BEKA Capillary Tube Mats as Heat Exchangers

The highly efficient heat transfer makes the technology interesting for a wide range of applications: ice storage, geothermal energy, greenhouse temperature control, etc.

Due to the large number of adjacent capillary tubes with a small outer diameter, the capillary tube mats offer a significantly larger heat exchange surface than other tube heat exchanger designs. This increases the efficiency of the heat exchanger. The heat transfer can take place even with small temperature differences between the media.

 

Robust, flexible polypropylene

Polypropylene as a material for capillary mats is very resistant, durable and flexible. This is why BEKA capillary tube mats have proven themselves as heat exchangers even under difficult operating conditions. The combination of robustness, flexibility and heat exchange capacity make capillary tube mats attractive also for unusual applications.

In the following we therefore present some special applications from BEKA production. These products demonstrate the variety of possible applications of capillary tube technology as well as the know-how of our production. Send us new application ideas! In sample productions, we can show the possibilities of heat transfer with capillary mats.

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sp.ICE – highly efficient ice thermal storage with capillary tube mats

sp.ICE is a high-performance ice thermal storage system which, with its compact dimensions and very short charging cycles, represents a high-end product when used as a full-load storage system. The BEKA ice energy storage is therefore particularly economical to operate in applications intended to cover peak loads in the cooling demand of offices or industrial plants at times during the day when the electricity rates are at their maximum.

The compact design reduces the costs for transporting and commissioning an sp.ICE ice storage system by around 30% compared to competitor products.

Thermal ice storage - Technical data and projects

Ice energy storage - inserting the capillary tube mats into the container

Utilising geothermal energy with capillary tube mats

Heat pumps require drive energy, which is usually electricity, and a heat source. Heat pumps, which use the geothermal heat that is always available, work particularly economically.

The robust and durable P series capillary tube mats have been successfully used for many years as compact absorbers in brine-water heat pump geothermal systems. In comparison to conventional ground collectors, the heat in the ground can be used to operate the heat pump on a relatively small outdoor area.

Provided that ground conditions are suitable, compact absorbers are inserted in the soil at a depth of about 1.5 m. BEKA supplies this technology to fit the heat pump products from various well-known manufacturers.

Utilisation of geothermal energy with capillary tube mats as heat exchanger

Energy-saving temperature control for greenhouses

BEKA capillary mats are also used in greenhouses for direct temperature control of seedlings and young plants. The growth of the plants can be controlled and optimised. But also the wintering of plants under glass is possible with little heating energy.

[Translate to English:] Kapillarmatten als Wärmetauscher im Gewächshaus

Wellness lounger - temperature-controlled sitting and lying comfort

The capillary tubes with their small diameters can be installed close to the surface. Thanks to the large number of tubes, the sitting or lying areas are thermally activated evenly. The direct heat effect on the body is not only pleasant, but also works very quickly. In addition, the wellness loungers with capillary mats as heat exchangers save heating energy.

The high flexibility of the capillary tubes allows the surfaces to be shaped almost freely. Bends and bulges on the surface are possible and can also be thermally activated.

[Translate to English:] Wellnessliege mit Kapillarmatten