Basic Classification Of Spiral Plate Heat Exchangers

Spiral plate heat exchangers are divided into detachable and non-detachable types.

Non-detachable spiral plate heat exchangers have a simpler structure, with both ends of the spiral channel welded shut.

Detachable spiral plate heat exchangers are identical to non-detachable ones except for the sealing structure at both ends of the spiral channel. For mechanical cleaning, one end of the detachable spiral channel is open and sealed with a flat cover and gasket to prevent fluid leakage into the atmosphere or short-circuiting within the same channel. To improve the pressure-bearing capacity of the spiral plates, spacer columns are used to support them. The fluid inlet and outlet on the cylinder can be either normal or tangential. Tangential connections are commonly used in China due to their lower fluid resistance and easier flushing out of impurities. Rotary supports are convenient, allowing the heat exchanger to be placed vertically or horizontally.

The A and B fluids for heat exchange flow through opposite sides of the spiral plate. One fluid flows from the outside to the inside of the spiral channel and exits at the central outlet; the other fluid flows from the center inlet and outwards along the spiral channel. The two fluids flow in a pure countercurrent manner. The maximum structural dimensions of the spiral plate heat exchanger are: plate width 1800 mm, outer diameter 1700 mm, heat transfer area 250 square meters, and plate spacing 20 mm. The maximum permissible operating pressure can reach 2.5 MPa. The operating temperature depends on the materials selected, which are mostly carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, and titanium.