VPE manufactures custom Diffusion Bonded Microchannel Heat Exchangers (MCHEs), also know as Printed Circuit Heat Exchangers (PCHEs), for a diverse range of industries. Perfected over four decades, our proven diffusion bonding process ensures parent material strength throughout the core of the heat exchanger. This allows us to produce compact heat exchangers ideally suited for extreme pressure and temperature service applications.
Advantages of VPE Microchannel Heat Exchangers
Features & Benefits
- Diffusion bonded to create a solid heat exchanger core without gaskets
- Highly compact construction for productive use of small spaces relative to other configurations
- Savings through low weight and fluid inventory
- Close approach temperatures in counter flow configuration
- High efficiency heat exchange using the characteristics of microchannels and designs developed for diffusion bonded manufacturing
- Corrosion-resistant alloys for compatibility with a wide range of process streams
- Multi-stream capability in a single device

Engineering & Manufacturing Capabilities
VPE provides the metallurgical services, engineering, and contract manufacturing expertise our customers require to meet their demanding performance, cost, and lead-time goals. We work closely with OEMs, suppliers, and technology integrators to create the most efficient and effective compact heat exchangers. Depending on your objectives, we can develop a unit to your exact specifications or design a custom system that achieves your desired performance requirements.
Advantages to Working with VPE
Additional benefits to working with VPE include:
- Over 45 years of diffusion bonding experience
- Design and manufacturing with engineering assistance
- Tested and proven manufacturing processes
- Redundant and burst capacity facility for fast turn and reliable sourcing
- State-of-the-art technical facilities
- Large-assembly diffusion bonding experience and facility
- Developed supply chain
- 150,000 sq. ft. of lab, quality assurance and production space
Quality Assurance Certifications & Registrations
VPE is committed to meeting customer quality and on-time delivery expectations through practicing continuous improvement, and by operation of an effective Quality Management System compliant to ASME.
- ASME U & UM Stamps
- ITAR registered
- Numerous Supplier-Specific Certifications
VPE can manufacture “U” or “UM” stamped heat exchangers that meet requirements of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code.
VPE diffusion bonded microchannel heat exchangers are excluded from VPE’s AS9100 Scope of Registration.
Solutions for Challenging Environments

A Wide Range of Industries
Applications for VPE’s Diffusion Bonded Microchannel Heat Exchangers (MCHEs) include:
- Renewable Power: Solar, Geothermal, Wind (generator cooling)
- Brayton Cycle utilizing supercritical CO2
- Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC)
- Chemical Production: Ethylene, Nitric Acid, Methanol, Propylene
- Synthetic Fuels and Biodiesel
- Gas Generation: Hydrogen and PSA Nitrogen
- Combined Heat and Power (CHP)
- Onshore and Offshore Oil and Gas
- Pharmaceutical
- Waste Heat Recuperation
- Cryogenic temperatures
Specific Applications
- LNG Recovery
- LNG Superheaters
- LNG Chillers and Pre-Coolers
- LNG Liquification
- LNG Regasifier
- Floating LNG Exchangers
- Fuel Gas Performance Heaters
- Fuel Gas Preheaters
- Fuel Gas Superheaters
- Fuel Cell Chillers or Pre-Coolers
- Gas Compressor Coolers
- Compressor Discharge Coolers
- Micro Gas Turbine Recuperators
- Turbine Regenerators
- Regasification
- Steam Generators
- Kettle Reboilers
- Waste Heat Recovery Unit (WHRU)
- Feed Water Heaters
- Air Pre-Heaters
- Inlet Coolers and Chillers
- Compressor Intercoolers
- Compressor Aftercoolers
- Hydrogen Chillers and Pre-Coolers
- CO2 Chillers and Coolers
- Rotary Air Coolers
- Lube Oil Coolers
- Quench Coolers
- After Chillers and Aftercoolers
- Dew Point Control
- Recuperators
- Regenerators
- Economizers
- Condensers
- Supercritical CO2 Recuperators
- Extraction Applications
The World’s Largest Vacuum Hot Press Furnace
VPE currently owns the world’s largest vacuum hot press furnace, which is perfectly suited for brazing, bonding, and hot pressing. The usable chamber area is 60 inches wide, 120 inches long, and 120 inches tall. This immense furnace is rates for temperatures in excess of 1900° Celsius in vacuum and partial pressure atmospheres. Two independent 1200 ton rams allow for loads to 4.8 million pounds, while ten high accuracy load cells allow precision force and precision control on the production elements.
Resources
MCHE Brochures
Korean MCHE Brochures
