Stainless Steel Ice-Storage Coil Tube for Low-Temperature Air Conditioning Systems
Product Overview
The Stainless Steel Coil Tube (盘管 / Coiltube) manufactured by Wenzhou Jixing Metal Materials Co., Ltd. is a precision-engineered heat-exchange component specifically designed for ice-storage thermal energy systems and low-temperature air distribution (LTAD) air conditioning applications. These coil tubes serve as the primary heat-transfer medium within ice-storage tanks, enabling the efficient conversion of thermal energy into latent heat during the charging phase and its subsequent release during the discharging phase. The product is engineered to meet the demanding requirements of thermal energy storage (TES) systems, where sustained performance at sub-zero temperatures and high thermal cycling loads are critical.
Material & Properties
The coil tube is fabricated from high-grade austenitic stainless steel, ensuring exceptional corrosion resistance, mechanical integrity, and thermal stability across a wide operating temperature range. Key material characteristics include:
- Base Material: Austenitic stainless steel (e.g., SUS304 / SUS316L) conforming to ASTM A213 / ASTM A269 standards
- Corrosion Resistance: Superior resistance to chloride-induced pitting and general corrosion, critical for brine-based ice-storage systems
- Cryogenic Toughness: Maintains ductility and fracture resistance at temperatures as low as -40°C, preventing brittle failure during deep-cooling cycles
- Thermal Conductivity: Optimized for efficient heat transfer between the refrigerant/brine medium and the ice matrix
- Non-Magnetic Properties: Essential for compatibility with MRI-adjacent installations and certain industrial environments
- Hygienic Surface Finish: Low surface roughness (Ra ≤ 0.5 μm) minimizes biofilm formation and scaling, reducing long-term fouling resistance
Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Stainless Steel Ice-Storage Coil Tube (盘管 / Coiltube) |
| Catalog No. | 1213 |
| Material Grade | SUS304 / SUS316L (ASTM A213 TP304 / TP316L) |
| Outer Diameter (OD) | 12 mm – 38 mm (customizable) |
| Wall Thickness | 0.5 mm – 2.0 mm |
| Coil Pitch | 15 mm – 50 mm (adjustable per thermal load) |
| Operating Temperature Range | -60°C to +150°C |
| Design Pressure | Up to 1.6 MPa (customizable up to 4.0 MPa) |
| Surface Finish | Mirror polished / Electropolished (Ra ≤ 0.5 μm) |
| Connection Type | Flanged / Threaded / Welded (butt-weld or orbital-weld) |
| Coil Configuration | Spiral / Helical / Multi-row serpentine |
| Standards Compliance | ASTM A213, ASME B31.5, GB/T 12771, EN 10217 |
Manufacturing Process
- Material Selection & Certification: Virgin stainless steel seamless tube blanks are sourced from certified mills with full chemical composition and mechanical property traceability (Mill Test Certificate / MTC).
- Precision Cutting & Deburring: Tubes are cut to specified lengths using CNC-controlled saws with zero-burr finishing to ensure clean internal passages.
- Forming & Coiling: High-precision CNC coiling machines shape the tube into the required helical or serpentine geometry, maintaining dimensional accuracy within ±0.3 mm tolerance. The forming process is performed in a controlled environment to prevent work-hardening and surface damage.
- Welding: Orbital TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding or automated butt-welding is employed for all joints, ensuring full-penetration welds with no slag inclusions or porosity. Weld parameters are calibrated per ASME Section IX qualification records.
- Heat Treatment: Solution annealing (1050°C – 1150°C followed by controlled cooling) restores full austenitic microstructure, eliminates residual stresses, and maximizes corrosion resistance.
- Surface Finishing: Mechanical polishing followed by electropolishing achieves the required mirror finish, removing surface contaminants and passivating the metal surface to form a stable chromium oxide layer.
- Quality Inspection: Each coil tube undergoes 100% visual inspection, dimensional verification, and non-destructive testing (NDT) including helical eddy-current testing and ultrasonic wall-thickness measurement. Hydrostatic pressure testing is performed at 1.5× design pressure.
Applications
The Stainless Steel Ice-Storage Coil Tube is integral to a diverse range of thermal management and HVAC systems:
- Ice-Storage Thermal Energy Storage (TES) Systems: Serves as the heat-exchange element within ice-storage tanks, enabling peak-load shifting and demand-side management for commercial and industrial facilities.
- Low-Temperature Air Distribution (LTAD) Systems: Facilitates the production of chilled water or brine at temperatures below 0°C, delivering superior dehumidification and comfort in high-humidity environments.
- Commercial Refrigeration: Used in walk-in coolers, freezers, and refrigerated display cases where corrosion resistance and hygiene are paramount.
- Process Cooling: Applied in pharmaceutical, food and beverage, and chemical processing industries requiring clean, corrosion-resistant heat exchange.
- District Cooling Systems: Integrated into centralized cooling plants to provide reliable, scalable thermal storage capacity.
- Solar-Driven Cooling Systems: Coupled with solar thermal collectors for sustainable cooling in off-grid or net-zero energy buildings.
Quality Certifications & Standards Compliance
Wenzhou Jixing Metal Materials Co., Ltd. maintains rigorous quality management systems and holds the following certifications and complies with the following international standards:
- ISO 9001:2015 — Quality Management System Certification
- ISO 14001:2015 — Environmental Management System Certification
- ASME B31.5 — Pressure Piping for Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Equipment
- ASTM A213 / A269 — Seamless and Welded Austenitic Stainless Steel Tubes
- EN 10217-7 — Technical Delivery Conditions for Stainless Steel Tubes
- GB/T 12771 — Chinese National Standard for Stainless Steel Seamless Tubes
- CE Marking — Conformity with European directives for pressure equipment
- PED (Pressure Equipment Directive 2014/68/EU) — For applications subject to European pressure regulations
Unique Selling Points
- Research-Validated Performance: Product design is informed by peer-reviewed research on ice-storage coil heat-transfer performance and low-temperature air conditioning system dynamics, ensuring optimal thermal efficiency and reliability.
- Superior Corrosion Resistance in Brine Environments: SUS316L grade offers outstanding resistance to calcium chloride and other brine-based heat-transfer fluids, significantly extending service life compared to carbon steel alternatives.
- Cryogenic Reliability: Engineered to withstand repeated thermal cycling at sub-zero temperatures without cracking, deformation, or loss of mechanical properties.
- Customizable Geometry: Flexible coil pitch, diameter, and configuration options allow precise matching to specific thermal load requirements and tank geometries.
- Hygienic Construction: Mirror-polished internal surfaces meet FDA and 3-A sanitary standards, making the product suitable for food-grade and pharmaceutical applications.
- Full Traceability: Every coil tube is accompanied by a comprehensive Mill Test Certificate (MTC) and inspection report, ensuring complete material and process traceability.
Note: All specifications are subject to customization based on project-specific requirements. Wenzhou Jixing Metal Materials Co., Ltd. offers full engineering support, including thermal load analysis, coil geometry optimization, and system integration consultation for ice-storage and low-temperature air conditioning applications.