Easy to Remove and Clean
You simply remove the tie bolts and slide back the movable frame
part. Now the plate pack can be inspected, pressure cleaned,
or removed for refurbishment if required.
Expandable
A very significant feature of the plate heat exchanger is that it
is expandable. Increasing your heat transfer requirements means
simply adding plates instead of buying a new heat exchanger, saving
time and money.
High Efficiency
Because of the pressed patterns in the plates and the relative
narrow gaps, very high turbulence is achieved at relative low fluid
velocity. This combined with counter directional flow results
in very high heat transfer coefficients.
Compact Size
As a result of the high efficiency, less heat transfer area is
required, resulting in a much smaller heat exchanger than would be
needed for the same duty using other types of heat exchangers.
Typically a plate heat exchanger requires between 20-40% of the
space required by a tube & shell heat exchanger.
Close Approach Temperature
The same features that give the plate heat exchanger its high
efficiency also makes it possible to reach close approach
temperatures which is particularly important in heat recovery and
regeneration applications. Approach temperatures of 1ºF are
possible.
Multiple Duties in a Single Unit
The plate heat exchanger can be built in sections, separated with
simple divider plates or more complicated divider frames with
additional connections. This makes it possible to heat,
regenerate, and cool a fluid in one heat exchanger or heat or cool
multiple fluids with the same cooling or heating source.
Avoid cross contamination
Each medium is individually gasketed and as the space between the
gaskets is vented to the atmosphere, cross contamination of fluids
is eliminated.
Less Fouling
Very high turbulence is achieved as a result of the pattern of the
plates, the many contact points, and the narrow gap between the
plates. This combined with the smooth plate surface reduces
fouling considerably compared to other types of heat exchangers.
Lower Costs
High heat transfer coefficients mean less heat transfer area and
smaller heat exchangers, and sometimes even less heat exchangers.
This and less space requirements, reduced flow rates, and smaller
pumps means:
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