Design & Function
Exploded view of a plate heat Exchanger
1 fixed pressure plates
2 starter plate
3 heat exchanger plate with gasket
4 end plate
5 movable pressure plate
6 upper carrying bar
7 lower carrying bar
8 support
9 tightening bolt
10 stud bolt connection
thermoline plate heat exchanger
thermoline plate heat exchangers consist of corrugated shaped plates, which are temporarily clamped by tie rods between a fixed and a movable frame plate and are positioned between the upper and lower carrying bar. Plate heat exchangers are pressurised apparatuses, whose pressure-carrying parts include the frame plates, tightening bolts, nuts and media connections.
Different plate corrugations are available for different applications. These can be combined such that high heat exchange coefficients are achieved and the maximum permissible levels of pressure loss are observed.
The media can be supplied in parallel flow or counterflow to suit the purpose. Multipass arrangements are also possible to extend the holding time in the apparatus and therefore to increase the ‘thermal length’.
In order to respond flexibly to customer requests in an optimum manner, we can supply thermoline apparatuses in both gasketed and module welded versions. Both models can generally be supplied for all plate sizes and materials.
Various frame variants and arrangements (e.g. TANDEM arrangement) can be used to extend the scope of plate apparatuses while also saving space. Parts made from painted or galvanised carbon steel are usually used for the frames. One exception to this is the thermoline hygiene products whose frames are clad in stainless steel or on request can be made from solid stainless steel.
Gasketed PHE’s
Gasketed thermoline – plate heat exchanger
Gasketed plate apparatuses are heat exchangers with a modular design which are very flexible and can be easily adjusted. They are commonly used in commerce and industry.
Corrugated plates are selected from the types / sizes available depending on the medium to be heated or cooled, where the medium’s physical characteristics are of particular importance. The plates are then “assembled” into customised heat exchangers. Software is used to assist in the selection of type and size and greatly simplifies the listing of alternatives.
thermowave does however always use software developed in house to configure the apparatuses so that the latest advances in technology can be rapidly implemented. The ultimate goal here is to use our expertise and detailed knowledge to respond to requests from our customers and other interested parties, to allow in-house “know-how” to be assimilated and to make the software distinctive.
The usage limits of plate heat exchangers are often determined by the resistance of the plate and gasket material to the media in question. The ‘database of practical knowledge’ available within the company is indispensable at this point as is a fully functioning configuration programme.
Module welded PHE’s
Module welded thermoline plate heat exchanger
As a type of screwed plate device, the module welded plate heat exchanger has greatly expanded the field of application of this type of heat exchanger. Alongside the ‘classic’ exchange of heat between liquids, screwed plate apparatuses also cover applications at high operating pressure and / or phase transitions in the flow gap. One ‘module’ consists of two heat exchanger plates of the same size which are welded together by lasers.
This laser welded seam is resistant to both high levels of static pressure and the changes in pressure commonly occurring.
Since no additional material is used to weld the plates, more frequent changes in temperature can also be tolerated. The laser welded seam reduces the remaining seal length (seal between module A and module N) to 10 % of the seal length of a gasketed apparatus. It is financially advantageous to also use expensive special elastomers where necessary for the remaining ring gaskets. We would be only too pleased to advise you further. Please contact our sales department
Hygiene version
Hygiene version of the thermoline series
In addition to apparatuses built in line with our ‘industrial standard’ (painted frame / standard connections), we also offer our customers, especially in the foodstuffs industry, a ‘hygiene version’ of the apparatus.
This laser welded seam is resistant to both high levels of static pressure and the changes in pressure commonly occurring.
The special hygiene requirements and stringent usage and environmental conditions applicable in the foodstuffs industry place greater demands on the design of and materials selected for a plate heat exchanger. The apparatus should be suitable for the company’s own product but also resistant to the same extent to the various cleaning media used.
The heat exchangers are often installed in damp environments and must not rust even if the room in which they are used is cleaned using fluids. They must also have a similar high-quality finish to the other machines in the room in which they are installed.
Special, rapid release connections are selected as the connection variants (e.g. so-called “dairy pipe screw joints”) so that all plate apparatuses can be used flexibly within their output limits.
All these requirements are taken into account in the thermoline F series.
Frame plates clad in stainless steel (solid stainless steel also available on request) made from 1.4571, stainless steel tightening bolts and nuts, DIN 11851 connections (special connections available on request) and height adjustable sanitary feet are standard on our hygiene devices. A first-class finish with glass bead blasted surface really sets this thermoline apparatus apart.
The special needs of the foodstuff in question are also taken into consideration when choosing the heat exchanger plate types and gaskets, since the fluids should of course pass the plate heat exchanger without taste, smell or colour being affected.