Troubleshooting for plate heat exchangers

19/11/2023 437

Troubleshooting for plate heat exchangers

Are you having problems with your gasketed plate heat exchanger? Is there a leak outside the unit, a leak inside the unit, or an unexpected pressure drop? Identify possible causes with our online troubleshooter!

When you need further support, our experienced and skilled solution provider experts are at your disposal and provide immediate on-site or off-site support to resolve any issue with your equipment. We identify the cause of unplanned downtime and ensure the equipment performs as well as possible. We also detect and prevent hazardous situations to improve the working conditions of your staff.

Leakage problems

You may experience various leakage problems in your heat exchanger units. We hope that with an easy troubleshooter, we can help you identify the causes of your problems and resolve some of them with our walkthrough. Subjects Tau Process can help you with:

Material selection and testing

Part replacement

detailed care

Assessment of the situation

Status check

I can see that the leak is due to worn gaskets. Gaskets are hardened, have cracks on them, and leaks when the unit is cold indicate problems.

Possible reasons:

Deterioration of the gasket material due to aging or high temperature

Presence of oxidizing substance in the process fluid

Unsuitable or overly concentrated cleaning fluid

NBR intensity versus ozone

Recommended solutions:

If wear is the problem, replace the seals. Check the compatibility of the process fluid and the seal and improve the material if necessary. You can also perform a full detailed maintenance operation at your nearest Tau Process service center.

If the root cause is CIP (Cleaning in Place), review the method and cleaning fluid.

Precautions for the future:

Replacing the gaskets at the recommended intervals will prevent deterioration due to wear.

In other cases, consider switching to a different elastomer to ensure process fluid compatibility or making a change in plate alloy to prevent corrosion.

My unit's process fluid is leaking. Gaskets partially visible from the side of the plate package

Possible reasons:

Swelling of the seal or deformed seal channels due to hydraulic shock, incompatibility with the process fluid.

Correct and insufficiently tightened plate pack.

Clogging with high pressure.

High pressure with deterioration of the adhesive's binding properties.

Recommended solutions:

Re-seal or try a stronger method with an epoxy-based adhesive.

Make sure that the gaskets are suitable for the process and confirm that there is no deformation in the gasket seat.

Check commissioning procedures, process, pumps, valves and plumbing.

Precautions for the future:

Follow the user manuals for proper commissioning and exit procedures.

When opening valves, first open the outlet and then slowly open the inlet. Be careful not to over-tighten the exchanger and ensure that the unit is tightened to the recommended size A to ensure proper metal-to-metal contact.

My unit has a gasket swelling or melting. It is difficult to seal the unit after opening it.

Possible reasons:

Absorption of process fluid or cleaning fluid.

Gasket not compatible with process fluid

Recommended solutions:

Switch to a different elastomer material suitable for the process fluid.

Review cleaning agent selection.

Precautions for the future:

Before purchasing the best recommended seal material, obtain a report of the process fluid and water quality.

My unit's process fluid is leaking. The seals are cracked and sticking out over the edge. Gasket parts are missing.

Possible reasons:

A crack initiates and propagates through the gasket material.