Heating and cooling FAQ
Below you will find a number of common questions along with answers from Alfa Laval’s experts. Don’t see your question here? Contact us to get a personal response from our experienced team.
Questions about brazed and fusion-bonded plate heat exchangers
Questions about gasketed plate heat exchangers
Questions about semi-welded plate heat exchangers
General questions
What determines the size of a heat exchanger?
For general heating applications, it is not the kW that determines the size of the heat exchanger, but the pressure drop allowed. This is because the applications are low NTU. Other factors that determine size include the approach temperature and the plate material selected for the heat exchanger.
What type of products can Alfa Laval offer for steam heating applications?
Alfa Laval has several products that are suitable in steam heating applications, but the preferred types are gasketed units with a deep pressing depth. The TS and M-types with low theta plates are best suited for these applications.
Brazed and fusion-bonded heat exchangers could also be used, as they are extremely compact. However, these may be more sensitive to thermal fatigue. Such units should therefore be avoided for applications where they are exposed to large, sudden and frequent temperature changes.
How do I choose the right paint standard for my application, and what types of paint systems does Alfa Laval offer?
While we paint our products for aesthetic reasons, our main purpose is corrosion protection. Choosing the correct paint system is essential for protecting the unit from corrosion.
There are many aspects to consider when choosing a paint system. The environmental conditions present where the unit will be in service are of particular concern. Is there a specific corrosion class? Will the unit be placed indoors or outdoors? Will it be subject to any severe pollution? Splash of acids or alkalis? Will it be for an offshore/marine/costal environment? Will the unit be insulated or uninsulated? Is there a risk of continuous condensation or not? All of these parameters call for different paint systems.
Alfa Laval has 14 different paint systems divided into the different corrosion categories C2, C3 and C5. Some of these are for specific applications. Contact your Alfa Laval sales representative for guidance.
Why is asymmetry so important in heat exchangers used as condensers for heat pumps?
The narrow channels on the refrigerant side allow for higher internal velocity, enhancing heat exchange even at partial load. At the same time, the larger channels on the water side reduce pressure drop throughout the unit. Together, this has a positive effect on the heat pump’s coefficient of performance, improving performance for the whole system.
Questions about brazed and fusion-bonded plate heat exchangers
Why is a water-side filter so important in brazed and fusion-bonded heat exchangers?
In the water circuit, there are many small parts and debris in circulation. Most of these are welding residuals, which can be trapped in the small channels of the unit. This can cause a number of problems, ranging from higher pressure drop to irregular fluid distribution across the plates and even corrosion that leads to leakage between the circuits.
Why can refrigerant pressure drop be particularly high in brazed heat exchangers used as evaporators?
Brazed heat exchangers, even longer or taller models, operate with an internal distribution system that distributes refrigerant in all channels. These distributors must have a dedicated geometry, often with small passages and chambers. This, in turn, can lead to pressure drop in many cases. However, this is not a problem in itself as long as the expansion valve is designed accordingly (in most cases, slightly bigger).
Why are AlfaNova fusion-bonded heat exchangers more resistant to corrosion than brazed heat exchangers?
AlfaNova heat exchangers are copper free—built with 100% grade 316 stainless steel. In brazed designs, copper is the material that holds the stainless steel channel plates together. Unfortunately, copper is less resistant to certain types of corrosion, such as in applications where ammonia is used as the refrigerant or where there is aggressive water due to, for example, higher chloride content. In these applications, the 100% copper-free AlfaNova model is therefore recommended.
Why is the refrigerant inlet connection so important for 2-phase evaporators?
The S3 refrigerant inlet connection is more than a connector for brazing the copper pipes. It is a pre-distributor, and its geometry influences the distribution of refrigerant along the unit. The internal diameter of the S3 connection impacts the velocity and turbulence of the fluid, so the refrigerant is equally distributed in every single channel. With each additional plate in a unit, S3 geometry becomes more and more important. Alfa Laval’s evaporators are optimized with dedicated connections to achieve the best performance depending on refrigerant, number of plates and application.
Can the same brazed or fusion-bonded heat exchanger be used both as a condenser and as an evaporator?
Yes. This is possible and has been done in many different applications. The distribution system of evaporators does not jeopardize performance when used as condensers, and the additional pressure drop is generally negligible. However, the condensation needs to be full of subcooled liquid at the condenser exit, as a partial condensation can lead to problems. In reversible systems, it is recommended that the condenser have a distribution system in order to provide decent performance as an evaporator as well.
How do I ensure oil return in evaporators?
The design of both the distribution system and the channel plates in Alfa Laval evaporators ensures the return of the oil to the compressor. This is particularly relevant to inverter-driven compressors, because the amount of refrigerant and velocity can vary greatly in the course of operation. Software that verifies the performance of the evaporator at minimum load is mandatory in order to ensure safe operation.
Can the same brazed or fusion-bonded heat exchanger be used with different refrigerants in 2-phase applications?
Yes. Alfa Laval heat exchangers can be used with many different refrigerants. During the initial design phase, one heat exchanger can be optimized for one or two main refrigerants. Alfa Laval’s latest technology is highly flexible for both inverter-driven compressors (with high capacity variations during operation) as well as the growing number of new refrigerants entering the market due to environmental reasons. Thanks to innovative distribution systems and the new channel plates design, this flexibility allows the units to be used with many different refrigerants at high performance.
What is important to consider when it comes to freezing in heat pumps?
Freezing is one of the main issues to consider in heat pump operation. Alfa Laval heat exchangers are specifically designed to avoid freezing during defrost in air-to-water heat pumps. Nevertheless, preventing freezing depends on the operative conditions you set for the system, especially with regard to compressor capacity, brine flow and temperatures.
Alfa Laval regularly performs simulations, both in a laboratory and via software, which can help you identify the limits for safe operation.
What are the maximum and minimum allowed capacities for a certain brazed or fusion-bonded heat exchanger?
Maximum and minimum capacities are both determined according to levels of acceptable performance. As capacity increases, the unit can experience lower evaporating temperature, higher condensing temperature in 2-phase applications, higher temperature difference in 1-phase applications, as well as water or brine pressure drop. All of these lower the overall performance of the system. Conversely, the lowest possible capacity is limited by oil return to the compressor and the related possible drop due to the reduced velocity into the channels.
Questions about gasketed plate heat exchangers
What is the minimum temperature difference you can have between the two sides of a gasketed plate heat exchanger?
Customers today are focused on saving more energy, and the trend in heat recovery duties is for minimal additional cooling/heating to recover more energy. That means that the units will work with a smaller temperature difference.
For liquid/liquid duties, Alfa Laval offers plate heat exchangers that can work down to a temperature difference of about 1°C. Compare this to shell-and-tubes, where the limit is around 5°C. The reason why we can work with such a low temperature difference is that our units have an arrangement that is almost counter-current.
What is the maximum temperature difference you can have between the two sides of a gasketed plate heat exchanger?
If looking at liquid/liquid duties from a thermal point of view, there is no maximum limit. If you have very high temperature differences, which also includes very high temperatures, you should take into consideration the radiation effect. However, since Alfa Laval has a maximum design temperature of around 180°C for gasketed plate heat exchangers, this is not an issue.
When you have a large temperature difference, it can be a large temperature difference between the bulk temperature and the wall temperature. You should check the wall temperature to avoid boiling or freezing as well as excessive fouling.
What gasket material should I use?
Depending on the media, different gasket materials are more or less suitable. In HVAC applications where the media tends to be water/water, the recommended gasket material is NBR, which is available in several different qualities.
What is the gasket lifetime?
Gasket lifetime depends on many different factors, most importantly the operating temperature and pressure, and the media in question. However, the lifetime is also determined by the cleaning agents used, how often the plate heat exchanger has been opened and closed, if the heat exchanger is used in continuous operation or not, and how the gaskets have been stored.
If the plate heat exchanger is running at the maximum recommended temperature, the gasket lifetime is one year. The lifetime will be longer at a lower temperature, but all of the factors listed above must be considered in order to reach a rough lifetime prediction.
How do I know which type of gasket I have in my heat exchanger?
There are three ways to identify the gaskets. Start by finding the documentation that was supplied with the unit at the time of purchase. Next, look for a tag on the gasket with the article number, which you can find on our new T-range. If your gaskets do not have this tag, you can look for a colour code, which is typically located on the clip of the gasket. In some cases, the colour code is on the inside of the gasket, and this can sometimes even be seen from the outside. Contact Alfa Laval with this information and the information located on your unit’s name plate, and our representatives can help you determine your model and gasket type.
Questions about semi-welded plate heat exchangers
When shall I use a brazed, fusion-bonded or semi-welded plate heat exchanger in a refrigeration application?
A SWPHE is preferably used with high capacity duty, when the heat exchanger needs to be easily opened for maintenance (for instance in cases with dirty cooling water) or when using corrosive medias like saltwater or chloride brines requiring use of titanium or other corrosion resistant material.
Fusion-bonded plate heat exchanger is the best choice for any small or intermediate size duty requiring a copper free heat exchanger, for instance any ammonia application.
Brazed plate heat exchanger offers a tailor-made performance in any small or intermediate size refrigeration application where copper and stainless-steel components can be used, with design pressures up to 140 bar.
What is the minimum temperature difference you can have between the brine/water side and the evaporation temperature in a SWPHE flooded evaporator?
We normally say that an approach could be minimum 2K, if the liquid separator is mounted above the unit. Then the liquid column will be more or less optimal (c/c + 0.5 m) and the pressure losses be reasonable. A good oil separation system will also improve the possibilities to achieve a close approach. Please ask your Alfa Laval representative for an advice if you are in doubt.
What is the largest temperature difference I can have between the inlet and outlet brine/water in a SWPHE evaporator?
To give a general answer we normally say 15K. The reason is that if we have a higher Δt we will have a low pressure drop in the channels. That means a lower turbulence in the channels which will reduce the heat transfer efficiency and make the self-cleaning effect lower. A clean heat transfer area is always important for the performance.
Using a multi-pass heat exchanger will increase the heat transfer length of the SWPHE and allow for a higher temperature difference.
Can I use any type of media in a SWPHE?
No, you should always ask the Alfa Laval representative if you are going to use an unknown fluid. That can e.g. be a brine type on the brine/water side or a compressor oil on the refrigerant side. If you are in doubt your Alfa Laval representative will be able to advice both in metal and in gasket material selection.
A SWPHE allows for use of a wide range of heat transfer plate material such as titanium and SMO (ALLOY254) enabling use of corrosive material such as sea water or chloride-based brines.
What level of design pressure shall I select for a SWPHE?
First, you must check what your locally used pressure vessel code is saying. We generally say that the minimum design pressure should be the operating pressure times 1.3. If you use this factor you can assure the high-pressure safety switch-off device will work properly. It is then allowed to have some small pressure variations in the refrigeration system without a lot of false alarms and unwanted shut offs. Alfa Laval offers SWPHE with design pressures up to 63 bar (900 psi).
Why is the refrigerant side pressure drop so important in a SWPHE thermosiphon evaporator?
As the system is only using the natural laws, with help from the gravity, the density and the height of a liquid column, every pressure drop will affect the performance. An increased pressure drop can always be converted to a higher compressor load and therefore a higher need of input power. It will always cost more to be imprudent with the pressure drop on the refrigeration side compared to the water side. The energy needed in the compressor motor is always much higher compared to the need in the circulating pump motor.
Why is it important to drain oil in a refrigeration system with a SWPHE evaporator?
Compressor oil contamination is common in refrigeration systems. In industrial ammonia refrigeration, using non soluble oil, it is expected that this oil will gather in the coldest place in the system; the evaporator. In the evaporator the oil will build up a film on the heat transfer surfaces, effectively creating a fouling which reduces the evaporator performance.
In order to reduce the oil fouling, Alfa Laval recommends any user of a non-soluble oil to install an efficient oil separation before the refrigerant enters the evaporator.
How often do I need to change the gaskets in a SWPHE?
The time between service of any gasket plate heat exchanger or SWPHE is dependent on the duty. A unit running with sea or river water might need cleaning of the heat transfer surface more often than a heat exchanger running with a closed loop brine circuit.
For a normal closed loop glycol circuit evaporator or a CO2/ammonia cascade condenser normal time between gasket changes will be 15 years or more. Please contact your local Alfa Laval representative for advice.
Why is the heat transfer area so small in a SWPHE compare to a shell-and-plate or shell-and-tube type of heat exchanger?
The plates of a SWPHE are designed to always maintain a turbulence flow in the channels.
The turbulent flow secures a very high efficient heat transfer which drastically reduces the amount of heat transfer area needed compared to other technologies.
Alfa Laval SWPHEs are optimized for use in refrigeration applications and use flow equalization, for instance CurveFlow™, to make sure that all the heat transfer surface is used which results in high efficiency operations also in part load.
Which gasket type shall I use in a SWPHE for a refrigeration application?
The gasket type to use will depend on the media/refrigerants used and the operating temperature. It is also common that the refrigerant contains traces of compressor oil in which case the gasket material also must be compatible with this media.
In an industrial refrigeration application, it is common to use NBRLT (Low temperature nitrile) material for low temperature applications. For intermediate temperature CR (Chloroprene) is used for the ring gasket in combination with NBR (Nitrile) field gasket while HNBR (High temperature Nitrile) and FEPMAL is used for ring gaskets in condensers and high temperature applications.
Questions about AHRI performance certification
Is it mandatory to use an ASME pressure vessel code when specifying AHRI-certified plate heat exchangers?
No. Any pressure vessel code can be used. The certification is about thermal performance only and has nothing to do with mechanical performance and quality in general.
Is the AHRI LLHE certification program only valid in North America?
No. Customers are free to specify AHRI LLHE certification anywhere in the world. In North America, however, members of the certification program must offer certified models to customers if the duty is within the scope of the program, regardless of if AHRI certification has been specified in the bidding documents.
How can customers receive verification that the manufacturer has sized the plate heat exchanger in accordance with the AHRI LLHE certification program?
This is very simple. Customers can send the manufacturer’s specification sheet to AHRI and the AHRI staff will then verify the sizing – free of charge!
Is it complicated to specify AHRI-certified plate heat exchangers?
Not at all! Just add one sentence in your bidding document in which you specify the heat duty: “The plate heat exchanger shall be certified in accordance with the AHRI LLHE Certification Program.”
Can the AHRI Certification Program be used in industries other than HVAC?
Yes. Customers in any industry may use the AHRI LLHE certification Program for any duty covered by the scope of the certification program.
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AHRI-performance-certified heat exchangers for confident thermal performance
Certification from the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) is the only global third-party verification of thermal performance, giving you independent assurance that your plate heat exchanger will perform in accordance with the manufacturer’s published ratings. Alfa Laval offers AHRI-certified gasketed plate heat exchangers, brazed plate heat exchangers and fusion-bonded plate heat exchangers.
