Spiral Plate Heat Exchanger
Spiral plate heat-exchanger equipment for a specified heat-transfer duty. ATTOMO reviews the fluids, thermal requirements and cleaning needs to determine whether a spiral arrangement is suitable.
Process and equipment approach
A spiral plate exchanger forms flow channels from wound plates. The suitability of the arrangement depends on fluid behaviour, solids, fouling, allowable pressure drop, construction materials and design conditions. Channel selection and access for cleaning must be considered during engineering.
Applications and product requirements
Spiral plate heat exchangers can be considered for selected liquid-to-liquid or condensing duties, including some viscous or fouling streams. Suitability depends on the actual channel arrangement, fluid properties and cleaning needs. A spiral design does not automatically handle every slurry or eliminate fouling.
Equipment and operating approach
Two formed plate passages transfer heat between separated streams. Channel gap, flow path, heat-transfer area and pressure loss are selected together. A duty with fibres or suspended particles needs their size and concentration defined. Mechanical access and chemical cleaning options depend on the particular construction and closure design.
Define the right package.
The quotation defines the included equipment, services and battery limits.
- Thermal and mechanical design as agreed
- Spiral plate fabrication and assembly
- Connections, supports and inspection provisions
- Testing and documentation to the specified requirements
Materials and configuration
Specify contact materials, design pressure and temperature for each side, corrosion basis, gasket compatibility where applicable and inspection requirements. ATTOMO’s thermal and mechanical design responsibilities should be distinguished from fabrication to supplied drawings. Nozzle orientation, support loads and removal space matter for site integration.
Utilities and operation
Provide flow rates, inlet and required outlet temperatures, phase change if any, viscosity over the operating range, solids and allowable pressure drop. Include start-up and cleaning conditions. Cooling-water temperature or heat-source variation can change performance; a comparison with shell-and-tube equipment needs the same duty basis.
Information for your enquiry.
Share the information you already have. Early-stage enquiries are welcome.
- Fluid compositions and flow rates
- Inlet/outlet temperatures and heat duty
- Design pressure/temperature and allowable pressure drop
- Solids, fouling, corrosion and cleaning requirements
Frequently asked questions
Is a spiral exchanger automatically self-cleaning?
No. Flow conditions may reduce some deposits, but fouling and cleaning requirements remain application dependent.
Can it replace a shell-and-tube unit directly?
A replacement needs thermal, hydraulic, mechanical and maintenance checks. Matching nominal heat duty alone is not sufficient.
What utility information is needed for a spiral-exchanger quotation?
Provide the heating or cooling medium, supply temperature and pressure, available flow and seasonal variation. Include return-condition limits and the allowable pressure drop for both streams.
Can the same design serve as both a cooler and condenser?
The phase-change duty, vapour distribution, drainage and pressure drop require a specific design. A liquid-to-liquid rating cannot simply be reused.
What details help assess a slurry duty?
Provide solids concentration, particle size, viscosity, settling or fouling behaviour, temperatures and flow range. Channel geometry and cleaning access must match the feed.