Plate heat exchangers are one of the most prevalent heat exchangers used today, alongside shell and tube heat exchangers. The spiral heat exchanger is also employed in industrial applications, but it is less common than the other two forms of heat exchangers. Heat exchangers have acquired popularity in the engineering industry due to their efficiency, durability, and ease of maintenance. Today, in this blog, we explain the plate heat exchanger components and the working process.
Plate Heat Exchanger Components:
They are made up of very few components such as:
- Inlet and outlets
- Gasket and plates
- Clamping bolts
- Frame plate
- Pressure plate
- A guide bar
- Tightening unit
- Corners
Because plate heat exchangers transfer heat, they need inlets and outlets where flowing media (or fluids) may enter and exit the heat exchanger. A fluid might be liquid or gas. To minimize misunderstanding, we shall use the word flowing medium instead of fluid, which is frequently understood to be just liquid.
Gaskets and plates are used to separate flowing media and keep them from mixing; gaskets are bonded to just one side of each plate.
Clamping bolts are used to hold the plates together when they swing from a carrying bar. When plates are squeezed together, they form a ‘plate stack’. A guide bar ensures that the plates are properly aligned when the plate stack is opened and closed.
The final components of interest are the two coverings at opposite ends of the plate stack. One cover is adjustable, and the other is fixed. The moveable and fixed covers are also known as the frame plate and pressure plate. Note that the inlets and outlets are attached exclusively to the permanent cover.
How do plate heat exchangers work?
As previously stated, plate exchangers are made up of several corrugated plates that are separated by a polymer washer before being installed inside a steel frame using unique plate bolts and nuts. These plates contain perforations on four corners that allow liquids to circulate.
The hot medium enters the heat exchanger via the hot medium inlet. Gaskets direct the hot medium as it passes through the heat exchanger. Each plate features an alternate gasket design. The heated medium flows into the gap between two plates but not into the space between the next two plates because the gaskets prohibit it. The procedure continues until each second set of plates is filled with the hot-flowing media.
At the same time, the cold medium enters the heat exchanger via the cold medium inlet, but this time the gaskets are positioned such that the cold medium flows into the region where no hot medium is present. The heat exchanger now contains both hot and cold-flowing media. Each medium flows out of its respective exit, and the process is continual.
Throughout the heat exchanger, the two flowing mediums remain next to one other. As the flowing media pass through the heat exchanger, they follow a hot, cold, hot, cold flow pattern. The gaskets and plates entirely separate both flowing media, preventing them from mixing.
The flowing media exchange heat because of their near contact. The hot medium warms up the plate, and the plate transfers part of this heat to the cold-flowing medium, lowering the hot medium temperature while increasing the cold medium temperature.
Conclusion
This blog gave you an understanding of plate heat exchanger components and their working process. Abe & Hex Private Limited is a well-known manufacturer and supplier of customized heat exchangers, evaporators, and condensers. If you need any assistance or have any queries related to any of these products, contact us today.
