Gasketed plate heat exchangers

Plate heat exchanger reconditioning and repair

Reconditioning - plates

Reconditioning refers to services performed to the plates inside the gasketed plate heat exchanger. At Alfa Laval’s well-equipped service centers, our experts 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, they thoroughly examine your heat exchangers, correcting any sealing problems or deformities. These services ensure your equipment continues to deliver high efficiency and optimal performance.

Full reconditioning is always necessary at a certain point. However, by using intermediate cleaning services it's possible to prolong the intervals between reconditioning.

Repair - frame

Repair refers to services performed to the plate heat exchanger frame, and include 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. Please contact us for more information.

 

 

Reconditioning steps:

1. Gasket removal using liquid nitrogen 

Liquid nitrogen doesn't harm plates unlike the field methods of using propane torches or rotating wire brushes

 

2. Chemical cleaning in heated, agitated tanks 

Chemical tanks that are heated and agitated provide a superior plate cleaning process compared to the water blasting and/or hand scrubbing with SS brushes in the field

3. Dye penetrant plate inspection under ultra violet light 

Each plate is dye penetrant inspected for cracks and pinholes, which is critical to ensure the regasketed plates are reusable. This is rarely performed in the field.

4. Regasketing with special 2-part epoxy adhesive

Our gaskets are bonded to the plates using a 2-part epoxy glue, placed in a curing skid and baked in the oven for 3 - 5 hours under compression. This epoxy is far superior to the rubber based contact cement used for field regasketing. 

5. Final inspection of the plates

The plates are inspected to ensure the gaskets are properly positioned on the plates and arranged in the proper plate pack order to minimize the field installation time.

Risks of doing it yourself

“Do-it-yourself” reconditioning or using a less qualified supplier may save time and expense up front, but without the right knowledge, small defects can be missed creating bigger problems down the road.

Worse still, reconditioning with the wrong tools or parts can seriously damage your PHEs. Scraping and chemicals can harm the plates, and improper sealing can lead to leakage. Poor reconditioning risks not only your productivity, but also your safety.

To help you understand the risks, here are some examples of plate failures we've seen:

Leakage

When old glue and gaskets are not completely removed, insufficient sealing is the result. This creates a high risk of leakage.

Destroying of plates

Chemical cleaning requires the right concentration, temperature and cleaning time. Otherwise, the plates can be destroyed.

Production losses and safety risks

Deformities can be difficult to see without experience and proper tools. Even small defects can cause production losses and safety risks.

Leaking and damage

The wrong gaskets or poor gluing can cause leakage. The wrong glue may even destroy the plate.

Gaskets falling off

If standard glue is used on a frequently opened GPHE, the gaskets may fall off, making it necessary to re-gasket after opening.

Exclusive Marine plate pack program 

 Alfa Laval now offers a plate pack loaner  program specifically designed  for  Marine customers, to help eliminate downtime of a  ship's coolers or  freshwater generators.

 Not only does this program result in one less dry-docking project, but the  program also ensures a ship always has a cooler on-board, virtually  eliminating downtime.

Plate heat exchanger models, with available plate material

  • Pricing is based on a per plate charge, and varies based on model and plate material.
  • All service center in-bound and out-bound plate pack freight cost is paid by each individual shipowner.
  • If your model is not listed, Alfa Laval will consider including with a mutual, pre-arranged financial commitment and agreement. 

Plate Pack Program Steps:

  1. An Alfa Laval loaner plate pack is sent to the ship first
  2. The plate pack is replaced by the crew at a time that fits the ship's schedule
  3. At the next convenient port of call, the ship's plate pack with the old gaskets are sent to Alfa Laval for refurbishment
  4. Once refurbished, the ship's plate pack is sent back to the them
  5. Once received by the ship, either the next plate pack is returned for more regasketing of additional coolers, or the original Alfa Laval owned plate pack is returned

Marine Plate Pack Program Includes:

  • Materials and labour to remove gaskets
  • Complete plate cleaning
  • Dye and ultra violet light inspection
  • All regasketing
  • Final inspection of plates

Contact

Larry Bogia

Director of Marine Operations

+1 215 443 4175
larry.bogia@alfalaval.com

Reconditioning packages

Alfa Laval reconditioning services for gasketed plate heat exchangers are organized into three packages: red, yellow and blue. This lets you choose the option that best meets your time, budget and application requirements.

Each package is handled by our expert service team and is supported by Alfa Laval’s more than 70 years of GPHE experience.

Blue - the simple solution

Alfa Laval’s blue reconditioning package is a fast cleaning service that can be used when the gaskets are undamaged. It is often used for interim service on clogged GPHEs that are normally reconditioned with our red package.

The package includes a general inspection and hydrojet cleaning, as well as a limited amount of gasket maintenance.

Used as a complement to our other packages, it offers a cost-effective way to boost GPHE performance.

Yellow - when less is more

Alfa Laval’s yellow reconditioning package is an economical option for GPHEs in gentler applications. It is generally used with GPHEs that do not operate at extreme temperatures or pressures, or with GPHEs in applications that do not involve aggressive chemicals or heavy fouling.

The package includes thorough cleaning and inspection, but excludes crack detection. Gaskets are remounted by glue-free means or with optimized rubber glue for general applications, and all PHEs reconditioned in this way receive a warranty from Alfa Laval.

Red - for heavy demands

The red reconditioning package is a full-service option for GPHEs in high-demand situations. It is generally used with GPHEs that are part of a crucial process, or with GPHEs in applications that involve aggressive chemicals and heavy fouling.

In addition to cleaning and inspection, the package includes crack detection and the remounting of gaskets by glue-free means or with heat- and chemical-resistant glue. All GPHEs reconditioned in this way receive a warranty from Alfa Laval.

Downloads

Reconditioning packages for plate heat exchangers

360° Service Portfolio brochure

 

Contact us for more information or to schedule a service call.