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Plate & Frame Heat Exchanger

OnSite and OffSite Services.

T.H. Industrial Solutions Inc. (THS) has been servicing industrial heat exchangers and 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.
PLATE PACK REMOVAL
PRESSURE TESTING

Using Hydraulic Equipment, THS Service Technicians
will Disassemble and then Tighten a PHE to OEM Specifications

After service has been completed our THS service technicians will test for internal and external leaks. The primary side is filled under pressure with air or water while the secondary side is pressure free. On a plate defect, there’s a pressure reduction on the primary side.

Cleaning Service Options - Onsite Services (1-2 Days)

HIGH PRESSURE CLEANING PLATES
THS service technicians will high pressure clean plates using a 10 hp gas pressure washer, which is effective in cleaning dirt and biofilm, however this service may not effectively remove scale and rust buildup.

CHEMICAL FLUSHING

A portable chemical flushing unit consists of a pump, tank, filter and hoses. THS service technicians pump a citrus based cleaning chemical or mild acid solution through the heat exchanger for 6-8 hours. During the flushing any debris or contamination is collected in a bag filter with a magnet.

*The volume and velocity of the pump package is limited, PHE’s over 3 ft in height and with connections over 2", will not experience significant benefits using this sized pump package since most power supplies available are 120V

Recent Projects

HTS PHE

THS service technicians with HTS PHE

ARMSTRONG SERVICE

Arrived on site, Transported equipment to mechanical room in basement, PHE Drained. Tightening using THS’ Electric Torque Control Wrench. Both sides of exchanger tested at 300 PSI for 30 minutes with no internal or external leaks

PLATE AND/OR GASKET REPLACEMENT

Clip or ball style gaskets can be replaced onsite during service. The most effective method to remove glue style gaskets is to complete the service offsite. Plates are submerged in either a caustic acid bath or nitrogen to break the glue bond. Plate and/or gasket delivery when in stock is typically 1-3 weeks. Custom is approximately 6-12 weeks as they must be molded and/or stamped.

*Chances of a PHE leaking increases to 50-60% probability when re-assembling a unit using gaskets that are over 10 years old, visibly damaged or brittle, causing the PHE not to seal completely. In addition, each time a PHE is taken apart the gaskets can be potentially damaged or may not reseat correctly when retightened.
PLATE SELECTION
GASKET SELECTION

Or contact us at Contact THS SERVICE or 905-831-4963 for a quote.

Offsite Services (2 – 3 Weeks)

CHEMICAL CLEANING
After the gaskets have been removed, the plates are submerged in a bath of heated phosphoric or hydrofluoric acid to remove scale and contamination. When removed from the chemical bath the plates are then high pressure cleaned. Using this method plates are returned 95% - 99% to new condition.

Complete PHE replacement is often not practical:

  • due to the weight and size of many heat exchangers

  • accessibility to mechanical rooms is often severely limited

  • many heat exchangers were installed during initial construction before walls were installed
  • major piping changes are often required when installing new heat exchangers
  • piping standard connections may have changed from a diagonal pattern (X) to parallel
LEAK & DAMAGE DETECTION - DYE TESTING
After the plates are chemically cleaned, the UV Tracer is applied. A fluorescent color is up-sprayed onto each plate. Then each plate is checked individually with UV light in a darkened area. Dye penetrant is than applied to the damaged plates for customers revealing the pinholes or cracks in the affected area.

Risks of Servicing PHEs That Have 0.4mm Thick Plates

Plate and frame heat exchangers (PHEs) with 0.4mm thick plates are designed for high efficiency in applications like HVAC, food processing, and pharmaceuticals. However, their thin plates make servicing challenging.

A key concern is: What are the risks of servicing PHEs that have 0.4mm thick plates?

Servicing these PHEs, if not done carefully, can lead to plate damage, leaks, or reduced performance, as noted by experts like Alfa Laval and Heat Exchanger Ontario. Understanding these risks is critical for effective maintenance.

Why Are 0.4mm Thick Plates Challenging?

Thin plates (0.4mm) in PHEs, often made of stainless steel or titanium, maximize heat transfer but are delicate, increasing vulnerability during servicing. Improper handling or cleaning methods can compromise their integrity, especially in high-pressure or corrosive environments.

Key Risks of Servicing PHEs with 0.4mm Thick Plates

  • Plate Damage from High-Pressure Cleaning: High-pressure water jetting, as used by Heat Exchanger Ontario with a 10 hp gas pressure washer, can dent or puncture 0.4mm plates if pressure exceeds safe limits (e.g., >2,500 bar), leading to leaks or cross-contamination.
  • Chemical Corrosion: Incompatible cleaning solutions, like ketones or overly aggressive acids, can corrode thin plates, reducing lifespan and causing pinholes.
  • Gasket Damage: Excessive tightening during reassembly or improper chemical exposure can degrade gaskets, causing leaks, a common issue.
  • Thermal or Mechanical Stress: Incorrect reassembly or uneven bolt tightening, as warned by T.H. Industrial Solutions, can warp thin plates, impairing sealing and heat transfer efficiency.
  • Fouling Recurrence: Incomplete cleaning, especially of scale or biofilms, can lead to persistent performance issues, increasing energy costs

Mitigation Strategies

  • Use CIP Systems: Clean-in-Place (CIP) methods, use controlled chemical flushing (e.g., citric acid for 6–8 hours) to minimize physical stress on 0.4mm plates.
  • Professional Expertise: Services from T.H. Industrial Solutions ensure proper pressure settings and compatible chemicals, reducing risks.
  • Regular Inspections: Dye penetrant testing, detects micro-cracks post-servicing to ensure plate integrity.
  • Environmental Compliance: Neutralize and dispose of chemical waste properly, to avoid regulatory issues.

When to Service PHEs with 0.4mm Plates

Service every 5–6 years or when differential pressure reaches 7–10 psi, indicating fouling, per T.H. Industrial Solutions. Routine maintenance prevents severe fouling, reducing the need for aggressive cleaning methods that risk damage.

Conclusion

Servicing PHEs with 0.4mm thick plates carries risks like plate damage, corrosion, and gasket failure, but these can be mitigated with careful methods and expertise. Industry leaders like T.H. Industrial Solutions offer specialized services to safely maintain these delicate systems. Trust professionals to protect your PHEs and ensure optimal performance.

Can Water Hammer or Spiking Damage Plate & Frame Heat Exchangers?

Plate and frame heat exchangers (PHEs) are widely used in industries like HVAC, food processing, and power generation for efficient heat transfer. However, operational issues like water hammer or pressure spiking can pose significant risks.

A common question is: Can water hammer or spiking damage plate & frame heat exchangers?

Yes, water hammer and pressure spiking can damage PHEs, particularly affecting gaskets and plates, as noted by experts like T.H. Industrial Solutions and Alfa Laval. Understanding these risks is crucial for proper maintenance and operation.

What Are Water Hammer and Spiking in PHEs?

Water hammer is a sudden pressure surge caused by rapid valve closure or flow changes, creating shockwaves in the system. Spiking refers to abrupt pressure or temperature fluctuations, often exceeding design limits. Both can stress PHE components, especially thin plates (e.g., 0.4mm) and gaskets

Risks of Water Hammer and Spiking on PHEs

  • Gasket Damage: Water hammer can force gaskets out of plate grooves, causing leaks, particularly in PHEs with 0.4mm plates, which are highly susceptible to deformation
  • Plate Deformation: Pressure spikes can dent or puncture thin plates, compromising heat transfer and risking cross-contamination, as noted by Heat Exchanger Ontario.
  • Seal Failure: Spiking from rapid pressure changes (e.g., >150 psig/min) can break gasket bonds or deform grooves, leading to leaks
  • Reduced Lifespan: Repeated surges accelerate wear on plates and gaskets, shortening PHE lifespan, especially in high-pressure systems, as cautioned by industry standards.

Mitigation Strategies

  • Gradual Valve Operation: Open and close valves slowly during startup to prevent water hammer
  • Install Protective Devices: Use relief valves, pulsation dampers, or arrestors to absorb pressure spikes, per industry best practices.
  • Use Strainers: Upstream filters remove debris that exacerbates pressure issues, protecting PHEs
  • Regular Inspections: Monitor pressure drops (7–10 psi indicates fouling) and perform dye penetrant testing to detect plate damage

When to Service PHEs

Service PHEs every 5–6 years or when differential pressure reaches 7–10 psi, indicating fouling or potential damage from surges. Regular maintenance prevents escalation of water hammer or spiking issues.

Conclusion

Water hammer and pressure spiking can significantly damage plate and frame heat exchangers by affecting gaskets and plates, leading to leaks and reduced efficiency. Industry leaders like T.H. Industrial Solutions offer expert maintenance to mitigate these risks. Trust professionals to protect your PHEs and ensure optimal performance.

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

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HEAD OFFICE

1550 Bayly Street, Unit 15
Pickering, ON L1W 3W1

T 905 831-4963

SERVICE CENTER

76 Harlowe Road, Unit 4 - 7
Hamilton, ON L8W 3R6

T 905 318-0777
F 905-318-8422

Contact THS SERVICE

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