Bare Tube Heat Exchangers
Bare tube heat exchangers are the ideal solution when the process air contains particulates, oils, fibers, or contaminants that could clog finned surfaces, or when operating temperatures are particularly high.
They are also used in applications with heavy air-side condensation, where fins are technically impractical.
Thanks to their simple configuration, excellent cleanability, and versatility of available materials, bare tube exchangers are used across numerous industrial sectors: air-to-air heat recovery, dirty flue gas processes, high-temperature systems, and special applications.
Key Features
Maximum dimensions
Available tube diameters: 3/8” to 2”
Tube spacing: 25–150 mm
Rows configurable in-line or staggered, depending on required thermal profile
Fully customizable lengths and heat transfer surfaces
Materials
Tubes
Copper
Carbon steel
Stainless steel (304/316)
CuNi (on request)
Special materials for high-temperature or corrosive environments
Frames and Headers
Cylindrical, welded domes, or inspection-capable
Thickness suitable for high-temperature or high-pressure conditions
Surface treatments available on request
Available geometries
In-line rows for low pressure drop
Staggered rows to increase heat transfer coefficient
Variable spacing based on cleanability requirements or process type
Specific configurations for high temperatures or heavy air-side condensation
Options and accessories
Anti-corrosion treatments
Custom frames for installation in confined spaces
Versions with inspection-capable headers to facilitate maintenance
Configurations for air-to-air processes, flue gases, or specific industrial applications
Guaranteed performance
DBM bare tube heat exchangers are designed to ensure maximum efficiency and durability in high-severity applications:
Ideal for dirty air, fibers, oils, or particulates that make finned surfaces impractical
Resistant to high operating temperatures, thanks to selected materials and thicknesses
Dedicated solutions for processes with heavy air-side condensation
Mechanical design compliant with major international codes: ASME VIII Div.1/Div.2, EN 13445, AD 2000, VSR, or other client-specified standards
Proven reliability in demanding or high-temperature industrial applications
Heat exchangers for industrial applications
Selection software
DBM proprietary software allows precise selection of bare tube heat exchangers, optimizing geometry, layout, and materials:
Advanced thermal calculations based on dedicated correlations
Automatic selection of tube spacing, number of rows, and diameters
Available as standalone or DLL version for integration into OEM software
Continuous updates based on DBM laboratory experimental tests
Want to learn more or have a specific project?
Our technical office will assist you in configuring the bare tube heat exchanger best suited to your application.