Milk Pastuarization Technique in India

Plate Heat Exchangers

Plate heat exchangers offer better economy, maximum efficiency and easy maintenance.

The plate heat exchanger is widely recognized today as the most economical and efficient type of heat exchanger on the market. With its low cost, flexibility, easy maintenance, and high thermal efficiency it is unmatched by any type of heat exchanger. The key to plate heat exchanger's efficiency lies in its plates. With corrugation patterns that induce turbulent flow, it not only achieves unmatched efficiency it also creates a self-cleaning effect thereby reducing fouling.

WCR plate corrugations are available in different pressing depths and patterns depending on the application. All are designed to achieve turbulence across the entire heat transfer area in order to get the highest possible heat transfer coefficients with the lowest possible pressure drop and allow for close temperature approaches. Consequently this means smaller heat transfer area, smaller heat exchangers and sometimes even less heat exchangers.

Plate heat exchanger consists of a number of gasketed plates which are fixed between a top carrying bar and a lower guide bar. The plates are compressed by means of tie bolts between a stationary frame part (called the head) and a movable frame part (called the follower). Fluids enter the plate heat exchanger through frame connections and are distributed to plates. The flow to alternate passages between the plates is controlled by alternating the placement of gaskets.

The plate heat exchanger is designed with either single-pass or multi-pass flow, depending on the duty. For most duties single-pass is suitable and often the preferred solution as it keeps all connections on the stationary frame part and consequently makes disassembly easier. Multi-Pass however, is required when flow rates are low or when approach temperatures are close. Other factors such as building ceiling height or space limitations for handling of large plates often leads to the decision to use multi-pass and thereby more and smaller plates.

On all WCR plate designs, gaskets provide a peripheral seal while separating product flows. The space between gaskets is vented to the atmosphere, eliminating cross contamination of fluids. This is an ideal feature where product contamination cannot be tolerated.

Easy to Remove and Clean

You simply remove the tie bolts and slide back the movable frame part. Now the plate pack can be inspected, pressure cleaned, or removed for refurbishment if required.

Expandable

A very significant feature of the plate heat exchanger is that it is expandable. Increasing your heat transfer requirements means simply adding plates instead of buying a new heat exchanger, saving time and money.

High Efficiency

Because of the pressed patterns in the plates and the relative narrow gaps, very high turbulence is achieved at relative low fluid velocity. This combined with counter directional flow results in very high heat transfer coefficients.

Compact Size

As a result of the high efficiency, less heat transfer area is required, resulting in a much smaller heat exchanger than would be needed for the same duty using other types of heat exchangers. Typically a plate heat exchanger requires between 20-40% of the space required by a tube & shell heat exchanger.

Close Approach Temperature

The same features that give the plate heat exchanger its high efficiency also makes it possible to reach close approach temperatures which is particularly important in heat recovery and regeneration applications. Approach temperatures of 0.5ºC is possible.

Multiple Duties in a Single Unit

The plate heat exchanger can be built in sections, separated with simple divider plates or more complicated divider frames with additional connections. This makes it possible to heat, regenerate, and cool a fluid in one heat exchanger or heat or cool multiple fluids with the same cooling or heating source.

Avoid cross contamination

Each medium is individually gasketed and as the space between the gaskets is vented to the atmosphere, cross contamination of fluids is eliminated.

Less Fouling

Very high turbulence is achieved as a result of the pattern of the plates, the many contact points, and the narrow gap between the plates. This combined with the smooth plate surface reduces fouling considerably compared to other types of heat exchangers.

Lower Costs

High heat transfer coefficients mean less heat transfer area and smaller heat exchangers, and sometimes even less heat exchanger.