Plate Heat Exchanger

Quick Navigation

• 1. What Are Plate Heat Exchangers?
• 2. Types & Selection Guide
• 3. Industry Applications
• 4. vs. Shell & Tube Comparison
• 5. Buy Guide & Pricing
• 6. Maintenance & Service
• 7. Conclusion
• 8. Frequently Asked Questions

What Are Plate Heat Exchangers?

A plate heat exchanger (PHE) is an advanced thermal transfer device using corrugated metal plates to exchange heat between two fluids—without mixing them. Unlike traditional shell-and-tube designs, PHEs deliver 85-95% thermal efficiency while occupying just 20% of the floor space.

How They Work

View Interactive Diagram

Key Components Breakdown:

1. Frame Plate (Fixed Head) – Steel base with fluid connections
2. Pressure Plate (Movable) – Adjustable rear plate for maintenance access
3. Plate Pack – 50-200+ corrugated stainless steel plates (0.4-1.0mm thick)
4. Gasket System – Elastomeric seals directing fluid flow
5. Tightening Bolts – Compression rods ensuring leak-proof sealing
6. Carrying & Guide Bars – Alignment rails for assembly/disassembly
7. Port Connections – DN25-DN300 flanged inlets/outlets

The Heat Transfer Process:

Hot Fluid In (85°C) → Channel 1 → Corrugated Plate → Channel 2 → Cold Fluid Out (75°C)

↕ 0.5mm metal ↕

Cold Fluid In (20°C) → Channel 2 ← Corrugated Plate ← Channel 1 ← Hot Fluid Out (30°C)

Why Corrugations Matter:

• Creates turbulent flow (Reynolds number >400)
• Increases heat transfer coefficient by 3-5x vs. smooth tubes
• Achieves 1°C temperature approach in counterflow configuration
• Self-cleaning effect reduces fouling by 40-60%

Why United Heat Exchangers Leads the Industry

Our Proven Track Record (1989-2026)

Performance Metrics That Matter:

• 12,500+ successful installations across India
• 98.7% customer satisfaction rating (2023-2025)
• 15-25 year average equipment lifespan
• ₹450 crore in documented energy savings for clients

What Sets Us Apart:

Certifications & Compliance

• ✓ ISO 9001:2015 – Quality Management
• ✓ ASME BPVC Section VIII – Pressure Vessel Code
• ✓ 3-A Sanitary Standards – Food & Pharmaceutical
• ✓ PED 2014/68/EU – European Compliance
• ✓ BIS Certification – Bureau of Indian Standards
• ✓ PESO Approved – Petroleum & Explosives Safety

Complete Product Range: Find Your Perfect Match

1. Gasketed Plate Heat Exchangers (GPHE)

Best For: HVAC, food processing, district heating, general industrial cooling

Technical Specifications

Gasket Material Selection Guide

• Application: Milk pasteurization (10,000 L/hr)
• Configuration: Triple-section regenerative system
• Results: 85% heat recovery, ₹4.5L annual savings, 2.1-year ROI
• Uptime: 99.2% over 6 years

Maintenance Advantages

• Open in 15-30 minutes – No special tools required
• Visual inspection – Check all plates during cleaning
• Modular capacity – Add/remove plates without replacement
• Gasket telltales – Early leak warning system
• CIP compatible – Clean-in-place for food/pharma

2. Brazed Plate Heat Exchangers (BPHE)

Best For: Refrigeration, heat pumps, high-pressure applications, compact installations

Technical Specifications

Key Benefits:

• Zero maintenance – No gaskets to replace ever
• Compact design – 0.4m × 0.2m × 0.5m for 250kW duty
• High pressure – Handles supercritical CO₂ cycles
• Lightweight– Easy rooftop and mobile installations
  
  

3. Semi-Welded Plate Heat Exchangers

Best For: Aggressive chemicals, ammonia refrigeration, pharmaceutical production

Why Semi-Welded?

The Hybrid Advantage: One fluid circuit fully sealed (no gasket contact) + maintenance access on the other side


Ideal Fluids (Welded Side):

• Ammonia (NH₃) refrigeration
• Sulfuric acid / Hydrochloric acid
• Organic solvents (MEK, toluene)
• High-purity pharmaceutical water
  
  

4. Fully-Welded Plate Heat Exchangers

Best For: Extreme conditions, offshore platforms, LNG, power generation

Technical Specifications

Critical Applications:

• LNG terminals – Liquefaction and regasification
• Offshore oil & gas – Extreme corrosion resistance
• Power generation – Waste heat recovery
• Cryogenic processing – Ultra-low temperatures
• Nuclear facilities – Safety-critical cooling
  
  

Industry Applications & Case Studies

1. HVAC & District Heating/Cooling

Challenge: Delhi district heating network needed 15% efficiency improvement

United Heat Exchangers Solution:

• Product: Gasketed PHE (2.5 MW duty, 150 plates)
• Configuration: EPDM gaskets for 150°C service
• Installation: 48-hour retrofit in existing mechanical room

Measured Results:

• 92% thermal efficiency (vs 78% with old shell-and-tube)
• 15% lower return temperature to district network
• ₹12 lakh annual energy savings
• 3.2-year simple payback
• 40% reduction in pump energy

2. Food & Beverage Processing

Challenge: Mother Dairy needed high-capacity pasteurization with CIP capability

United Heat Exchangers Solution:

• Product: Triple-section regenerative GPHE
• Plates: 316L stainless steel, mirror finish (Ra < 0.8 μm)
• Gaskets: FDA-approved EPDM
• Capacity: 15,000 liters/hour at 72°C ±1°C

Measured Results:

• 90% heat regeneration efficiency
• 85% reduction in steam consumption
• Opens for daily CIP in 20 minutes
• 2.1-year ROI
• 3-A sanitary standards certified

3. Chemical Processing

Challenge: Hindalco needed non-corrosive cooling for acidic process streamsUnited Heat Exchangers Solution:

• Product: Semi-welded PHE with titanium plates
• Configuration: Wide-gap design (5mm) reduces fouling
• Capacity: 800 kW cooling duty

Measured Results:

• 98.3% uptime over 5 years
• Cleaning interval: 3 months (vs monthly with GPHE)
• Zero plate corrosion after 60 months
• ₹8 lakh annual maintenance savings

4. Data Center Cooling

Challenge: Tata Communications 2 MW data center needed free cooling maximization

United Heat Exchangers Solution:

• Product: Large gasketed PHE (200 plates, 60 m² area)
• Design: 3°C minimum approach temperature
• Control: 10:1 turndown ratio for variable loads

Measured Results:

• 6,200 hours/year free cooling (71% of total)
• ₹42 lakh annual chiller energy savings
• PUE improvement: 1.8 → 1.4
• 9-month simple payback

5. Marine & Offshore

Challenge: Shipping Corporation of India needed reliable seawater cooling

United Heat Exchangers Solution:

• Product: Titanium GPHE with Viton gaskets
• Design: 800 kW duty, 18 m² heat transfer area
• Installation: Retrofit in existing engine room

Measured Results:

• 75% space savings vs shell-and-tube
• 60% weight reduction (critical for vessels)
• Zero failures after 8 years at sea
• Maintenance every 2 years vs annually

Plate Heat Exchangers vs. Shell & Tube: The Real Comparison

Head-to-Head Performance Analysis

When to Choose Shell & Tube Instead

• Extreme pressure (>100 bar for long-term service)
• Very high temperature (>500°C)
• Heavy fouling with particulates >3mm
• Steam condensing with non-condensables
• Existing infrastructure that can't accommodate PHE retrofit

When PHE Is the Clear Winner

• Space-constrained installations
• Energy efficiency is priority #1
• Frequent cleaning/inspection needed
• Future capacity expansion planned
• Applications <25 bar and <200°C (gasketed) or <45 bar (brazed)

Material Selection Guide: Match Your Fluid Chemistry

Plate Material Selection Matrix

Thermal Conductivity Comparison:

• SS 316L: 16 W/m·K (baseline efficiency)
• Titanium: 21 W/m·K (+30% better heat transfer)
• Copper (brazed): 400 W/m·K (25x better, but limited chemical resistance)

Our Material Testing Process

Every United Heat Exchangers PHE undergoes:

1. Corrosion coupon testing – 1,000-hour immersion in actual process fluid
2. Pressure cycling – 1.5x MAWP for 10,000 cycles
3. Thermal shock testing – Rapid heating/cooling cycles
4. Gasket compatibility – Chemical resistance verification
5. Leak testing – Helium mass spectrometry (<10⁻⁶ mbar·L/s)

Sizing & Selection: Get It Right the First Time

Our 6-Step Engineering Process

Step 1: Define Your Requirements

• Heat duty (kW or tons of refrigeration)
• Hot side: fluid type, inlet/outlet temp, flow rate, pressure drop limit
• Cold side: fluid type, inlet/outlet temp, flow rate, pressure drop limit
• Fouling factors (if known)

Step 2: Preliminary Selection Our engineers calculate:

• Required heat transfer area (A = Q / (U × LMTD))
• Number of plates needed
• Flow arrangement (counterflow, parallel, or mixed)

Step 3: Pressure Drop Analysis Target: <50 kPa for HVAC, <100 kPa for industrial

• Plate pattern selection (high/medium/low theta)
• Channel spacing optimization
• Connection sizing

Step 4: Material Compatibility Based on:

• Fluid chemistry (pH, chlorides, dissolved oxygen)
• Temperature extremes
• Regulatory requirements (FDA, 3-A, etc.)

Step 5: Configuration Optimization

• Single-pass vs. multi-pass design
• Gasket arrangement (single-circuit or dual-circuit)
• Frame size and future expansion capacity

Step 6: Performance Guarantee We provide written guarantees for:

• Heat duty ±5%
• Pressure drop ±10%
• Minimum approach temperature
• Thermal efficiency

Free Tools for Quick Sizing:

• Online PHE Calculator – Basic sizing in 5 minutes
• ROI Calculator – Financial analysis tool
• Fluid Properties Database – 200+ fluids with thermal data

Pricing & ROI: The Real Investment Analysis

Transparent Pricing Guide (India, 2026)

Gasketed Plate Heat Exchangers:
Brazed Plate Heat Exchangers:
Price Variables:

• Plate material (+15% for SS 316L, +80-120% for titanium)
• Gasket material (+10-20% for Viton/PTFE vs NBR)
• Frame size and connection ratings
• Custom engineering requirements
• Certification needs (ASME, PED, etc.)

ROI Case Study: 1 MW Industrial Cooling
Scenario: Chemical plant cooling application

Option A: United Heat Exchangers Gasketed PHE

• Initial cost: ₹22 lakh
• Installation: ₹2 lakh
• Total investment: ₹24 lakh

Option B: Shell & Tube Heat Exchanger

• Initial cost: ₹15 lakh
• Installation: ₹3 lakh (larger footprint)
• Total investment: ₹18 lakh

Operating Cost Comparison (per year):
Financial Analysis:

• Net annual savings: ₹8.7 lakh
• Simple payback: (₹24L - ₹18L) / ₹8.7L = 0.7 years (8.4 months)
• 10-year NPV (8% discount): ₹36.4 lakh
• Internal rate of return (IRR): 142%

Environmental Impact:

• CO₂ reduction: 45 tons/year
• Equivalent to planting 2,000 trees annually

Maintenance & Service: Maximize Your Equipment Life

Gasketed PHE Maintenance Schedule

Monthly (if accessible):

• Visual inspection for external leaks
• Check differential pressure (fouling indicator)
• Verify tightening bolt torque

Quarterly:

• Gasket telltale inspection
• Thermal performance check (∆T monitoring)
• Vibration analysis (if critical application)

Annual:

• Full disassembly and plate inspection
• Gasket replacement (if degraded)
• Chemical cleaning (CIP or manual)
• Pressure test after reassembly

3-5 Years:

• Complete gasket replacement
• Plate replacement (if pitted/eroded)
• Frame and bolt inspection

Cleaning Methods

Recommended Cleaning Approach by Application:
Our CIP Service:

• Mobile cleaning units available
• Custom chemical formulation
• Pre/post thermal performance testing
• Gasket inspection included
• Same-day turnaround for most units

Installation & Commissioning

Site Requirements Checklist

Structural:

• Floor load capacity (typically 500-1500 kg/m²)
• Overhead clearance for plate removal (add 1.5x unit length)
• Access for maintenance (minimum 1m around unit)

Piping:

• Flanged connections matching PHE ratings
• Isolation valves for maintenance
• Pressure gauges on inlet/outlet
• Thermowells for temperature monitoring
• Drain connections at low points

Support:

• Level base (<2mm deviation)
• Vibration isolation (if pump nearby)
• Thermal expansion accommodation

Control:

• Temperature sensors (RTD or thermocouple)
• Flow meters (optional but recommended)
• Control valve sizing and positioning

Our Installation Services

Standard Package Includes:

• Pre-installation site survey
• Installation supervision (1-2 days)
• Leak testing and pressure testing
• Performance verification
• Operator training (4 hours)
• O&M manual handover

Optional Services:

• Complete piping package
• Instrumentation and controls
• IoT monitoring system integration
• 24/7 remote monitoring dashboard

Technical Resources

Free Engineering Tools

Plate Heat Exchanger Sizing Calculator

• Input: Fluids, temperatures, flow rates
• Output: Preliminary size, estimated cost, ROI analysis

Pressure Drop Calculator

• Optimize plate pattern selection
• Balance thermal performance vs. pumping cost

Gasket Selection Tool

• Chemical compatibility database
• Temperature/pressure ratings
• Expected lifespan estimates

Cleaning Cost Calculator

• Chemical vs. manual cleaning comparison
• Frequency optimization
• Labor cost analysis

Get Started: Three Easy Steps

Share Your Requirements

Quick Online Form (2 minutes):

• Application type (HVAC, process cooling, refrigeration, etc.)
• Heat duty and temperature requirements
• Fluid types and flow rates
• Space and budget constraints

Fill Quick Requirement Form →

Or Email Us Directly: enquiry@heatexchanger.co.in
Include: Process flow diagram, P&ID, or basic sketch

Receive Custom Proposal (24-48 Hours)

Your Detailed Proposal Includes:

✓ Technical Design

• PHE type recommendation with justification
• Number of plates and heat transfer area
• Material selection (plates, gaskets, frame)
• Predicted thermal performance
• Pressure drop calculations

✓ Commercial Details

• Itemized pricing breakdown
• Delivery timeline (standard/expedited)
• Payment terms (30% advance, 70% on delivery typical)
• Warranty details

✓ Supporting Documents

• GA (General Arrangement) drawing
• Connection details
• Weight and floor loading
• Installation requirements

✓ ROI Analysis

• Energy savings projection
• Maintenance cost comparison
• Simple payback period
• 10-year TCO analysis

Order, Install & Commission

Manufacturing Process (4-8 Weeks):

• Week 1-2: Engineering approval and material procurement
• Week 3-5: Fabrication and assembly
• Week 6: Factory testing (hydro test, leak test)
• Week 7-8: Painting, packing, documentation

Installation Support:

• Pre-installation site readiness checklist
• On-site commissioning by trained engineers (optional)
• Performance verification testing
• Operator training (4-8 hours)
• O&M manual and spare parts list

Post-Installation:

• 30-day follow-up performance check
• First-year free technical support
• AMC proposal for ongoing maintenance
• Access to 24/7 emergency helpline

Sustainability & Environmental Impact

Our Commitment to Green Engineering

Energy Efficiency Leadership:

• Our PHEs save 450 million kWh annually across installations
• Equivalent to 315,000 tons of CO₂ avoided per year
• Equal to taking 68,000 cars off Indian roads

Eco-Friendly Manufacturing:

• ✓ 40% recycled stainless steel in plate production
• ✓ Zero-discharge water treatment in factory
• ✓ Solar-powered manufacturing facility (2 MW rooftop)
• ✓ 95% of waste metal recycled

Sustainable Product Design:

• 25-year lifespan reduces replacement frequency
• Gaskets are recyclable elastomers
• End-of-life metal recovery rate: 98%
• Reduce client energy consumption by 20-40%

Latest Innovations & Technology Updates

NEW: Smart PHE Monitoring System (2026)

IoT-Enabled Predictive Maintenance:

• Real-time thermal performance tracking
• Automatic fouling detection algorithms
• Predictive gasket failure warnings (90% accuracy)
• Mobile app with instant alerts
• Cloud-based performance benchmarking

Benefits:

• 30% reduction in unplanned downtime
• Optimize cleaning schedules (avoid over/under-maintenance)
• Remote troubleshooting support
• Energy consumption analytics

Advanced Plate Coating Technology

New Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) Coating:

• Reduces fouling by 60% vs. standard stainless steel
• Extends cleaning intervals from 3 months → 8 months
• Food-safe (FDA approved)
• +5% premium over standard plates

Currently available for food processing and pharmaceutical applications.

Why 5,000+ Companies Trust United Heat Exchangers

Customer Testimonials

"The PHE replaced our 40-year-old shell-and-tube. Same cooling capacity in 1/5th the space. Energy bills dropped 35%. Paid for itself in 11 months."
— Ramesh Patel, Plant Manager,

"We've been using United Heat Exchangers for 15 years across 8 dairy plants. Their after-sales support is unmatched. When we have issues at 2 AM during peak production, they answer."
— Dr. Sharma, Operations Director,

"Offshore equipment takes a beating. This titanium PHE has been running on our platform for 9 years with zero maintenance. That's incredible reliability."
— Capt. Venkat,

"The CO₂ brazed PHE handles 45 bar transcritical conditions flawlessly. 12% efficiency improvement over our previous system. Best investment we made."
— Mechanical Engineer,

Industry Recognitions

• Best Heat Exchanger Manufacturer - CII Industrial Excellence Awards (2022)
• Export Excellence Award - Engineering Export Promotion Council (2021)
• 4.8/5 Average Rating - Based on 450+ verified reviews
  
  

Your Partner in Thermal Excellence

Choosing the right heat exchanger isn't just about buying equipment—it's about partnering with experts who understand your process, investing in efficiency that pays dividends for decades, and ensuring reliability when your operations depend on it.

At United Heat Exchangers, we've been engineering thermal solutions since 1989. Our 12,500+ successful installations across India represent millions of hours of reliable operation, billions of rupees in energy savings, and countless production processes running smoothly..

Whether you need a compact brazed PHE for a rooftop chiller or a custom titanium system for offshore harsh conditions, we have the expertise, manufacturing capability, and support network to deliver exactly what you need.

Ready to Transform Your Heat Transfer Efficiency?

Get Started in 60 Seconds:

1. Fill Quick Requirement Form (2 minutes)
2. Call: +91 422 2670982 (Speak with engineer directly)
3. Email: enquiry@heatexchanger.co.in

United Heat Exchangers Pvt. Ltd.

Engineering Thermal Excellence Since 1989
ISO 9001:2015 | ISO 14001:2015 | ASME | PED | 3-A Certified

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do plate heat exchangers last?

Typical Lifespan by Component:

• Plates: 15-25 years (stainless steel/titanium) with proper maintenance
• Gaskets: 3-5 years (NBR/EPDM), 5-7 years (Viton), 7-10 years (PTFE)
• Frame: 25-30+ years
• Brazed units: 12-20 years (no wearing parts)

Factors Affecting Lifespan:

• Water quality (hardness, chlorides, dissolved oxygen)
• Operating temperature vs. gasket rating
• Maintenance frequency and quality
• Proper initial sizing (avoiding overload)

We've documented installations operating 20+ years with minimal plate replacement.

What's the difference between PHE and shell & tube?

Choose PHE when:

• Space is limited
• Energy efficiency is critical
• Easy maintenance access needed
• Pressure <100 bar, temperature <500°C
• Close temperature approach required (1-3°C)

Choose Shell & Tube when:

• Extreme pressure (>100 bar)
• Very high temperature (>500°C)
• Heavy fouling with large particles
• Two-phase flow with non-condensables
• Existing infrastructure constraints

See our detailed comparison table above.

How often do gaskets need replacement?

Replacement Intervals by Material:

• NBR (Nitrile): 3-5 years in water service
• EPDM: 4-6 years in steam/hot water
• Viton: 5-7 years in chemical service
• PTFE: 7-10 years in aggressive chemicals

Warning Signs:

• Visible weep hole drips (early detection system)
• Declining thermal performance (>10% drop)
• Increased pressure drop (gasket swelling)
• External leakage

Cost: ₹15,000-₹80,000 for complete gasket set (size dependent)

Can I expand capacity later?

For Gasketed PHEs: YES

• Add plates if frame has spare capacity (most have 10-20% oversize)
• Typical cost: ₹8,000-₹25,000 per plate + gaskets
• 1-day installation time

Example: Customer increased 500 kW unit to 650 kW by adding 15 plates (₹2.8 lakh total vs. ₹12 lakh for new unit)

For Brazed/Welded PHEs: NO

• Add parallel unit instead
• We design initial systems with modular expansion in mind

What causes fouling and how do I prevent it?

Common Fouling Types:

1. Scale (calcium carbonate): Hard water heating
• Prevention: Water softening, anti-scalant dosing
• Cleaning: Citric acid CIP every 6-12 months
2. Biofilm: Cooling towers, open systems
• Prevention: Biocide treatment, UV sterilization
• Cleaning: Alkaline + biocide quarterly
3. Particulate: Process cooling, seawater
• Prevention: 40-80 mesh strainers upstream
• Cleaning: High-pressure water jet as needed

Design Solutions:

• Wide-gap plates (5mm vs. 3mm) for dirty fluids
• Higher flow velocity (self-cleaning effect)
• Proper plate pattern selection

Our fouling calculator predicts cleaning intervals for your application.

Do you offer Annual Maintenance Contracts (AMC)?

Yes! Three AMC Tiers:Basic AMC (₹45,000-₹1.2L/year):

• 2 preventive maintenance visits
• Gasket inspection and minor repairs
• Performance monitoring
• Priority spare parts delivery

Standard AMC (₹85,000-₹2.5L/year):

• 4 preventive maintenance visits
• 1 annual full disassembly and cleaning
• Gasket replacement (if needed)
• Emergency callout (8-hour response)
• Performance guarantee

Premium AMC (₹1.5L-₹4.5L/year):

• Monthly monitoring visits
• 2 annual cleanings
• All gaskets and minor parts included
• 4-hour emergency response
• IoT remote monitoring with alerts
• Annual efficiency optimization review

All AMCs include 24/7 phone support and online troubleshooting assistance.

What's your delivery time and warranty?

Delivery Times:

• Standard models: 4-6 weeks from order
• Custom configurations: 6-10 weeks
• Spare parts (gaskets, plates): 1-2 weeks
• Rush service available: +25% premium for 50% faster delivery

Warranty Coverage:

• Standard: 18 months from delivery OR 12 months from commissioning (whichever comes first)
• Covers: Manufacturing defects, braze integrity (BPHE), structural failures under rated conditions
• Excludes: Normal wear (gaskets), improper operation, incompatible fluids, external damage
• Extended warranty: Available up to 36 months (10-15% premium)

How do I size the right heat exchanger for my application?

Our Free Engineering Consultation Includes:

• Thermal calculations - Heat duty verification
• Pressure drop analysis - Pump sizing optimization
• Material recommendations - Based on fluid chemistry
• Multiple configuration options - Compare cost vs. performance
• Written performance guarantee - Heat duty ±5%, pressure drop ±10%

Information We Need From You:

• Heat duty required (kW or tons)
• Hot side: fluid type, inlet temp, outlet temp, flow rate, max pressure drop
• Cold side: fluid type, inlet temp, outlet temp, flow rate, max pressure drop
• Space constraints (if any)
• Special requirements (food-grade, ASME code, etc.)

Response Time: 24-48 hours for standard applications, 3-5 days for complex custom designs

Request Free Engineering Consultation →

What if my application has high fouling?

Solutions for Fouling-Prone Applications:Design Modifications:

• Wide-gap plates (5-7mm vs. standard 3mm) - Handles particles up to 5mm
• Low-fouling plate patterns - Optimized flow distribution
• Higher velocity design - Self-cleaning turbulent flow
• Accessible design - Quick disassembly for cleaning

Pre-Treatment Options:

• Automatic self-cleaning strainers (40-80 mesh)
• Magnetic separators for ferrous particles
• Water softening systems (anti-scaling)
• Chemical dosing (anti-scalant, biocide)

Case Study: Textile plant cooling with high suspended solids

• Challenge: Standard PHE fouled every 2 weeks
• Solution: Wide-gap design + automatic strainer + monthly CIP
• Result: 3-month cleaning intervals, 96% uptime

We offer free fouling analysis based on your water chemistry data.

Can PHEs handle phase change (condensing/evaporating)?

YES - With Proper Design:

Condensing Applications:

• Steam condensers (clean steam only)
• Refrigerant condensers (all types)
• Vapor recovery systems
• Distillation column condensers

Design Considerations:

• Drainage: Bottom connections for condensate
• Non-condensables: Vent ports required
• Pressure drop: Low ΔP design to avoid flashing
• Plate pattern: Mixed flow for uniform distribution

Evaporating Applications:

• Refrigerant evaporators (DX systems)
• Falling-film evaporators (food processing)
• Reboilers (chemical processing)
• Waste heat recovery

Limitations:

• Not ideal for steam with high non-condensable content (>5%)
• Avoid dirty condensate (use shell-and-tube instead)
• Flooded evaporators preferred over spray type

Real Installation: NH₃ refrigeration evaporator (200 TR)

• Brazed PHE with liquid overfeed design
• 15% better efficiency vs. shell-and-tube
• 40% smaller footprint