Brazed plate heat exchanger is used in many applications, among which heating and cooling systems, air conditioning systems, as well as hydronic modules and chillers stand out.
This type of unit is actively used as an evaporator or condenser in domestic and industrial boilers, as part of climate systems, in the production of beer and in the dairy industry.
Brazed plate heat exchanger is also called non-separable. This name is explained by the specifics of their assembly, in them plates of AISI 316 steel are connected to each other using copper or nickel soldering.
The choice of material for brazing depends on what the heat exchanger is intended for. For work in non-aggressive environments, copper is used, and the use of ammonia as a coolant implies a more complex nickel brazing. The resulting plate design will be guaranteed to be protected from any leaks.
The advantages of brazed heat exchangers are:
- long service life - about 20 years;
- stability of performance at high temperatures - it is designed for uninterrupted operation at temperatures up to + 2000C;
- compactness - it does not require a lot of space, having small dimensions and weight, this fact is due to the lack of a clamping structure of the heat exchanger;
- good reliability, as well as resistance to water hammer of different strength - working pressure can be up to 25 atmospheres;
- absolute tightness - this is due to the fact that soldering is performed not only at the contact points of the plates, but also along the edges of the entire plate package.
- economic feasibility - the price of a brazed plate heat exchanger will be lower than that of analogues.
However, unlike the usual collapsible design, this type of heat exchange unit cannot be repaired. This is due to a strong and very reliable sealing, which guarantees a high tightness of the unit. Strict adherence to operating conditions, taking into account the soldering material.
With a decrease in the efficiency of brazed heat exchangers, flushing may be required, as well as the removal of various deposits from the surface of its plates. In industrial conditions, this procedure takes place using a special installation, as well as chemical solutions. Replacing brazed heat exchangers is much faster than gasketed ones.
Brazed plate heat exchangers are constantly being improved, the model range and scope of these devices are expanding.
