4 replies to this topic

[mannan]

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Dear sir, we have plate and Frame type heat exchanger for cooling sulfuric acid ( 93-98.5 % @pressure 3.5 kg/cm2) by using of cooling water pressure@ 2.5 kg/cm2. What are the reason to get the HE. frame will get damage? Thanks for advance...

[Art Montemayor]

mannan:

Your query is difficult to interpret, but I'll try: you presently have a plate heat exchanger (PHE) in sulfuric acid cooling service that has been "damaged". You don't explain the type or degree of damage, so it is only speculation to dwell on that.

What is unusual for this application is to find a PHE in this type of hazardous service - unless it is 100% seal-welded. But if that's the case, why not apply a spiral type? Sulfuric equipment should always be specificed with a minimal of joints - especially gasketed joints. To do otherwise is to invite a potential accidental leak or spill that puts operating personnel in jeopardy.

PHEs are excellent and efficient exchangers; but in this application I question the safety, logic, and economics that were applied. Handling sulfuric acid should not be a problem if properly designed and contained equipment is employed. I am interested in finding out the details of this application and I wish engineers who enter questions and queries would take the time and write out a reasonable, detailed explanation of what they are presenting in order to eliminate a lot of guessing and speculation on the part of respondents. This would make not only engineering sense, but it would make for accurate and efficient answers or help.

[mannan]

Thank u very much Mr. Art Montemayor..

sulfuric acid temp around 65 to 80 deg celcius
cooling water temp around 25 to 40 deg celcius.

We used keep open the Bypass of HE if we want reduce the heat exchange the sulfuric acid.

[Chris Haslego]

Since I work in this area within Alfa Laval, I believe I can offer some insight. Alfa Laval has been using plate heat exchangers in strong sulfuric acid duties for years. In fact, we have installations that have been operating successfully for over 12 years. Alfa Laval and Haynes International jointly developed a material called Hastelloy D-205 especially for this service. There are two gasket materials available for your duty and they're known as FKMG and FPMS (both fluoropolymers).

Can you lend any additional insight into exactly what type of problems that you're having?