Plate heat exchangers (PHE) are heat exchangers that use metal plates sealed with gaskets to pass heat from a hot fluid to a cold fluid. It is made up of a frame that contains a front cover, rear (movable) parts, a carrying bar, a leading bar, and a variety of tie bolts based on the type of plate heat exchanger.
Plate Heat Exchanger Advantages
- EASY TO REMOVE AND CLEAN
Plate Heat Exchangers are simple to clean by unscrewing the tie bolts and sliding back the movable frame portion. If necessary, the plate pack may then be inspected, pressure washed, or withdrawn for refurbishment.
- EXTENSIBLE
The plate Heat Exchanger has a valuable function in that it can be extended. Increasing the Heat Transfer needs can be accomplished by merely installing plates rather than purchasing a new Heat Exchanger, saving both time and resources.
- EFFICIENCY IS HIGH
Owing to the pressed patterns in the plates and the relatively small spaces, very high turbulence is achieved at a low fluid velocity. Heat Transfer coefficients are very high as this is associated with counter-directional movement.
- SMALL SCALE
Because of the high performance, less Heat Transfer area is needed, resulting in a much smaller Heat Exchanger than would be expected for the same duty using other forms of Heat Exchangers. A plate Heat Exchanger usually takes up 20-40% of the space needed by a tube and shell Heat Exchanger.
- TEMPERATURE APPROACHING CLOSELY
The same characteristics that give the plate Heat Exchanger its high efficiency also allow it to attain near approach temperatures, which is especially useful in heat recovery and regeneration applications. Temperatures as low as 0.5°C are probable.
- MANY DUTIES IN A SINGLE UNIT
The plate Heat Exchanger may be constructed in parts that are divided by basic divider plates or more complex divider frames with additional connections. This enables the warming, regeneration, and cooling of a fluid in a single Heat Exchanger, as well as the heating or cooling of several fluids from the same cooling or heating source.
- LESS FOULING
The pattern of the plates, the many touch points, and the small distance between the plates all contribute to extremely high turbulence. This, along with the flat plate surface, significantly prevents fouling as compared to other forms of Heat Exchangers.
- LOWER RATES
High heat transfer coefficients imply a smaller heat transfer region and, in some cases, a smaller heat exchanger.
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