Alfa Laval Baseline Heat Exchanger
ABS offers Alfa Laval’s BaseLine Series heat exchangers. The BaseLine Series is the standard range of gasketed plate-and-frame heat exchangers used in hygienic applications. With its cost-effective frame design, this heat exchanger is a competitive choice for process and utility duties.
Made of solid stainless steel, Alfa Laval BaseLine heat exchangers can be use in the cooling and heating of applications such dairy, food, brewery, beverage, and viscous products. For more demanding hygienic applications, the Alfa Laval FrontLine range is the preferred selection. All models meet 3-A sanitary requirements.
MODELS
- Base-3
- Base-6
- Base-10
- Base-11
Related Industries:
Processed Foods, High-Acid Foods, Dairy, Beverages, Brewery, Home & Personal Care, Pharmaceutical, Biotech, Chemical
Part of a broad range of gasketed plate heat exchangers
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Application
Working at pressure up to 145 psi, Alfa Laval’s Baseline Series handles not only heating and cooling, but also pasteurization at low flow rates. These heat exchangers can be use in the cooling and heating of applications such dairy, brewery, beverage, and viscous products.
The Baseline Series heat exchanger is a competitive choice for hygienic processes and utility applications, such as simple pasteurization, raw milk cooling, media heating/cooling, and CIP heating. For more demanding hygienic applications the Alfa Laval FrontLine Series is the preferred selection.
Working Principle
The plate heat exchanger consists of a pack of corrugated metal plates with portholes for the passage of two fluids between which heat transfer will take place. The plate pack is assembled between a frame plate and a pressure plate and compressed by tightening bolts. The plates are fitted with a gasket that seals the channel and directs the fluids into alternate channels. The number of plates are determined by the flow rate, physical properties of the fluids, pressure drop, and temperature program. The plate corrugations promote fluid turbulence and support the plates against differential pressure.
Frame Design
The plates and the pressure plate are suspended from an upper carrying bar and positioned with a lower guiding bar, both of which are fixed to the support column. On the largest type, some tightening bolts are equipped with ball bearing washers in order to facilitate opening and closing of the unit. The frame is designed for mounting on a floor only. Standard feet are fixed. One unit can contain several heat exchangers, separated by connection plates with interchangeable connections. (Not valid for Base-3 model.)
Plate Design
The corrugation of the plates provides a passage between the plates, supports each plate against the adjacent one and enhances the turbulence, resulting in efficient heat transfer. Corner ports and gaskets are arranged so that the two media flow through alternate channels. BaseLine is available in two different plate types: Chevron and Gemini.
The chevron pattern allows for maximum strength at high working pressures. Different chevron designs are available, in order to obtain optimal high heat transfer and low pressure drop. A unique distribution area provides an even flow over the plate surface. The plates are reversible and have parallel flow, which means only one type of plate is needed.
The Gemini double wall consists of two plates pressed together. This prevents cross contamination between fluids in case of leakage through the plates. The Alfa Laval hanging system enables easy handling of the plates in the frame and together with the corner guiding a strong plate pack.
Materials
Meets all hygienic heating and cooling requirements
Alfa Laval BaseLine, with design pressure up to 10 bar (145 psi), meets all the requirements for pasteurization and other heating and cooling duties in hygienic applications.
Efficient design
Alfa Laval BaseLine uses FDA-compliant glue-free gaskets and is easy to open for inspection and cleaning or to clean by means of Cleaning-In-Place (CIP). The plate configuration is flexible with many options. In case the process parameters change, plates are conveniently replaced, added or removed.
Plate types for different hygienic needs
BaseLine is available with two different plate types:
- Chevron type plate pattern is used in a wide range of industries. This ensures good distribution of the product as well as high thermal efficiency.
- Gemini double wall consists of two plates pressed together. It prevents cross contamination between fluids in case of leakage through the plates.
The competitive choice
BaseLine is a competitive choice for hygienic processes and utility applications in dairy, food, and beverage industries. Examples of applications are:
- Simple pasteurization
- Raw milk cooling
- Utility media heating/cooling
- Cleaning-In-Place (CIP) heating
Alfa Laval FrontLine is recommended for more heat sensitive products or for products containing pulp and fibres.
Peace of mind
Alfa Laval global service network is never far away.
The heat transfer area of a gasketed plate-and-frame heat exchanger consists of a series of corrugated plates, assembled between the frame and pressure plates, which retain the design pressure. The sealing between the plates is made of gaskets. For the highest thermal performance and to enable a very close temperature approach, fluids normally run counter-currently through the heat exchanger.
BaseLine is available with various pressing depths and angles of the chevron pattern and various shapes of the corrugation which are carefully designed and selected to achieve optimal performance. The chocolate pattern distribution is a design feature that ensures fluids are evenly distributed across the entire plate. The result is that the entire heat transfer surface is fully utilized and stagnant zones that can result in fouling are avoided.
High flow turbulence between plates results in higher heat transfer; however, the consequence is pressure drop. Our thermal design engineers will help you design and select the model and configuration that is suitable for your application needs while delivering maximum thermal performance and minimizing pressure drop.
