Sesino Water Oil Shell and Tube Heat Exchangers

Sesino shell-and-tube water-oil heat exchangers are designed for the reliable cooling of hydraulic oils and lubricating oils using industrial or mains water.

These oil-water heat exchangers are the ideal solution for industrial plants and heavy-duty applications requiring high heat exchange capacity, service continuity, and long life.

What are oil-water heat exchangers, how do they work, and where are they used?

Shell-and-tube water-oil heat exchangers are exchangers in which hot oil is cooled by water flowing in a separate circuit through a bundle of small-diameter smooth tubes.
The hot oil generally circulates in the exchanger’s shell, striking the tube bundle from the outside.
The cooling water flows inside the tubes in one or more passages (1, 2, or 4 passages depending on the configuration), ensuring a large exchange surface area and thermal coefficient.
The shell-and-tube configuration offers a good compromise between thermal efficiency, pressure drop, and mechanical robustness, making these oil-water heat exchangers suitable for continuous use and harsh thermomechanical conditions.

Sesino oil-water heat exchangers are used in:

industrial hydraulic systems;
plastic and rubber presses;
machine tools and processing machines;
speed reducers and transmission units;
compressors and hydraulic power plants;
marine and oil & gas applications, even with seawater or corrosive fluids in dedicated versions.

Advantages of shell-and-tube oil-water heat exchangers

Choosing shell-and-tube oil-water heat exchangers from the Sesino WATER-OIL range offers several competitive advantages.

High Cooling Efficiency
Water has a significantly higher heat capacity and exchange coefficient than air, allowing for significant cooling power in a small space and the ability to handle high thermal loads with a compact footprint.

Stable Oil Temperature Control
Water-oil heat exchangers maintain oil temperatures within ideal ranges (typically 45–55°C for hydraulic oils), improving efficiency, reliability, and the service life of pumps, valves, and components.

Sturdy and Long-lasting
Sesino tube bundles use materials such as steel, brass, copper, CuNi, or stainless steel, designed to withstand significant static pressures and for continuous operation in industrial and marine systems.

Inspection and Maintenance
The versions with removable tube bundles allow for inspection on both the water and oil sides, facilitating internal cleaning and use even with imperfectly filtered fluids.

This is a significant advantage in the presence of hard water, dirty fluids, or applications with residues.

Flexibility of materials and configurations
The ability to choose specific materials (copper for fresh water, CuNi for sea water, stainless steel for corrosive fluids/gases) and various construction types (non-inspectable, inspectable on the water side, removable bundle) makes Sesino water-oil tube bundles adaptable to a variety of contexts.

WATER-OIL Range: Sesino Tube Bundles

Compact, non-inspectable water-oil tube bundle heat exchangers

for standard industrial water applications.

Water-oil heat exchangers with inspection on the water side,

with removable plates, ideal when it is necessary to clean or inspect the water circuit (e.g., hard or poorly filtered water).

Water-oil heat exchangers with removable tube bundle,

Completely removable and inspectable on both the oil and water sides, suitable for unfiltered liquids, seawater, corrosive fluids, or gases.

Typical Applications for WATER-OIL Water-Oil Heat Exchangers

Sesino shell-and-tube water-oil heat exchangers are designed for cooling hydraulic and lubricating oils in numerous applications:

Industrial hydraulic systems: hydraulic power units, presses, handling systems, lifting systems.
Plastic and rubber presses: cooling hydraulic circuits and gearboxes in applications with continuous service and severe thermal cycles.
Machine tools and process machinery: lathes, machining centers, production lines, where thermal stability of the oil is essential for precision and reliability.
Gearboxes and transmissions: cooling lubricating oils, especially on large gearboxes.
Compressors, turbines, and power units: cooling lubricating oils, control oils, and auxiliary systems.
Marine and Oil & Gas applications Gas: For use with seawater or industrial water in naval, offshore, and process systems, using materials such as CuNi or stainless steel to resist corrosion and harsh conditions.

Technical Data for the WATER-OIL Series

Sesino water-oil tube bundles cover a wide range of sizes and performances, in line with the typical needs of industrial systems:

Tube bundle diameter and dimensions
Tube bundles with typical diameters ranging from approximately 60 mm to over 200 mm, with heat exchange surfaces that can reach several square meters (for example, up to approximately 7–10 m² for the larger sizes, depending on the series).

Oil Flow Rates
Hydraulic oil flow rates typically range from a few dozen l/min to over 500–800 l/min, depending on the model and operating conditions.

Operating Pressures and Temperatures

Oil operating pressure: Typical values ​​around 12 bar static max, with higher test pressures.
Water operating pressure: up to approximately 5–10 bar static, depending on the series.
Maximum oil temperature: up to approximately 120°C.
Maximum water temperature: typically around 70°C.

Heat exchange capacity

The range covers capacities from fractions of a kW/°C up to several kW/°C (for example, up to over 8 kW/°C on large models, depending on flow rates and design conditions).

For detailed data (performance curves, pressure drops, selection diagrams), please refer to the individual series data sheets (e.g., MS 84, MS 134, MS 172, etc.).

How to choose the most suitable oil-water heat exchanger

The correct selection of a shell-and-tube oil-water heat exchanger depends on several key parameters:

Heat output
It is necessary to estimate the thermal kW generated by the system (for example, based on the installed electrical power and overall efficiency) to choose the exchanger with adequate heat output.

Fluid flow rates and conditions
It is necessary to know the oil flow rate, viscosity, and desired inlet/outlet temperatures, as well as the flow rate and temperature of the available cooling water.

This data determines the model selection, the number of water passages, and the allowable pressure drops.

Water type and material compatibility

Industrial/fresh water → standard pipes and materials (e.g., copper, CuDHP).
Seawater or marine environments → materials such as CuNi or specific alloys to resist corrosion.

Corrosive fluids or gases → versions in stainless steel and special materials.
Operating Conditions and Fluid Quality

In the presence of hard water or dirty fluids, it is advisable to opt for inspectable or extractable versions to facilitate maintenance and internal cleaning.

Installation Layout
Available space, connection type, and position in the skid or system determine overall dimensions, nozzle orientation, and the choice of the most suitable series.

If in doubt, it is helpful to contact Sesino technical support, providing:

System diagram or design data;
Power and flow rates;
Water and oil characteristics;
Environmental conditions and applicable regulations (e.g., marine or Oil & Gas use).

FAQ – Water-Oil WATER-OIL Heat Exchangers

When is it better to use a water-oil heat exchanger than an air-oil heat exchanger?
A water-oil heat exchanger is preferable when high exchange power is required in a small space, when an industrial water circuit is already available, and when very stable oil temperature control is desired. Air-oil heat exchangers, on the other hand, are ideal when water is not available and system simplicity is a priority.

Can shell-and-tube water-oil heat exchangers work with seawater?
Yes, versions with suitable tubes and materials (e.g., CuNi) are designed for seawater systems and marine applications, ensuring corrosion resistance and long-term reliability.

Why choose a removable shell-and-tube heat exchanger?
Removable shell-and-tube water-oil heat exchangers allow complete inspection of both the oil and water sides, facilitating cleaning, maintenance, and use with imperfectly filtered fluids or problematic water. They are particularly suitable for systems where service continuity is critical and fluids may carry impurities.

What is the typical maintenance of a shell-and-tube water-oil heat exchanger?
Routine maintenance includes periodic leak checks, cleaning of internal surfaces (especially the water side for deposits or limescale), and, in removable versions, inspection of the tube bundle. Regular maintenance preserves exchange efficiency and the system’s useful life.

Can I replace an old heat exchanger with a Sesino WATER-OIL model?
In many cases, yes, by verifying the dimensions, connections, flow rates, and required thermal power. Sesino technical support can help with a revamp by selecting a compatible shell-and-tube water-oil heat exchanger or by suggesting a more efficient upgrade.