The BR-55 plate-and-frame heat exchanger is suitable for HVAC, district heating, chemical cooling, and similar applications. The unit consists of plates, gaskets, a fixed pressure plate, a movable pressure plate, clamping bolts, and a frame. Plate materials can be selected according to the medium, including 304/316L stainless steel, titanium, or Hastelloy. Common gasket materials include nitrile rubber, EPDM, or fluoroelastomer.
Observe changes in pressure drop and temperature difference: when scaling occurs, heat transfer efficiency decreases and pressure drop rises significantly, and disassembly reveals white or brown scale deposits on the plate surface; gasket aging is mostly manifested as external leakage or cross-contamination of media, and the clamping dimension is often too large. If the measured values deviate from the calibration range, loosen the clamping bolts and retighten them evenly in diagonal sequence. Do not overtighten one side. When gaskets harden, become brittle, and lose elasticity, the entire strip must be replaced; local repair followed by continued pressure operation is not recommended.
If the ignition temperature of the medium is 200°C, group T3 or higher should be selected, and group T2 or lower must not be selected; otherwise, after long-term operation, the gasket is prone to hardening and loss of elasticity. This parameter is directly related to the equipment explosion-proof rating and medium compatibility. During selection, the medium concentration, operating temperature, and pressure fluctuation range must also be checked. For working conditions with an ignition temperature of 200°C, it is recommended to simultaneously select fluoroelastomer or EPDM gaskets with a matching temperature resistance rating.
Before installation, check whether the plates are scratched or deformed, and no debris may remain in the sealing grooves; the clamping bolts should be tightened gradually and evenly in multiple passes in diagonal sequence, and must not be tightened to the final position in one pass. In the initial stage of operation, first conduct a low-pressure leak test, and after confirming there is no leakage, gradually increase the pressure to the design working condition. If plates need to be added or removed later, the clamping dimension should be rechecked and recorded to avoid plate deformation or premature gasket failure caused by overtightening.
