This project highlights the completion of manufacturing for three large-scale Plate and Shell Heat Exchangers (PSHE) at its Beijing plant. Currently in the final phase before Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), these state-of-the-art industrial units are scheduled for delivery in late June or early July 2026 to a major offshore platform.
The Energy Challenge of Offshore Platforms
The power station is the true “heart” of an offshore platform. Traditionally, it provides electricity by burning self-produced oil and natural gas directly on site. While functional, this historical process releases a massive amount of high-temperature flue gas into the atmosphere, representing a significant loss of thermal energy and a major source of thermal pollution.
Technological Innovation: The Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC)
To address this issue and support the global transition toward sustainable energy, a large-scale Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) power generation system is being deployed on the platform.
This innovative device uses the high-temperature flue gas from the power station as a waste heat source. The mechanism is based on the principle of a thermal circular economy:
- Energy Recovery: The system captures the residual heat from the platform’s exhaust gases.
- Phase Change: This thermal energy heats a low-boiling-point organic medium (Cyclopentane).
- Green Electricity Generation: The heated fluid generates high-pressure steam that drives a turbine expander, producing clean electricity.
The integration of this breakthrough technology delivers major environmental and operational performance gains:
- 📈 +20% increase in the overall unit’s power supply capacity.
- ⛽ +8% increase in fuel utilization efficiency, significantly optimizing the facility’s overall energy utilization.
- 🌿 A concrete solution to the environmental pollution caused by high-temperature exhaust gas emissions.
The Nexson Solution: Excellence in Preheating with PSHE
Several types of heat exchangers are required in this global thermal process. While traditional shell and tube (S&T) technologies were selected for the condensing and evaporating functions, the engineering company (EPC) responsible for the project specifically chose Nexson PSHE technology for the most critical stage: preheating.
To meet the strict demands of this application, Nexson designed and manufactured three units of the PSW-NNR200H-400 model in 316L stainless steel, delivering a heat transfer area of 362.2 m² per unit.
Nexson’s exclusive Plate and Shell (PSHE) technology stood out for several key reasons:
- Resistance to extreme conditions: Our units are perfectly configured to withstand the severe high-pressure and high-temperature constraints inherent in this process.
- Compactness and performance: The welded plates offer an exceptional heat transfer coefficient, maximizing energy recovery within a limited footprint—a vital asset in offshore environments.
Future Outlook
With dozens of similar platforms in the offshore energy sector slated for continuous modernization and revamping, the needs for thermal optimization are immense. Thanks to the success of this project, Nexson Group positions itself as a strategic, trusted partner capable of providing highly efficient and sustainable heat transfer solutions for heavy industry over the long term.
Congratulations to all our technical and production teams for achieving this important technological milestone!
