In a heat exchanger, how much better will copper tubing work than pvc?
*PVC comes under insulating material. *In a heat exchanger, we have to exchange the heat w.r.t. different temperature,pressures,velocities and fluids. Pvc will not survive. So, there is no question of using PVC in a heat exchangers. Read following: Copper has a thermal conductivity value of 390 W / mK. PVC is only 0.16 W / mK.
MUCH better. You're looking to exchange heat, so you need the best thermal conducting material possible. Copper has a thermal conductivity value of 390 W / mK. PVC is only 0.16 W / mK. Follow the link for more details and an explanation of the thermal conductivity units.
The PVC will contaminate eventually so you can't compare the two... I never heard that copper was related to illnesses as PVC is. And copper of course will endure much longer! And so much safer for the environment in general!
Copper will work many times better than PVC. PVC will melt at elevated temps. So durability is a consideration also the copper will last much longer.
Copper, having a large conductivity factor will, by far, be better than PVC which has little conductivity value.
