Plate Heat Exchangers offer high heat transfer, compactness and cleanability. Plate heat exchangers are primarily applied to liquid-liquid heat-transfer duties. They are, however, increasingly being used in condensing and boiling applications, where their compact size, thinner material requirements for wetted parts offer advantages over other types of heat-transfer equipments.

Commercial development of the plate-and-frame heat exchanger was prompted by two basic process objectives--high rates of heat transfer at a low temperature differential and cleanability with full access to both sides of the heat-transfer surface.  The plates, which are clamped between a fixed head and moveable follower, have corner ports to permit the passage of process and service fluids. The plates are grouped into passes within the heat exchanger, and the product and service fluids flow counter current to each other between the parallel passage in each pass. Plate heat exchangers are available in a variety of metals and gasketing materials to handle design pressures to 350 psi.

THE GASKETED PLATE EXCHANGER OFFERS SIX KEY ADVANTAGES :
HIGH HEAT TRANSFER : -
Film coefficients are three to five times higher and the lower thermal resistance of the plates (due to thinner material) combine to provide high heat-transfer rates compared to tubular heat-exchanger designs. In Combination with fully countercurrent arrangement of the plates, this allows heat recovery or regeneration of 90-95% in many processes.

COMPACTNESS : -
As a direct result of its high heat-transfer capability, the plate heat exchanger may be installed in one-fourth to one-tenth the floor space required by other types of heat-transfer equipment, often performing at a higher heat load.

CLEANABILITY : -
The efficient use of heat-transfer surface eliminates areas of title or no flow, thus preventing the buildup of dirt or debris. This also allows for effective "clean in place" (CIP) to remove chemical film or scaling deposits.

ACCESSIBILITY : -
The gasketed plate exchanger provides full access to both sides of the heat-transfer surface for inspection, maintenance and cleaning in cases where the unit has been allowed to foul beyond the capabilities of chemical cleaning. This access is readily accomplished within the installed space of the unit.

ADOPTABILITY : -
Many processes are not at their optimum as designed and require equipment changes and modifications after startup to achieve maximum throughput. This fine - tuning is readily achieved with the plate heat exchanger by adding, removing or rearranging plates as required to meet actual process conditions. Similar adjustments can also be made to accommodate future process or plant expansions or modifications. Welded plate exchangers do not enjoy the same degree of accessibility and flexibility, as gasketed plate exchangers. Welded plate pair units can only be disassembled and reconfigured in pairs.

ECONOMY : -
The high heat-transfer capability reduces surface area requirements and thus, the initial cost of the equipment. Additional cost savings carry through as the result of reduced installation space, ease of maintenance, high-energy recovery and reduced service fluid requirements.