Plate heat exchanger technology from Alfa Laval Inc. showed high capacity technology designed to “allow customers to use one heat exchanger with the potential to expand within length of frame to meet new (efficiency) requirements,” according to the company.

NEW YORK - “Brazed plate” was the catchphrase in the heat exchanger sector at the 2008 Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition (AHR Expo). Companies were showing a range of exchanger technologies, but brazed plate proved to be the most frequently seen and most highly touted by their advocates.

Danfoss(www.danfoss.com/north_america) introduced brazed-plate heat exchangers consisting of a series of thin, corrugated metal plates brazed together to improve heat transfer efficiency.

“We are continuously striving to develop and provide environmentally friendly and energy-efficient products,” said Peter D’Ambrosio, strategic global marketing manager-heat transfer. “Our brazed-plate heat exchangers are space saving, offer a highly flexible design for manufacturing, and require less use of refrigerants.” The company said it is offering 15 models.

Plate heat exchanger technology fromAlfa Laval Inc.(www.alfalaval.com) showed high capacity technology designed to “allow customers to use one heat exchanger with the potential to expand within length of frame to meet new (efficiency) requirements.” The company also said the plate is optimized for close temperature approach conditions, for maximum energy efficiency in HVAC systems.

The company said a key feature was connections, with flow rates up to 8,000 gpm. Applications include free cooling, pressure interceptors, and building interchangers. The company also presented a seminar, “Heat Exchangers in CO2 Cascade Systems,” at the New Product Technology Theater on the show floor.

GEA PHE Systems of North America(www.geaphena.com) showed brazed, gasketed, semiwelded, and fully welded plate heat exchangers.

An inner-grooved tube for use with heat exchangers and air conditioning and refrigeration equipment was featured byCambridge-Lee Industries LLC(www.camlee.com). It comes in a wide range of product sizes to serve a variety of applications.

Delphi(www.delphi.com) showcased microchannel heat exchangers. Delphi Thermal Systems features brazed product and process technologies.

A variety of heat exchangers was shown byAIC Advanced Industrial Components(www.myaic.net). The lines include plate-and-frame, vertical HE, and brazed-plate models.

Brazed-plate heat exchangers and plate-and-shell heat exchangers were on display bySondex(www.sondex.dk). For the former, the company noted its products can “operate continuously at temperatures from -180° to 200°C.” The latter types have plates welded together to form a plate pack that is mounted inside a traditional cylinder shell.



Plate-and-frame heat exchangers were shown byPlate Concepts(www.plateconcepts.com). The company’s contention was that “the plate-and-frame heat exchanger is widely considered the most efficient type of heat transfer equipment available today. PFHX are often the lowest cost solution to heat transfer problems in the industrial and commercial HVAC market.”

Zhijiang Zhuji Dunan Heat Exchanger Co.(www.chinadunan.com) discussed heat exchangers for central a/c, computer room a/c, transportation, and refrigeration systems.

Cesaroni Technology Inc.(www.cesaronitech.com) showed all-polymeric heat exchangers. The company said its PolyCoil heat transfer systems have been developed for applications ranging from military vehicles and small pleasure crafts to HVAC equipment, thermal ice storage systems, and evaporative fluid coolers.

New Accu-Therm plate heat exchangers fromPaul Mueller Co.(www.muel.com) are designed to provide efficient heat transfer whether processing simple fluids, viscous solutions, or particulates, the company said. The embossed pattern was designed to promote high turbulence at low fluid velocities, resulting in high heat transfer coefficients, the company said. The turbulence, uniform fluid flow, and smooth plate surface help reduce fouling and the need for frequent cleaning, the company said.



Accu-Therm plate heat exchangers from Mueller are designed to provide efficient heat transfer whether processing simple fluids, viscous solutions, or particulates.

COILS

An extensive range of coils was displayed byLuvata(www.luvata.com/heatcraft). The company also used the expo to note that it emerged when Outokumpu Copper Products was acquired by Nordic Capital. The line of custom-made coils covers fluid coils, direct expansion coils, desaturation coils, heat reclaim coils, and tube bundles. Replacement coils, duct heating coils, and heavy-duty industrial coils were shown byCoil Company(www.coilcompany.com).

Publication Date:02/18/2008