Advantages of Plate Type Heat Exchanger
Plate Heat Exchanger (PHE or PHEX) is a highly efficient type of heat exchanger that uses multiple, thin metal plates to transfer heat between two fluids.
How It Works
The fundamental principle is simple: two fluids at different temperatures flow on opposite sides of a thin metal plate. Heat is transferred from the hotter fluid to the colder fluid through the plate material without the fluids ever mixing.
Key Components:
- Plates: The most important part. They are thin plates stamped from corrosion-resistant metals (like stainless steel, titanium, or aluminum) with a corrugated (wavy) pattern. This pattern creates turbulence in the fluids and provides structural support.
- Gaskets: Rubber seals that sit in grooves around the edge of each plate. They prevent the fluids from leaking to the outside and ensure they flow in the correct alternate channels. (Note: Some are brazed or welded instead of gasketed).
- Frame: A fixed frame plate and a movable pressure plate that hold the entire pack of plates together under pressure with large tightening bolts.
- Ports: Inlet and outlet holes at the corners of the plates that align to form continuous passages for the two fluids to enter and exit the plate pack.
How It Works: The Flow
The plates are assembled in a pack and compressed together in the frame. The arrangement of the gaskets ensures that the two fluids flow in alternating channels.
- Fluid 1 (e.g., Hot Water): Enters one port and flows through every other channel between the plates.
- Fluid 2 (e.g., Cold Water): Enters another port and flows through the channels in between, counter-current to the first fluid.
- The corrugated pattern of the plates creates intense turbulence. This turbulence breaks up the boundary layer of fluid on the plate surface, which is the main barrier to heat transfer. This makes the process extremely efficient.
- Heat transfers from the hot fluid, through the thin metal plate, and into the cold fluid.
- The fluids exit through their respective outlet ports, having exchanged heat without coming into contact.