Brazed Plate Type Heat Exchanger

Brazed Plate Type Heat Exchanger

Brazed plate heat exchangers are a type of heat exchanger that are used to transfer heat between two fluid streams, such as between a hot fluid and a cold fluid. They consist of a series of thin, corrugated metal plates that are brazed together using a high-temperature brazing process.

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Our team consists of more than 30 technical personnel with more than 20 years of industry experience and has helped our products obtain more than 55 patent certificates.

 

Well Equipped
The company is equipped with multiple advanced mold processing CNC machine tools, special hydraulic presses, punching machines, integrated blanking machines and other equipment, and can provide customers with high-quality heat exchanger and gasket spare parts, especially GEA, Tranter, APV, AGC and other models.

 

Quality Assurance
We have our own quality inspection center to ensure that the production process complies with ISO standards, and conduct quality inspection of heat exchangers through hydraulic pressure testing equipment, strength testing equipment, etc. to ensure that all products comply with CE and RoHS certifications.

 

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Our team is good at customized design and production, and supports OEM and ODM orders, including providing various heat exchange tubes, fins, structural parts, and pipes to meet the requirements of different use environments.

 

What is Brazed Plate Type Heat Exchanger?

 

 

Brazed plate heat exchangers are a type of heat exchanger that are used to transfer heat between two fluid streams, such as between a hot fluid and a cold fluid. They consist of a series of thin, corrugated metal plates that are brazed together using a high-temperature brazing process. The fluid streams flow through the plate heat exchanger in separate channels, and heat is transferred from one fluid stream to the other through the metal plates.

Swep Heat Exchanger

Swep Heat Exchanger

SWEP heat exchanger is an efficient, environmentally friendly, and energy-saving heat exchanger widely used in industrial refrigeration, building air conditioning, automotive industry, and other fields. It is a heat exchanger based on new materials, with excellent heat transfer performance and reliability.

Brazed Heat Exchanger

Brazed Heat Exchanger

The brazed plate heat exchanger is formed by the interaction and superposition of multiple plates. Each plate is composed of two layers of metal plates, which are connected through brazing technology. Fluid flows through channels between plates and comes into contact with the surface of the plates, thereby achieving heat transfer.

Aluminum Brazed Heat Exchanger

Aluminum Brazed Heat Exchanger

Aluminum brazing heat exchanger is an efficient and environmentally friendly heat exchange equipment widely used in refrigeration, air conditioning, chemical and other fields. Aluminum brazing heat exchanger is a heat exchange equipment based on aluminum brazing technology, which has the advantages of small size, high heat exchange efficiency, energy conservation and environmental protection.

Swep Brazed Plate Heat Exchanger

Swep Brazed Plate Heat Exchanger

SWEP brazed plate heat exchanger is an efficient and compact heat exchange equipment widely used in industrial production, petrochemical industry, pharmaceutical and papermaking fields. This equipment uses brazing technology to weld metal plates together to form a new type of heat exchanger, which has the advantages of high heat transfer efficiency, small volume, light weight, and space saving.

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Nickel Brazed Plate Heat Exchanger

Nickel brazed plate heat exchanger is an efficient and compact heat exchanger widely used in energy, chemical, refrigeration and other fields. It adopts nickel brazing process to weld metal plates together, forming a unique plate structure with high heat transfer performance, high corrosion resistance, and efficient energy conservation.

Brazed Plate Type Heat Exchanger

Brazed Plate Type Heat Exchanger

Brazing is a process method that uses a fusion reaction between the brazing material and the base metal to connect metal parts. The advantage of brazing is that it does not cause damage to the base metal during the welding process, has high connection strength, and is suitable for the connection of various metal materials.

Alfa Laval Brazed Plate Heat Exchanger

Alfa Laval Brazed Plate Heat Exchanger

The Alfa Laval brazed plate heat exchanger adopts advanced brazing technology to tightly connect the metal sheet and sealing material. This process involves heating and melting the solder, allowing it to penetrate into the joint between the plate and the sealing material, thereby achieving reliable connection.

 

 

Advantages of Brazed Plate Type Heat Exchanger

 

Enhanced Efficiency with Brazed Plate Heat Exchangers
One of the main benefits of brazed plate heat exchangers is their ability to achieve high levels of energy efficiency. Unlike traditional shell-and-tube heat exchangers, BPHEs have a larger surface area relative to their size, which enables more effective heat transfer. This means that less energy is required to achieve the desired temperature exchange, leading to significant cost savings. In industries where energy efficiency is critical, such as in the operation of Industrial Fired Heater systems or gas combustion units for LNG, the use of BPHEs can lead to substantial energy savings. Additionally, they have minimal heat loss due to their compact design and efficient construction, making them an ideal choice for modern industries focusing on sustainability.

 

Versatility Across Industries
Another advantage of brazed plate heat exchangers is their versatility. They can be used in a variety of industrial settings, making them an attractive option for different sectors. For instance, centrifugal separators and Rotary Jet Mixers are common in food and beverage industries, where precise temperature control is necessary to ensure product quality. BPHEs can be easily integrated into these systems to enhance their energy efficiency. Similarly, safety valves suppliers often work with industries that require reliable and efficient heat management systems. BPHEs are frequently used alongside screw pumps in Kenya and rotary drum filter manufacturers to optimise energy use in fluid handling and filtration processes. The compact nature of BPHEs also allows them to be easily installed in systems with limited space, further adding to their versatility.

 

Long-Term Durability and Low Maintenance
Brazed plate heat exchangers are known for their long-term durability. The brazing process eliminates the need for gaskets, which are common in other types of heat exchangers and often the first component to fail. This results in a robust, leak-free design that requires minimal maintenance. For industries relying on tank cleaning devices or tube heat exchanger manufacturers, this translates to reduced downtime and lower maintenance costs over the long term. The absence of gaskets also means that BPHEs can handle higher pressures and temperatures, making them suitable for more demanding applications. This durability is particularly beneficial in energy-intensive industries, where maintaining continuous operation is essential for efficiency and profitability.

 

Environmental Benefits
In addition to their energy efficiency, brazed plate heat exchangers also offer environmental benefits. By reducing energy consumption, they help industries lower their carbon footprint, aligning with global efforts to combat climate change. The compact size of BPHEs also means that less material is required for their construction, contributing to resource conservation. Industries using gas combustion units for LNG or Industrial Fired Heaters can benefit significantly from BPHEs, as these units often involve high energy demands. Integrating BPHEs can help in reducing emissions and promoting more sustainable industrial practices.

Application of Brazed Plate Type Heat Exchanger

HVAC
BPHEs are used in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to transfer heat between the hot and cold sides of the system. They are particularly useful for cooling applications, such as air conditioning, as they can handle high temperature differentials and provide good thermal efficiency.

 

Industrial processes
BPHEs are used in a variety of industrial processes that require heat transfer. They are particularly useful in applications that involve corrosive or viscous fluids, as they can withstand the high pressures and temperatures associated with these processes.

Refrigeration

BPHEs are used in refrigeration systems to transfer heat between the refrigerant and the cooling medium. They are particularly useful in compact refrigeration systems, such as those used in small appliances or automotive air conditioning.

Renewable energy

BPHEs are used in a variety of renewable energy systems, such as solar hot water systems and geothermal heat pumps, to transfer heat between the energy source and the heat storage or distribution system.

Food and beverage processing

BPHEs are used in the food and beverage industry to heat or cool liquids during the manufacturing process. They are particularly useful for heating or cooling viscous liquids, such as milk or syrup, as they can provide a large surface area for heat transfer.

 

How Does a Brazed Plate Type Heat Exchanger Work?

 

 

Brazed Plate Heat Exchangers (also known as plate and shell heat exchangers) are one of the most efficient types of heat exchangers available on the market. They are constructed with a series of metal plates that are brazed together at high temperatures to form a seal. The spaces between the plates are then filled with a heat-conducting fluid, such as water or oil, and the entire unit is encased in a housing.

 

Brazed Plate Heat Exchangers work by transferring heat from one fluid to another through the metal plates. The fluid that is being heated or cooled flows through the channels between the plates, while the other fluid runs along the outside of the plates. As the two fluids flow past each other, heat is transferred from one to the other, causing both fluids to change temperature.


The efficiency of a Brazed Plate Heat Exchanger depends on many factors, including the type of fluids being used, the size of the unit, and the operating conditions. In general, however, brazed plate heat exchangers are much more efficient than their shell and tube counterparts and can handle higher temperatures and pressures.

 

Brazed Plate Heat Exchanger Vs Gasketed Plate Heat Exchanger

 

Brazed plate heat exchangers consist of a series of thin metal plates that are brazed together at the edges to form a compact, leak-proof unit. The fluid flows through the channels created between the plates and heat is exchanged between the two fluids. Brazed plate heat exchangers are known for their compact size, high thermal efficiency, and low cost. They are commonly used in residential and small commercial applications, such as swimming pool heating and hot water heating.


Gasketed plate heat exchangers consist of a series of thin metal plates that are sealed together with a gasket. The gaskets provide a flexible, yet tight seal between the plates and prevent the two fluids from mixing. Gasketed plate heat exchangers offer more versatility than brazed plate heat exchangers and are suitable for a wide range of applications, including large commercial and industrial applications, such as HVAC systems, process heating and cooling, and refrigeration. They are also easier to disassemble and clean compared to brazed plate heat exchangers.

 

Aspect

Brazed Plate Heat Exchanger

Gasketed Plate Heat Exchanger

Construction

Consists of thin metal plates that are brazed together

Consists of thin metal plates that are sealed together with a gasket

Sealing

Welded together with no gaskets required

Sealed with a gasket that provides a flexible yet tight seal

Maintenance

Not easily disassembled, difficult to clean or repair

Can be easily disassembled and cleaned or repaired

Size

Compact and lightweight, suitable for small to medium applications

Larger and heavier, suitable for a wide range of applications

Cost

Low cost due to simpler manufacturing process

Higher cost due to more complex manufacturing process

Thermal Efficiency

High thermal efficiency due to close contact between plates

High thermal efficiency due to close contact between plates

Corrosion Resistance

Limited resistance to corrosion

Good resistance to corrosion

Pressure Rating

Lower maximum pressure rating

Higher maximum pressure rating

Application

Residential and small commercial applications

Large commercial and industrial applications

 

Steps That Can Be Followed to Perform Thermal Design for a Brazed Plate Type Heat Exchanger
 

1. Determine the heat duty
The first step in designing a BPHE is to determine the amount of heat that needs to be transferred between the two fluids. This can be calculated using the heat transfer equation Q = U x A x ΔT, where Q is the heat duty, U is the overall heat transfer coefficient, A is the heat transfer area, and ΔT is the temperature difference between the two fluids.

 

2. Select the BPHE type and size
Once the heat duty has been determined, the next step is to select the appropriate BPHE type and size based on the application requirements. This involves considering factors such as the flow rates, pressure drops, and temperature ranges of the two fluids, as well as any other specific requirements such as corrosion resistance or compact size.

 

3. Calculate the heat transfer coefficient
The heat transfer coefficient is a measure of the ability of the BPHE to transfer heat between the two fluids. It is influenced by factors such as the flow rates, the fluid properties, and the design of the BPHE. The heat transfer coefficient can be calculated using empirical correlations or computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations.

Brazed Plate Type Heat Exchanger

 

Brazed Heat Exchanger

4. Calculate the pressure drop
The pressure drop is a measure of the resistance to flow through the BPHE, and is influenced by factors such as the flow rates, the fluid properties, and the design of the BPHE. The pressure drop can be calculated using empirical correlations or CFD simulations.

 

5. Determine the fouling factor
Fouling is the accumulation of deposits on the heat transfer surfaces, which can reduce the heat transfer efficiency of the BPHE over time. The fouling factor can be estimated based on the fluid properties and the application conditions, and is used to account for the reduction in heat transfer efficiency due to fouling.

 

6. Optimize the design
Finally, the design of the BPHE can be optimized to achieve the desired performance parameters, such as maximum heat transfer efficiency or minimum pressure drop. This can involve adjusting factors such as the plate geometry, the fluid flow patterns, or the materials used.

Brazed Plate Type Heat Exchanger Fluid Flow principle

Flow principle in brazed plate heat exchanger Evaporator
In a brazed plate heat exchanger, the two media always flow in opposite directions, it is called current flow. The two-phase refrigerant (vapor + liquid) enters the bottom left of the heat exchanger, and the vapor quality depends on the operating conditions of the application. Evaporation of the liquid phase occurs within the channels and some degrees of superheat are always requested.

 

Flow principle in brazed plate heat exchanger Condenser
It shares the same components as evaporator. Hot refrigerant enters from the upper left of the heat exchanger and begins to condense on the channel surfaces until fully condensed, and subcooling is also required.

 

Multipass Design brazed plate heat exchanger
The heat exchanger can be designed as multi-channels according to customer's requirements. We can offer different connection positions, types and sizes based on customer specific designs.

 

Dual system brazed heat exchanger design
A dual circuit refers to two refrigerant streams and one water stream. Designed as a cross-flow design, that is, the brazed plate heat exchanger can connect two independent refrigerant circuits. This design ensures that each refrigerant circuit is exposed to the entire water flow. The main advantage is that the water cooling performance can still be maximized when only the compressor is running.

Maintenance Tips for Brazed Plate Type Heat Exchanger
 

Prevent icing on brazed plate heat exchangers
When temperature is lower than 0℃, the water in any heat exchanger is possible to freeze. To prevent the brazed plate heat exchanger from being damaged by low temperature, a drain valve must be installed in the air-conditioning unit. When using brazed plate heat exchanger, pay attention to keep the water circulating and heating, and drain the water when not in use. If necessary, ethylene glycol can be added to the water to prevent freezing. Pay attention to the state inside the evaporator to prevent freezing on evaporator water side. Inlet water temperature is too low, water flow is too small or water is cut off, refrigerant flushing capacity is not enough, etc., all will cause evaporation temperature to be too low.

 

Avoid water hammer
Water hammer is a condition that occurs when an incompressible fluid flows through a pipe and suddenly changes its flow rate. Generally, water hammer occurs when the solenoid valve is suddenly closed. Water hammer may rupture pipes, damage valves and brazed plate heat exchangers. Therefore, delaying the opening or closing of the valve can avoid this phenomenon and protect all equipment in the liquid line.

 

Water quality treatment
Due to the difference in water quality in different places and the place where the plate heat exchanger is applied, it is important to pay attention to solution of water quality problems during usual maintenance. Therefore, pay attention to the following matters. Avoid corrosion and scaling. Formation of scale is caused by the concentration, temperature, pH value and other factors that cause the crystallization and precipitation of mineral salts, and adhere to the surface of brazed plate heat exchanger. The higher the temperature, concentration, and pH value, the greater the possibility of scale formation.

 

Pipe cleaning
For the plate heat exchanger cleaning methods, different applications use different methods. For the brazed plate heat exchanger commonly used in refrigeration and air conditioners, if the dirt is formed due to poor water quality, chemical cleaning, backwashing or a combination of the two can be used. If the dirt is mainly sediment, regular on-site backwashing is the easiest and most effective method. If scaling occurs, it must be chemically treated. A weak acid cleaner can be used. At about twice the normal flow rate, clean the brazed plate heat exchanger by passing the pump in opposite direction through the heat exchanger. The weak acid used as a cleaning agent can be a 5% phosphoric acid or oxalic acid solution, circulating in the system in the opposite direction to normal use. After cleaning the system, rinse the brazed plate heat exchanger with water for at least 30 minutes.

 

Our Factory

Nantong Hi-eff Heat Exchange Equipment Co., Ltd. is a leading supplier of heat exchangers and their plates and gasket spare parts. Our company is located in Jiangsu Province and was established in 2012. It currently has a factory covering an area of more than 3,000 square meters and provides services to customers in more than 30 countries and regions around the world. Our main products are plate and frame heat exchangers, welded plate heat exchangers, plate heat exchanger accessories, etc., which can be used in HVAC, papermaking, steel, chemical, refrigeration, electric power, shipbuilding, food and beverage and other industries.

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Ultimate FAQ Guide to Brazed Plate Type Heat Exchanger
 

Q: How effective is the brazed plate heat exchanger?

A: For the recuperative heat exchanger, the overall heat transfer coefficient varies from 38.3 to 362.5 W m−2 K−1 and the exergy efficiency is in the range of 54.2–85.7%.

Q: What is the process of brazing a heat exchanger?

A: The process flow of plate heat exchanger brazing is: shearing plate→forming→surface pretreatment→assembly→vacuum brazing→welding inspection→finishing.

Q: What is main advantage of brazed plate heat exchanger?

A: Efficient – With no need for gaskets or supporting equipment, about 95% of the material is used to transfer heat. The highly turbulent flow also enables you to use small temperature differences efficiently.

Q: What is the difference between brazed and welded heat exchangers?

A: Brazed Plate heat exchangers are efficient and compact, making them an excellent economic choice. Welded plate heat exchangers are similar to Gasketed plate heat exchangers, but instead the plates are welded together.

Q: What is the working principle of plate type heat exchanger?

A: With a plate heat exchanger, heat cuts through the surface and separates the hot medium from the cold. Thus, heating and cooling fluids and gases use minimal energy levels. The theory of heat transfer between mediums and fluids happens when: Heat is always transferred from a hot medium to a cold medium.

Q: Which is better brazed or gasketed heat exchangers?

A: The heat transfer for gasket heat exchangers is lesser then in the case of brazed ones. This means that brazed heat exchangers need less material to be produced, resulting thus a lower price.

Q: What is the life expectancy of a plate heat exchanger?

A: Heat exchangers are usually designed for a lifetime of 20 or 25 years. In fact, they are often in service for much longer.

Q: Which is better brazed plate or shell and tube heat exchanger?

A: Plate heat exchangers are up to five times more efficient than shell-and-tube designs with approach temperatures as close as 1°F. Heat recovery can be increased substantially by simply exchanging existing shell-and-tubes for compact heat exchangers.

Q: Can you oversize a plate heat exchanger?

A: Oversizing the heat exchanger is harmless, even substantial. However, using much larger exchangers than we need entails significant costs, which at some point cease to be justified. A properly selected exchanger is oversized by 20-50% in relation to the required heating power.

Q: What is the best heat exchanger for dirty water?

A: Scraped surface heat exchangers (SSHEs) are the preferred choice for difficult heat transfer applications; for example, those with high viscosities and where fouling can become a problem.

Q: How do you reduce pressure drop in a plate heat exchanger?

A: Increasing the shell diameter. Increasing the shell diameter increases the tube flow area due to the increased number of tubes and, thereby, reduces tube flow velocity and, hence, reduces tube side pressure drop. Further, it also means reduced tube length which, too, leads to reduced pressure drop.

Q: What are the problems with brazed plate heat exchangers?

A: Increased pressure drop from inlet to outlet.
Loss of heat transfer efficiency.
Loss of flow and performance.
Process fluid leakage.

Q: What is the maximum pressure for a plate heat exchanger?

A: Copper brazed plate heat exchangers are pressure resistant up to 30 bar, nickel brazed up to 10 bar. Special models are however also suitable for higher pressures. Gasketed plate heat exchangers are particularly suitable for large flows and high cooling capacities.

Q: What are the pros and cons of plate heat exchangers?

A: They can often be more compact and sometimes lower cost than shell and tube, but do not have as much design flexibility as Shell and Tube. Their full stainless steel construction however does make them ideal for applications such as food processing and pharmaceutical production.

Q: What is the formula for plate heat exchanger?

A: The total rate of heat transfer between the hot and cold fluids passing through a plate heat exchanger may be expressed as: Q = UA∆Tm where U is the Overall heat transfer coefficient, A is the total plate area, and ∆Tm is the Log mean temperature difference.

Q: How effective is the brazed plate heat exchanger?

A: For the recuperative heat exchanger, the overall heat transfer coefficient varies from 38.3 to 362.5 W m−2 K−1 and the exergy efficiency is in the range of 54.2–85.7%.

Q: Do plate heat exchangers go bad?

A: PHEs are long-lasting, however, they do occasionally have performance difficulties. Leakage outside the unit, leakage within the unit, and pressure drop are the three most common problems with PHEs. The majority of these problems are simple to identify and resolve.

Q: What is the best chemical to clean a plate heat exchanger?

A: Therefore, the only way to clean soldered plate exchangers is chemical cleaning using agents that remove scale and contaminants from inside. Most often, this cleaning is done using a 5% solution of phosphoric or oxalic acid.

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