When it comes to choosing the right heat exchanger for a particular situation, there is no substitute for professional advice, but you will have a better handle on the process if you have a basic understanding of the factors which need to be considered. These can be broadly divided into commercial considerations and technical considerations. Using the questions discussed below will provide you with a good starting point with which to begin a tender process or a basis on which to compare different proposals.
It may seem an odd question for an article about heat exchangers, but the first question you should ask is whether you need one in the first place. There is no doubt that heat exchangers can be relatively complex and expensive. While they are eminently preferable in many situations, particularly where a cooling or heating source is already available or is required for more than one process, they may be over-kill for simple situations where a straightforward heating element or simpler refrigeration system is sufficient.