comparison between Gasketed Plate Heat Exchangers (GPHE) and Brazed Plate Heat Exchangers (BPHE)
1. Construction
| Feature | Gasketed PHE (GPHE) | Brazed PHE (BPHE) |
| Design | Plates sealed with rubber gaskets and held in a frame | Plates are vacuum brazed (usually with copper or nickel) into a solid block |
| Serviceability | Fully disassemble; plates and gaskets can be removed and cleaned | Non-serviceable; sealed unit, cleaning is limited to chemical flushing |
| Flexibility | Plates can be added or removed to adjust capacity | Fixed design; capacity can’t be adjusted once built |
Operating Conditions
| Feature | GPHE | BPHE |
| Pressure | Moderate (< 25 bar typical) | High (up to 30–45 bar or more) |
| Temperature | Up to ~180°C (limited by gasket material) | Higher, up to 200–250°C depending on brazing metal |
| Fluids | Suitable for dirty, viscous, or particulate fluids | Best for clean, low-viscosity fluids (e.g., refrigerants, oils) |
| Fouling Resistance | Easier to clean and maintain | More prone to fouling due to narrow channels and no access for manual cleaning |
Maintenance & Lifespan
| Feature | GPHE | BPHE |
| Maintenance | Easy to clean and service regularly | Difficult to clean, must be replaced if clogged or damaged |
| Gasket Replacement | Required periodically (based on fluid and temperature) | No gaskets; fewer parts to replace |
| Durability | Long-lasting with proper maintenance | Durable, but can be irreparably damaged by corrosion or fouling |
Cost
| Feature | GPHE | BPHE |
| Initial Cost | Generally higher | Generally lower |
| Operating Cost | Lower in long-term if regular cleaning is needed | Lower upfront, but may need full replacement if fouled or damaged |
| comparison between Gasketed Plate Heat Exchangers (GPHE) and Brazed Plate Heat Exchangers (BPHE) 1. Construction Feature Gasketed PHE (GPHE) Brazed PHE (BPHE) Design Plates sealed with rubber gaskets and held in a frame Plates are vacuum brazed (usually with copper or nickel) into a solid block Serviceability Fully disassemble; plates and gaskets can be removed and cleaned Non-serviceable; sealed unit, cleaning is limited to chemical flushing Flexibility Plates can be added or removed to adjust capacity Fixed design; capacity can’t be adjusted once built Operating Conditions Feature GPHE BPHE Pressure Moderate (< 25 bar typical) High (up to 30–45 bar or more) Temperature Up to ~180°C (limited by gasket material) Higher, up to 200–250°C depending on brazing metal Fluids Suitable for dirty, viscous, or particulate fluids Best for clean, low-viscosity fluids (e.g., refrigerants, oils) Fouling Resistance Easier to clean and maintain More prone to fouling due to narrow channels and no access for manual cleaning Maintenance & Lifespan Feature GPHE BPHE Maintenance Easy to clean and service regularly Difficult to clean, must be replaced if clogged or damaged Gasket Replacement Required periodically (based on fluid and temperature) No gaskets; fewer parts to replace Durability Long-lasting with proper maintenance Durable, but can be irreparably damaged by corrosion or fouling Cost Feature GPHE BPHE Initial Cost Generally higher Generally lower Operating Cost Lower in long-term if regular cleaning is needed Lower upfront, but may need full replacement if fouled or damaged Applications Application GPHE BPHE Food & beverage can use FDA-approved gaskets) (Not easily cleanable) Refrigeration (Gasket limits pressure) (Compact, high-pressure refrigerant circuits) Marine/seawater (With titanium plates) (Copper-brazed BPHE not suitable for seawater) Summary Feature Gasketed PHE Brazed PHE Best For Industrial systems, where cleaning and flexibility are key Compact, sealed systems like HVAC, chillers, and refrigeration Serviceable? Yes No Modifiable? Yes (plates added/removed) No |