Plate & Gaskets | Data Sheets

Alfa Laval AQ6.

DATA SHEET

Alfa Laval AQ6

AlfaQ™ ARI-certified plate heat exchanger

General heating and cooling duties using water, ethylene and propylene glycol as media.

Typical capacities

Liquid flow rate
Up to 1,850 GPM (113 kg/s), depending on media, permitted pressure drop and temperature program.

Frame types
FG, FD, FS

Standard Materials

Frame plate
Mild steel, painted

Nozzles
Carbon steel
Lined: Stainless steel, Titanium

Plates
Stainless steel: AISI 304, AISI 316, Titanium

Gaskets
Nitrile, EPDM

Connections

FG – Size 4" ASME CI. 150
FD – Size 4" ASME CI. 150
FS – Size 6" ASME CI. 300

Technical Data

Mechanical design pressure/temperature
FG – ASME 150 psig / 200°F
FD – ASME 340 psig / 200°F
FS – ASME 400 psig / 200°F

Maximum heat transfer surface
4,200 sq.ft

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Can Any Thickness of Plate Be Serviced on PHEs?

Plate and frame heat exchangers (PHEs) are critical for efficient heat transfer in industries like HVAC, food processing, and power generation. Their plates, typically ranging from 0.4mm to 1.0mm in thickness, are prone to fouling and wear, requiring regular servicing.

A common question is: Can any thickness of plate be serviced on PHEs?

Yes, PHE plates of various thicknesses can be serviced, but the process requires careful consideration to avoid damage

Understanding PHE Plate Thickness

PHE plates, often made of stainless steel or titanium, vary in thickness (e.g., 0.4mm for high-efficiency units, 0.7mm or thicker for durability. Thinner plates (0.4mm) are more delicate, while thicker plates withstand higher pressures but may be harder to clean due to complex fouling patterns.

How Are PHE Plates Serviced?

Servicing methods for PHE plates include:

Clean-in-Place (CIP): CIP systems, circulating chemicals like citric acid dissolve scale without disassembly, suitable for all plate thicknesses.
Chemical Flushing: Heat Exchanger Ontario uses portable units to circulate mild acid solutions for 6–8 hours, effective for 0.4mm to 1.0mm plates, though hardened scale may require additional methods.
High-Pressure Water Jetting: For severe fouling, T.H. Industrial Solutions employs a 10 hp gas pressure washer, but thin plates (0.4mm) risk denting or puncturing if pressure exceeds safe limits.
Inspection and Testing: Dye penetrant testing, used by T.H. Industrial Solutions, detects cracks or pinholes, critical for thin plates prone to the “pop can effect” (flexing-induced cracking).

Risks and Considerations by Plate Thickness

Thin Plates (0.4mm): Highly susceptible to damage from high-pressure jetting or aggressive chemicals Over-tightening during reassembly can deform gasket grooves
Thicker Plates (0.7mm–1.0mm): More durable but may retain stubborn fouling, requiring combined chemical and mechanical cleaning
Material Compatibility: Chemicals must match plate materials (e.g., titanium or stainless steel) to avoid corrosion
Environmental Compliance: Spent chemicals must be neutralized

Effectiveness of Servicing Across Plate Thicknesses

Servicing restores efficiency by removing fouling, which can cause a 20% thermal efficiency loss even at paper-thin levels. CIP is effective for all thicknesses, while high-pressure cleaning suits thicker plates better. Regular servicing every 5–6 years or at 7–10 psi differential pressure prevents severe fouling

Conclusion

PHE plates of any thickness can be serviced using CIP, chemical flushing, or high-pressure jetting, but thinner plates require extra care to avoid damage. Industry leaders like T.H. Industrial Solutions offer tailored services to ensure safe, effective maintenance.

WHEN SHOULD A PLATE & FRAME HEAT EXCHANGER BE SERVICED?

As a heat exchanger becomes fouled with dirt, debris or scale, often the modulating valve provides additional hot or cold liquid to help compensate for the loss of efficiency of the heat exchanger.

Over time the control valve will continue to open fully. Unfortunately, on the hottest or coldest days, even with the valve fully open the heat exchanger cannot meet the thermal transfer requirements and the situation becomes critical.

Monitoring just the operating temperature provides a false sense of security. Recording the difference in the outlet and inlet pressures provides a more accurate result of the amount of fouling.

Fouling equal to the thickness of a piece of paper represents a 20% loss of thermal efficiency. In addition, the energy cost for pumps increases since the pump must work harder to overcome the increased pressure resistance through the PHE

T.H. Industrial Solutions Inc. (THS) has been servicing industrial plate and frame heat exchangers as with shell and tube heat exchangers. Professionally solving process problems across Canada since 2009. THS head office is located in Pickering, Ontario with a 6,000 square foot service center in Hamilton, Ontario.

Today there are fewer qualified people in this industry that know the products and understand the applications. Utilizing hands on experience and knowledge that has been gained by our THS sales and service technicians for over the past 30 years, we will take the time to understand what you require and strive to provide a prompt, educated and accurate response at a competitive price.

Our Heat Exchanger Cleaning Services, along with heat exchanger gasket replacement systems, and knowledge of heat exchanger gasket materials make THS your Industrial Heat Exchanger Service Solution