Tempco Blog articles

PCHE heat exchangers for the energy transition market

03/10/2025

MicroChannel Devices, Tempco’s partner for PCHE printed circuit heat exchangers projects, was a guest at the Venice Film Festival in early September, where CEO Alessandro Vaiarelli spoke about the company’s founding. In particular, Vaiarelli offered a virtuous example of sustainability storytelling at the event ‘Energy and digital transition towards smart and sustainable cities’.

The green transition and energy efficiency are key themes underlying MicroChannel Devices’ technological offering, making the company an iconic example of the ongoing shift toward sustainable innovation paradigms for the future of everyone – companies, manufacturing, and communities.

As CEO Alessandro Vaiarelli explains, MicroChannel Devices is an innovative SME founded in 2020 as a spin-off and evolution of the family business STV, leveraging the expertise and experience built over 60 years in the automotive and electronics sectors. Vaiarelli then lucidly illustrates how Italian companies can regenerate themselves by investing in innovation, which in the case of MicroChannel Devices meant specializing in the development and production of microchanneled devices that find their ideal application in the energy transition market.

Specifically, thanks to the valuable synergy and collaboration with Tempco, the company produces PCHE exchangers (printed circuit heat exchangers) using innovative technologies such as diffusion bonding, or solid-state welding, which produces a heat transfer pack with extremely high structural strength, and a process called chemical etching, a photochemical etching technique similar to that used in electronics for chip production. This process in particular allows for the creation of heat transfer circuits with extremely high thermal transfer efficiency, with highly customized layouts and the possibility of building exchangers even in multi-stream mode.

The characteristics offered by these innovative plate heat exchangers make them the ideal technological solution for all new applications in the hydrogen supply chain, in nuclear energy with fourth-generation Small Modular Reactors, as well as for cold plates in direct-to-chip liquid cooling for data centers that will serve future artificial intelligence applications, as well as in the oil & gas and LNG sectors.

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Chillers at -20°C for custom reactors thermoregulation in pharmaceutical industry

26/09/2025

Tempco recently completed a project that makes us particularly proud: we recently delivered and successfully started up two 120 kW water-cooled chillers for a leading pharmaceutical company.

These refrigerating units operate at -20° C, ensuring temperature control of the reactors used in the production of active ingredients. This is a critical application requiring reliability, precision, and operational continuity.

The project was completed in record time: four months from order confirmation to delivery, with commissioning that was achieved smoothly. This result further confirms the Tempco team’s commitment to supporting the pharmaceutical industry with customized, efficient, and reliable solutions.

The image shows a typical reactor in the pharmaceutical industry, for which Tempco has built two chillers operating at -20°C for the production of active ingredients.

 

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IPE, new website for thermoregulation services and technologies specialist

19/09/2025

Tempco is pleased to present the new website for IPE, a company based in Pedrengo (Italian province of Bergamo), with which Tempco has enjoyed a long-standing partnership dating back over 20 years. I.P.E. Assistenza Service is a company specializing in the production and installation of thermoregulations units, providing cutting-edge components and technologies such as centrifugal and peripheral pumps, plate heat exchangers, shell and tube exchangers, and finned heat exchangers, electric heaters, and a variety of temperature control and thermoregulation instruments.

Thanks to a team of professionals with extensive experience in temperature control and thermoregulation applications in the process industry, the company also provides highly qualified technical support services, consulting on the best temperature control solutions for individual needs, spare parts sales, repairs, customization, and retrofitting of systems and machinery.

Immagine che ripropone la schermata di home page del nuovo sito di IPE, società di Tempco che realizza impianti di termoregolazione e offre assistenza e service
The strong synergy built and developed over many years of close collaboration has led to acquisition of IPE by Tempco, in order to ensure an even more efficient service and increasingly timely and personalized consulting for companies with their temperature control applications, pursuing maximum energy and process efficiency in every industrial sector.

We invite you to discover all of IPE’s services and offerings on the company’s revamped website, at https://ipe.tempco.it/.

 

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Thermoregulation in chocolate refining

12/09/2025

Thermoregulation in chocolate production is crucial and requires great care throughout all stages of the process. After discussing the cocoa bean roasting stage, the next step involves processing the cocoa mass to make it smooth and uniform, a phase that is also called refining.

The refining step is essentially a massage for the chocolate, intended to make it velvety on the palate. During this stage, the cocoa mass is finely ground, reducing the particles to microscopic size to eliminate graininess. To do this, it is essential to keep the mass at a constant temperature, around 50°C, which facilitates processing and reduces viscosity.

Image showing the chocolate refining phase, where thermoregulation is crucial.

During this crucial stage of chocolate processing, thermoregulation units ensure the right amount of heat is applied without overheating the product, which could otherwise lose its precious organoleptic properties. Furthermore, precise temperature regulation helps improve machinery efficiency, reducing energy consumption and production times. It is at this stage that the chocolate begins to take shape, promising unique goodness and consistent quality.

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PCHE exchangers for green energy transition at Gastech 2025 in Milan

04/09/2025

Tempco will be participating with Microchannel Devices at Gastech 2025, taking place from September 9th to 12th at Fiera Milano, where we will showcase our PCHE exchangers technology for hydrogen value chain applications and other innovative clean energy solutions.

Gastech is the leading international event dedicated to natural gas, hydrogen, carbon capture, and energy transition technologies. The four-day event will bring together 50,000 energy professionals from over 150 countries, showcasing the latest innovations and cutting-edge technology solutions from over 1,000 exhibitors and 1,000 industry experts. All this to create a dynamic ecosystem focused on green innovation and energy sustainability.

Immagine illustrativa della partecipazione di Tempco e Microchannel Devices alla Gastech 2025 di Milano

Microchannel Devices, along with Tempco, will showcase its PCHE heat exchangers solutions, designed for high-efficiency applications in critical environments. The unique diffusion bonding manufacturing process allows these exchangers to offer excellent resistance to extreme temperatures and pressures. The chemical etching method used to create the heat exchange circuits on the exchanger’s plates allows for highly efficient heat transfer solutions customized to specific process requirements, including multi-stream operation for interstage cooling.

At the Microchannel Devices booth, it will be also possible to discover a scale model of the PCHE exchanger built for Rosetti Marino, the first example of a PCHE exchanger designed for lethal service in the oil and gas sector, already installed on an offshore platform.

Image showing the PCHE exchanger made by Tempco and Microchannel Devices for Rosetti Marino in lethal service for the oil and gas sector.

Tempco looks forward to seeing you at Gastech in Milan, at the Microchannel Devices booth in Hall 18, space I110, to illustrate all the potential and advantages offered by PCHE exchangers for high-performance applications in the fields of green energy, advanced thermal engineering, and integration into future oil and gas systems.

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Static relays VD remote switches in thermoregulation units

25/07/2025

Let’s speak about static relays VS remote switches, that is, the control of equipments using static relays instead of remote switches. This is a typical application that we employ on our Tempco thermoregulation units in order to control the resistors, which are the heating components.

That’s because, as already explained in the past, to have a very fine and accurate thermoregulation is very important for a variety of industrial sectors, ensuring a very precise intervention set-point on determined industrial production processes. Whether this processes are related to pharma, plastics and rubber, test benches, and in general, industrial sectors requiring a very accurate control of the temperature set-point.

In the past, it was common to employ remote switches to turn on and off the heating resistors. But remote switches, being electromechanical components, have some limits due to the fact that there are some electromechanical contacts responsible for turning on and off the power of the resistors, involving therefore a series of on and off cycles.

These on and off cycles generate a wear of the contacts and on the medium-long term the breakage and failure on the remote switch of the resistors.

This problem can then be solved by using static relays which are electric relays that do not have electromechanical contacts and therefore with no wear issues and allowing very quick on and off cycles, with no wear or idle time, thus providing a very accurate control of the temperature.

We employ them as a standard solution on diathermic oil thermoregulating units which involve very high temperature levels. But with their actual low cost, this is a solution that we employ also on lower power units, where all in all even a remote control switch or a relay could be sufficient. But a static relay offer some advantages in terms of safety and temperature regulation precision that really are undeniable.

 

 

 

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Thermoregulation in cocoa bean roasting

18/07/2025

We’ve previously discussed the importance of heat management and the use of thermoregulation units in chocolate production. This fascinating and thermally sensitive production process involves a multitude of chocolate processing steps that require precise and accurate temperature control to achieve a high-quality product.

The overall production starts with the roasting process, the first step in transforming cocoa beans into chocolate. It’s during this crucial phase that the product’s characteristic aromas develop, when the beans are heated to temperatures between 110 and 160°C. This is a highly delicate step, as each cocoa variety requires very specific temperatures to fully release its aromatic potential without burning.

Illustrative image of the importance of temperature control and Tempco thermoregulation in the cocoa bean roasting phase, the first step in chocolate production.

This is where Tempco‘s temperature control units are employed, ensuring precise temperature control, preventing sudden changes that could ruin the product and compromise the entire manufacturing process. Furthermore, maintaining a stable temperature throughout the roasting phase helps preserve the cocoa’s nutritional and organoleptic properties. Perfect roasting, enabled by precise temperature control, is the foundation for creating high-quality chocolate that can compete on the market.

We will soon dedicate further articles to the subsequent phases, and the temperature control applications required for the refining, conching, tempering, and shaping with final cooling, respectively.

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A holistic approach to heat transfer systems: the value rises beyond initial cost

11/07/2025

The image below shows a new three flow PCHE excganger (printed circuit heat exchanger) for hydrogen compressors that we built for a new order. Specifically, it’s a hydrogen refueling station in Monfalcone, where three PCHEs will be installed, serving both heavy-duty and light-duty vehicles.

This important new order for Tempco confirms the growing attention this innovative type of heat exchanger is attracting. Therefore it leads to a broader reflection on the concept of a holistic approach to heat transfer systems. In fact, nowadays it’s necessary to go beyond the evaluation of the mere initial cost of a heat exchanger, as industrial thermal engineering involves a series of more complex challenges.

Image of a three-flow PCHE heat exchanger made by Tempco for installation in a hydrogen refueling station

There are many factors to consider:

  • Energy efficiency
  • Installation space and compactness
  • Reliability
  • Ease of maintenance
  • Reduced start-up times
  • Sustainability of the investment

Given all these requirements, limiting the assessment solely to the economics of the initial cost of the equipment risks to provide a too narrow perspective. A holistic approach to thermal transfer systems is therefore needed, taking account of the entire life cycle of the system. This approach should consider not only the technology’s purchase cost, but also operating costs, potential system downtime, energy efficiency, and integration flexibility.

PCHE vs. Shell and tube: a comparison beyond price
A prime example is the comparison between PCHE exchangers and traditional shell and tube exchangers. At first glance, PCHEs may seem less competitive in terms of initial cost of the unit. However, a holistic analysis reveals a somewhat different picture:

Image illustrating the comparison between PCHE and shell-and-tube heat exchangers from various perspectives in a holistic approach to heat transfer systems.

Value is measured over time
A holistic approach therefore also includes considering the overall return of investment (ROI). Thanks to their high heat transfer efficiency, PCHEs reduce energy consumption and improve the overall performance of the production process they serve. In many cases, the initial cost pays off in just a few years, especially in sectors where every percentage point of efficiency makes a difference (hydrogen, cryogenics, power-to-gas, fine chemicals). Furthermore, in modular projects and applications where compactness and safety are crucial (such as hydrogen refueling stations), PCHEs represent the only possible technical solution.

Therefore, choosing the most suitable technology for a given application means looking beyond the initial purchase price. It means adopting a holistic view that takes into account the entire life cycle of the system, and not just the cost of the equipment. From this perspective, PCHEs, although more expensive to purchase, offer superior and sustainable value over time, making them the strategic choice for those looking forward to the future.

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Tempco TREG thermoregulation units in power electronics

04/07/2025

Power electronics is an application field where temperature management plays a crucial role. Devices such as converters, IGBT modules and MOSFETs (power transistors used to control the flow of power in electronic applications) require precise thermal control to ensure efficiency and operational reliability.

TREG thermoregulation units offer an optimal solution for these temperature control needs related to electronic devices.

Main Applications
1. Power converters:
◦ Thermal control in converters ensures energy efficiency and protection from overheating.
◦ TREG temperature control units allow to maintain constant temperatures even in variable operating conditions.

2. IGBT and MOSFET modules:
◦ Heat dissipation is essential to avoid failures and improve lifespan.
◦ Tempco offers precise solutions to maintain optimal operating temperatures.
3. Server and data center cooling systems:
◦ Data centers require efficient cooling systems to avoid interruptions.
◦ TREG thermoregulation units ensure uniform control, improving the overall efficiency of the system and being also able to work with dielectric fluids

Illustrative image of power electronics and transistors for which TREG temperature control units are used for cooling and thermal control

Advantages of Tempco thermoregulation units
• Precision and stability: temperatures controlled with minimum tolerances.
• Energy efficiency: optimization of consumption during cooling and heating tasks.
• Safety: reduction of the risk of overheating and failures.

Thanks to the use of TREG temperature control units, by virtue of precise and controlled thermoregulation, power electronics can achieve higher levels of efficiency and reliability, contributing to improve the overall performance of the devices and systems involved.

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Thermoregulation in research and development in pharma labs

27/06/2025

In pharmaceutical laboratories, temperature control is one of the most critical challenges to ensure reliable and safe results during the research and development processes of new drugs and active ingredients. For this specific field of application, TREG thermoregulation units represent an ideal solution, offering the required levels of precision, reliability and operational flexibility.

Main applications of TREG units in pharma labs

  1. Controlled chemical synthesis:
    ◦ Chemical synthesis processes require stable thermal conditions to obtain reproducible reactions, inside the reactors
    ◦ TREG thermoregulation units guarantee precise control in both heating and cooling, reducing thermal transition times
    ◦ Operational simplicity with the monofluid system
  2. Stability testing:
    ◦ Drugs must undergo rigorous stability testing at different temperatures.
    ◦ The TREG temperature control unit ensures uniform temperature regulation over long periods, which is essential to comply with the imposed standards.
  3. Testing of new active ingredients:
    ◦ In the search for new molecules, TREG control units allow to manage complex tests involving various thermal steps.
    ◦ By combining a TREG with a data recorder, it is possible to monitor these results a posteriori with a more effective analysis.

Immagine di una centralina di termoregolazione TREG soluzione ideale per il controllo della temperatura nei laboratori farmaceutici

Advantages of TREG thermoregulation units
• Precision: accurate temperature control with tight tolerances.
• Reliability: robust design for intensive use.
• CE PED ATEX regulatory compliance

TREG temperature control units therefore represent a strategic resource for pharmaceutical laboratories that aim to guarantee excellence in development processes and regulatory compliance.

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TEMPCO researches and develops systems and solutions for cooling, heating, control temperature and heat exchange in different industrial processes.

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