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Plate-and-shell heat exchanger series

Plate-and-shell heat exchangers consist primarily of circular plates and a cylindrical shell, combining the high heat-transfer coefficients of plate heat exchangers with the high-temperature and high-pressure resistance of shell-and-tube heat exchangers. This design enables them to meet the operational requirements of both types, while simultaneously offering significant advantages in terms of space efficiency and reduced procurement costs.

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Structural Features and Heat Transfer Principle

Structural features:

Plate-and-shell heat exchangers consist primarily of circular plates and a cylindrical shell, combining the high heat-transfer coefficient of plate heat exchangers with the high-temperature and high-pressure resistance of shell-and-tube heat exchangers. This design enables them to meet the operational requirements of both types, while also offering significant advantages in terms of space efficiency and reduced procurement costs.

Heat transfer principle:

Based on the operating conditions and the properties of the fluids, the cold‑side and hot‑side fluids may be routed to the shell side or the plate side. To ensure the maximum driving force for heat transfer (i.e., the largest temperature difference), the cold‑side and hot‑side fluids can be arranged in counterflow, as shown in the figure above.

Under certain operating conditions, to reduce fluid flow resistance and accommodate the medium’s characteristics, combined with the plate corrugation structure, a cross-flow heat exchange configuration may be selected for both the cold and hot sides.

To accommodate operating conditions, in addition to selecting counterflow and crossflow heat exchangers, the number of flow paths on the cold and hot sides can also be adjusted to meet the design requirements for heat transfer and pressure drop.

The operational requirements of the customer’s actual working conditions dictate Ametek’s flexible and versatile plate-and-shell heat exchanger designs and heat transfer modes.

Internal flow pattern

Fluid particle trajectory visualization:

Flow direction: inlet at the bottom, outlet at the top; colors—red, green, and blue—indicate progressively decreasing flow velocity.

Internal structure

Shell-side and plate-side flow channels

The shell-side and plate-side flow channels are formed by stacking the plates after rotating them 180° and then welding them together.
After the inclined and straight corrugated plates are stacked and welded, the upper and lower plate corrugations intersect, forming contact points; these evenly distributed circular contact points ensure the plates’ high pressure‑bearing capacity.

Radial cross-sectional view of a plate-and-shell heat exchanger

To ensure that the cold and hot fluids flow uniformly across the heat-transfer plate surfaces, baffle internals are installed between the plate‑and‑shell heat exchanger core and the shell.
The flow‑control internals are designed in a scientifically sound and rational manner, taking into account the fluid properties and operating conditions, to better meet the heat‑transfer requirements.

Partial panel display

Plate model and specifications:

Serial number	Model number	Board groove diameter (mm)	Corrugation Type	Shell-side diameter (mm)
1	AWPS008	50	Orthorhombic straight	Configurable
2	AWPS020	100	Double-sloped straight	Configurable
3	AWPS065	150	Orthorhombic straight	Configurable
4	AWPS1200L	250	Orthorhombic straight	Configurable
5	AWPS1200V	300	Double-sloped straight	Configurable

Model designation: AWPS—abbreviation for Ametek heat exchanger; 008, 020, etc. are serial numbers for plate-and-shell heat exchangers.

Application areas

This product is widely used in high‑temperature, high‑pressure service conditions across industries such as thermoelectric power, nuclear power, chemical processing, oil refining, metallurgy, pharmaceuticals, electric power, food processing, and shipbuilding. It is also well suited for steam–water heat exchangers or heat‑transfer applications involving corrosive media, for example:

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Frequently Asked Questions

Precautions for Shutting Down a Plate Heat Exchanger

When shutting down the heat exchanger, first slowly close the hot-side inlet valve, then slowly close the cold-side inlet valve, and finally close both the cold- and hot-side outlet valves. After all valves are closed, stop the pump; if necessary, open the drain valve.

Precautions for Starting a Plate Heat Exchanger

Inspect the clamping bolts and tighten them to the specified torque, ensuring even diagonal tightening. Verify that the inlet and outlet valves and the vent valve are in good condition and that all instruments are functioning properly. During startup, vent the system first, then introduce the cold medium before introducing the high‑temperature medium. Gradually open the inlet and outlet valves while carefully controlling the pressure differential between the two sides.

Precautions for Disassembling Plate Heat Exchangers

Before dismantling the plate heat exchanger, the clamping dimensions shall be measured and recorded. L; Loosen the clamping bolts alternately in a diagonal sequence.

Precautions for Storing Plate Heat Exchangers

Plate heat exchangers should be stored in a dry, well-ventilated warehouse, with the ambient temperature not exceeding 45 °C 。

When a plate heat exchanger has been out of service for more than six months, the internal fluid must be completely drained. It is advisable to loosen the clamping bolts in advance to ensure that the gap between the two clamping plates reaches 1.2 times L is recommended; clamp it to L when in use.

Causes of Leakage in Plate Heat Exchangers

1) Gasket aging; 2) System overpressure; 3) Loose clamping bolts causing external leakage; 4) Plate corrosion leading to internal leakage.

What are the characteristics of a plate heat exchanger?

Ametech has introduced advanced technologies and design principles, placing user reliability and optimal operational performance at the core, to maximize heat exchange efficiency and minimize energy losses. Ametech has introduced advanced technologies and design principles, placing user reliability and optimal operational performance at the core, to maximize heat exchange efficiency and minimize energy losses.