Plate and Frame Heat Exchanger

Equipment consists of a metal frame containing thin metal sheets or "plates".  The two fluids enter the heat exchanger and flow across the plate, each fluid on one side.  Heat transfer occurs by convection due to the moving fluids, and the conduction of heat through the plate.  There are two main types:

• Gasketed- Rubber-like material surrounds the edges of the plate and prevents fluid mixing and  leakage

• Brazed- The sides of the heat exchanger are welded together to prevent leakage and fluid mixing. 

Thermal Diagram 

                                 Length

Equipment

http://www.muel.com

Advantages

• Compact Size-less area needed for same amount of heat transfer
• Cost effective
• Gasketed PHE has many uses in food industry where plates can be easily removed for cleaning
• Frames can expand to add more or less plates for different applications

 Disadvantages

• Gaskets have temperature limitations and may erode over time

• Increased pressures may cause brazed heat exchangers to crack over time
• Decreased ability to handle large pressure drops, but frame can be adjusted to accommodate higher pressure drops
• Fouling factor associated with plate and frame heat exchangers is lower than shell and tube.

Applications

• Food industry-dairy, juice

• Heating and Cooling
• Pulp and paper

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