The shell-and-tube design, which the heat exchanger had, where the media moved towards each other through the tubes, is a thing of the past. This very bulky device functioned quite efficiently, but was not able to boast of an impressive consumption of the heated medium. It was replaced by new units, which are high-speed plate heat exchangers.
General Description
If you decide to equip a hot water supply, a plate heat exchanger will help you with this. Structurally, the new units differ from the shell-and-tube predecessors. The base area of the exchange and thermal energy of the latter became larger due to the increase in the size of the coil, which led to more impressive dimensions of the device. In the new heat exchanger, this goal is achieved by increasing the number of plates of the same area. The design has the same power, but its dimensions are 3 times smaller compared toshell-and-tube counterpart. In this case, the device is able to provide a greater flow of the heated medium. This includes water that is used for hot water needs. This is what led to the emergence of the second name of the device, which sounds like a high-speed one. When installing domestic hot water, a plate heat exchanger must be used. If we are talking about the simplest design, then it will have nozzles that are located on two different sides of the device. Between the plates, which are on two guides, you can see a number of plates, between them there is a rubber seal. In order to increase the exchange surface, each plate has a relief corrugation. It is noteworthy that the connecting pipes can also be located on one side of the unit, on the front plate, but this does not have any effect on the principle of operation of the heat exchanger.
Working principle
If you are working on a hot water installation, you will definitely need a plate heat exchanger. The principle of its operation is that the coolant gradually fills the space between the plates. This happens alternately with the heated medium. The shape of the gaskets determines the sequence of filling, in one section they provide a path for the flow of the coolant, while in the other - the heat absorber. The exchange of heat through the plates on both sides occurs during operation in each section, excluding the last one. Both media flow through the sections towards each other, as forheating, it enters from above, and then exits through the lower pipe. If we are talking about a heated medium, then its path is directed in the opposite direction.
Main Specifications
If you decide to equip the hot water supply, you will absolutely need a plate heat exchanger. Gaskets and plates can be made of a variety of materials, their choice will depend on the purpose of the device, since the scope of use of such heat exchangers is very wide. This article discusses hot water and heating systems, where they act as heat power equipment. If the plates are used for this area, then they are made of stainless steel, while the gaskets are based on NBR or EPDM rubber. The first case concerns a stainless steel heat exchanger, which is able to operate with a coolant heated to 110 degrees. If we are talking about the second case, then the water may be heated up to 170 degrees.
For reference
These heat exchangers are used for various technological processes, in this case, alkalis, acids, oils and other media flow through them. At the same time, the plates are made of nickel, titanium and various alloys, as for the gaskets, asbestos, fluororubber and other materials are used.
Consumer feedback on the selection and calculation of the heat exchanger
Platethe heat exchanger of the DHW system must be selected and calculated using the software. According to users, some basic parameters should be taken into account, including the initial water temperature, the coolant flow rate, the required liquid heating temperature, and the flow rate of the heated medium. Water can act as a heating medium that will flow through a plate heat exchanger designed for hot water supply systems, its temperature reaches 95 or 115 degrees. If we are talking about steam, then its temperature reaches 180 degrees. This will depend on the type of boiler equipment used. Users emphasize that the size and number of plates should be chosen so that the outlet water reaches a maximum temperature of 70 degrees or less.
Feedback on some of the benefits of plate type heat exchanger
A plate heat exchanger for domestic hot water has many advantages according to consumers. This is expressed not only in the ability to provide an impressive flow, but also in a fairly modest size. Among other things, the range of selectable exchange areas and consumption of the described unit is very wide. The smallest have a surface area of one square meter or more and are designed to flow 0.2 cubic meters of liquid for 1 hour. The largest domestic hot water plate heat exchanger has a surface area of 2000 square meters, while the flow rate is 3600cubic meters per hour.
Reviews on the designs of heat exchange units
Consumers emphasize that the performance of the described units can be of the following types. It is necessary to single out collapsible ones, which are the most common, they allow you to efficiently and quickly carry out maintenance and repair of a high-speed heat exchanger. Home craftsmen distinguish welded and soldered devices, they do not have rubber gaskets, and the plates are rigidly connected to each other, they are placed in a one-piece case during the manufacturing process. If you choose a plate heat exchanger for domestic hot water supply, then, according to the craftsmen, you should prefer a brazed heat exchanger, which can be adapted for heating and cooling water.
Reviews on the piping of the heat exchanger
If you prefer the Ridan DHW plate heat exchanger, you can install it using the same technology that is used for other similar units. Most often, the installation of such thermal power equipment involves the presence of an individual boiler room, which is located in an apartment building. We can also talk about industrial enterprises, as well as heating points of centralized heat supply systems. The main goal, according to the masters, is to obtain a coolant for the needs of hot water supply, while the water temperature will not exceed 70 degrees. If high-temperature and steam boilers will be operated, then the coolant temperature should be equal to 95 degrees orsmaller. Since the heat exchanger has a small weight and dimensions, according to users, its installation is quite simple, but powerful units provide for a foundation.
Be that as it may, the foundation pillars should be poured, with their help the apparatus can be securely strengthened in its place. The coolant must be connected to the upper branch pipe, and the return pipe must be connected to the fitting located under it. Masters advise to supply the heated coolant to the lower pipe, the water will exit through the upper one.
The water supply circuit must have a circulation pump located on the supply pipe. If you follow the installation rules, then in addition to the pump, there must be parallel equipment that has the same power.
Cost
If you need a DHW plate heat exchanger, the price of which can vary from 12,000 to 25,000 rubles, then you should first familiarize yourself with the installation technology. Only after that, experts recommend proceeding with the selection of a specific model of the device. Only in this way can you make the right choice of a device that will work with a high level of efficiency.
