Operation & Maintenance of Power Plants
example), the Flexplate makes for a suitable – and in many cases, a superior – alternative. T e Flexplate, which largely resembles a plate
The Flexplate is made of stainless steel or Inconel, making it suitable for high- temperature applications.
heat exchanger, has many diff erent applications, such as for condensers, evaporators, heaters and air cooling. Besides being a suitable alternative to conventional heat exchangers, the Flexplate will – depending on the process – also be suitable for other, and even new, applications. Potential uses for the solution include the following process conditions:
following compression, air is then cooled by means of the Flexplates. T e Radiax compressor is very effi cient and, combined with the internal Flexplate cooling plates package, creates an extremely compact compressor.
Real-world case study In the installation illustrated here, process air is cooled by water and is used in a plastics production plant. T e biggest challenges for this design were the low pressure drop and limited installation space. T e low pressure drop was necessary, as an existing fan had to be used. T e reason for the installation space being limited was that the design was an extension of an existing process, meant to increase the effi ciency of the entire process. Additionally, it is essential for the air in this
process to be dry after cooling and for it to remain below 10°C. Another requirement was for the installation to have a very long service life (sustainability) despite lots of moisture, which could cause corrosion. T e illustration shows an outline sketch of this process. T e air, which enters at 40°C, is cooled down to 10°C with a cross-counter fl ow of water. Since the water vapour in the air condenses through cooling, this water has to be drained off , so the plates serve as a demister as well as heat exchanger (condenser).
Compactness ● Moist air from which the moisture condenses.
Here the Flexplate doubles as a demister. ● Polluted air. Since the surface of the Flexplate is smooth, when combined with high air velocity there
The Flexplate resembles a traditional plate heat exchanger but it has a more diverse range of uses.
is little chance of dirt adhesion. ● High air temperatures. T e Flexplate is made of stainless steel or Inconel, which makes it very suitable for high temperatures and is corrosion resistant too.
T e example shown in the images here is Bronswerk’s Radiax compressor. In this set-up,
Owing to its compact design, it was possible to fi t the unit (Flexplate in combination with built-in demister) into the available space. And owing to the requirement for a low pressure drop, the plate distance had to be correct (not as close to each other as in a plate heat exchanger), so that the pressure drop would remain limited yet capacity be maintained.
Condensing water vapour gives an enormous
increase in the heat transfer coeffi cient, but only if the water droplets formed are able to fl ow away quickly. Due to the shape and vertical arrangement of the Flexplates, this is the case here.
Sustainability T e sustainability of this unit could be guaranteed on two distinct points. Because the installation is made entirely from stainless steel, it is corrosion resistant – guaranteeing long service life. In addition, owing to the low pressure drop, the existing fan could be used. In short, this unit complies with the sustainability requirements in all respects. ●
For more information ✔ at
www.engineerlive.com/ipe
Niek Dommerholt is with Bronwerk Heat Transfer, Nijkerk, The Netherlands.
www.bronswerk.com
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