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Shell & Plate Heat Exchangers

The shell & plate heat exchanger is a relatively new concept in heat transfer. For many years plate-type exchangers have been encroaching in areas that were previously served by traditional shell & tube exchangers. This is no surprise since plate exchangers can achieve much higher heat transfer coefficients due to the density of heat transfer area per unit of volume combined with their turbulence inducing profile. Despite their obvious advantages in size and cost, some applications have remained off limits for plate exchangers due to their three main weaknesses (pressure limit, temperature limit, and gasket compatibility). By placing a stack of corrugated plates into a shell, a shell & plate heat exchanger can take advantage of the performance advantages of a plate-type exchanger yet retain the high pressure and temperature limits seen in a shell & tube exchanger. Since the plate pack is welded (ours is 100% laser welded), there are no gasket compatibility issues. 

How Does it Work?

  • Corrugated plates are stacked and laser welded together in a plate pack.
  • The plate pack is placed in a shell.
  • One fluid flows in through the plate ports, across all of the plates and then out the other port.
  • The second fluid flows into the shell and across the plate face between the welded plates in the pack then out the other end of the shell.
  • The flow pattern and configuration is very similar to a U-Tube heat exchanger and therefore is easy to adapt for any application where a U-Tube would be suitable.
Shell & Plate Heat Exchanger CAD
Shell & Plate Heat Exchanger Explosion Diagram

Design Options

  • Plates stainless steel, nickel and nickel alloy, or titanium
  • Plates vary in thickness from 0.6mm to 1.0mm
  • Shells can be made from steel or stainless steel
  • Heat transfer areas to 5,000 m2
  • Design P = 150 bar
  • Design T = 400°C
  • Possible configurations such as air coolers, refrigerant evaporators and vacuum condensers

More Information

For more information about our shell & plate heat exchangers, download our brochure.
Air Cooler

Air Cooler

Refrigerant Evaporator

Refrigerant Evaporator

Vacuum Condenser

Vacuum Condenser

Not sure what the problem is with your equipment?

Send your heat exchanger or plate pack to our workshop and we can help you diagnose and fix the issues! 

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