Consider a Tantalum Heat Exchanger or Tantalum process equipment for any chemical application where corrosion is a factor and the long-term benefits of reduced downtime, increased life expectancy and profitability are important.

Tantalum Shell and Tube Heat Exchangers solve many of the problems inherent with other materials of construction. It is not brittle and will not crack like graphite. TITAN’s Heat Exchangers are fully-welded and will not leak like ceramic Heat Exchangers relying on O-rings.

Life Cycle Benefits of Tantalum Heat Exchangers

  • Tantalum Heat ExchangerCost competitive with PTFE, impregnated graphite and ceramic Heat Exchangers
  • Elimination of downtime due to equipment failure
  • Require no spare parts to keep in inventory
  • Provide superior corrosion resistance
  • Offer high heat transfer “U” values
  • Accommodate high steam pressures to reduce required surface area
  • Fully welded metal designs eliminate breakage during handling, installation and operation
  • Eliminate cross contamination of process fluids

Tantalum the Metal

Tantalum is the most corrosion resistant metal in common use today. It is inert to practically all organic and inorganic compounds. This reactive metal is inert to Sulfuric and Hydrochloric acid below 300°F. Attack up to 400°F is not significant and Tantalum is commonly used up to 500°F. It has good thermal conductivity, is erosion resistant, and forms easily. Tantalum’s high workability and weldability make it a perfect material of construction for a wide range of equipment and the ideal tube material for corrosion resistant Shell and Tube Heat Exchangers.

Tantalum can be incorporated into most TEMA-type Shell and Tube Heat Exchangers and Bayonet Heaters for chemical, petrochemical and pharmaceutical applications. For a wide variety of processing equipment, Tantalum is the only reasonable choice of construction material. Please see Applications of Tantalum for a more in depth look at additional uses for Tantalum that includes some comparative corrosion resistance data, media, concentrations and temperatures.

The superior corrosion resistance of Tantalum can allow for increased process temperature and pressure. This gain can provide for tremendous improvement in process reaction efficiencies, plant throughput and profitability.

TITAN does not purchase any materials that are known to come from conflict resources. See our Conflict-Free Materials Sourcing Policy.

Our Technical Resources area also has a complete section on properties and corrosion resistance for Tantalum.

Tantalum Heat Exchanger Designs

Tatalum ExchangerTantalum can be fabricated into most TEMA-type design Shell and Tube Heat Exchangers for chemical, petrochemical, steel and pharmaceutical applications.

TITAN manufactures pressure equipment in accordance with all major international design standards and pressure vessel codes.

Tantalum Heat Exchangers can be designed to utilize Tantalum-lined carbon steel, fiberglass, PTFE lined, or glass-lined carbon steel heads and bonnets.

Tantalum can also be explosive clad to carbon steel to form a bimetallic material of construction. This is an ideal solution for very high pressure Tantalum Heat Exchanger Bonnets and Reactors.

Features of Tantalum Heat Exchangers

  • Fixed tube sheet BEM Shell and Tube Exchangers
  • Bayonet designs for reboiler applications
  • Immersion coils for tank heating or cooling
  • Seamless or welded Tantalum tubing
  • Loose lined tube sheets, fully drainable flush weld design for pharmaceutical duty
  • Explosion clad carbon steel heads for very high pressure applications

Tantalum Heat Exchangers in Steel Pickling Applications

The steel industry uses 20% hydrochloric acid at 200°F to pickle carbon steel. Tantalum Heat Exchangers are the perfect choice for dependable, low maintenance pickle lines. TITAN’s Tantalum Heat Exchangers are specified by every major North American steel mill. Please visit our Steel Pickling Heat Exchanger page for more information.

Tantalum Corrosion Resistance

TITAN’s Tantalum Heat Exchangers or Tantalum process equipment are found in a wide variety of environments, across industries including applications for Chemical Processing Heat Exchangers, Pharmaceutical Heat Exchangers, and Tantalum Heat Exchanger for Steel Pickling applications.  To view a list of materials where Tantalum is commonly used, please visit Applications of Tantalum.

For a general guide on corrosion resistance, temperatures and concentrations please see TITAN’s publication “Corrosion Resistance of Metals in Various Chemical Media” for additional information.*

*Note:  Final selection of material must be based on actual evaluation of the metal in the corrosive medium under study.

Tantalum Fabrications

In addition to Tantalum Heat Exchangers, TITAN regularly designs, engineers and fabricates the following types of custom Tantalum process equipment:

  • Tantalum Columns and Towers
  • Tantalum  Condensers
  • Tantalum  Pipe & Piping
  • Tantalum  Pressure Vessels
  • Tantalum  Reactors
  • Tantalum  Spargers

Contact us by phone if you have need for unique Tantalum equipment at (805) 487-5050 or toll-free (877) 487-5050 or email  info@titanmf.com. Our experts can also let you know if a different reactive alloy might be a better fit your application.