In heat exchange system retrofits in the chemical, power, and other industries, plate-frame fin-type heat exchangers often suffer accelerated aging of sealing gaskets due to medium erosion and temperature cycling, and on-site technicians need a set of actionable maintenance judgment criteria. The BRF-180 plate-frame fin-type heat exchanger is designed for medium-low pressure and medium-temperature conditions, with a design pressure of 1.6 MPa and a design temperature of 200°C, making it suitable for retrofit and replacement of existing installations.
Sealing gaskets are the weak link in maintenance. This model can be equipped with nitrile rubber (-20 to 110°C), EPDM rubber (-40 to 150°C), or fluororubber (-20 to 200°C). During selection, compatibility must be verified against the actual medium concentration and operating temperature; it is not advisable to replace gaskets of the same material based solely on past experience. If the medium contains polar solvents or has a high concentration, it is recommended to prioritize evaluation of the fluororubber option; for low-temperature or hot water conditions, EPDM rubber may be considered. Before replacement, the degree of hardening and swelling of the old gasket should be recorded as a reference for judging the impact of the medium.
Plate materials can be carbon steel, 304, or 316L stainless steel. During maintenance, focus on checking the plate surfaces for pitting corrosion and the fin channels for foreign matter blockage. For carbon steel plates, keep them dry during shutdown to prevent residual liquid from causing corrosion. When cleaning, avoid using chlorine-containing cleaning agents on stainless steel plates to prevent stress corrosion. During assembly, tighten the bolts evenly in a diagonal sequence to ensure consistent gasket compression and reduce the risk of local leakage.
Maintenance records should include gasket batch, medium parameters, and tightening torque for subsequent comparative analysis.
