What are heat exchangers?

IPP offers used heat exchangers in stock, including shell-and-tube, plate, spiral, and scraped surface models for critical heating and cooling applications.

A guide to used industrial thermal transfer systems

With more than 47 years of experience and 15,000+ pieces of process equipment across 20 global plant sites, IPP offers immediate access to used heat exchangers in multiple configurations. These systems are critical to maintaining energy efficiency, temperature control, and process consistency in both batch and continuous operations.

Where heat exchangers are used

Used heat exchangers are essential in any process that requires heating, cooling, or temperature stabilization. They’re widely used in:

• Chemical reactions requiring heat input or removal
• Condensation and vapor recovery in distillation systems
• Clean-in-place (CIP) systems for sanitizing process lines
• HVAC and plant utilities for process climate control
• Food and beverage pasteurization and sterilization
• Petroleum refining and fuel processing

What materials do heat exchangers handle

These systems can safely transfer thermal energy across fluids, gases, and vapor-phase materials. Common examples include:

• Steam
• Chilled water or brine
• Glycol-based coolants
• Hot oils and thermal fluids
• Organic solvents and high-purity liquids

Whether the goal is to recover energy, protect equipment, or maintain reaction parameters, heat exchangers enable precise thermal management across systems.

Types and construction of industrial heat exchangers

IPP’s inventory includes:

• Shell-and-tube exchangers: Ideal for high-pressure and high-temperature duties
• Plate heat exchangers: Compact, efficient, and easy to clean
• Spiral and scraped surface designs: For viscous or fouling-prone materials
• Double-pipe systems: Used in utility-scale or small-batch applications

Exchangers are available in stainless steel, carbon steel, specialty alloys, and glass-lined steel to meet process-specific needs.

IPP customers choose used heat exchangers for fast availability, energy savings, and application flexibility:

• Thermal efficiency: Supports heating, cooling, and recovery processes
• Broad compatibility: Used in pharma, food, chemical, and refining
• Durable construction: Available in carbon, stainless, and alloy steel
• Fast delivery: Skip fabrication delays with ready-to-ship options
• Application support: Specs, flow diagrams, and port configurations available

Explore used heat exchangers now.

Contact IPP for help sourcing the right exchanger for your thermal duties, space constraints, and process compatibility.

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Frequently asked questions – heat exchangers

What’s the difference between a shell-and-tube and a plate heat exchanger?

Shell-and-tube models handle higher pressures and temperatures; plate exchangers are more compact and efficient for low-viscosity liquids.

Do used heat exchangers include specs or drawings?

Yes. IPP provides mechanical data, flow rates, port configurations, and pressure ratings when available.

Can I find corrosion-resistant or sanitary-grade exchangers?

Absolutely. We stock stainless steel and alloy units for corrosive and sanitary applications.

View more FAQs

Used heat exchangers from IPP offer cost-effective thermal control and energy savings across chemical, food, biotech, and utility-scale systems.