Benefits
High efficiency and flexibility for varied thermal duties
Compact space-saving design for installations with limited footprint
Low operating cost through superior energy efficiency and longer service intervals
Safe and reliable sealing with no risk of cross-contamination
Fatigue resistance to pressure and temperature variations
Easier maintenance with welded channels for durability and gasketed channels for accessibility
Cost-effective alternative to shell-and-tube heat exchangers
Applications
Ideal for:
Ammonia refrigeration systems
CO2 refrigeration systems
High pressure industrial cooling and heating
Processes involving aggressive or incompatible media with standard gaskets
Proprietary Alfa Laval Technologies
Uniport™ – Dual innovation design for high performance gasket sealing at high pressure
RefTight™ sealing system – Enhanced sealing for high pressure duties, ensuring long-term reliability
CurveFlow™ distribution area – Optimized media flow to minimize fouling and improve thermal efficiency
How It Works
The semi-welded configuration pairs welded plate channels on one side for handling aggressive or high pressure media, with gasketed channels on the other side for easier maintenance and cleaning. This design combines the durability of welded plates with the serviceability of gasketed sections, reducing downtime while maintaining high performance.
The Semi-Welded Line Plate Heat Exchanger uses a series of corrugated plates clamped between a fixed and movable pressure plate. Alternate channels are sealed by laser welds or gaskets allowing fluids to flow in a counter current pattern for maximum heat recovery.
The RefTight™ weld design ensures a tight and even seal over the entire porthole. Combined with CurveFlow™ and chocolate pattern distribution areas the design enables even media distribution across all plate surfaces. This eliminates stagnant zones that typically cause fouling and loss of efficiency.
High turbulence between plates increases heat transfer but also causes pressure drop. Alfa Laval’s thermal experts can help select the best configuration that balances heat duty and pressure drop for your application.
Both single pass and multi pass flow configurations are possible. In Semi-Welded Line Plate Heat Exchanger every second channel is sealed with a laser weld instead of a gasket allowing safe operation under higher pressures or with aggressive media.
Typical Applications
Ammonia based refrigeration systems including condensers evaporators and economizers
Chemical processing where aggressive fluids restrict gasket use
Marine applications including cargo handling and engine cooling
Utility cooling and heating loops requiring high pressure operation
