Spiral plate heat exchangers are fabricated from two metal plates that are wound around each other. One process fluid stream enters the exchanger at the centre and flows outwards while the second fluid enters on the outside and flows inward. This creates almost a true counter current flow.
Advantages
- Single flow paths reduce fouling rates associated with fluids containing solids.
- Ability to handle two highly fouling fluids
- No dead spots for solids to collect inside exchanger
- Counter current flow
- Manufactured in many alloys
- Very low pressure drops
Typical Applications
- Liquid/liquid heating, cooling or heat recovery, where one or both of the fluids may cause fouling.
- Vapour/liquid condensing, particularly at very low pressure and/or high-volume flow