Detachable plate heat exchangers are composed of numerous heat exchange plates (stamped metal thin plates with corrugated grooves), sealed around the edges with gaskets at a certain interval and clamped tightly with bolted studs. The holes at the corners form continuous channels, where the medium enters through the inlet and is distributed into the flow paths between the plates. Each plate has a sealing gasket, and the plates are alternately placed. Two fluids, entering their respective channels, are separated by the plates. Generally, the two media flow countercurrently within the channels, with the hot medium transferring heat energy to the plates, which then pass it on to the cold medium on the other side, achieving the purpose of cooling the hot medium and heating the cold medium.

Key features include: high thermal conductivity; easy maintenance and cleaning (this aspect has become relatively less significant with the introduction of THE); low dirt coefficient; compact structure, small footprint, and lightweight; easy to alter heat exchange area or process combinations; small temperature difference at the ends, etc.

However, the removable heat exchangers have lower temperature and pressure resistance, and较差corrosion resistance compared to semi-welded plate heat exchangers (SWPHE), fully-welded plate heat exchangers (WPHE), and brazed heat exchangers (CBE).