Case Study #15: Strip Pickling
Initial situation
Strip pickling is commonly used in the electroplating of wire or thin metal strips. In this continuous process, metal materials are pulled over rollers and sprayed with reactive chemicals. Excess solution flows into a shallow collection basin beneath the belts, where precise temperature control of the chemical is critical to process performance.
Challenge
To reduce chemical usage and improve efficiency, collection basins are designed with a low profile—typically around 0.5 meters (20 inches) high. Electric heaters are not ideal due to fire safety concerns. While there is space for plastic heat exchangers, they must be compact, effective at low heights, and easily removable for periodic cleaning. Each installation may require a custom solution based on existing tank geometry.
Solution
Calorplast provided a horizontal immersion-type plastic heat exchanger specifically designed for shallow bath applications. These exchangers use heating water or chilled water to maintain optimal chemical temperatures. Each unit is custom-engineered to fit the customer’s tank dimensions and process requirements, ensuring reliable thermal control and easy maintenance.
Result
Customers replaced traditional electric immersion heaters with low-profile Calorplast plastic heat exchangers, reducing fire risk and improving operational safety. These systems also helped lower insurance premiums while offering an easy-to-clean and maintain solution tailored to each installation.
