Turbulators

Turbulators are heat-transfer inserts fitted inside the fire tubes of a smoke-tube boiler or the flue passages of a condensing heat exchanger. By inducing turbulent flow in the hot combustion gases, they break up the boundary layer at the tube wall and force continuous contact between the gas and the heat-exchange surface, raising thermal efficiency and reducing flue-gas losses.

Selecting the correct turbulator depends on tube inner diameter, element length and the pitch or geometry of the spiral or paddle configuration, which must match the original specification of the heat exchanger. Where a manufacturer's own order number is known, it can be used to cross-reference directly to the compatible part in this section. ACV appliances are represented here; note the model designation and heat-exchanger generation when ordering.