Serpentine Heat Exchangers

  • SERPENTINE COILS

    Optimal solution for compact condenser/evaporator applications

    Microchannel heat exchanger

SMALLEST HEAT EXCHANGERS FOR REFRIGERATION AND COOLING

Serpentine heat exchangers are among the most compact and minimal-volume microchannel coils available, featuring an innovative design without manifolds. This arrangement makes them ideal for space-saving and lightweight cooling applications where size and efficiency are critical.

The reduced internal volume of these coils is especially advantageous for systems using flammable or toxic refrigerants such as propane, ammonia, and other environmentally friendly alternatives. By minimizing refrigerant charge requirements, these heat exchangers help meet stringent safety and environmental regulations, ensuring compliance with modern standards.

1
2
3
Serpentine microchannel coil

SERPENTINE CONDENSER / EVAPORATOR DESIGN

A serpentine heat exchanger is a highly efficient solution, typically composed of a single microchannel tube (per circuit) bent into a serpentine shape, fin strips, and inlet/outlet connection pipes. All components are integrally brazed in a controlled atmosphere brazing (CAB) furnace.

  1. Microchannel tube bent into a serpentine shape
  2. Flat or louvered fins
  3. Inlet/outlet connections

Features and Advantages

Serpentine coils are the smallest and most versatile heat exchangers in the industry, designed for use in refrigerant condensers, evaporators in compressorized and pumped-loop refrigerant systems, and non-condensing cooling applications. These compact and efficient microchannel heat exchangers are engineered to deliver maximum heat transfer, exceptional reliability, and easy integration into various systems.

  • Selection of aluminum alloys, including long-life alloys
  • Refrigerant compatibility: HFCs/HFOs, natural gases
  • Single- or multiple-circuit designs
  • Designs with multiple coil cores
  • Selection of flat or louvered fins
  • Connections made from copper or aluminum
  • Mountings made to order
  • Anti-corrosion coatings

Applications

Serpentine heat exchangers are ideal for compact heat rejection solutions, serving as condenser or evaporator coils in both stationary and mobile systems. By utilizing serpentine microchannel heat exchangers, thermodynamically efficient yet flammable refrigerants can be safely extended to more applications, thanks to the reduced internal volume of the coil and lower refrigerant charge. Common applications include:

  • Electronics cooling
  • Medical applications
  • Laser cooling
  • Military systems
  • Rack-mounted cooling solutions
  • Portable cooling units
  • Beverage and ice-making applications
  • Fractional horsepower equipment

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

Min/Max width [mm]

FROM 50 TO 500

Min/Max height [mm]

FROM 50 TO 400

Design

SINGLE-/MULTI-CIRCUIT

Tube width [mm]

12.0 • 16.0 • 20.0 • 25.4 • 28.0 • 32.0 • 36.0

Tube spacing [mm]

7.8 • 9.3 • 9.4 • 9.8 • 10.0

Fin type

FLAT • LOUVERED

Fin pitch [FPI]

10.0 • 12.7 • 16.5 • 17.0 • 18.0 • 19.5 • 21.0 • 23.0 • 24.0 • BY REQUEST

Tube material(s)

AA3102 • HA9153A • AA3F03 • AA3F05 (TEMPER H112) ZINC ARC SPRAY

Fin material(s)

AA4343 • AA3003 • FA7971 (TEMPER H14)

Design pressure [bar]

32 • 45

Refrigerant

HFC • HFO • NATURAL

Protective coating

E-COATING • TCP-COATING • NANO-COATING • UV-PROTECTION

Special coating

HYDROPHILIC • HYDROPHOBIC • PAINT

RELATED PUBLICATIONS

Serpentine condenser

Serpentine condensers gain retail cooling market

Serpentine condensers - headerless, all-aluminum microchannel coils with the smallest internal volume available - are gaining momentum in retail cooling applications.
3F05 aluminum alloy tubes

Microchannel heat exchangers for refrigeration systems running on R32 and other flammable refrigerants

Transition to low-GWP refrigerants, many of which are flammable or toxic, is ongoing. Heat transfer with microchannel coils significantly extends the spectrum of cooling applications and the size of refrigeration systems.
Serpentine heat exchanger

Strong demand for compact microchannel coils triggered production capacity expansion at Kaltra

Kaltra has expanded production capacity for top-demanded compact, low-volume serpentine microchannel heat exchangers.
Microchannel heat exchanger for ammonia

Microchannel heat exchangers for ammonia refrigeration

Ammonia, a natural, environmentally-safe refrigerant, gains a second wind by incorporating low-charge microchannel heat exchangers into R717 refrigeration systems.
Microchannel coil

Microchannel coils: your best choice for propane applications

As a refrigerant, propane (R290) becomes hugely popular in many applications. Low charge and high heat transfer make microchannel coils perfectly suited for propane systems.
Serpentine coil

Serpentine coils for compact cooling systems

Microchannel serpentine coils for condenser and evaporator use: low-charge, compatible with HFC/HFO and natural refrigerants, suitable for any applications
Serpentine coil

Serpentine heat exchangers for small cooling applications

Kaltra offers the latest heat transfer technology based on serpentine coils for small and portable cooling applications.