1

Historic Introduction of Plate Heat Exchanger

Rules into ASME and National Board Codes

Michael Pischke

GE Power

2

Discussion Topics

• Plate Heat Exchangers (PHE’s):

Components & Operating Principle

• The History of PHE Technology

• Various Designs

• Applications

• Elements of the ASME Section VIII-1

Appendix 45

3

PHE’S: COMPONENTS AND

OPERATING PRINCIPLE

4

Slide 5

Main Components

Heat Transfer Plate Pack

Movable Endplate

Fixed Endplate

Frame Compression Bolts

Upper Carrying Bar

Connections

Operating Principle

6

Heat Transfer Plates

7

L: Low theta H: High theta

L + L = L channels L + H = M channels H + H = H channels

Plate Combinations Dictate

Flow Rates & Heat Tranfer

8

Low turbulence & pressure drop

L + L = L channels

Medium turbulence & pressure drop

L + H = M channels

High turbulence & pressure drop

H + H = H channels

HISTORY OF PHE

TECHNOLOGY

9

The First

Gasketed PHE

Semi Welded

1923 1960 1977 1980 1994 2003

Timeline of PHE Technology

Herring Bone Pattern

x

Brazed

VARIOUS PHE DESIGNS

11

Basic PHE Design Categories

• Gasketed

• Semi-Welded

• Fully Welded

• Block Type

• Brazed

12

Pressure and Temperature Limits

Pressure (psig)

Fully Welded

600

470

440

370

Temperature (°F)

Block Type

320 660 750

Gasketed

Semi-welded

-45

Brazed

-320

Gasketed & Semi-Welded PHE

Designs

14

Gasketed Heat Transfer Plates

15

Semi-Welded Heat Transfer

Plates

16

Lap Joint Laser Welded

Characteristics of a Gasketed

& Semi-Welded Design

• Modular

• Expandable and

Contractible

• Replaceable Parts

• Use of Non-Metallic

Heat Transfer Plates

• May be

Disassembled for

Installation

17

FULLY WELDED HEAT

TRANSFER PLATE DESIGNS

18

Fully Welded Heat Transfer

Plates

19

Lap Joint Laser Welded

BLOCK TYPE HEAT

EXCHANGER

20

Block Type Heat Exchanger

21

Characteristics of Fully

Welded

• Higher Temperatures

& Pressures

• No Gaskets to

Replace

• Avoids Gasket Fluid

Permeation

• More Difficult to

Alter/Repair

22

BRAZED PLATE HEAT

EXCHANGERS (BHE’S)

23

BHE Assembly

24

Copper Brazed BHE Cut Away

25

Characteristics of the BHE

• Compact

• Largest Range of

Temps and

Pressure

• Robust Design

• Must Clean in

Place

• Disposable

26

APPLICATIONS

Chemical/Petrochemical/LNG

HVAC

Maritime

Dairy

Food

Pharmaceutical

Distillation/Ethanol

Lube Oil Coolers

Power Generation

Mining

Natural Gas

Ultrapure Water

27

Chemical/Petrochemical/LNG

28

Strong Acid: Non-Metallic

Heat Transfer Plates

29

HVAC Applications

30

Maritime Applications

31

Power Generation

32

Chilled Water Economizer Lube Oil Cooler

Distillation:

Evaporators/Condensers

33

Ultrapure Water

34

Sanitary: Dairy & Brewery

35

ELEMENTS OF MANDATORY

PHE APPENDIX 45

36

Key Elements of Appendix 45

• Definitions & Terminology

• Design

• Materials

• Pressure Testing

• Documentation

37

Definitions & Terminology

38

Heat Transfer Plate Pack

Movable Endplate

Fixed Endplate

Frame Compression Bolts

Upper Carrying Bar

Connections

Design

• Fixed & Moveable Endplates

Designed to U-2(g)

• Gasketed Plate Packs - 1.3x MAWP

• Fully Welded – UG-101 Proof Test

• Brazed – UG-101 Proof Test

• All Other Pressure Parts to Div. 1

39

Materials

• Endplates & Bolts Must Meet

ASME Section II or CC

• Heat Transfer Plates May Use a

Special Limited Code Case

• Nozzles & Fittings Must Meet

ASME Section II

• Nozzle Liners are Exempt

40

Pressure Testing

• In accordance with UG-99 or UG-

100

– The Vessel Must be Tested to 1.3x

MAWP for Hydro (1.1x Pneumatic)

– The Internal Heat Transfer Plates

Must be Tested to at Least MAWP

41

Pressure Testing Example:

MAWP = 100psi

42

Chamber 1 Chamber 2

130psi 130psi

Chamber 1 Chamber 2

130psi

30psi

MAWP

Chamber 1 Chamber 2

30psi

130psi

MAWP

Finally-Documentation

43

Form U-1P Form U-3P

Thank You!

44