How to select the plate thickness for a plate heat exchanger?

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In the selection of heat exchangers, it is necessary to choose the plate thickness of the plate heat exchanger appropriately. If the thickness of the plate is too thin, it will cause deformation; whereas if the plate is too thick, the heat exchange efficiency will decrease. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the structure, corrugation pattern, and principles of plate heat exchanger plates in order to select the appropriate plate thickness. The plates are the core components of heat exchangers; they are typically thin metal sheets with surface ridges created through pressing, and these plates are stacked to form fluid channels. The standard plate thicknesses are: 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 1.0 mm. The thickness of the plates in a plate heat exchanger is primarily determined by the operating pressure to which it is subjected. The higher the required operating pressure, the thicker the plates must be, which in turn results in higher manufacturing costs; conversely, lower pressures lead to thinner plates and lower costs. The user should determine this based on the actual requirements of the heat exchange conditions. Next, the editor will briefly introduce the factors considered when selecting the thickness of the plates: (1) Pressure. Under normal circumstances, when the operating pressure is below 1.0 Mpa, the plate thickness is 0.5 mm; if the pressure exceeds 1.0 Mpa, a thickness of 0.6 mm is generally chosen. When the pressure is too high, a 0.5mm thick plate will deform due to the excessive pressure and experience leakage. (2) Temperature: The design temperature for plate heat exchangers is generally not exceeding 150°C. When temperatures are too high, fully welded heat exchangers capable of withstanding high temperatures and pressures are usually chosen, with plate thicknesses of up to 1 mm. (3) Corrosion: In normal water-water, oil-water, and steam-water operating conditions, a plate thickness of 0.5 mm is generally selected, as it facilitates heat transfer better. When exposed to strong acids, strong bases, or highly corrosive substances, a plate thickness of 0.6 mm or 0.7 mm can be used, which increases the likelihood of corrosion.