The structure and application of plate heat exchangers

The structure and application of plate heat exchangers

    Plate heat exchanger is composed of a set of corrugated metal plates with four angular holes for heat transfer of two liquids through. The metal plates are mounted in a frame with fixed plates and movable compression plates on the sides and clamped with clamping bolts. The plates are fitted with sealing gaskets that seal the fluid channels and guide the fluids alternately into their respective channels to form the heat exchange. The number and size of the plates is determined by the flow rate, physical properties, pressure drop and temperature difference of the fluid. The corrugated plates not only increase the turbulence, but also create a number of support points which are sufficient to withstand the pressure differences between the media.  

Commonly used plate materials for plate heat exchangers

  The most commonly used materials are as follows (all compressible materials can be used to make plates)

-Stainless steel (AISI 304, AISI 316, SMO (18/12/6.5)

-Titanium  

-Titanium-palladium alloys  

-Alloy Incoloy 825

-Hastelloy

-Graphite sheet DiabonF100

  Common gasket materials

 Many elastic materials can be used as gaskets

-NBR (nitrile rubber)  

-Fluoroelastomer (FPMorVITON)

-EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Dioxide)

-Neoprene (NEOPRENE)

-Polytetrachloroethylene (CSM)

Other materials are available on request.

  Plate heat exchangers (PHE) in heating systems

   Plate heat exchangers (PHE) are commonly used in all types of heating applications where comfort, reliability and safety are required. o In addition to being able to transfer heat from one circulation circuit to another, these heat exchangers are also effective in dealing with the pressure differences that usually exist between the primary and secondary sides. Alfa Laval's gasketed plate heat exchangers are available in a wide range of sizes for all comfort heating applications such as domestic water heating, swimming pool heating, etc., from small to large capacities. Plate heat exchangers (PHEs) can be tailored to the specific needs of the customer thanks to the flexibility of the plate heat exchanger design.

Domestic hot water heating

   Plate heat exchangers offer many advantages over conventional tank-type domestic hot water heating systems. When tap water passes through a plate heat exchanger (PHE), it can be heated to the required temperature in an instant. This means that the user can have an immediate supply of hot water at any time. Another advantage of using a plate heat exchanger for domestic hot water is that it takes up much less space than a conventional tank-type domestic hot water heating system. If the customer is using solar energy to produce domestic hot water, the plate heat exchanger (PHE) separates the treated water from the solar panels from the mains water loop and the problems of scale build-up and corrosion in the solar panels can be alleviated.

   Swimming pool water heating

   During the summer months, when the building's heating system is not operating at full capacity, the excess heat can be used to heat the outdoor swimming pool water. A heat exchange unit installed between the pool's circulation system and the building's conventional heating system can separate the two circulation circuits and heat the pool water. However, it is very important and needs to be remembered that chlorination should wait until the water has passed through the heat exchanger, in order to avoid high concentrations of chlorine components flowing through the heat exchanger. When the chlorine concentration is high, it is recommended that the user uses a titanium plate heat exchanger.

   Plate heat exchangers (PHE) in cooling systems

   In various refrigeration applications, especially in conditions such as storage and free cooling, the requirements for thermal efficiency, end temperature difference are very high. Thanks to Guangzhou Prime's excellent capabilities in the manufacture of heat exchanger plates, we can achieve a temperature difference between the two circulation loops of less than 0.50C (0.90F). In addition, for such conditions plate heat exchangers can be achieved with a single process. This connection, where all four connections are on a fixed plate at the front end, can be achieved in a single process. This way, all four connections are on the front fixed plate. This makes the installation and maintenance of the equipment very easy.

   Central refrigeration

   The main component of a central refrigeration system is the cold source, which is usually a chiller. When cold water or glycol solution is produced on the evaporator side, heat is generated and discharged on the condenser side of the chiller. A plate heat exchanger, whether used on the condenser side or on the evaporator side, offers many advantages.

For example, the user can cool the condenser by using some kind of open cooling source, such as seawater or river water. However, in open circuits there are often aggressive media that can affect sensitive air conditioning equipment such as chillers. A plate heat exchanger, if installed between the two systems as a separating device, can eliminate such problems. On the evaporator side, the plate heat exchanger can be used to separate the two clean circulation circuits to protect other equipment from high pressure.

   Zone cooling

   District cooling is designed to make better use of existing cooling capacity and environmentally friendly cooling sources, and is therefore environmentally friendly. While providing convenience and comfort to users, district cooling also improves idle equipment, reduces maintenance requirements and saves space. On the other hand, district cooling reduces investment and offers operational flexibility, thus providing economic benefits to the user. In indirect district cooling systems, the use of plate heat There are many advantages to using plate heat exchangers in indirect district cooling systems. For example, pressure separation between the different circulation circuits is possible. Plate heat exchangers (PHEs) are available in a wide range of sizes and have different characteristics. Therefore, we are sure that the user will find the best solution for each type of plate heat exchanger for the actual cooling situation.

Vrcoolertech specialises in the production of plate heat exchangers of all sizes.