In-House AX-30 PHE Refurbishment
InKorr recently received an exciting opportunity to service a colossal plate heat exchanger unit. The ammonia chiller boasts the following features:
– Size (H x W) : 2690mm x 1060mm
– Weight : 5750 kg
– Volume : 1330 L
– No. of Plates: 102 Cassettes
– Plate Dimensions (H x W) : 2208mm x 909mm

Through regular service and maintenance, the heat transfer efficiency can be improved as the scaling and fouling of the plates are removed, ensuring that the heat exchanger performs to standard. InKorr has developed the skills required to effectively and efficiently clean plate heat exchangers of similar sizes to this massive AX-30 unit. With the experience and skillset obtained through the service of the AX-30 unit, InKorr has proceeded to upgrade and enhanced the current descaling tanks. This will further improve the cleaning process as well as the service turnaround duration. More on that in InKorr’s next article.
– Process –

- AX-30 unit is initially pressure tested to determine if there are any leaks using both hydrostatic and gas pressure tests.
- Visual inspection before and after disassembly on every component of the unit, recording details and notes for service technician’s report.
- Plates carefully removed to be prepared for gasket removal.
- Gaskets were stripped using heat to remove the 2 part oven-cured glue that attached the gasket to the plate
- Plates are chemically bathed to remove scale and fouling built up
- Plates are hydroblasted after it has been removed from the bath to remove the more stubborn foul as well as to remove the acid.


- U.V dye penetrant is usually performed to determine if the plates have pinholes; however, in this project, it was not requested by our client.
- InKorr supplied new gaskets to be attached to the plates and assembled back into the heat exchanger.
- Gas pressure testing was used as a form of a “quick test” to determine if there were any leaks and if the plates were compressed adequately.
- Hydrostatic testing was used next to determine if the unit was able to withstand the design pressure. This test was performed according to the Australian Standards (AS 4037-1999).
- All details and observations are recorded into InKorr’s service technicians report which will be made available for the client upon the completion of service.

InKorr prioritizes the costs and reliability of our clients. Our team is available for any job, including emergency shutdowns and maintenance work on short notice.
Please contact us on the lines below for more information.
E = inkorr.service@inkorr.com.au
Ph = (03) 9800 4118
