The fluids enter the heat transfer plates through the connections and portholes. Highly engineered sealing gaskets between the plates direct the fluids so that the hot and cold fluids pass counter-currently in alternating channels. When the fluid enters between the plates, it passes over the distribution area. Alfa Laval’s unique design distribution area is one of the most important features of a plate heat exchanger as it ensures an even flow of fluid over the entire plate, maximizes heat transfer efficiency, and minimizes maldistribution and fouling.
Note in the video the distribution area helps the fluids quickly fill up the entire cross section of the plates.
For very heat sensitive media, co-current flow is used in gasketed plate-and-frame heat exchangers allowing the coldest fluid meets the hottest fluid when entering the heat exchanger. This minimizes the risk of overheating or freezing sensitive media. Watching the video, imagine that the hot fluid is reversed, so that both fluids are entering at the bottom connections.
Alfa Laval has an extremely broad range of gasketed plate-and-frame heat exchangers which are used in all types of industries.
For more information about heat exchanger for use in hygienic applications contact Ives Equipment by calling (877) 768-1600 or by visiting https://www.ivesequipment.com.
