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Making heat exchanger cleaning an easier task

08 March 2024

Samuel Glover offers advice on how to ensure heat transfer equipment maintenance can be achieved as efficiently as possible.

As food and beverage plant operators seek ways to make their systems as efficient as possible, equipment manufacturers are jumping in to meet this need. 

Businesses can reap optimisation benefits by utilising the latest equipment and technology. When looking for tools to help optimise heat exchanger maintenance, keep the following thoughts in mind:

Reducing cleaning times: While plate heat exchangers are essential elements of many food and beverage production processes, they can be cumbersome to clean and maintain in traditional system setups. In some industries – such as dairy processing – they require cleaning almost daily. This can be time-intensive and halt operations, resulting in lost time and money.

While it is not possible to eliminate the need for cleaning in the heat transfer process, making the plates easier to access can provide immediate improvements. Plate heat exchanger frame designs are now available with features such as push-button or power-wrench opening or closing, so a task that took hours can be achieved in minutes. Plates are more accessible in less time so that production can return to work.

Minimising variability: Whenever a plate is moved, the possibility of variability of the process is introduced. While, equipment cannot remain stationary, due to cleaning and maintenance requirements, it is possible to institute solutions that minimises change, helping keep processes and systems as consistent as possible. 

Selecting tools that rely on automation can help ensure that movement and placement remain consistent and eliminate the possibility of human error or variability in adjustments, no matter how small. 

Ease of movement:  Simply put, heat transfer equipment can be heavy — so the easier it is to move, the better it is for all. It is safer for workers and makes their jobs easier so they can focus on more pressing operation details.

The availability of new frame technologies can help streamline the process of opening/closing plate heat exchangers by eliminating the need for tie bars. This makes routine tasks like cleaning and maintenance more convenient. 

Tools can help make these tasks less labour intensive, leaving the core work to the machines and saving workers from having to do the heavy lifting. 

Making the right choice 
Plant efficiency brings with it many benefits – increased production and yield, lower energy costs and overall better use of resources. By taking advantage of the latest technology and equipment, operators have a wide selection to choose from to fit their needs. 

Not all tools and equipment will fulfill all your needs. However, experience in the field often provides much-needed insight into customers' needs while proving the reputation and reliability of their products. 

There has been a global shift to greater sustainability, flexibility and efficiency in manufacturing. However, each company and its products, systems, and operations differ. Keeping the above thoughts in mind, however, will help ensure that the right choices are made when specifying new solutions. 

Samuel Glover Jr is Global Product Manager – Plate Heat Exchangers at SPX FLOW. 


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