Question 1

Brazed plate or gasketed plate heat exchanger - what is the difference?

Accepted Answer

A brazed exchanger has its plates bonded together in a vacuum furnace, which makes it compact, cheap to buy and free of the risk of gasket leaks - but it cannot be opened for mechanical cleaning or to add plates if the thermal load increases. A gasketed plate exchanger, clamped with gaskets between frames, allows cleaning, inspection and extension of the transfer surface by adding plates, making it the right choice for fluids prone to fouling (sludge, used oil) or for processes whose thermal load varies over time.

Question 2

What data is needed to size a heat exchanger correctly?

Accepted Answer

For each circuit (hot and cold) we need the flow rate, the inlet temperature and the desired outlet temperature, the working pressure and the maximum permitted pressure drop. The nature of the fluids also matters - clean water, glycol, oil, steam - because it influences the plate material and the type of gaskets. From this data we calculate the thermal load (kW) and the required transfer surface, choosing the number of plates and the suitable model. Without the temperatures and flow rates of both circuits, any recommendation remains approximate.

Question 3

What is thermal approach and why does it matter in an exchanger?

Accepted Answer

The thermal approach is the minimum temperature difference between the two fluids at the end of the exchanger (for example, between the cooled medium at the outlet and the cooling fluid at the inlet). The smaller the approach, the better the energy recovery, but the required transfer surface - and the cost of the equipment - increases significantly. In usual industrial applications an approach of 3-5°C is used; below 2°C, the exchanger becomes disproportionately large and expensive for the benefit obtained.

Question 4

When do I choose titanium plates instead of stainless steel for an exchanger?

Accepted Answer

316 stainless steel covers most industrial applications with water and usual process fluids. Titanium becomes necessary when the fluid contains chlorides in high concentration - seawater, cooling water with a high salt content or certain chemical processes - situations in which stainless steel corrodes through pitting over time. Titanium costs significantly more, but avoids premature replacement of the plate pack. If you are not sure which material suits your process water, send us a chemical analysis and we will recommend the right material.

Question 5

What should I include in the request for quotation for a heat exchanger?

Accepted Answer

The flow rate and inlet/outlet temperatures for both circuits, the working pressure, the type of fluids and the space available for installation (gasketed exchangers are longer than brazed ones, for the same surface). If you are replacing an existing exchanger, the code on the nameplate or the number of plates and their size speeds up the quotation considerably. For replacement gaskets, the exchanger model and the year of manufacture are enough.

Question 6

How long does delivery of a heat exchanger or replacement gaskets take?

Accepted Answer

It depends on what you are ordering. For replacement gaskets and plates, the lead time is 24–72 h when the item is available locally or at the supplier. A new exchanger, configured for your thermal load, is made to order, usually 1–4 weeks, depending on the number of plates and the materials (longer for titanium); it can take longer depending on the brand and the specifications. For unplanned process shutdowns, send the exchanger model and in the quotation we will tell you the availability of compatible gaskets and plates.

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