#Heat Exchanger Market Share

[mordorintelligencemarketresearch]

Heat Exchanger Market: Growth Trends, Innovations, and Future Outlook

1. Overview of the Global Heat Exchanger Market

Market Size and Growth Forecast: The Heat Exchanger Market is projected to be valued at USD 18.08 billion in 2024, with an expected growth to USD 28.26 billion by 2029, reflecting a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.34% over the forecast period (2024-2029). The rising energy demand and the need for energy-efficient systems are major factors driving this growth.

Key Types of Heat Exchangers: The market is categorized into several key types of heat exchangers, including shell and tube, plate and frame, air-cooled, double pipe, and others, each serving different industrial needs based on efficiency, cost, and operational requirements.

2. Key Market Drivers in the Heat Exchanger Industry

Energy Efficiency and Sustainability: Increasing emphasis on energy efficiency and sustainability, particularly in the HVAC, power generation, and petrochemical sectors, is driving the demand for advanced heat exchanger systems that reduce energy consumption and enhance operational efficiency.

Industrial Expansion: The growing industrialization in emerging economies such as India, China, and Brazil is fueling the demand for heat exchangers across sectors like oil & gas, power generation, and chemical processing. These industries rely heavily on heat exchangers to maintain optimal thermal performance and reduce operational costs.

Regulatory Pressures: Stringent environmental regulations are pushing industries to adopt heat exchangers that minimize emissions and waste heat. This has accelerated the development of green technologies and high-performance heat exchangers.

Technological Advancements: The advent of new materials, designs, and manufacturing technologies, such as additive manufacturing and corrosion-resistant alloys, is creating opportunities for more durable and efficient heat exchangers. These advancements help reduce maintenance costs and improve longevity, making them attractive to industries with high operational demands.

3. Emerging Trends in the Heat Exchanger Market

Compact Heat Exchangers: There is a growing demand for compact and modular heat exchangers, particularly in industries like automotive and HVAC. These exchangers offer higher efficiency in smaller spaces, making them ideal for applications where space is a constraint.

Integration of Advanced Materials: The use of corrosion-resistant materials such as titanium, stainless steel, and nickel alloys is increasing, particularly in industries dealing with harsh environments like offshore oil & gas and chemical processing. These materials enhance heat exchanger performance and durability.

Renewable Energy Integration: The integration of heat exchangers in renewable energy systems, such as solar power plants and geothermal energy, is a growing trend. Heat exchangers are essential in converting thermal energy from renewable sources into usable electricity, helping the world transition toward cleaner energy.

Smart Heat Exchangers: With the rise of Industry 4.0, there is an increasing focus on smart heat exchangers equipped with IoT and AI-based predictive maintenance systems. These technologies allow for real-time monitoring of exchanger performance, reducing the likelihood of failures and optimizing energy efficiency.

4. Industry-Specific Applications of Heat Exchangers

Power Generation: Heat exchangers are vital in thermal power plants, nuclear power plants, and renewable energy systems. The growing demand for energy globally is pushing for more efficient thermal management solutions in power generation.

Chemical Processing: In the chemical and petrochemical industries, heat exchangers play a key role in controlling temperatures during chemical reactions and maintaining the safety and efficiency of processes.

Oil & Gas: The oil & gas industry uses heat exchangers in various processes, such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) production, refining, and transportation. As oil companies aim to reduce operational costs and environmental impact, there is a growing need for energy-efficient heat exchangers.

HVAC & Refrigeration: The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) sector relies on heat exchangers to regulate indoor temperatures efficiently. The growing demand for energy-efficient buildings and sustainable solutions is driving innovation in this segment.

Automotive: The automotive industry is increasingly relying on lightweight, high-performance heat exchangers to manage engine temperatures, cool electric vehicle batteries, and improve fuel efficiency.

5. Regional Market Analysis

North America: The North American heat exchanger market is driven by rising energy demands and environmental regulations. The region is also a hub for technological innovation, with a strong focus on developing next-generation heat exchanger designs.

Europe: Europe is seeing a surge in demand for heat exchangers due to its focus on energy efficiency and renewable energy adoption. Countries like Germany, the UK, and France are at the forefront of integrating advanced heat exchanger technologies into their energy and manufacturing sectors.

Asia-Pacific: The Asia-Pacific region is expected to witness the highest growth in the heat exchanger market, driven by rapid industrialization, urbanization, and the increasing need for energy-efficient solutions in countries like China, India, and Japan.

Middle East & Africa: In the Middle East, the demand for heat exchangers is growing, particularly in the oil & gas and chemical sectors, due to ongoing investments in large-scale industrial projects. Similarly, Africa is seeing growth in the energy and mining sectors, spurring demand for efficient heat exchangers.

6. Challenges Facing the Heat Exchanger Industry

High Initial Costs: The initial costs of designing and installing advanced heat exchangers can be high, which can be a barrier for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). However, long-term energy savings and operational efficiency often justify these investments.

Material Challenges: Despite advancements, the challenge of finding cost-effective materials that can withstand extreme temperatures and corrosive environments remains. Continuous R&D is needed to overcome this.

Maintenance and Downtime: Heat exchangers require regular maintenance to prevent fouling and scaling, which can reduce their efficiency. Innovations in self-cleaning or fouling-resistant designs are helping address these issues, but maintenance costs can still be significant for some industries.

7. Competitive Landscape

Key Players: The global heat exchanger market is highly competitive, with major players such as Alfa Laval, Danfoss, SPX Flow, Kelvion, Hisaka Works, and Xylem leading the industry. These companies are focusing on expanding their product portfolios, enhancing energy efficiency, and incorporating smart technologies to remain competitive.

Mergers & Acquisitions: Many leading players are engaging in strategic mergers and acquisitions to strengthen their market positions and expand their presence in emerging markets.

Innovation in Design: The heat exchanger industry is witnessing innovations in design, such as compact, plate-type heat exchangers and modular designs that offer higher efficiency, easier installation, and reduced maintenance requirements.

8. Future Outlook and Opportunities

Growing Demand for Green Technologies: As industries strive to reduce their carbon footprints, the demand for green technologies such as waste heat recovery systems and energy-efficient exchangers is expected to rise.

Expansion in Emerging Markets: Emerging economies in Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Africa offer significant growth opportunities for the heat exchanger market, especially in sectors like power generation, HVAC, and industrial processing.

Focus on Innovation: Continuous R&D into new materials, compact designs, and smart technologies is expected to drive future growth, helping industries meet rising energy efficiency standards and environmental regulations.

Conclusion: The Heat Exchanger Market on the Rise

The heat exchanger market is at a critical juncture of growth, fueled by advancements in technology, the push for energy efficiency, and the need for better thermal management across industries. As the world increasingly focuses on sustainability and energy conservation, heat exchangers will continue to play a vital role in meeting industrial and environmental demands.

For a detailed overview and more insights, you can refer to the full market research report by Mordor Intelligence.

[industrynewsupdates]

Heat Exchangers Market Analysis, Opportunities And Forecast Report 2024-2030

The global heat exchangers market size was estimated at USD 18.19 billion in 2023 and is expected to expand at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.4% from 2024 to 2030. 

Rising focus on efficient thermal management in various industries, including oil & gas, power generation, chemical & petrochemical, food & beverage, and HVAC & refrigeration, is expected to drive the demand for heat exchangers over the forecast period. Rising demand from chemical industry coupled with increasing technological advancements and a growing focus on improving efficiency standards is expected to drive heat exchangers market growth. Most processes in petrochemical facilities involve high pressure and temperature, thus, necessitating the optimization of heat transfer and enhancement of energy savings, which, in turn, is likely to boost the demand for energy-efficient heat exchangers.

Gather more insights about the market drivers, restrains and growth of the Heat Exchangers Market

U.S. dominated the North America heat exchanger market in 2023, owing to high electricity demand, industrialization, and investments in renewable power generation. Rising investments by oil & gas companies in exploration & production activities in the U.S. are expected to boost the demand for these products in oil & gas industry.

Significant power markets such as China, U.S., India, Russia, and Japan are restructuring their operating models to adopt the structure of renewable energy and efficient utilization of energy by installing heat exchangers and shifting from traditional energy use. This is expected to drive the demand for heat exchangers.

Technological advancements such as tube inserts in heat exchangers are expected to complement the market growth. Furthermore, ongoing technological improvements to improve energy efficiency, total life cycle cost, durability, and compactness of heat exchangers are expected to drive industry growth.

Manufacturers of these products face a long list of difficult supply chain challenges, including increasing demand variability, intense global competition, more environmental compliance regulations, increasing human- and nature-based risks, and inventory proliferation. COVID-19 pandemic has created new challenges, which are compelling manufacturers to innovate their supply chains at a faster speed.

Heat Exchangers Market Segmentation

Grand View Research has segmented the global heat exchangers market report based on product, end-use, material and region:

Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

• Plate & Frame Heat Exchanger

• Brazed Plate & Frame Heat Exchanger

• Gasketed Plate & Frame Heat Exchanger

• Welded Plate & Frame Heat Exchanger

• Others

• Shell & Tube Heat Exchanger

• Air-Cooled Heat Exchanger

• Others

End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

• Chemical & Petrochemical

• Oil & Gas

• HVAC & Refrigeration

• Power GenerationFood & Beverage

• Pulp & Paper

• Others

Material Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

• Metals

• Alloys

• Others

Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

• North America

o U.S.

o Canada

o Mexico

• Europe

o Germany

o France

o Italy

o Spain

o UK

• Asia Pacific

o China

o Japan

o India

o South Korea

o Australia

• Central & South America

o Brazil

o Argentina

• Middle East & Africa

o Saudi Arabia

o UAE

o South Africa

Browse through Grand View Research's Advanced Interior Materials Industry Research Reports.

• The global wood plastic composites market size was estimated at USD 7.15 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.6% from 2024 to 2030.

• The global industrial fasteners market size was estimated at USD 95.57 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.7% from 2024 to 2030.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

Global heat exchangers industry is characterized by presence of multinational as well as regional players that are engaged in designing, manufacturing, and distributing these products. Product manufacturers strive to obtain a competitive edge over their competitors by increasing application scope of their products.

Strategies adopted by manufacturers include new product development, diversification, mergers & acquisitions, and geographical expansion. These strategies aid the companies in expanding their market penetration and catering to changing technological demand across various end-use industries.

Key Heat Exchangers Companies:

• Alfa Laval

• Danfoss

• Kelvion Holding GmbH

• Güntner Group GmbH

• Xylem Inc

• API Heat Transfer

• Mersen

• Hisaka Works, Ltd.

• Chart Industries, Inc

• Johnson Controls International

• HRS Heat Exchangers

• SPX FLOW, Inc.

• Funke Wärmeaustauscher Apparantebau GmbH

• Koch Heat Transfer Company

• Southern Heat Exchanger Corporation

Recent Developments:

• For instance, in April 2023, Kelvion launched dedicated air cooler series for natural refrigerants. The CDF & CDH ranges are dual discharge air coolers highlighting a similar proficient tube system.

• In May 2023, Alfa Laval is enhancing its brazed plate heat exchanger capacity to bolster the global energy transition. The establishment of new facilities in Italy, China, Sweden, and the U.S. signifies significant progress in their initiative to advance manufacturing intelligence and efficiency throughout the entire supply chain.

• In January 2021, Alfa Laval, opened a new facility for the production of brazed heat exchangers in San Bonifacio, Italy. The new facility will have more capacity to fulfill the increasing customer demand.

Order a free sample PDF of the Heat Exchanger Market Intelligence Study, published by Grand View Research.

[akshayafma]

As the world’s population grows, the demand for food increases, which is why the agriculture heat exchanger market is becoming more important. Heat exchangers help manage temperatures without mixing fluids, making them essential for growing crops and managing livestock.

[businessindustry]

Double Pipe Heat Exchanger Market Analysis, Forecast by 2024-2032 | Reports and Insights

The Reports and Insights, a leading market research company, has recently releases report titled “Double Pipe Heat Exchanger Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2024-2032.” The study provides a detailed analysis of the industry, including the global Double Pipe Heat Exchanger Market share, size, trends, and growth forecasts. The report also includes competitor and regional analysis and highlights the latest advancements in the market.

Report Highlights:

How big is the Double Pipe Heat Exchanger Market?

The global double pipe heat exchanger market was valued at US$ 1.3 Billion in 2023 and is expected to register a CAGR of 7.2% over the forecast period and reach US$ 2.4 Bn in 2032.

What are Double Pipe Heat Exchanger?                                                                                                                                             

A double pipe heat exchanger is a heat transfer device consisting of two concentric pipes, where one carries hot fluid and the other cold fluid. The fluids can flow in opposite directions (counterflow) or in the same direction (parallel flow) to maximize heat exchange efficiency. This design provides a large surface area for heat transfer, making it ideal for applications that require high thermal efficiency, such as in chemical processing, HVAC systems, and power generation. Double pipe heat exchangers are known for their simplicity, compact size, and ease of maintenance, making them well-suited for small to medium-scale operations where space and cost are important factors.

Request for a sample copy with detail analysis: https://www.reportsandinsights.com/sample-request/2472

What are the growth prospects and trends in the Double Pipe Heat Exchanger industry?

The double pipe heat exchanger market growth is driven by various factors and trends. The double pipe heat exchanger market is growing steadily, driven by rising demand for efficient heat transfer solutions in industries such as chemical processing, power generation, HVAC, and oil and gas. These heat exchangers are popular for their simple design, cost-efficiency, and high thermal performance, making them suitable for small to medium-scale applications. Increased industrialization, a focus on energy efficiency, and the need for effective heat management systems are fueling market expansion. Additionally, advancements in technology and a push to reduce energy consumption and operational costs are further boosting the global adoption of double pipe heat exchangers. Hence, all these factors contribute to double pipe heat exchanger market growth.

What is included in market segmentation?

The report has segmented the market into the following categories:

By Type

Parallel Flow Heat Exchanger

Countercurrent Heat Exchanger

Crossflow Heat Exchanger

By Material

Metal

Alloy

Brazing Clad Materials

By Application

Chemicals

Oil & Gas

Power Generation

Automobile

Pharmaceuticals

Food & Beverages

Others

North America

United States

Canada

Europe

Germany

United Kingdom

France

Italy

Spain

Russia

Poland

Benelux

Nordic

Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

China

Japan

India

South Korea

ASEAN

Australia & New Zealand

Rest of Asia Pacific

Latin America

Brazil

Mexico

Argentina

Middle East & Africa

Saudi Arabia

South Africa

United Arab Emirates

Israel

Rest of MEA

Who are the key players operating in the industry?

The report covers the major market players including:

Sondex Heat Exchangers Ningbo Co Ltd

Kelvion Holding GmbH

API Heat Transfer Inc.

Harsco Industrial Air-X-Changers

Hamon Group

SPX Cooling Technologies, Inc.

Tranter Inc.

Air Products, Chemicals, Inc.

Hisaka works, ltd.

View Full Report: https://www.reportsandinsights.com/report/Double Pipe Heat Exchanger-market

If you require any specific information that is not covered currently within the scope of the report, we will provide the same as a part of the customization.

About Us:

Reports and Insights consistently mееt international benchmarks in the market research industry and maintain a kееn focus on providing only the highest quality of reports and analysis outlooks across markets, industries, domains, sectors, and verticals. We have bееn catering to varying market nееds and do not compromise on quality and research efforts in our objective to deliver only the very best to our clients globally.

Our offerings include comprehensive market intelligence in the form of research reports, production cost reports, feasibility studies, and consulting services. Our team, which includes experienced researchers and analysts from various industries, is dedicated to providing high-quality data and insights to our clientele, ranging from small and medium businesses to Fortune 1000 corporations.

Contact Us:

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[researchrealmblog]

Plate-End-Frame Heat Exchangers: A Marvel of Efficiency and Sustainability

Heat exchangers are very important components for numerous sectors, negligible functioning behind the scenes to transfer thermal power between two liquids, whether it is for cooling, heating, or heat recovery aims. 

Among the many kinds of heat exchangers, one that has attained substantial popularity because of its effectiveness and environment-friendliness is the plate-end-frame heat exchanger. 

The plate-and-frame heat exchanger market will reach USD 8,912.9 million by 2030. 

The Basics of Plate-End-Frame Heat Exchangers

Visualize 2 plates squeezing in a heat-conductive material, making a small and effective instrument to transmit heat. This is the core of a plate-end-frame heat exchanger. The machine contains alternating plates, generally created by stainless steel or other strong resources, combined with seals, making a liquid flow channel between them. The end frames are utilized to aid and enfold the plates steadily.

Productivity at Its Best

The main benefit of a plate-end-frame heat exchanger lies in its extremely effective design. The huge surface area of the plates permits an augmented heat transmission rate among the fluids, fortifying it to be extremely effective in several heat exchange applications. If compared to old-style shell-and-tube heat exchangers, plate-end-frame heat exchangers needs less area and material, providing a more lucrative and ecologically friendly solution.

Adaptability and Flexibility

One of the major reasons plate-end-frame heat exchangers have attained extensive appreciation is their adaptability. Such heat exchangers can manage an extensive variety of fluids, such as gases and liquids, making them appropriate for many applications. Whether it is boiling water in residential boilers, cooling chemicals in manufacturing procedures, or improving heat in power plants, plate-end-frame heat exchangers are best suited.

Reduced Ecological Impact

These days, ecological sustainability is an emerging concern. Fortunately, plate-end-frame heat exchangers work flawlessly with such principles. By easing effective heat transfer, such heat exchangers contribute to lesser power usage, decreasing GHG releases and total ecological impact. Their small design and utilization of recyclable materials also reduce waste production, making them an ecological option for heat exchange requirements.

Their compact design and easy maintenance have been driving the demand for them in the chemicals & petrochemicals sector. In addition, the rising global demand for electricity, accelerating industrialization, and burgeoning investments in renewable energy generation in key economies, such as the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, European countries, India, China, Australia, and New Zealand, are set to boost product sales.

Types of plate heat exchangers

Gasketed plate heat exchangers utilize high-quality gaskets and are made to seal plates together and safeguard against leaks. Plates can effortlessly be detached for cleaning, expansion, or replacing drives, radically decreasing maintenance costs.

Brazed Plate heat exchangers are utilized in several refrigeration and industrial applications. Because of the stainless-steel plate arrangement with copper brazing, they are extremely resilient to corrosion. Brazed Plate heat exchangers are effective and compact, making them a perfect economic choice.

Hence, plate-end-frame heat exchangers have established themselves as extraordinary manufacturing marvels, offering effective and supportable solutions for heat transfer requirements across industries. 

Source: P&S Intelligence

[adityarana1687-blog]

Heat Exchangers Market Likely To Reach Beyond $26.26 Billion By 2030

The global heat exchangers market size is expected to reach USD 26.26 billion by 2030, registering at a CAGR of 5.4% from 2024 to 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. Rising demand from various industries, including chemical & petrochemical, and power generation, along with an increasing focus on improving efficiency standards is expected to drive the market.

The presence of favorable government regulations in the emerging economies of China, India, Brazil, and Mexico about setting up new manufacturing facilities is expected to spur the demand for heat exchangers in various industries. In addition, upcoming nuclear power projects, particularly in the Asia Pacific, are anticipated to drive market growth during the forecast period.

Technological advancements coupled with constant efforts and investments by major market participants in product innovation and research & development are expected to increase the market competitiveness over the coming years. The adoption of novel techniques of additive manufacturing in the production of heat exchangers is likely to complement industrial growth.

The COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted several economies worldwide. Containment measures, including lockdowns imposed by various countries to curb the spread of COVID-19, have resulted in limiting the operations of manufacturing facilities, thereby negatively impacting the demand for heat exchangers in 2020.

Request a free sample copy or view report summary: Heat Exchangers Market Report

Heat Exchangers Market Report Highlights

The demand for plate & frame heat exchangers is anticipated to witness growth at a CAGR of 6.1% from 2024 to 2030 on account of its simple & compact structure coupled with their ability to increase capacity easily by adding new plates to the system

The shell & tube segment led the market and accounted for 35.6% of the global revenue in 2023

Asia Pacific heat exchanger demand is likely to grow at a CAGR of 6.8% over the forecast period

The demand for heat exchangers in Saudi Arabia is expected to witness a CAGR of 4.5% owing to the presence of a robust oil & gas industry coupled with the growth in the manufacturing sector attributed to the government’s diversification efforts

Heat Exchangers Market Segmentation

Grand View Research has segmented the global heat exchangers market report based on product, end-use, material and region

Heat Exchangers Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

Plate & Frame Heat Exchanger

Brazed Plate & Frame Heat Exchanger

Gasketed Plate & Frame Heat Exchanger

Welded Plate & Frame Heat Exchanger

Others

Shell & Tube Heat Exchanger

Air-Cooled Heat Exchanger

Others

Heat Exchangers End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

Chemical & Petrochemical

Oil & Gas

HVAC & Refrigeration

Power Generation

Food & Beverage

Pulp & Paper

Others

Heat Exchangers Material Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 – 2030)

Metals

Alloys

Others

Heat Exchangers Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

North America

U.S.

Canada

Mexico

Europe

Germany

France

Italy

Spain

UK

Asia Pacific

China

Japan

India

Central & South America

Brazil

Middle East & Africa

Saudi Arabia

UAE

List of Key Players of Heat Exchanger Market

Alfa Laval

Danfoss

Kelvion Holding GmbH

Güntner Group GmbH

Xylem Inc.

API Heat Transfer

Mersen

Hisaka Works, Ltd.

Chart Industries, Inc.

Johnson Controls International

HRS Heat Exchangers

SPX FLOW, Inc.

Funke Wärmeaustauscher Apparantebau GmbH

Koch Heat Transfer Company

Southern Heat Exchanger Corporation

[researchreport11]

https://www.maximizemarketresearch.com/market-report/global-heat-exchangers-market/3346/

Global Heat Exchangers Market: Increasing HVAC installation globally driving market growth

Heat Exchangers Market was valued at US$ 16.24 Bn. in 2022 and the total Heat Exchangers revenue is expected to grow at 5.2% from 2023 to 2029, reaching nearly US$ 23.16 Bn.

[marketingsites]

Global Heat Exchanger Market was valued at USD 17.49 Billion in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 26.24 Billion by the year 2030, at a CAGR of 5.2%

Heat Exchanger Market - Global Size & Upcoming Industry Trends | IMR

[sports9885]

Plate heat exchangers market is expected to gain market growth in the forecast period of 2022 to 2029. Data Bridge Market Research analyses the plate heat exchangers market to exhibit a CAGR of 7.3% for the forecast period of 2022 to 2029.

[afloweroutofstone]

Hiii, I am curious to learn more about your personal politics. Are u socialist of democractic socialist? Do you reject Marxism–Leninism? Are you more of a reformist of revolutionary?

Over time I've moved away from talking about my own ideology on here for a variety of reasons (I have lots of disparate influences and there's no label I 100% identify with, everyone loves to start heated fights on here, it seemed a bit self-absorbed, etc.) But considering that it has been years since I've really made any attempt at laying out what my viewpoint is, it might make sense to do so again.

There are three terms you could fairly use to describe my views:

I am a democratic socialist because I think that the people should be able to collectively decide upon their shared fate, and that democracy is superior to both political dictatorship and capitalist oligarchy. (See Eugene Debs, Michael Harrington, etc.)

I am a liberal socialist because I believe that socialism is the logical extension of historical liberalism as an attempt at liberating people from existing hierarchies and authoritarianism. (See Carlo Rosselli, John Rawls, etc.)

I am a social democrat because I believe that the potential for successfully achieving transformative change through aggressive action within the presently existing system is drastically larger than the potential for a successful proletarian revolution, mass insurrection, etc., etc. (See Eduard Bernstein, Jean Jaurès, etc.)

This all puts me very firmly in the reformist camp of the reform vs. revolution debate. I would not consider myself a Marxist, although there are ways in which Marx's thought has influenced my own both directly and through the thought of others in the broader Marxist tradition.

In further detail:

I am a market socialist who believes in a large welfare state that provides for everyone's basic needs from cradle to grave; workplace democracy through widespread cooperatives and strong labor unions; progressive reforms to redistribute wealth more evenly; full employment; the reorganization of the global economy to eliminate present injustices; the diminishment of corporate power; strategic public ownership in certain key sectors; and the provision of opportunities for everyone to live their lives in the way that they desire.

I am a democrat who believes in an equal opportunity for everyone to influence public policy, including the periodic chance for the people to freely select their own leadership from amongst a variety of different choices, without unfair restrictions, corrupt financing by the wealthy, domination of the process by a political elite, or external interventions.

I am an anti-militarist opposed to armed conflict in any and every scenario where it can be avoided; an anti-imperialist opposed to the abuses of all powerful governments which take advantage of others and impose their will upon them; and an internationalist who believes in a democratic system of multilateral diplomacy and equitable exchange in which all countries can resolve their differences peacefully and cooperate for the common good.

I am a progressive who believes in an egalitarian culture that values every single person equally, abolishes rigid social hierarchies like patriarchy and white supremacy, welcomes immigrants, embraces secularism to separate church from state, and provides for the full rights and liberties of all peoples.

I am a civil libertarian who believes in the universal right of all people to fundamental liberties (speech, belief, protest, press, association, etc.) and protections from authoritarianism (privacy, government transparency, a fair legal system, limits to detention, humane treatment of prisoners, rule of law, anti-discrimination policies, demilitarized state security forces, etc.)

I am an environmentalist who believes in a just transition that ends our dependence on fossil fuels and establishes a green economy that minimizes (and even reverses) the damage of climate change; ensures clean air, water, and land; preserves natural ecosystems; and provides for everyone's needs in a sustainable fashion.

[reasonsforhope]

"A 1-megawatt sand battery that can store up to 100 megawatt hours of thermal energy will be 10 times larger than a prototype already in use.

The new sand battery will eliminate the need for oil-based energy consumption for the entire town of town of Pornainen, Finland.

Sand gets charged with clean electricity and stored for use within a local grid.

Finland is doing sand batteries big. Polar Night Energy already showed off an early commercialized version of a sand battery in Kankaanpää in 2022, but a new sand battery 10 times that size is about to fully rid the town of Pornainen, Finland of its need for oil-based energy.

In cooperation with the local Finnish district heating company Loviisan Lämpö, Polar Night Energy will develop a 1-megawatt sand battery capable of storing up to 100 megawatt hours of thermal energy.

“With the sand battery,” Mikko Paajanen, CEO of Loviisan Lämpö, said in a statement, “we can significantly reduce energy produced by combustion and completely eliminate the use of oil.”

Polar Night Energy introduced the first commercial sand battery in 2022, with local energy utility Vatajankoski. “Its main purpose is to work as a high-power and high-capacity reservoir for excess wind and solar energy,” Markku Ylönen, Polar Nigh Energy’s co-founder and CTO, said in a statement at the time. “The energy is stored as heat, which can be used to heat homes, or to provide hot steam and high temperature process heat to industries that are often fossil-fuel dependent.” ...

Sand—a high-density, low-cost material that the construction industry discards [Note: 6/13/24: Turns out that's not true! See note at the bottom for more info.] —is a solid material that can heat to well above the boiling point of water and can store several times the amount of energy of a water tank. While sand doesn’t store electricity, it stores energy in the form of heat. To mine the heat, cool air blows through pipes, heating up as it passes through the unit. It can then be used to convert water into steam or heat water in an air-to-water heat exchanger. The heat can also be converted back to electricity, albeit with electricity losses, through the use of a turbine.

In Pornainen, Paajanen believes that—just by switching to a sand battery—the town can achieve a nearly 70 percent reduction in emissions from the district heating network and keep about 160 tons of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere annually. In addition to eliminating the usage of oil, they expect to decrease woodchip combustion by about 60 percent.

The sand battery will arrive ready for use, about 42 feet tall and 49 feet wide. The new project’s thermal storage medium is largely comprised of soapstone, a byproduct of Tulikivi’s production of heat-retaining fireplaces. It should take about 13 months to get the new project online, but once it’s up and running, the Pornainen battery will provide thermal energy storage capacity capable of meeting almost one month of summer heat demand and one week of winter heat demand without recharging.

“We want to enable the growth of renewable energy,” Paajanen said. “The sand battery is designed to participate in all Fingrid’s reserve and balancing power markets. It helps to keep the electricity grid balanced as the share of wind and solar energy in the grid increases.”"

-via Popular Mechanics, March 13, 2024

--

Note: I've been keeping an eye on sand batteries for a while, and this is really exciting to see. We need alternatives to lithium batteries ASAP, due to the grave human rights abuses and environmental damage caused by lithium mining, and sand batteries look like a really good solution for grid-scale energy storage.

--

Note 6/13/24: Unfortunately, turns out there are substantial issues with sand batteries as well, due to sand scarcity. More details from a lovely asker here, sources on sand scarcity being a thing at the links: x, x, x, x, x

[oldsoul007]

breaking walls

qz!joel miller x reader

summary: y/n couldn’t hide her true feelings for joel anymore after finding peace in each other for so long

joel miller masterlist

The quarantine zone was a place where life was as unpredictable as the weather—people fought for scraps, made deals in the shadows, and tried to carve out some semblance of normalcy amidst the chaos. I had learned how to survive in the QZ, how to navigate the dangerous, grim reality. But there was one part of my life that I couldn’t quite keep under control: Joel Miller.

Joel was a gruff, no-nonsense man with a hard exterior, the kind of guy who kept his emotions buried so deep it was hard to tell where the man ended and the walls he’d built around himself began. I’d known him for a while, and what started as an occasional exchange of favors—a little help with some scrounged goods, a quiet drink shared at the local bar—had evolved into something… more.

But not too much more.

We’d never put a label on it, but there was something between us. We were friends… with benefits. That was how it worked, and it was enough, I told herself. I didn’t need more, especially not with the world we lived in. I’d settled into the role, knowing full well what I was getting into. No attachments. No expectations.

At least, that was the plan.

The day I walked into Joel’s rundown apartment, something felt different. It had been a long, rough week, and I had hoped the usual exchange of heated glances and quiet, comforting moments would help ease the tension. But as soon as I stepped through the door, Joel was already there—waiting. His usual gruff demeanor was softened by something else, something I couldn’t place. His eyes met me with an intensity that made my heart skip.

Before I could even say a word, he was on me. His lips crushed against mine, urgent, desperate. I was taken off guard, but I responded, my hands finding his chest, pulling him closer. His grip tightened, like he was trying to pull me into him, to fuse our bodies together. It was raw, intense—a passion that surprised me.

But even as I kissed him back, something inside me recoiled.

This was never supposed to happen.

I pulled away, breathless, my fingers still tangled in his shirt. I looked up at him, my eyes searching his face for any sign of understanding.

“Joel…” I began, but my voice faltered.

He reached for me again, his lips brushing my cheek, but I pulled back, stepping out of his grasp.

“No,” I whispered, shaking my head. “I can’t keep doing this.”

His expression shifted to something unreadable, his brow furrowing slightly, but his body tensed, like he was bracing for something.

“What do you mean?” he asked, his voice rough, a little confused.

I took a step back, my heart pounding. “I can’t keep pretending this doesn’t mean something. I can’t keep pretending I don’t feel something for you. I—” My voice broke, the weight of my words crashing down on me.

Joel stood there, silent, his expression closed off. He didn’t move toward me, didn’t try to fix it. He just… stood there.

My chest tightened, my eyes filling with frustration and pain. “I can’t keep doing this, Joel. Not anymore. I can’t keep giving myself to you when all you do is shut me out.”

He opened his mouth like he was going to say something, but no words came out. His lips pressed together in a thin line, and his gaze never left mine.

With a deep, shaky breath, I turned and hurried out of the apartment, the door slamming behind me with a finality that echoed in the stillness of the QZ.

For weeks after that, Joel kept trying to talk to me—always the same routine. He would catch me at the market or outside the walls of the compound, his voice low and apologetic, his eyes full of regret.

“I’m not mad, you know,” he’d say. “Just need to understand what you’re saying.”

But I couldn’t bring myself to look at him. I couldn’t bring herself to listen. I was angry, hurt, and scared. I didn’t want to feel this way. I wanted to move on, to forget about him and his damn walls. But I couldn’t.

I loved him.

And it tore me apart.

One afternoon, after yet another long, silent stretch between us, I was walking through the streets of the QZ when I heard footsteps behind me. I spun around, half-expecting it to be one of the usual assholes trying to sell me fake goods—but it was Joel. Again.

“Y/n,” he said, his voice strained but determined. “Can we talk?”

I closed my eyes for a moment, resisting the urge to scream.

“Joel, please—”

But before I could walk away, he grabbed my arm, his grip firm but not aggressive. “Just… let me talk,” he said. His eyes softened, and for the first time in a long time, I saw the man behind the walls—the vulnerability that was always buried so deep. “I need you to understand something.”

I pulled my arm free, but instead of walking away, I just… stopped.

Joel took a deep breath, stepping closer to me. “I can’t… I couldn’t let anyone in after Sarah. You know that, right? I didn’t know how to. But damn it, y/n… I didn’t want to lose you. I didn’t want to make this a mess, but I can’t keep pretending like I don’t feel something for you. I love you.”

The words hit me like a freight train, leaving me breathless. I opened my mouth to respond, but no sound came out.

“I love you, okay?” Joel continued, his voice cracking with emotion. “I just… didn’t know how to let anyone in again. I didn’t know if I could survive it. But I can’t—” He shook his head, frustration evident in his voice. “I can’t stay away from you, y/n. I don’t want to anymore.”

My breath hitched as my eyes filled with tears. I blinked them away, stepping closer to him. For the first time in forever, the walls between us were gone. He was finally letting me in.

“You mean it?” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

Joel nodded, his hands reaching for me, pulling me close. “I do. I’m sorry it took me this long to figure it out."

I didn't say anything else.

I closed the distance, wrapping my arms around him and kissing him deeply, pouring every ounce of love I’d kept locked away into that kiss.

We both knew the world outside wasn't kind, but for the first time in a long time, it didn't matter.

In each other's arms, we were finally free of the walls we’d both been hiding behind.

[akshayafma]

As the world’s population grows, the demand for food increases, which is why the agriculture heat exchanger market is becoming more important. Heat exchangers help manage temperatures without mixing fluids, making them essential for growing crops and managing livestock.

[businessindustry]

Double Pipe Heat Exchanger Market Analysis, Forecast by 2024-2032 | Reports and Insights

The Reports and Insights, a leading market research company, has recently releases report titled “Double Pipe Heat Exchanger Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2024-2032.” The study provides a detailed analysis of the industry, including the global Double Pipe Heat Exchanger Market share, size, trends, and growth forecasts. The report also includes competitor and regional analysis and highlights the latest advancements in the market.

Report Highlights:

How big is the Double Pipe Heat Exchanger Market?

The global double pipe heat exchanger market was valued at US$ 1.3 Billion in 2023 and is expected to register a CAGR of 7.2% over the forecast period and reach US$ 2.4 Bn in 2032.

What are Double Pipe Heat Exchanger?                                                                                                                                                                            

A double pipe heat exchanger is a heat transfer device consisting of two concentric pipes, where one carries hot fluid and the other cold fluid. The fluids can flow in opposite directions (counterflow) or in the same direction (parallel flow) to maximize heat exchange efficiency. This design provides a large surface area for heat transfer, making it ideal for applications that require high thermal efficiency, such as in chemical processing, HVAC systems, and power generation. Double pipe heat exchangers are known for their simplicity, compact size, and ease of maintenance, making them well-suited for small to medium-scale operations where space and cost are important factors.

Request for a sample copy with detail analysis: https://www.reportsandinsights.com/sample-request/2472

What are the growth prospects and trends in the Double Pipe Heat Exchanger industry?

The double pipe heat exchanger market growth is driven by various factors and trends. The double pipe heat exchanger market is growing steadily, driven by rising demand for efficient heat transfer solutions in industries such as chemical processing, power generation, HVAC, and oil and gas. These heat exchangers are popular for their simple design, cost-efficiency, and high thermal performance, making them suitable for small to medium-scale applications. Increased industrialization, a focus on energy efficiency, and the need for effective heat management systems are fueling market expansion. Additionally, advancements in technology and a push to reduce energy consumption and operational costs are further boosting the global adoption of double pipe heat exchangers. Hence, all these factors contribute to double pipe heat exchanger market growth.

What is included in market segmentation?

The report has segmented the market into the following categories:

By Type

Parallel Flow Heat Exchanger

Countercurrent Heat Exchanger

Crossflow Heat Exchanger

By Material

Metal

Alloy

Brazing Clad Materials

By Application

Chemicals

Oil & Gas

Power Generation

Automobile

Pharmaceuticals

Food & Beverages

Others

North America

United States

Canada

Europe

Germany

United Kingdom

France

Italy

Spain

Russia

Poland

Benelux

Nordic

Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

China

Japan

India

South Korea

ASEAN

Australia & New Zealand

Rest of Asia Pacific

Latin America

Brazil

Mexico

Argentina

Middle East & Africa

Saudi Arabia

South Africa

United Arab Emirates

Israel

Rest of MEA

Who are the key players operating in the industry?

The report covers the major market players including:

Sondex Heat Exchangers Ningbo Co Ltd

Kelvion Holding GmbH

API Heat Transfer Inc.

Harsco Industrial Air-X-Changers

Hamon Group

SPX Cooling Technologies, Inc.

Tranter Inc.

Air Products, Chemicals, Inc.

Hisaka works, ltd.

View Full Report: https://www.reportsandinsights.com/report/Double Pipe Heat Exchanger-market

If you require any specific information that is not covered currently within the scope of the report, we will provide the same as a part of the customization.

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Reports and Insights consistently mееt international benchmarks in the market research industry and maintain a kееn focus on providing only the highest quality of reports and analysis outlooks across markets, industries, domains, sectors, and verticals. We have bееn catering to varying market nееds and do not compromise on quality and research efforts in our objective to deliver only the very best to our clients globally.

Our offerings include comprehensive market intelligence in the form of research reports, production cost reports, feasibility studies, and consulting services. Our team, which includes experienced researchers and analysts from various industries, is dedicated to providing high-quality data and insights to our clientele, ranging from small and medium businesses to Fortune 1000 corporations.

Contact Us:

Reports and Insights Business Research Pvt. Ltd. 1820 Avenue M, Brooklyn, NY, 11230, United States Contact No: +1-(347)-748-1518 Email: sales@reportsandinsights.com Website: https://www.reportsandinsights.com/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/report-and-insights/ Follow us on twitter: https://twitter.com/ReportsandInsi1

[darsynia]

Steve and Avenger!Reader going to a Christmas Market please! 🥰 Can be any sort of relationship but wouldn't mind a Christmas Market proposal...

Thank you so much, this is perfect for both @buck-star's fluffy winter event (Christmas Market) and Day 1 of @the-slumberparty's December Daze: (let me dust the snow off your coat/hat/shoulder)

Words/Warnings: 2,315 / tooth-rotting fluff

MCU MASTERLIST | STEVE ROGERS | BUCKY BARNES

Don’t Mind If I Do

“Even North Carolina is freezing cold this morning, I checked. Trust me, this will be worth it.”

You frown in your perfect blanket cocoon. “All right, I’ll be out front by 8. And I’m cranking the heat in my rooms to 74 while I do it, just so I’ll be in a nicer mood for you!”

“You won’t regret it, sweetheart.”

With that, the two of you hang up, and you tap the + icon multiple times in the app that controls the heating in your suite. The Avengers Compound isn’t much to look at from the outside, but they make up for that in amenities. The only catch is, the suites are much too small to share with anyone. Despite your year-long committed relationship, you and Steve haven’t been able to truly ‘sleep over’ or spend couples time comfortably while stationed here. His rental apartment in NYC is lovely, and you’ve spent time together there, but both of you tend to be work-oriented. You’ve made do with what you have, even when that means sometimes cramming into Steve’s twin sized, extra-long bed here at the Compound.

Besides, you remind yourself as you rush through your morning routine, Steve Rogers isn’t the ‘shack up’ type, so it’s not like you’d be sharing an apartment if one were available. Still, it feels wrong to wake up without his warm, strong body next to yours on a cold day like this.

Steve had told you to dress for being outside, so after pulling on a thick pair of socks and lacing up your hiking boots, you don a knitted hat and shrug on a winter coat over your sweater. You meet up with Steve in the atrium of the building, feeling that familiar flush when he turns and lights up to see you.

“Oh perfect, you look nice and warm,” Steve says, quickly adding, “--and beautiful too. Very.”

He always leads with the truth, but as a boyfriend, he’s made you feel lovely enough for a superhero, leading to this in-joke of adding that compliment as an afterthought. You know him enough now to recognize when he thinks the second part first, and the face he’d made after turning around tells you this is one of those days.

“Are any of those pre-requisites for your secret Saturday morning outing?”

“Two of those are permanent, but yes, being warm will help,” he says, holding out a bare hand for you to take.

Inwardly grinning, you start to slip off your own glove, then pause. “Exactly how cold is it in North Carolina versus here? Do I need to grab a scarf?” Before working with the Avengers, you’d been stationed at Fort Liberty, so the climate difference between that and upstate New York had taken a little getting used to.

Steve takes your glove, tucks it into your pocket (being sure to crowd close enough to blatantly smell your hair), and then takes your bare hand in his bare hand to walk out into the brisk December air. It’s cold.

“At least ten degrees warmer than this, but I’d be happy to offer my arm as a scarf,” he says, squeezing your hand as you wend your way through the parked cars.

“You’re ten times better looking than all of my scarves, so I think I win!”

The drive is cozy with the heat on and an oldies Christmas station crooning the classics. After almost a half hour of light conversation and heavy exchanged glances, Steve pulls into a charming neighborhood decked to the rafters with holiday cheer. You peer out the windows, trying to figure out the plan. Are there sleigh-hay rides? An ice skating rink? Maybe a holiday quilt show set up in an 18th century church somewhere? You’re so caught up by the possibilities that you miss the instructions Steve gets from a woman wearing a high-vis jacket and Santa hat until the car parks, and he turns it off.

There’s something almost ceremonial about the way your boyfriend pats each of his warm trenchcoat’s pockets to find his gloves before pulling them on and flexing his hands. It’s captivating, not dissimilar to the way he girds himself for battle (whether physically or morally, you’ve noticed).

“You see my hat anywhere?” he asks, finally turning to look at you.

“Crap. I might have sat on it,” you realize.

Steve grins. “Well, it’ll be warm.”

You both get out of the car, and Steve dons his pre-warmed hat before gesturing toward the city center a few blocks away. “Christmas market.”

If your life was a film, that’s where either the Hallelujah Chorus or a full-on tire screech would have happened, but as it is, you fall sideways into him and catch yourself on his lapel, looking up at him with wide, delighted eyes.

“You promise? Oh God, that was way too Hallmark of me, I’m sorry-- but… you promise?” you ask, going through three vastly different facial expressions in the process.

“I promise,” Steve says, taking your hand in his, then lifting both to kiss the back of yours.

Christmas markets had been a staple of your childhood, and your family used to travel pretty far afield to see new and favorite ones. As your family’s circumstances had changed, those trips had dwindled, and by the time you were out of high school, they were a treasured memory of a no-longer-possible past. The years since then have mostly involved you throwing yourself into your work, becoming the kind of person soldiers and civilians alike can trust and rely on. If you’re honest, your time with the Avengers has been more fulfilling than even those precious school years of summer beaches, birthday parties, and chilly strolls through magical small-town holiday displays.

Part of that is Steve, a genuine hero and painfully good man who somehow seems to love you almost as much as you love him. Since the first moment you met he’s held out his hand for you in support. He’s a teammate, a challenger, a role model, and honestly? A partner. 

“Snow! Look at that!” You can hear the smile in his voice. Light, gentle flurries have started to drift down just as you visit the first festive stall. It’s perfect timing, since some of the crafts on display are delicate handmade snowflake ornaments. “If you’ve got an ‘in’ with the weather, sir, I’d love to learn your secrets,” Steve jokes with the owner. 

“It snows for you, to make perfect day for you and your wife!” the elderly man says with a beatific expression. “Please, you must take one for your tree at home.”

The two of you have two separate small trees, a result made necessary by the size of your living spaces at the Compound. You can see Steve tense up, clearly uncomfortable with the hinted, benign falsehood.

“Oh, but I must have both of these, too! How much?” you rush to say, pulling out your wallet and holding them up next to the one the owner pressed into Steve’s hand. It feels like your responsibility to meet the men in the middle.

“This is so we can see them from all angles, you understand,” Steve says.

“Of course!” the man says, a secretive smile playing on his lips. “Three is a good number, and I wish you a successful day!”

Steve’s cheeks have a distinct pinkish tinge to them for the next set of booths, but you avoid teasing him about it. This is not the first time someone’s misidentified the two of you as married, and you’ve always tread very carefully during those moments. Have you dreamed about marrying Steve Rogers? God, yes. You’d never say anything though. Proposing to Captain America is almost a national sport, something you’ve witnessed firsthand. Heck, you wouldn’t be surprised if he rejected you out of habit if you tried proposing.

It does look like you’ll both get to dodge your more famous secondary identities today. A lot of that is thanks to Tony’s fleet of look-alike cars, his insane security for the whole campus, and the way Steve can somehow dress and look like a regular, if burly country guy. However it’s happened, you’re incredibly grateful that your relationship has skated under the press radar. You suspect that Steve’s ‘couple behavior’ this morning is a result of happiness, holiday cheer, and perceived anonymity (you like the scruff he’s sported these past weeks, but… come to think of it, you wonder if he grew it just for that extra layer of obfuscation. Cap doesn’t quite pull National Icon status with hints of a beard, after all).

After forty minutes of happily wandering from booth to booth and window display to window display, the two of you decide to partake in the reason why everyone’s there so early in the morning: Christmas pastry from one of the best bakeries in central New York.

The town has set up a charming eating area just off the central square in a church parking lot. There are evergreen trees lining one side, each decorated in a different (sometimes chaotic) style and heavily festooned with lights. The picnic tables are all red and green, and hanging from a few of the arching lightposts is a bundle of familiar-looking plant-life. Steve sends you to snag a seat ahead of him while he waits in line, and when he comes back, he’s got twice as many goodies as you expected, all piled up on one plate.

“They all have a label on them saying ‘Mistle-hug,’” he says, standing at the end of the table. “I have two plates’ worth here, but they were much more stable like this.”

“How are we going to eat all this?” you ask, delighted nonetheless. You take the plate and carefully liberate the second stacked plate so you can distribute the bounty evenly, but Steve doesn’t hasn’t sat down yet. “If you don’t come pick out what you want, I’m going to get greedy!” you lie in a singsong voice. All he does in response is say your name softly.

“What are you--” you ask as you straighten up and look over at him. He’s standing at almost battle stance, frozen still with one hand tucked into the inside of his jacket. You immediately see the beautiful pattern the snow’s made on his shoulder, and pop to your feet with your phone.

“Wait, that’s not--” Steve says in a bewildered voice, his brows adorably furrowed even when you show him the picture.

“Here,” you say impudently, reaching up to kiss at his shoulder and thus melt the ‘offending’ snowflake art so he can feel free to sit down. “All perfect now.”

“You’re completely right,” Steve says. There’s something odd in the tenor of his voice-- and then suddenly he’s on one knee in front of you, pulling that hand out of his coat pocket with a recognizably-sized box.

You’ve got tears in your eyes, flowers blooming in your heart, and powdered sugar on your hands, which is why you’d chosen to kiss the snow off instead of brush it, but then Steve starts to speak.

“I was going to do this by the big tree, but then it hit me-- I spent years locked in ice, and it was all because I was waiting for you to come kiss all the cold away. You’re everything I didn’t and couldn’t know I needed-- a warm smile, a fighting heart, a clever mind, and more than that, you make me feel smarter, stronger, and happier when I’m with you. Will you marry me?”

You can barely get the word ‘YES!’ out past the lump in your throat, but you’d started nodding as soon as he opened his mouth. Steve tugs the ring out of the box and slides it perfectly onto your finger before surging upwards, pulling you into a twirling, joyful hug that dances the two of you a good few feet away from your table.

“Look, they’re under the Mistle-hug!” some voice calls out, and Steve’s --your future husband’s-- chest starts shaking with laughter. He sets you down and you both look up. A mere centimeter above his head spins one of the fake mistletoe pieces, its label dislodged by your antics. A ‘Hug! Hug! Hug!’ chant starts from the growing crowd of onlookers, and you nod up at Steve, your heart in your eyes.

“Don’t mind if I do!” he quips, engulfing you in a bear hug that leaves your newly-adorned left hand once again resting right on his chest. At the very edges of the roaring in your ears you hear a few people correctly guess who the two of you are, but you’re too delighted to mind.

A half hour later, when most of the well-wishers are finished offering their advice, encouragements, and pieces of paper for Steve to autograph, you notice that you’d left a powdered sugar outline on his coat.

“Oops, sorry about that,” you tell Steve, nodding at the handprint and grabbing a wreath-adorned paper napkin to dip it in your cider to wash it off.

“Leave it,” he says, stopping you with a possessive little thumb swipe across the ring he’d placed on your finger. “Feels like it belongs there, just like you, sweetheart.”

You want to tell him all the ways you love him, all the things he’s made better in your life, all the demons he’s conquered for you simply by being Steve Rogers, but you’re speechless. All at once, the perfect tension-breaker hits you, and you can’t help but laugh.

“What is it?” Steve asks in a wary, amused tone. It’s another sign of how well you know each other.

“Can we try to convince Tony that I get to take the name Mrs. America?"

As it turns out, that’s exactly what most of the next day’s news articles call you.

[cosmicjoke]

AoT Short Stories Vol. 4 First Tea Cakes: Levi:

So this story got me in the heart.

It revolves around the wife of a wealthy patron to the SC donating baked goods to their branch, and everybody trying to figure out what to do with them, being unused to having any, real luxuries for their soldiers. Nanaba suggests that they split the goods up and have each squad leader take them back and share them with their subordinates.

There's this exchange when Levi brings his share back to his Special Operations Squad:

"'Oh, Captain! Why don't I take this opportunity to make some tea?'

'Don't get so worked up, Petra.'

'Opportunities like this are so rare, though! Also, Olou, you'll make a mess if you cut it up, so let Eld do it.'

So it was true that these soldiers ate for sustenance and little else from their Training Corps days. When Levi met soldiers during his Underground City days, they were always MPs, so he believed they'd all grown fat on luxuries. It almost seemed comical that other fellow soldiers grew congenial over a single sweet, but something about it was also pleasant.

'Do whatever you want. Well... there's a black tin on a shelf in my room. It should be better than the disgusting tea you get in those rations.'

Levi's soldiers recognized the consideration in these words and looked at him with shock. It may have been the first time he showed them anything resembling kindness outside of battle."

What's so telling about the above excerpt is how it demonstrates Levi's kindness, but also his struggle with communicating that kindness. His squad is shocked at his generous offer of letting them drink his own, higher grade tea, because he's never, apparently, offered them anything like that before. But Levi's internal thoughts here are important to understanding why. The only experience Levi really had with soldiers was with the MP's, when he was still in the Underground, and so his impression was that all soldiers in the military, including Survey Corps soldiers, must be used to luxury items and being able to indulge in them. We see Levi's initial confusion here at Petra's excitement over the baked goods, telling her not to get so worked up about it, before realizing it's because they aren't used to having nice things. Seeing the genuine joy it brings them to finally have an opportunity to indulge a little spurs Levi on, then, to offering his own, higher grade tea to go with the sweets. The moment he realized getting to enjoy something of higher quality actually brought his squad happiness, Levi offered what he himself had to give without hesitation. And that really does encapsulate Levi as a person. He has such immense compassion for people, and always wants to help. He just doesn't always know how to share that kindness, almost assuredly because of the way he grew up and the lack of good role models he had. He struggles to know how to express what he's feeling, how to communicate how much he cares.

Then, later in the story, Levi is out at the market, buying provisions it seems, and we get this excerpt:

"He looked over to find a stall with a line of fruit-based sweets. Society was now in a place where more than just the bare necessities could be sold.

'Hey, Mister Survey Corps! How about something sweet to take back to your family?'

I have no family, Levi thought as he tried to ignore him, but then familiar faces came to mind. A new commander, hard at work. Young men who bore the guilt of having survived the killing fields as they analyzed the world's secrets and prepared for the next operation. He doubted he'd get to see the peaceful smiles that came to those expressions like he did before. Even so-

'... Wrap it up for me.'

Something sparked his interest.

All of them thought Levi's sour look never left his face. How would they look if he brought them back some sweets and even made them some tea?

The packaged sweets were freshly baked, and a warm heat spread across Levi's palm."

I mean... just kill me now, please. How sweet is Levi? First, Levi thinking he has no family (which is just all kinds of heartbreaking), but then him thinking of his fellow soldiers. Thinking of, I'm guessing, Hange, and his new squad, realizing they're his family. And then just the way he immediately decides to buy them the sweets on display, thinking about how so many of them have lost their hope and optimism, but hopeful himself that maybe having something nice like this will give them back a little joy, even as he knows it won't really fix anything. When he wonders how they'll look if he gives them sweets and makes them tea, he's obviously remembering how much it meant to his original squad to have even something as small as baked goods to share between them, and he's trying to replicate that here for his new squad, and for Hange, too.

And we see Levi thinking here also about his own difficulty in communicating and expressing his true feelings. He's aware that most people look at him and see an unfeeling, distant and callous person, and he's wondering here, also, if they'll be able to see that's not the case if he gifts them something nice. It's pretty clear from this line that Levi doesn't mean to give off the impression he does to people. He doesn't want to make anyone think he doesn't care. Again, because of how he grew up and the experiences he's lived through, it's had a deeply negative impact on his ability to properly socialize and communicate with others, and Levi is aware of that. He wants people to know he cares about them, again, he just hasn't ever really been shown how to express that care.

It's why we get so many awkward interactions between Levi and others, with him attempting to express compassion or provide them comfort in some way, and it often coming out in strange and sometimes even inappropriate ways, sometimes even leading others to think Levi is being the opposite of kind, like what happened with Historia during the Uprising arc, or like Levi making shit jokes to cheer Eren up, or the numerous times he's hurled what seems like insults at people, but rather than malice, it's simply been out of fear or worry for them on his part. Levi just simply hasn't ever been taught how to communicate with others in a way that would be deemed socially acceptable, and so we see him struggling to learn how to express his care in a way that will be understood by others. We see in this story Levi gradually learning one such way he can, and it's just a testament to what a kind and caring heart he has, that he keeps seeking out ways to show others kindness, and tries here to replicate successfully doing so again with his new squad and commander, just like he once did with his old squad. We see this play out again, when Levi allows the men under his command to take the boxes of wine with them for their mission of watching over Zeke in the forest. He's once more trying to give his subordinates a little joy among all the suffering and loss.

Honestly, how could anyone ever claim that Levi doesn't care or feel anything for others? It seems impossible to me that anyone could be that blind. He's truly just such a good person.