TEMISTh and Eplus3D collaborate on metal AM heat exchangers for sustainable desalination
June 5, 2025
TEMISTh, based in Marignane, France, has partnered with Eplus3D, located in Hangzhou, China, for the Additive Manufacturing of advanced thermal exchange solutions. Using Eplus3D’s metal AM machines, TEMISTh has produced complex nickel-alloy heat exchangers with 99.9% density for use in extreme conditions.
TRUSTED CONTENT. TARGETED AUDIENCE
Advertise with Metal AM and access a global base of 50,000+ AM professionals
| Contact us |
The heat exchangers were designed as part of the Desolination project, a European collaborative initiative to develop desalination solutions that will ensure future sustainable water resources. The project integrates Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) with advanced thermal exchange technology. The core challenge is to optimise heat transfer between supercritical CO2 and a highly concentrated desalination solution – a task requiring intricate geometries that only AM can achieve.
Using the Eplus3D EP-M300 metal Additive Manufacturing machine, equipped with a 300 x 300 x 450 mm build volume and dual 500 W lasers, TEMISTh successfully produced IN718 nickel-alloy heat exchanger cores with a 50 μm layer thickness, completing the build in 130 hours of continuous manufacturing. Post-process heat treatment achieved a material density exceeding 99.9%, while the modular design allowed welding assembly into large-scale heat exchangers (0.4 x 1.2 x 1.6 m), surpassing traditional manufacturing size constraints.
By combining CFD-driven fluid dynamics and FEA-validated mechanical designs, TEMISTh reduced material waste by up to 40% and cut production time in half compared to conventional methods.
Rigorous testing under Desolination conditions – high temperature, extreme pressure, and corrosive exposure – confirmed structural integrity and performance alignment with operational demands. These results not only validated CFD/FEA simulations but also established critical mass production parameters, proving the feasibility of AM for industrial-scale thermal solutions.
Jean-Michel HUGO – CEO TEMISTh, commented, “For over three years, we have partnered with Eplus3D to integrate Additive Manufacturing into our production. Their teams both in China and Germany have consistently supported our unique requirements, ensuring a seamless installation with expert technical guidance and training-driven optimisations. We especially value their responsive technical team, which helps minimise production downtime. This collaboration has enabled us to fully control our heat exchanger manufacturing, refine design methods, and shorten delivery times.”
Martin Bizot, Account Manager at Eplus3D Tech GmbH, added, “Combining TEMISTh’s expertise in heat exchanger engineering with the precision and stability of our metal 3D printer unlocks new possibilities for advanced thermal management. This synergy will drive high-performance solutions that support economically viable decarbonisation, redefining the future of energy-efficient industries.”
