Has anyone considered using a tankless water heater in their processor design?  I'm new to this and still trying to figure things out, any advice helps.

I have two tanless water heater in my home for hot water,. A 9 GPM for the bathrooms and laundry, and a 2 GPM for the kitchen powered with LP. They are great for spot demands, but not so great for long term constant heat heat that I think is required for processing.

 

Thanks, that's the kind of information I'm looking for!

I have seen tankless water heaters used for process heat. They work well with a flat plate exchanger.

fuelfarmer:

They work well with a flat plate exchanger.

YES! Indirect heating is an important safety aspect. Heat water, and in turn, use the heated water to heat the processor. Much safer than direct heating!

Well when you say tankless, what fuel source are you thinking?

What I hear being discussed is a heat exchanger.

I was thinking of electric, the type you talked of earlier.  How would the efficiency compare to direct heating?

Flash3342 

Flash3342:

How would the efficiency compare to direct heating?

The lesson has been learned. You only direct-heat oil, and even then, it's safest not to. Using hot water loop attached to a coil (inside the tank), and heated by the tankless water heater, is a common and safe heating practice.