INSTALLATION, OPERATION and MAINTENANCE MANUAL | 15
5. CONSTRUCTION
5.1. Standard Design
The APV GPHE is designed to provide maximum efficiency and cost effectiveness
in handling heat transfer duties. The GPHE minimizes maintenance downtime and
requires little floor space compared with other types of heat transfer equipment.
The heat transfer plate is a thin, corrugated metal sheet that transfers heat
between the fluids on either side. The GPHE consists of multiple such plates, each
surrounded by a sealing gasket and compressed together to form a rigid plate
pack. Each plate typically includes an open port in each corner and a gasket that
directs one fluid to pass over the plate surface and the other fluid to pass though.
Plates are arranged in a pack to allow alternate fluids to pass over alternate
plates. Frequently, certain plates in the pack include closed ports to redirect flow
for the most efficient exchange of heat.
The GPHE may be a single section or multi-section heat exchanger. Each section
will include an end plate, flow plates and seal plate. The end plate is a flow plate
fitted with an end plate gasket and is located against the head and, in multi-section
heat exchangers, is located against the divider plate or connector grid on the
follower side. The seal plate is a flow plate fitted with a flow gasket and is located
against the follower and, in multi-section heat exchangers, is located against the
divider plate or connector grid on the head side. The flow plates, fitted with a flow
gasket, are located between the end plate and seal plate.
As an example, the cold fluid (blue) enters and leaves the plate on the left side and
the hot fluid (red) enters and leaves the plate on the right side (Figure 3).
5.2. Frame
The plates are compressed to a predetermined dimension by the tie bars between two
thick metal covers: a stationary cover (head) and a moveable cover (follower).
Connections for the fluid inlets and outlets can be made on either cover. The plates are
supported and guided by the top bar and bottom bars. A column supports one end of
the top and bottom bar (Figure 4).
Industrial GPHE’s are secured to the ground or mounting surface by flat mounting pads
(feet). Typically, two feet are attached to the head (very small GPHE’s use one foot at
the head), and one or two feet are attached at the end support.
Industrial or sanitary GPHE’s that are installed on a level surface are not fully drainable.
After the fluids are evacuated from the GPHE, there is a small amount of fluid retention
located between the bottom of the port opening in the heat transfer plate and the gasket
below the heat transfer plate port opening. Sloping the GPHE downward toward the
stationary cover will help facilitate draining of the retained fluid. Multi-section GPHE’s
may also require drains in the heat transfer plates to facilitate draining.
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