Diffusion Bonded Microchannel Heat Exchangers

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 40 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

World’s Largest Vacuum Hot Press. Chamber is 120 in. x 120 in. x 72 in. Capable of applying loads to 4,800,000 lbs and temperatures to 1900C. Click to enlarge.

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.

Download World’s Largest Vacuum Hot Press Brochure