EN10217-7 1.4301 Extruded Finned Tube with Al1060 Fins For Air Coolers in Refineries

EN10217-7 1.4301 Extruded Finned Tube with Al1060 Fins For Air Coolers in Refineries

An EN 10217-7 1.4301 Extruded Finned Tube with Al 1060 Fins is a high-performance, bimetallic tube designed for efficient heat transfer. It consists of a core pressure tube made of stainless steel (1.4301) with fins made of aluminum (Al 1060) that are mechanically bonded to the outside through an extrusion process.

It is a durable, corrosion-resistant, and highly efficient component used in heat exchangers for demanding applications.

Here are some detailed breakdowns:

1. Base Tube: EN 10217-7 1.4301 welded tubes

(1). Chemical Composition (Melting Analysis)

The composition is defined in standards such as EN 10088-3. The values below are the standard limits for grade 1.4301.

Note: This composition is the reason for the material's common names AISI 304 or SS304.

(2). Mechanical Properties (for finished tubes as per EN 10217-7)

The standard specifies minimum values based on the tube's specified room temperature tensile strength.

2. Fins: Extruded Finned Type

Extruded Process: This is a specific, high-quality method for attaching the fins.

• An aluminum sleeve (the future fin) is placed over the steel core tube.
• The assembly is pulled through a die.
• The pressure and force cause the aluminum to plastically deform and flow, forming the fins and creating a tight, mechanical bond with the steel core tube underneath.

Fins’ Material: Al 1060

Properties:

• Excellent Thermal Conductivity: Aluminum is one of the best common metals for conducting heat, which is the primary job of the fins.
• Good Corrosion Resistance: Forms a protective oxide layer, making it suitable for many outdoor and industrial atmospheres.
• Lightweight and Ductile.

Why it's used: It provides the optimal combination of high heat transfer efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and adequate corrosion resistance for the fin-side environment.

3. Key Advantages of This Specific Combination

• Bimetallic Efficiency: Leverages the pressure and corrosion resistance of stainless steel on the inside with the superior thermal conductivity and light weight of aluminum on the outside.
• Excellent Bond Integrity: The extrusion process creates a tight, permanent mechanical bond with no gaps, ensuring high heat transfer efficiency from the steel core to the aluminum fins.
• Corrosion Resistance: The 1.4301 core resists internal corrosion, while the Al 1060 fins resist atmospheric corrosion.
• Cost-Effective: Using aluminum for the fins (which make up most of the material volume) is significantly cheaper than using solid stainless steel.

Core Function

This tube is designed for use in Air Cooled Heat Exchangers (ACHEs) or "Fin-Fan Heaters." Its job is to reject heat from a process fluid flowing inside the tube to ambient air being forced over the external fins.

Primary Industry Applications

1. Power Generation

• Turbine Jacket Water Cooling: Cooling the closed-loop water that removes heat from a gas or diesel engine/generator.
• Lube Oil Cooling: Reducing the temperature of the oil used in turbine bearings and other critical machinery.
• Compressed Air Intercoolers & Aftercoolers: Cooling the air between stages of compression to improve efficiency and remove moisture.

2. Oil & Gas and Petrochemical

This is one of the largest application areas.

• Process Cooling: Cooling process streams (like gas, light hydrocarbons, or water) in refineries and chemical plants. The stainless steel interior handles various process fluids safely.
• Charge Air Coolers: Cooling the intake air for large compressor stations, increasing air density and engine efficiency.
• Closed-Loop Cooling: Serving as the heat rejection unit for a closed-loop cooling water system that serves multiple plant equipment.

3. Industrial Manufacturing

• Hydraulic Oil Cooling: In large industrial machinery (e.g., injection molding machines, metal stamping presses), these tubes cool the hydraulic oil to maintain system viscosity and performance.
• Heat Recovery: Capturing waste heat from industrial ovens, furnaces, or exhaust streams and transferring it to air, which can then be used for space heating or other processes.
• Gas Cooling: Cooling compressed air or other industrial gases before they enter the next process stage.

4. HVAC & Refrigeration

• Industrial Chiller Condensers: In large central chilling plants, the refrigerant condenses inside the tubes, rejecting its heat to the outside air via the aluminum fins.
• Heat Pump Coils: Acting as the condenser or evaporator in large-scale commercial heat pump systems.