The Aiprel semi-welded plate heat exchanger combines the serviceability of a gasketed plate-and-frame unit with the enhanced sealing of welded plate cassettes. It is designed for processes where one medium is corrosive, hazardous, at an elevated temperature or otherwise difficult to contain with a conventional fully gasketed plate pack.
Each cassette consists of two heat transfer plates laser-welded together along the sealing groove. Multiple cassettes are then assembled between a fixed frame plate and a movable pressure plate, with gaskets sealing the channels between adjacent cassettes.
This arrangement limits the area exposed to elastomer gaskets on the welded circuit while keeping the gasketed side accessible for inspection and cleaning. The result is a practical balance of process safety, thermal efficiency and maintainability.
Two media flow through alternating channels inside the plate pack. The more demanding medium is routed through the laser-welded channels within each cassette, while the less aggressive medium flows through the gasket-sealed channels between the cassettes.
Heat passes through the thin plate surfaces from the warmer fluid to the cooler fluid. The streams remain separated by the plates and sealing system throughout normal operation. Alternating welded and gasketed channels allow the exchanger to reduce gasket exposure on the critical side without giving up access to the complete plate pack.
The source design also uses a dedicated annular gasket arrangement on the welded side for high-pressure and vacuum duties. The exact flow arrangement and sealing configuration should be confirmed for each process.
Routing the aggressive or hazardous medium through the welded cassette substantially reduces its contact with elastomer sealing material. This helps address sealing risks in duties where chemical compatibility or elevated temperature can challenge conventional gaskets.
Different plate patterns and channel gaps can be selected according to product viscosity, particle size, fiber content and fouling tendency. Multi-section configurations can combine heat recovery, heating and cooling within one frame. This compact arrangement can reduce utility consumption, pipework and installation space.
The cassette pack can be opened for inspection. The gasketed channels are accessible for cleaning, and serviceable components can be checked or replaced as required. This provides greater maintenance flexibility than a permanently closed welded unit.
The plate-and-frame arrangement supports changes to the plate pack when the equipment design and operating conditions allow. This can help accommodate modifications in thermal duty.
The thin plate surfaces and plate-channel flow arrangement support effective heat transfer. The compact construction can also help control installation, pumping and maintenance costs when correctly matched to the process.
The referenced construction uses laser welding to join each plate pair. This process is intended to minimize welding deformation and residual stress while providing consistent welded cassette quality.
Aiprel semi-welded plate heat exchangers can be considered for the following applications identified in the reference information:
– Ammonia refrigeration, including evaporation and condensation duties
– Sulfuric acid processing
– Caustic soda processing
– Petrochemical operations
– Metallurgical processes
– Machinery and industrial manufacturing
– Pharmaceutical processing
– Food processing
Because operating conditions vary considerably across these industries, each exchanger should be selected through a project-specific thermal and mechanical calculation.
A semi-welded exchanger reduces the gasket area exposed to the more demanding medium. It is therefore intended for duties where a standard gasketed plate pack may face chemical, temperature or leakage limitations.
The semi-welded design retains gaskets between the plate cassettes, allowing the plate pack to be opened and the gasketed channels to be accessed. A fully welded design eliminates the removable gasketed cassette arrangement and is selected for different operating and maintenance priorities.
The correct construction depends on media compatibility, operating pressure, operating temperature, cleaning requirements and the consequences of leakage.
To prepare an accurate product selection, send Aiprel the available process information for both fluid circuits:
– Fluid name and concentration
– Flow rate
– Inlet temperature
– Required outlet temperature
– Operating pressure
– Maximum operating temperature
– Allowable pressure drop
– Corrosion, fouling or solids information
– Preferred connection size and standard
– Required plate and gasket materials, if already specified
Aiprel can use these conditions to determine a suitable model, flow arrangement and heat transfer area. Final product details should be stated in the approved quotation and drawings.
Aiprel specializes in the research, development, manufacture, sales and service of heat transfer equipment. Its heat exchanger portfolio includes gasketed plate heat exchangers and welded plate-and-frame heat exchangers, as well as replacement plates and gaskets.
With manufacturing and application support for HVAC, refrigeration, power, chemical, food, marine, metallurgical and environmental markets, Aiprel provides heat transfer solutions based on specific process requirements.
Need a semi-welded plate heat exchanger for ammonia refrigeration, chemical processing or another demanding industrial duty?
Send Aiprel your medium, flow rate, inlet and outlet temperatures, operating pressure and allowable pressure drop. Our team will review the process requirements and prepare a project-specific heat exchanger proposal.
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Aiprel plate heat exchanger plates are precision-formed metal heat transfer components designed for gasketed plate-and-frame heat exchangers.
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