Plate Heat Exchangers
Plate heat exchanger (PHE) is consists of a series of thin, corrugated alloy plates, which are gasketed and compressed together in a carbon steel frame to create an arrangement of parallel flow channels. Ports at each corner of the plates act as the headers and the gaskets direct the fluid flow as well as provide the primary seal for the system. One fluid travels in the odd numbered channels and the second in the even.
Features
The plate type heat exchanger is the most economical and efficient type of heat exchanger on the market with its low cost, flexibility, easy maintenance, and high thermal efficiency. They are designed to achieve turbulence across the entire heat transfer area in order to get the highest possible heat transfer coefficients with the lowest possible pressure drop and allow for close temperature approaches. Consequently this means smaller heat transfer area, smaller heat exchangers and sometimes even fewer heat exchangers benefitting the client with less space requirements, reduced secondary flow rates and smaller pumps.
Types
Gasket Between the plates
There are gaskets that ensure the fluids do not mix internally or leak from the assembly. The advantage of this style is that plates can be removed and cleaned, and gaskets can be replaced if worn.
Welded or brazed
In this style, the plates are welded or brazed together to prevent the fluids from mixing or leaking. The advantage of this style is that the heat exchanger can be designed for higher pressures and temperatures or in cases where readily available gaskets may not be compatible with the fluids.
Semi-welded
This style is a combination of the two above. The channels for one of the fluids are welded together, while the other have gaskets. It is used in cases where one of the fluids is a potentially hazardous or high pressure fluid, while the other is just water.
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