Features of Plate Heat Exchangers
1.High Heat Transfer Efficiency The corrugated plates are designed to achieve a high film heat transfer coefficient. The special flow channels formed by plate corrugations generate intense turbulence at very low fluid velocity. Such turbulent flow also has a self-cleaning effect to inhibit fouling, delivering outstanding heat transfer efficiency. Generally, the heat transfer coefficient k of plate heat exchangers ranges from 3000 to 6000 W/(m²·℃). This means a plate heat exchanger only requires 1/2 to 1/4 of the heat transfer area of a shell-and-tube heat exchanger to achieve the same heat exchange performance.
2.Safe and Reliable Operation Two sealing lines are designed on the sealing device between plates, together with signal holes. Once leakage occurs, the medium will be discharged out of the heat exchanger. This prevents mixing of the two media and provides safety alarm.
3.Small Footprint and Easy Maintenance Plate heat exchangers feature an extremely compact structure. For the same heat load, they occupy only 1/2 to 1/3 of the space required by shell-and-tube heat exchangers. Unlike shell-and-tube types which need large reserved space for tube bundle pulling during maintenance, plate heat exchangers allow full access to plate surfaces within the original space simply by loosening the clamping bolts, with easy disassembly and assembly.
4.Flexible Capacity Adjustment Since heat transfer plates are easy to disassemble, optimal heat transfer performance and capacity can be obtained by adjusting the number of plates or changing flow passes. With the intermediate frame of the heat exchanger, the plate pack can realize various unique functions. It enables users to modify processing capacity, adjust heat transfer coefficient k or add new functions at any time.
5.Suitable for Low-Grade Heat Source Recovery Nearly full counter-current flow of the two media and high heat transfer efficiency allow the minimum temperature difference between the two media to reach 1℃. It is an ideal unit for recovering low-temperature waste heat or utilizing low-grade heat sources. With proper flow velocity selection, the pressure drop of plate heat exchangers can be controlled within 1/3 of that of shell-and-tube heat exchangers at the same heat transfer coefficient.
6.Low Heat Loss Thanks to compact structure and small overall size, the external surface area of the heat exchanger is small, resulting in low heat loss. Insulation is usually unnecessary for the equipment.
7.Low Cooling Water Consumption Due to the geometric shape of flow channels and high heat transfer efficiency for both liquids, plate heat exchangers greatly reduce cooling water consumption, which further cuts installation costs for pipelines, valves and pumps.
8.Cost-Effective Investment Under the same heat load, compared with shell-and-tube heat exchangers, plate heat exchangers reduce costs for equipment investment, civil engineering and power consumption by lowering heat transfer area, floor space, fluid resistance and cooling water demand. Especially when expensive materials are required, the high efficiency and thin plates make the equipment more economical.
