Comment fonctionne un échangeur Compabloc ?
Welded plate heat exchanger working principles
Sitting at the core of every Compabloc is a stack of corrugated heat-transfer plates made of stainless steel or other corrosion-resistant materials, laser welded alternately to form channels.
The hot and the cold streams flow through alternate channels. Corrugated plates cause high turbulence, resulting in substantially higher heat transfer efficiency with a 50–80% smaller heat transfer area than comparable shell-and-tubes. Flow turbulence also reduces the build-up of fouling. The Compabloc’s unique plate design eliminates dead zones in the heat exchanger.
The two flows in a Compabloc can be configured as single pass, or as multiple pass by using baffles. The number of passes on the hot and cold side can be chosen independently, making it possible to optimize heat transfer even if flow rates on the different sides differ greatly. This unique flexibility means the Compabloc is always optimized for exactly the required duty. The baffles are made to withstand full vacuum, and can be rearranged if design conditions are changed in the future.
Compabloc units have a counter-current flow and can operate with a crossing temperature program (in a single unit), where the temperature approach is as close as 3°C (5.4°F), maximizing energy recovery. The small size and light weight makes it possible to install Compablocs anywhere, for instance at the top of distillation columns or suspended from support structures.
Compabloc - 1-pass condenser
Compabloc - 2-pass condenser
Compabloc liquid-to-liquid
Compabloc reboiler
Proven reliability
People choose Alfa Laval Compablocs for one simple reason. They just work, and more than 30,000 units delivered is the proof. Our proven manufacturing and technical solutions lead to high reliability and a long working life. Many Compablocs that have been in continuous operation for decades are still delivering peak performance.
A solution for improving sustainability
Compabloc’s high thermal efficiency leads to higher heat recovery, lower boiler fuel consumption, and reduced CO2 emissions when Compablocs are used for heat recovery.
Payback in months
High energy efficiency combined with low installation and maintenance costs means Compablocs offer much shorter payback times than other technologies, such as shell-and-tube or other types of welded plate heat exchangers. The equipment often pays for itself in a matter of months.
Increased production and reduced installation costs
Bottlenecks related to heating or cooling can often be resolved with more efficient heat exchangers. The compact size of a Compabloc enables you to pack much more performance into the same space, or free up space for other types of equipment. It also means lower installation costs.
Ready for any duty
Compabloc is available in a wide range of sizes and is custom made to fit the specific operating and installation conditions. It can be made in virtually any material that can be pressed and welded.
Simplified maintenance for higher performance
Minimized fouling allows Compabloc to operate with cleaning intervals substantially longer than traditional heat exchangers, reducing lifetime maintenance costs. It is also the only welded heat exchanger where all channels, both hot and cold, can be fully cleaned using a hydro jet, bringing performance back to 100% after every cleaning.
