A brine preheater is commonly used in industrial processes where salt solution or other brine fluids must be heated before evaporation, crystallization, separation, or further treatment. Typical applications include salt production plants, chemical processing plants, desalination systems, refrigeration systems, wastewater treatment facilities, mining operations, and oil and gas processing.

In salt and chemical plants, a brine preheater is often installed before an evaporator or crystallizer to improve thermal efficiency and reduce steam consumption. In desalination or water treatment systems, it can be used to recover heat and stabilize the brine temperature before concentration or discharge. In refrigeration plants, brine preheaters may be used in heat recovery or temperature-control systems where glycol, calcium chloride brine, or sodium chloride brine is circulated.

Because brine is often corrosive and scaling-prone, shell and tube brine preheaters are especially suitable for heavy-duty applications that require strong construction, corrosion-resistant materials, and easy maintenance. They are widely used in plants handling seawater brine, concentrated salt solution, chemical brine, process wastewater, and other high-salt industrial fluids.