Matrix Process Alfa Laval Widegap plate heat exchanger

Matrix Process has announced the Alfa Laval Widegap Plate Heat Exchanger, which is suitable for media with particles, fibrous inclusions and other suspended solids.

The company says that the counter-current flow design makes it possible to achieve closer temperature approaches between the hot and cold media, which reduces the overall energy requirement for the same duty by a tube and shell heat exchanger by as much as 35% in some applications. They claim that the herringbone design means heat transfer is improved due to the turbulence generated within the heat exchanger unit.

The plates are made in stainless steel, with other corrosion-resistant materials also available for difficult applications. Gaskets are available in a variety of compounds such as EPDM, nitrile and other elastomers to provide the maximum service interval.

The unit has a 5-point alignment system which provides consistent sealing throughout the plate pack by providing exact positioning in the horizontal and vertical axis. When filled with process media, the heat exchanger weighs up to 80% less than a comparable tube and shell unit.