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 very dangerous, costly and time-consuming. The good news is ABS has just launched a brand new integrity test for heat exchangers that save you from expensive breakdowns and repairing costs.
Although gasketed plate heat exchangers are durable, they, like other equipment, require regular maintenance. Alfa Laval Integrity Testing can help you detect potential issues such as cracks or leaks early on, allowing you to take corrective action and avoid costly breakdowns. You can plan maintenance for plate heat exchangers and maintain product safety with this preventative service.
Integrity testing is intended for gasketed plate heat exchangers in particular. It gives you more information about the state of your plates and gaskets. With this information, you can plan service and maintenance for your gasketed plate heat exchangers, maintain control over your manufacturing process, and ensure product safety. The proactive strategy gives you peace of mind about your equipment's dependability.
According to local rules and regulations, pressure testing must be performed by a person who is allowed. The heat exchanger's internal and external sealing functions are confirmed by a hydrostatic leakage test. The expert checks one side of the media at a time, leaving the other open to ambient pressure. All portions of the same side must be checked simultaneously 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.
