Silicon carbide for high-temperature heat exchangers

It is noted that ceramic heat exchangers are now being used industrially in low-pressure applications, such as recuperators and air preheaters, and that serious consideration is being given to using ceramic materials for high-pressure heat exchangers. The principal advantage of using ceramic heat exchangers in the candidate applications is the potential for higher temperature service or increased life over that obtainable with metallic exchangers. Silicon carbide-based materials are now in service in many areas. The use of low-pressure ceramic recuperators constructed of silicon carbide has demonstrated fuel savings exceeding 40% in high-temperature industrial furnaces. At a material temperature of 1375 C, the demonstrated lifetime of some silicon carbide tubes is 12 to 15 months. The availability of silicon carbide materials is discussed, together with properties required for designing reliable heat exchangers. Attention is also given to the usual failure mode encountered in the field.