flange to the end of the 2-inch pipe. The threads should allow for the flange to mate up with the larger pipe flange. Insert the gaskets between the flanges and bolt the smaller pipe flange to the larger pipe flange using the wrench and flange bolts. The inner pipe should now be separated and sealed from the larger pipe.

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