Alfa Laval Compabloc+ Fully Welded Plate Heat Exchanger

A fully welded, openable plate heat exchanger for 60 bar duties

The Alfa Laval Compabloc+ is a fully welded compact heat exchanger for process and utility duties up to 60 bar. A stack of laser-welded corrugated plates forms the core, which is enclosed by four corner girders, top and bottom heads and four bolted side panels. Because the panels can be removed, the heat transfer area can be inspected, mechanically cleaned and repaired, which separates it from conventional shell-and-tube and sealed welded designs. Alfa Laval states that multi-pass arrangements allow temperature crossing and approaches down to 3 C.

Technical specifications

Common data: design temperature -46 C to 370 C (-51 F to 698 F); design per ASME VIII div. 1, U-stamp possible, compliant with PED; heat transfer plates and panel lining in 316L, 254SMO or HC276 with carbon steel panels. FV means full vacuum, and the figures are standard maximum design conditions for ASME design.

Where it is used

The unit can be single or multi-pass, co-current or counter-current, for liquid-to-liquid or two-phase duties, and can be mounted vertically for liquid duties, condensation with sub-cooling and gas cooling, or horizontally for condensation, reboiling and duties with limited height. The baffling can be rearranged when flows or temperatures change, and a different number of passes can be used on the two circuits where flow rates differ strongly. Typical refinery and petrochemical heat recovery, high-pressure cooling and aggressive-media services are named in the brochure. The +Seal concept uses a fully confined graphite gasket to avoid over-tightening and creep, and the unique plate-to-plate joint reduces crevice-corrosion risk.

Alfa Laval lists reduced size, weight and number of exchangers thanks to the compact design, energy savings from crossing temperatures in a single unit, minimized fouling thanks to high wall shear stress, and simplified maintenance because the gaskets are confined. The graphite gasket and the high-alloy plate options (254SMO, HC276) widen the range of media the unit can handle.

What to send for selection

Provide both fluids with flow, temperature in and out, operating and design pressure, allowable pressure drop, fouling tendency, design code and preferred plate alloy. Model size (CP50+, CP75+ or CP120+), pass arrangement and orientation follow from that. For lower-pressure gasketed duties see the Alfa Laval M6 or other units in cooling equipment.

Documents and quotation

The attached Alfa Laval Compabloc+ product leaflet (200001509-1-EN-GB) lists the data above. Confirm design code, materials and test requirements before ordering.