Heat Exchangers & Plates

Types of Heat Exchangers:

1. Shell and Tube Heat Exchangers:
   • Function: Consist of a series of tubes, one set carrying the hot fluid and the other the cold fluid, allowing heat transfer between them.
   • Applications: Power plants, oil refineries, chemical processes.
   • Advantages: Durable, capable of handling high pressures and temperatures.
2. Plate Heat Exchangers:
   • Function: Use metal plates to transfer heat between two fluids. The fluids flow in alternate channels between the plates.
   • Applications: HVAC systems, food and beverage processing, marine applications.
   • Advantages: High efficiency, compact design, easy to clean.
3. Air Cooled Heat Exchangers:
   • Function: Use air to cool the fluid, often through finned tubes.
   • Applications: Power plants, chemical industries, gas processing plants.
   • Advantages: Do not require water, suitable for areas with limited water supply.
4. Double Pipe Heat Exchangers:
   • Function: Comprise two concentric pipes, one inside the other, where one fluid flows through the inner pipe and the other through the outer annular space.
   • Applications: Smaller heat transfer requirements, high pressure applications.
   • Advantages: Simple design, easy maintenance.
5. Spiral Heat Exchangers:
   • Function: Utilize spiral-shaped channels for the fluids, offering a compact and efficient design.
   • Applications: Viscous fluids, slurries, and fouling applications.
   • Advantages: High heat transfer efficiency, easy to clean.
6. Plate and Frame Heat Exchangers:
   • Function: Consist of a series of corrugated plates held together in a frame, allowing for flexible capacity adjustments.
   • Applications: HVAC, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals.
   • Advantages: High heat transfer rate, easy to expand or reduce capacity.

Spare Parts for Heat Exchangers

Common Spare Parts:

1. Plates:
   • Material: Typically stainless steel or titanium, chosen for their corrosion resistance and thermal conductivity.
   • Function: Transfer heat between fluids, with corrugations to increase surface area and turbulence.
2. Gaskets:
   • Material: Made from rubber, nitrile, EPDM, or other elastomers.
   • Function: Seal the plates to prevent leaks and direct fluid flow through alternate channels.
3. Frame Components:
   • Function: Support and hold the plates together, maintain pressure on the gaskets.
   • Components: Fixed frame, movable frame, tie bars, and bolts.
4. Nozzles:
   • Function: Provide inlet and outlet connections for the fluids.
   • Material: Typically made from the same material as the plates for compatibility.
5. Seals and O-Rings:
   • Function: Provide additional sealing, especially in high-pressure and high-temperature applications.
6. End Plates:
   • Function: Cap the ends of the plate stack in plate heat exchangers, ensuring fluid containment and pressure retention.
7. Tie Bars and Bolts:
   • Function: Hold the plate pack together and allow for tightening to maintain gasket compression.
8. Flow Directors:
   • Function: Ensure the correct flow paths and distribution of fluids through the plates.