Quartz Heat Exchangers for Ultra-Pure Water (UPW) Systems
In high-tech industries such as semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology, ultra-pure water (UPW) is a critical resource. Maintaining its purity during temperature control is essential — and that’s where quartz heat exchangers become indispensable.
Unlike metal or polymer-based heat exchangers, quartz offers unmatched chemical inertness, thermal stability, and ultra-high purity — all essential for preserving water quality in UPW systems.
1. Why Quartz for UPW Systems?
Ultra-pure water systems cannot tolerate ionic contamination, metallic leaching, or particle generation — issues common in traditional heat exchanger materials. Quartz solves these problems with:
• Zero Metal Contamination
Quartz is 99.99% pure SiO₂, containing no metals or additives that can leach into UPW.
• Exceptional Thermal Performance
Operates continuously at 1100°C, handles thermal shocks, and has a softening point of 1700°C — perfect for high-temp UPW sanitization processes.
• Chemical Inertness
Resists acids, alkalis, and oxidizers often present in water treatment and cleaning steps.
• Smooth, Non-Porous Surface
Minimizes particle buildup and bacterial growth, ideal for cleanroom water circulation.
2. Applications in UPW Systems
Quartz heat exchangers are commonly used in:
• UPW Heating & Cooling Modules
• Point-of-Use Heating Systems for photolithography and wet benches
• Hot DI Water Loops in semiconductor fabs
• Ozonated Water Systems
• Acid or Hydrogen Peroxide Spiking Units
• Final Rinse Stages where even trace contamination is unacceptable
3.Performance Comparison — Quartz vs Stainless Steel vs PTFE
Metal Contamination Risk:
• Quartz: Completely metal-free; no ion leaching — ideal for ultra-pure environments.
• Stainless Steel: May release metal ions over time, contaminating UPW systems.
• PTFE/PFA: No metal content, but may degrade and release additives over time.
Temperature Resistance:
• Quartz: Operates continuously up to 1100°C, withstanding short-term exposure to 1400°C.
• Stainless Steel: Typically rated up to ~250°C in clean applications.
• PTFE/PFA: Limited to ~200°C; prone to deformation or aging under heat.
Material Purity:
• Quartz: 99.99% pure fused silica with extremely low impurity levels.
• Stainless Steel: Contains trace metals that may compromise purity.
• PTFE/PFA: High purity but may contain stabilizers or fillers.
Surface Cleanliness:
• Quartz: Fire-polished or acid-cleaned surfaces are smooth and non-porous, resisting buildup.
• Stainless Steel: Prone to scaling and corrosion in high-purity systems.
• PTFE/PFA: Clean, but soft surface can scratch easily and trap particles.
Service Life:
• Quartz: 5–10 years or more with proper use — highly resistant to wear and corrosion.
• Stainless Steel: 1–3 years depending on exposure; corrosion shortens lifespan.
• PTFE/PFA: 2–4 years; can degrade in high-temperature or oxidative environments.
4. Technical Highlights of Our Quartz Heat Exchangers
• Material Purity: 99.99% fused quartz
• Temperature Ratings:
• Long-term: 1100°C
• Short-term spikes: 1400°C
• Softening point: 1700°C
• Design Options: Coil-type, U-tube, tube-in-shell, custom layouts
• Fittings: Quartz flanges, Teflon connectors, custom inlet/outlet designs
• Surface Finish: Fire-polished or acid-cleaned for lowest particle generation
5. Who Uses Our Quartz Heat Exchangers?
• Semiconductor Fabs: For UPW, hot DI water, and final rinse systems
• Biotech Labs: Where contamination-free water loops are critical
• Pharmaceutical Plants: In ultrapure water for sterile cleaning and rinsing
• Solar Wafer Factories: For acid/ozone-resistant heat exchange
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6. Customized for Your Cleanroom Requirements
We design each exchanger to match your needs:
✅ Specific pressure/flow requirements
✅ ISO Class 1–5 cleanroom compatibility
✅ Pre-cleaning and packaging in clean environments
✅ Integration support with existing piping and control systems
7. Why Choose Us?
• Quartz Expertise: Decades of experience in fused silica fabrication
• Clean Manufacturing: Fabricated and handled in controlled environments
• Technical Support: Engineering consultation for custom applications
• Worldwide Delivery: We ship to fabs and plants globally
