Gasketed plate heat exchanger service
Two of the most common reasons for decreased efficiency in heat exchangers are old gaskets that cause external leakage and deposits such as scaling, which lower the heat transfer and eventually clog the channels. By reconditioning your heat exchanger, you can solve these problems.
At Alfa Laval’s well-equipped service center in Waalwijk, our experienced technicians remove gaskets and scaling with specialized tools and chemicals. This prevents corrosion and creates an ideal surface for re-gasketing – without you having to handle the chemicals or waste. In addition, we thoroughly examine your heat exchangers, correcting any sealing problems or deformities. These services ensure your equipment continues to deliver high efficiency and optimal performance.
Plate heat exchanger frame repair service includes inspection, refurbishment, replacement of connection linings, and replacement of bolts or other frame parts. While reconditioning plates must take place at one of our service centers, some frame repairs can be performed onsite.
Reconditioning procedure
Pre-cleaning inspection
Upon arriving at the service center, your heat exchanger plates are examined for major corrosion, erosion and deformities. Our technicians will determine whether the plates should be reconditioned or replaced.
Gasket removal
We use an efficient, yet gentle, method to remove the gaskets using liquid nitrogen or caustic soda, which completely removes the gasket while leaving the groove intact, preventing plate damage. Some field methods of removing gaskets, including using propane torches or rotating wire brushes, can severely harm the plates.
Chemical cleaning
The plates are immersed in specially formulated chemical baths, whose concentration and temperature are carefully regulated for the gentle removal of deposits.
Crack and deformity detection
Each plate is sprayed with dye and then carefully inspected under UV light to find even the smallest defects.
Regasketing
We carefully regasket the plates using a strong, 2-part epoxy glue, which is far superior to the rubber based contact cement used by other service providers.
Oven-cured gasketing
The plates are then placed in a curing skid and baked in an oven for 3-5 hours under compression.
Pressure testing
When the heat exchanger is reassembled, a full hydrostatic pressure test is performed to ensure there is no leakage.
Eindinspectie
De platen worden gecontroleerd om te waarborgen dat de positie van de dichting op de plaat correct is en de platen in de juiste volgorde in het platenpakket zijn geplaatst. Dit beperkt de installatietijd op locatie.
Reconditioning report
Finally, you'll receive a detailed heat exchanger service report, including the procedure documentation and recommendations based on your results.
Performance audits
A Performance Audit verifies your plate heat exchanger is performing according to design specifications and helps identify areas where performance can be improved. A Performance Audit is especially useful when service intervals are difficult to predict and optimize.
A Performance Audit includes:
Data collection and measurement - an Alfa Laval Performance Improvement Engineer will visit your facility to visually inspect your units and to log data using a portable logger with four temperature gauges and a flow gauge. This process does not disrupt operations and usually takes about one hour per unit.
Analysis of data - back at the office, the engineer runs the data through an Alfa Laval thermal analysis software program to derive your heat exchanger's optimal heat load.
Audit report - you'll receive a report which will compare your heat exchanger's performance to benchmark performance and indicates if your plate heat exchanger requires service.