The field applicability of plate-and-frame heat exchangers first depends on whether the medium and operating condition data provided during the selection stage are complete. According to general equipment technical requirements, selection must specify the medium name, concentration, inlet and outlet temperatures, flow rate, allowable pressure drop, working pressure, corrosiveness, and on-site hazardous area classification. Missing any one of these may cause the plate material, gasket selection, or flow channel design to deviate from actual needs.
O&M personnel should focus on periodic inspection of gaskets. Plate-and-frame heat exchangers rely on gaskets to achieve sealing between plates, and temperature and pressure fluctuations during operation accelerate gasket aging. It is recommended to set inspection intervals based on medium corrosiveness and operating temperature, and to address any signs of leakage promptly to avoid a single-point leak affecting overall heat transfer efficiency.
Plate fouling directly reduces the heat transfer coefficient, manifesting as outlet temperature failing to meet requirements or an abnormal increase in pressure drop. On site, chemical cleaning or reverse flushing may be used according to medium characteristics, but the compatibility of the cleaning agent with the plate material and gasket material must be confirmed to prevent corrosion damage.
Uniform pre-tightening of fastening bolts is equally critical. After disassembly and reassembly, bolts should be tightened in diagonal sequence in multiple passes to avoid local overpressure causing plate deformation or gasket displacement. During routine inspections, checking whether the frame is deformed and whether bolts are loose helps extend equipment service life.
