MODULE # 6

MECHANICAL
BASICS HEAT EXCHANGERS

PLATE HEAT EXCHANGER (PHE) MAINTENANCE ASSEMBLY

1- Before the heat exchanger is assembled, inspect all gaskets and surfaces that lie against the gaskets.
Support Inspection Roller Movable gasket CLEANING THE PLATES 2- Particles that may jeopardize the integrity of the seals or damage the gaskets or sealing surfaces must be removed.
column cover assembly cover Carrying bar
3- Plates that have been provided with new gaskets must be checked to
1- Fouling of the plate heat exchanger is often caused by too low fluid velocity through the heat exchanger. Where the make sure that the gaskets are in the correct gasket groove.
Plate rack possibility exists to increase the flow this should be tried out if the heat exchanger shows signs of reduced capacity or 4- Note that contaminants usually collect al the lower part of the plates.
increased pressure drop 5- Also check the ½ thickness gaskets on the first and last plates.
2- Opening and cleaning the heat exchanger is necessary when products crystallize or heavily foul the plates or if the heat
Stud bolt transfer surfaces have been scorched . 1- Inserting the plates
a-The heat exchanger is opened according to the previous steps. 1- Every delivery is accompanied by a computer printout of the grouping scheme,
b-Steel wool or brushes of carbon steel must not be used, nor may stainless steel be used on titanium plates. giving each plate's code letter together with the plate's position in the heat exchanger.
c-In the first place the heat transfer surface is cleaned by rinsing with a powerful jet of water and scrubbing with a nylon or 2- When the plates are correctly positioned the flanged cut-outs at the upper carrying
Fixed cover similar brush. bar should point towards each other.
Support foot d- Take care not to damage the gaskets 3- The plate edges form a regular honeycomb pattern
Guide bar e- Oxide or chalk deposits are removed with a soft brush and 2- 5% nitric acid solution (Hydrochloric or sulphuric acid may
Tightening
nut not be used) Organic deposits containing proteins are removed with a soft brush and 2% solution of sodium hydroxide 2- Tightening the heat exchanger
Lock washer solution at 50°C.
The plate pack must be compressed to a specific thickness, the A-dimension The A-
f- Surfaces with greasy deposits are cleaned with kerosene and a soft brush. After cleaning, rinse thoroughly with water.
dimension ± 3% gives the inside length in millimeters between the fixed cover plate
Tightening bolt Bearing box shroud Frame foot 1- SODIM HYDROXIDE AND CONCENTRATED NITRICACID CAN SERIOUSLY and the movable cover plate .
! CAUTION HARM THE SKIN AND MUCOUS MEMBWNES.
2- THE SOLUTION MUST BE HANDLED WITH THE GREATEST CARE. ALWAYS NOTE
GENERAL DESCRIPTION WEAR PROTECTIVE GOGGLES AND PROTECT WANDS WITH RUBBER GLOVES.
1- With large plate packs the A-dimension, due to tolerances in the plate thickness
1- Between two plates of steel the heat transfer surfaces, the heat exchanger plates, GASKETS and depth of pressing, can deviate somewhat from that given above, ± 3%. With the
are clamped with the aid of tightening bolts. The heat exchanger's construction enables correct A-dimension the plates lie in metallic contact with each other .
a plate heat exchanger to be easily opened for inspection and cleaning .Each heat GX heat exchanger plates differ from conventional plates. Because the gasket groove lies in the plate's neutral plane The 2- Check this by examining the plate edges around the heat exchanger. Further
exchanger plate is pressed in one piece, with no joints or welds whatsoever. gaskets used next to the cover plates are half thickness. compression can deform the plates.
3- The nuts must be tightened alternately The movable cover plate must always be
2-Each plate has four holes punched out, one in each corner. Multi pass heat 1- Adjusting the gaskets moved parallel to the frame at all times, and not drawn out of alignment.
exchangers have special turning plates in which two of the holes are left blank. A - Tighten bolts 3 alternately.
A gasket that has come loose, either partly or entirely, must be glued in place. If only a short length has become detached, B - As the resistance increases also tighten bolts 1 and 2 always alternately
3- Rubber gaskets are glued in the gasket groove around the heat transfer surface and gluing can be carried out immediately before clamping, with the plate still sitting in the frame. If the entire gasket has become C- Tighten bolts 4
holes. The gaskets are supported on both sides by the corrugations in the plate. The detached, the plate should be taken out of the heat exchanger D- Check the A-dimension along the heat exchanger
gaskets are double around the holes to prevent leakage between the media In the
event of gasket failure the medium runs straight out of the exchanger. 2- Suitable gasket glue ! NEVER TIGHTEN THE EXCHANGER
CAUTION WHILE IT IS UNDER PRESSURE
4- GX heat exchanger plates are made with two different arrowhead angles – one Only certain glues may be used for gluing gaskets, namely Bostik 1782, 3M EC 1099, Bond Spray 77 or Pliobond 20/30
obtuse giving a high-theta plate, and one acute giving a low-theta plate Between two Synthetic glue ( Do not use other types of glue, they may contain chlorine or other substances which attack the plate 3- Lubrication
adjacent plates a flow channel is formed with the aid of the gaskets. The positioning of material. To facilitate application with a brush, the glue should be diluted with acetone Maximum dilution 1:l.
the gaskets produces a channel system through the entire plate pack in which the two The tightening bolts must be kept lubricated with molybdenum disulphide or its equivalent.
heat exchanging media flow Liquid flows diagonally across the GX heat exchanger CLEANING THE GASKET GROOVE particularly on the sections of thread used for opening and closing the equipment
plates Low Theta plate High-Theta plate
LIFTING LUG ø50
1- The solvent must not contain chlorine Clean the plates from residues of old gaskets Small patches of glue, hard to
OPERATION remove, that are securely stuck to the gasket groove may remain there.
2- They provide an excellent foundation for the new gasket Wash the gasket groove so that it is completely free of oil and S4 S1
Check that the operating data does not exceed that given on the heat exchanger's nameplate. Check that all tightening bolts other greasy substances, using a rag and acetone or other solvent not containing chlorine compounds Then let the plate dry
are property tightened. Plate gasket D A
H - PLTE half thickness (4) Upper guiding bar(1)
Gluing the gaskets
Plate gasket
1- Pumps Pumps feeding the heat exchanger must be provided with regulating valves. If the pumps can deliver a full thickness (220)
higher pressure than the rated pressure for the heat exchanger, safety valves must be installed. The 1- The glue is applied with a small flat brush to those parts of the plate's gasket groove in Heat transfer plate (221)
pumps must not suck in air. which the gasket shall lie These parts of the gasket groove are easily recognized as they
differ in colour arising from previous residues of glue. Machine
Movable cover
2- Start-up To avoid pressure shock the pumps must be started against closed valves. The valves in the inlet and 2-The gasket is then placed into position on the plate After drying for about 30 seconds without connection(1)
plate (1)

2704
3510
outlet should be opened at the same time as far as possible. The flow rate is then increased slowly until (the time depends on the thickness of the glue film and how much the glue has been
operating temperature is reached Hammering must be avoided, otherwise the rubber gaskets may be diluted), the glue holds the rubber gasket firmly in place in the gasket groove, thus
Tightening bolt (22)
displaced and cause leakage facilitating mounting.
Tightening bolt (4)
Immediately after start-up the exchanger must be vented. Remaining air can cause air locks and serious 3-The plate must then be held under light pressure with the aid of other plates or a stiff Fixed cover with
3 -Venting
scorching of the plates, reducing the heat transfer capacity and increasing the risk of Corrosion sheet of other material of suitable weight for about ½ Hour. connection s1-4(1)
Lower
guiding
bar(1)
Shut-down should take place slowly. For longer periods of downtime and especially when there is a risk 4-When the glue joint has dried, the gasket should be coated with talc to prevent the
4- Shut-down of freezing or if the medias are aggressive, the heat exchanger must be emptied and cleaned. While the plates subsequently sticking to each other. The plates are then ready to assemble into B C
unit is not in use, ease the tension on the tightening bolts so that the plates are leaning against each the frame. S3 S2
other, but close enough to prevent any dirt entering between them. 5- It's very important to follow the gluing instructions on the plate specification sheet Right G Left c
The letter G to the The letter C up to the

140
Each plate is glued with one gasket, except the first plate, which has an additional half-
right. The ring down right. The ring down C0G=619
thickness gasket on the front and is glued Right G (high-theta plate) or Right S (low-theta 420
to the right. to the left.
A=884± 3%
OPENING THE HEAT EXCHANGER plate) The last plate has a half-thickness gasket on the back. 280

50
L - PLTE MAX. 65 C=2690±10 650 EARTHING CONN
825 UNC 5/8’’ MIN 30 MM
LEAN RICH
1- Cool the heat exchanger. If possible allow the heat SOLVENT SOLVENT PLATES
exchanger to stand and cool overnight. OUT LET INLET
2- Disconnect any connections to the movable cover plate. (COLD) (HOT) ADVANTAGES OF PLATE HEAT EXCHANGERS (PHE) DISADVANTAGES OF PLATE HEAT EXCHANGERS (PHE)
1- Marking
3- Remove bolts 1.
1- Low fouling characteristics due to high turbulence 1- Limited to application by pressure and temperature. to 2.07 Mpa and 175°C.
4- Loosen nuts 2, 3 and 4 alternately, so that the movable A GX plate is identified by means of an embossed code letter. This letter can be found to Pressure affects plates, frames and gasket sealing. Temperature affects gasket material.
2- High heat transfer coefficients, reducing the surface area to one third
cover plate can move parallel with the frame plate. the RIGHT of the UPPER carrying bar cut-out, when the plate is facing TOWARDS the or one half of that required for a tube and shell heat exchanger. 2- Not recommended for viscous (thick) fluids.
5- Remove bolts 3 and 4. 3- Leakage is detected immediately. 3- PHE should not be used for fluids with suspended fibers.
RICH frame plate. 4- Low flow rates (velocities less than 0.1 m/s) can create flow poor distribution.
6- Loosen nuts 2 alternately. SOLVENT LEAN 4- compact And require little clearance to dismantle for repair or cleaning.
5- By varying the number of plates the rating of the PHE can be changed 5- PHE are not suitable for air coolers and gas-to-gas services.
OUTLET SOLVENT 2- Special arrangement for draining multi-pass heat exchangers 6- Not suitable for toxic liquids that may form explosive mixtures with air.
INLET easily even after installation.
(HOT) 6- No insulation is required (heat loss minimal). 7- Leakage is external to the atmosphere and is not contained.
TAKING OUT THE PLATES (COLD) 8- disassembled a certain number of times before new gaskets are required.
7- Vibration free.

1- Use gloves, the plate edges are sharp.

2- If two or more plates have stuck together they must be separated Right S Left L SAFETY
carefully so that the gaskets are kept on the correct plate. The letter S The letter L up HOT IN/OUT COLD IN/OUT
FIRST
3- The plates support each other in pairs If a plate has been damaged and if it cannot be repaired or replaced with an up to the right. to the right. Location S1/S3 A/B S2/S4 C/D
identical one, the adjacent plate must also be taken out of the exchanger. Design /test pressure 20/26 bar
The ring down The ring down Design temperature 0-155 °C
4- If the number of plates are changed, so is the thickness of the clamped plate pack, A. Special plates, such as the first to the right. to the left. Weight empty/flooded 6622/7870 kg
Fluid lean solvent rich solvent
and last plates, and turning plates in multi pass heat exchangers, must be replaced with identical plates The blank ports ( 2 and 3) in the turning plate for two-pass grouping and the first turning Inlet temperature 120.8 ° C 79.5 ° C
plate for three-pass grouping are provided with holes, 3 mm diameter for small units and Outlet temperature 84.5 ° C 114.3 ° C
Flow rate 75.56 kg/s 83.12 kg/s
! IN CASE OF WELDING, THE PHE MUST NOT BE USED AS A GRUNDING MECHANISM 6 mm diameter for large units. Calculated press. Drop 86 kpa 97 kpa
CAUTION Total no. plates 221
AS ELECTRICTRIC ARCS MAY OCCUR BEWEEN THE HEAT TRANSFER PLATES. Manufacturer SWEP
Model PHE/GX-180S