The plate heat exchanger consists of a number of thin corrugated metal plates. The plate corrugations form flow channels for the heat exchanging fluids and provide strength to the compressed plate pack. The plates contain ports for fluid inlets, outlets and interconnect passages as required. Gaskets are attached to the plates, forming a seal between the heat exchanging fluids and the surroundings.
Frame:
The plates are clamped together to a predetermined dimension by the tie bars between two thick metal slabs: a stationary slab (head) and a moveable slab (follower). Connections for the fluid inlets and outlets can be made on either slab. The plates are hung on the top bar and guided by the bottom bar. An end column supports the top and bottom bar ends.
Sanitary plate heat exchangers:
Frames used for sanitary or hygienic duties are fabricated in solid stainless steel or carbon steel with stainless steel covering. Standard connections are usually sanitary tube fittings. Industrial fittings may be supplied when required.
APV DuoSafety - double wall plates:
The APV DuoSafety heat exchanger plate is a double wall plate manufactured from two loose plates pressed together to form a DuoSafety plate. Each APV DuoSafety plate pair is equipped with a non-glue gasket, which seals and holds the plates together. The two plates can be made of the same or different materials. The space between the two plates of the APV DuoSafety plate pair serves as a safety zone in case of through-plate leaks. Should a leak occur in this safety zone (i.e. because of corrosion, wear or age of seals), this space provides an extra security against mixing of the two liquids. The liquid will be discharged from the space between the two walls into the atmosphere and avoid crosscontamination. When leakage from a plate heat exchanger containing DuoSafety plates is observed, immediate action must be taken to detect and replace the defective items before corrosion or wear can proceed through both plate walls and pose a risk of contamination. If a DuoSafety heat exchanger is fitted with a spray screen, it may be necessary to regularly remove the screen to observe that the plate pack edges have no tell-tale sign of leakage. A visual check should be made at least every 3 months.
APV ParaWeld - welded plate pairs:
APV ParaWeld plate pair is a right- and lefthand plate laser welded together to form a pair. This welded plate pair system is particularly suitable for use with refrigerants such as ammonia and Freon or with other aggressive liquids that could otherwise attack the gaskets in a conventional heat exchanger plate. When the welded pairs are installed in a frame, each pair is sealed by elastomeric seals.
Receiving check:
APV Plate Heat Exchangers may be shipped fully assembled and skid mounted. The PHE is normally mounted on pallets and wrapped in protective plastic. Other wrappings could be in open box or seaworthy packaging. Prior to unpacking, check the packing for any defects and the equipment for possible damage that might have occurred during transportation. Any damage as a result of shipping must be reported immediately. Check the equipment according to the documentation provided with the shipment. Any deviations must be reported immediately.
Handling:
If the plate heat exchanger is packed and transported lying flat on the head, great care must be taken during raising it, to avoid sliding and impact of bending forces to the equipment base or feet. APV Plate Heat Exchangers are provided with lifting lugs or holes for safe lifting and transportation of the unpacked equipment. When lifting an assembled heat exchanger frame, ensure that the lifting point is above the centre of gravity of the equipment.
Warning: Lifting from the follower shown above is not acceptable for some models and plate damage may result. Check for warning signs on the follower supplied. Use alternative lifting eyes for example as shown below in those cases Ì! The lifting equipment must be in good condition and should always be used in full compliance with the specifications and limitations given for the equipment. Ì! Always maintain the minimum angle between the lifting wires in order not to exceed the allowable wire tension. The angle should not exceed 120° at any time If the ceiling height does not allow for safe lifting angle, dollies or creepers can be used for moving the equipment. Ì! Always observe proper procedures for lifting and/or moving equipment and qualified personnel for the lifting and moving. Personnel must follow safe rigging practices. Indiscriminate use of fork lift trucks may damage the PHE in critical areas.
Foundation:
The APV Plate Heat Exchanger should be placed on a solid foundation floor. If the unit is provided with feet, the dimensions and placement of these are stated on the assembly drawing.
Space requirements:
Ensure that there is sufficient space around the plate heat exchanger to separate the plate pack and to remove or insert plates. The amount of free space required is stated on the assembly drawing.
Connections:
If the plate heat exchanger has liquid connections on the follower, it is important that the compressed dimension is checked against the drawing before the pipes are connected. For easy disassembly and reassembly of the plate heat exchanger, a pipe elbow should be used at all follower connections. The plate heat exchanger connections on the follower and connector grids have little strength against pipe work or nozzle loads. Such loads can arise for example from thermal expansion. Proper care must be taken to avoid transfer of such pipe forces and moments to the PHE.
Storage:
Short Term Storage (less than 6 months):
The plate heat exchanger must be stored in a cool and dry environment away from sunlight. It must be protected from water and debris with a waterproof cover, while also allowing for air circulation.
Long Term Storage (more than 6 months):
The heat exchanger must be stored in a cool and dry environment away from sunlight. It must be protected by a waterproof cover against water and debris, however still allowing for air circulation. Ì! Ozone-producing equipment, salt air and other corrosive atmospheres must be avoided at all times. All connections must be closed to prevent water or debris to enter the heat exchanger. Factory installed plugs or covers may be used. To extend gasket service lifetime, it is recommended to relax the gaskets by loosening the tie bars by approximately 10% of the compressed plate pack dimensions.
Water Source Heat Pump
Today, heat pumps are widely used in HVAC applications. An open cooling tower is typically combined with a plate heat exchanger as the preferred alternative to closed circuit coolers. With the APV Paraflow you can be assured that contaminated water from sources such as open cooling towers, water wells, streams and lakes will be isolated from the closed loop heat pump system.
Free Cooling
A waterside economizer system using a Paraflow plate heat exchanger will save thousands of hours of mechanical refrigeration, which translates to tremendous bottom-line benefits. Using the free cooling available in the outside air under optimum wet bulb conditions, this system delivers cooling tower water with a temperature that minimizes chiller operation. The key is the highly efficient Paraflow plate heat exchanger, which provides heat transfer and simultaneously isolates and protects expensive air conditioning equipment from tower water contamination.
Pressure Interceptor
In tall buildings, HVAC systems that use water, glycol and brine often experience problems with pressure build-up from static head. The Paraflow plate heat exchanger is used at various elevations to create separate circulation loops and reduce the operating pressure throughout the system. The lower operating pressure allows you to use standard equipment for pumps, valves, chillers and evaporators. Energy savings in pump horsepower can also be achieved.
District Heating and Cooling
The Paraflow PHE can be used in low pressure steam, hot water and chilled water district heating and cooling systems. The savings realized, incorporating one large centralized plant rather than many small units, is evident over time. The Paraflow is used as an instantaneous heater and separation device from the main loop in each building. Hot or chilled water is sent to each building via the insulated pipes from the central plant. The heat exchanger transfers the heat to the closed freshwater loops circulating through each building. This provides isolation and pressure interception for the water loops. It also provides a constant pressure drop for the central plant.
Lake Source Cooling
A good example of Lake Source Cooling is a Northeast University needed to replace their campus cooling system that dated back to the early 1960s. Several of their chillers used chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which could not be converted to non-CFC refrigerants. As they explored their options, they began to seriously consider the installation of a lake-source cooling system. After extensive testing and environmental review, the university decided to move forward with the lake source cooling system to cool all of the buildings throughout campus.
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