Spiral Plate Heat Exchanger

Spiral plate heat exchangers are highly efficient heat exchange devices suitable for vapor-vapor, vapor-liquid, and liquid-liquid heat transfer. They are used in industries such as chemicals, petrochemicals, solvents, food, light industry, textiles, metallurgy, rolling steel, and coking. They can be categorized into non-detachable (Type I) and detachable (Type II, Type III) spiral plate heat exchangers based on their structural forms.

Spiral plate heat exchangers, proven over years of practical use, are indeed an efficient type of stainless steel heat exchanger. They are suitable for applications in industries such as chemicals, petroleum, solvents, food, light industry, textiles, metallurgy, rolling steel, and coking. These heat exchangers incorporate contemporary technology and are uniquely optimized liquid-liquid and vapor-water heat exchangers. The product structure and process adhere to the standards of Sweden's "Alfa Laval" company, with the spiral plate ends sealed using beveling argon arc welding. The "top distance column" special process is used for capacitive storage contactors, enhancing both internal and external quality, and earning recognition from "Baosteel."

The non-detachable helical plate heat exchanger is designed according to the standard JB/TQ724-89 for non-detachable helical plate heat exchangers, with specified basic parameters and dimensions. It boasts advantages such as simple manufacturing, low cost, compact size, and excellent heat transfer performance. However, it also has its drawbacks, such as the inability to be mechanically cleaned and difficulty in maintenance. Selectors should choose the appropriate equipment based on the actual conditions of the project to ensure its effectiveness.

Structure and Performance of Spiral Plate Heat Exchangers:

1. This equipment is suitable for liquid-liquid, gas-gas, and gas-liquid heat transfer, which can be used for steam condensation and liquid evaporation heat transfer. It is applicable to various industrial sectors including chemical, petrochemical, mechanical, electric power, light industry, and textiles.

2. This equipment is made from two steel plates rolled into two even spiral channels, allowing both heat transfer mediums to flow in a full countercurrent manner. It is suitable for heat transfer with small temperature differences, facilitates the recovery of low-temperature heat sources, and can accurately control the outlet temperature.

3. The pipe connections on the housing are tangential in structure, with minimal local resistance. The helical channels have uniform curvature, and there is no significant change in flow direction within the equipment. The total resistance is low, thus allowing for an increased design flow rate, which enhances its heat transfer capacity.

4. The ends of the helical channel are welded and sealed, offering excellent sealing performance and a reliable structure.

5. Difficult to repair, especially when internal plates are problematic, as repairs can be extremely challenging. Some factories remove all welds at both ends of the equipment, flatten the plates again for re-welding, and then roll them back. This process is highly time-consuming. Given that anti-corrosion is crucial for spiral plate heat exchangers, this approach is not advisable.

6. Not suitable for mechanical cleaning; production practice has proven that spiral plate heat exchangers are less prone to clogging compared to conventional tube bundle heat exchangers. Particularly, suspended particles like silt and small shells are not easily deposited in the spiral channels. The reasons are: Firstly, it's because the single-channel impurities tend to be flushed away as the circulation flow turns; Secondly, there are no dead corners in the spiral channels, making it easy for impurities to be washed out.

7. Due to the presence of spacing pillars within the helical channel that support the spacing, no fibrous impurities (cotton yarn, straw sticks, leaves, etc.) should enter the interior of the heat exchanger.

8. Strictly control the outlet temperature of the cooling water below the scaling temperature.

9. The common cleaning methods include steam blowing or alkaline washing. The steam should be blown into the connection pipe to expel impurities from the equipment, which many users believe to be an effective approach.

Detachable Spiral Plate Heat Exchangers (Type II, Type III)

The structural principle is essentially the same as that of a non-disassemblable heat exchanger, but the channels can be disassembled for cleaning and sealed at both ends. Particularly suitable for liquid-liquid heat exchange involving sticky or sedimentary liquids, as well as gas-liquid and steam condensation. Due to the need for additional components like flanges and heads for the disassemblable heat exchanger, the equipment cost is slightly higher than that of the non-disassemblable type.