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Plate & Shell
Markets - Oil & Gas / LNG
• Glycol Interchanger
• LNG Cargo Condenser
• Crude Oil Cooler
• NG Heater
• Fuel Gas Cooler
• LNG BOG Heater
• Vent Gas Economizer
Figure 3 : Deformation in a laser welded plate assembly during a pressure burst test
Current market applications It should be noted that plate and shell heat exchangers are capable of meeting almost all of the same operating conditions as those of conventional shell & tube heat exchangers . Therefore , it can cover a broad range of applications . Typical operating parameters for plate & shells are shown below .
Operating Parameters
• operating pressure : -1 to 400 bar ( g ) ( depending on design temperature )
• operating temperature : -200 to + 550 ° C ( depending on design pressure )
• dynamic viscosity : up to 8.000 mPa s ( like crude oil 15 ° C )
• performance range : up to 100 MW
Materials of construction Stainless steel ( 304 , 304L , 316 , 347 , various Hastelloy ® grades ) is the principal material of construction . The plate presses also handle Titanium depending on the requirements placed by the application .
The table above summarizes the different applications where Gesmex heat exchangers are currently employed . Gesmex / PECPL are engaged in efforts that will broaden the applications base to meet the needs of process industries as a whole .
Summary
Plate & shell offers the following advantages over shell & tube
••
Compact design – Less surface area required . More surface area / per installed volume .
•• Counter current flow – Higher effective mean DT
•• Lower volumetric hold-up and reduced weight .
•• Partial rounded geometry
•• All welded construction
••
Smaller size and foot print compactness and lower foot print ( 3 to 4 times size reduction in volume & weight )
•• Lower overall cost – capital & operating