Bulkflow Heat Exchanger Plates
The heat exchanger plates are fully welded, require no gaskets and are available in stainless steel and other corrosion-resistant alloys to suit the process conditions. To make the plates, two panels are laser or resistance welded together in a preset pattern of spot welds. Perimeter and pass seam welds are completed followed by installation of the welded inlet and outlet tube connections. Weld discoloration is removed by pickling.
The welded plates are hydraulically inflated under controlled conditions to provide uniform corrugations, or dimples. These dimples create turbulent flow inside the plate resulting in efficient heat transfer. The heat exchanger plates have a low profile with smooth and uniform heat transfer surfaces exceptionally resistant to fouling.
Bulkflow Heat Exchanger: Plate Bank
The finished heat exchanger plates are installed in a stiffened casing with access doors to allow easy cleaning and inspection. The connections to the pipe manifolds are made on the exterior of the casing with flexible stainless steel hoses. The completed assembly is then hydrotested before shipping.
Each Bulkflow Heat Exchanger is designed to suit the customer`s specific application. The spacing between the plates is determined by the particle size and flow characteristics of the product. The number and size of the heat exchanger plates is calculated using a sophisticated heat transfer model based on the properties obtained from laboratory and pilot testing of the powder or bulk solids to be used.
Bulkflow Heat Exchanger: Control System
The Bulkflow Heat Exchanger employs a simple, yet effective level control system. The inlet hopper distributes incoming product evenly into the heat exchanger plate bank, forming a conical pile. The bulk solids then pass slowly through the plate bank with sufficient residence time to obtain the specified product temperature. The discharge feeder regulates the product flow.
For continuous operation, the control system varies the rate of the discharge feeder to maintain a preset level in the inlet hopper. For batches, the Bulkflow Heat Exchanger can also operate between high and low level switches maintaining the product level above the heat exchanger plates.
Product temperature is typically measured at the inlet and outlet of the heat exchanger. Recirculating or modulating the temperature of the heat transfer fluid controls product temperature.
