A plate evaporator is an evaporator heat exchanger used to evaporate liquids. It consists of a series of thin metal plates with channels or passages between them, through which the liquid to be evaporated flows. The plates are arranged in a stack and separated by small gaps, allowing for efficient heat transfer. There are seals that are placed between the evaporator plates to prevent any leakage of the liquids or hot fluid.
The most common metals used in plate evaporators are stainless steel, titanium, and nickel alloys, which are chosen for their resistance to corrosion and durability. They are arranged in a way that creates a series of parallel channels. It is designed to take advantage of the large surface area of thin plates to maximize the transfer of heat from a hot fluid to a cold fluid.
Its design provides higher thermal efficiency than the traditional shell-and-tube evaporators and because of this much less heat transfer area is needed. Plate Evaporator are cost-efficient especially when special metal materials are required.
The plate evaporators are mainly based on the semi-welding technology of the rising-plate evaporator. One medium evaporates in a channel with a seal, while the steam heating medium condenses in the welded channels.
During operation, the hot fluid flows through the wider channels from the bottom of the evaporator plates, while the liquid being evaporated flows through the narrow channels. Heat is transferred from the hot fluid to the liquid through the evaporator plates, causing the liquid to evaporate and the hot fluid to cool down. The product flows upward along the wall of the plate under the action of a large amount of instantaneous steam. The evaporated liquid is then removed as vapor, leaving behind a more concentrated liquid.
It is commonly used in the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries for applications such as concentrating juices, syrups, and other liquids. They are also used in chemical and petrochemical plants for various evaporation and concentration processes. Typical applications for Plate Evaporator are sugar refinery evaporation systems, sweeteners evaporation systems, bioethanol, and caustic evaporation. It is also suitable as a thermosiphon reboiler.
Gasketed & Hang-on frame design
Flow section and flow path with rising plate
Non-glued gasket sealing
Plate:
AISI304,316L
Gasket:
NBR, EPDM, FKM