What are Heat Exchangers?
A heat exchanger is a piece of equipment that transfers heat from a hot fluid to a cool fluid. It concludes that there are two types of fluid, one with a greater temperature that emits heat and the other with a lower temperature that absorbs heat. As science and technology advance, new types of heat exchangers emerge inexorably, but they may be distinguished by following a few simple guidelines. Heat exchange equipment such as condenser, evaporator, reheated, and superheated can be named based on their function, and heat transfer components can be divided into tube and shell heat exchanger, finned tube heat exchanger, and plate heat exchanger (including board). Hot and cold fluid flow can be classified as downstream, counter-current, or mixed flow depending on the direction of flow.
Where are Heat Exchangers Used?
Heat exchangers are utilized in a variety of industries, including food, pharmaceuticals, bioprocessing, and chemical manufacture, where heating or cooling is the final or intermediate step in preparing fluids for future processing. Microorganisms in food and medicinal items can also be sterilized with them. The use of heat exchangers is appropriate in a variety of situations. High-temperature exhaust gases from power plants and engines, for example, contain a significant quantity of heat that can be recovered by placing a heat exchanger prior to the chimney.
Gasketed Plate Heat Exchangers:
These heat exchangers employ gaskets to connect and seal the plates together. They’re commonly employed in industries like food and beverage manufacturing that demand frequent cleanliness. Because gasketed plates are simple to clean, remove, and reassemble, they save money on maintenance. To expand the heat exchanger’s capabilities and throughput, more plates can be added. The risk of leakage is a downside of this design.
Heat Exchanger Maintenance & Cleaning:
Fouling or aging causes heat exchanger performance to deteriorate, resulting in higher operational and energy expenditures to compensate for temperature differences. It is consequently critical to clean and maintain heat exchangers in order to keep systems working smoothly. Regular maintenance keeps equipment in good working order and reduces the need for emergency repairs. The cost of cleaning a heat exchanger is insignificant when compared to the cost of lost production if a heat exchanger needs to be shut down unexpectedly.
Regular maintenance is essential to keep the heat exchanger in good working order. Gaskets must be replaced as needed to prevent leaks, in addition to cleaning plates on a regular basis.
Integrity Test for Gasketed Plate Heat Exchangers:
Unexpected breakdowns of heat exchangers can be costly and dangerous. Fortunately, ABS has launched a new integrity test designed to prevent these issues and reduce repair costs.
Gasketed plate heat exchangers, while durable, still require regular maintenance. Alfa Laval Integrity Testing detects potential issues such as cracks or leaks early, allowing for timely corrective action to maintain product safety. This proactive service provides valuable insights into the condition of your plates and gaskets, enabling effective planning for maintenance and ensuring the reliability of your equipment.
Pressure testing must be conducted by a qualified professional, confirming the heat exchanger’s sealing functions through a hydrostatic leakage test. This involves checking one side of the media while the other is open to ambient pressure, ensuring all areas are thoroughly assessed in a multi-pass setup.
Regular maintenance preserves the heat exchanger in good operating order and increases the efficiency of opening and closing.
- Using paraffin oil, keep the carrying bar and guiding bar clean.
- For ease of opening, closing, and adjusting the A dimension, keep the tightening bolts clean.
- Apply EP (extreme pressure) lubricant to the threads of tightening bolts. Use Gleitmo 800 or a similar product as an example.
- Grease the pressure plate and connection plates on the suspension wheels.
