Fully welded PSHE
Designed for hazardous, high-temperature and high-pressure services where minimum leakage risk and low maintenance are required.
PLATE AND SHELL HEAT EXCHANGERS
Compact welded heat transfer for demanding process conditions
ARO plate and shell heat exchangers combine the thermal performance of corrugated plates with the pressure capability of a shell-type pressure vessel.
Product overview01 02
Engineered for high temperature, pressure and corrosive media
The welded circular plate pack creates highly turbulent flow channels and a large heat-transfer area within a compact shell. With no elastomer gasket between process streams, the equipment is suited to chemical processing, refrigeration, ORC, solvent condensation, edible-oil heat recovery and CCUS.
Openable PSHE
Provides access to the plate pack for inspection or mechanical cleaning in selected fouling duties.
Construction
From single plate to welded plate pack
Corrugated circular plates are welded around the port holes to form plate pairs. The plate pairs are then perimeter-welded into a plate pack. One fluid travels through the plate channels; the other travels through the surrounding shell-side channels.
- Thin plates reduce conduction resistance
- Corrugations promote turbulence and surface renewal
- Circular geometry distributes thermal stress uniformly
- Flexible plate pack accommodates thermal expansion
- Welded joints eliminate inter-stream elastomer gaskets
Customer value
Why engineers select plate and shell technology
High thermal efficiencyClose temperature approach and reduced required surface area.
Compact footprintReduced installation space and lower fluid inventory.
High pressure capabilityPressure-vessel shell and welded plate pack for demanding applications.
Thermal-cycle resistanceCircular plates and flexible construction tolerate start-stop operation.
Corrosion optionsPlate and shell materials can be selected independently for each process side.
Low maintenanceNo elastomer gaskets to replace in fully welded configurations.
Low fouling tendencyHigh turbulence and wall shear help reduce deposit buildup in suitable process fluids.
Custom process designPlate pattern, flow arrangement and nozzle size are customized for each application.
Technical data
Standard design envelope
| Design temperature | −196 to 550°C |
|---|---|
| Design pressure | −1 to 100 bar |
| Single-plate area | 0.022 to 0.84 m² |
| Service type | Heating, cooling, evaporation, condensation and heat recovery |
| Inspection options | Hydrostatic test, pneumatic test, helium leak test and oxygen cleaning |
| Codes / certificates | Project-dependent ASME, PED/CE, EAC and pressure-vessel requirements |
Final limits depend on material, plate pattern, diameter, code and specific process conditions.
Selection data required
For an accurate selection, provide both fluid compositions, mass or volume flow, inlet and target outlet temperatures, operating/design pressure, allowable pressure drop, fouling information and material requirements.
Contact EngineeringMaterials of construction
Match corrosion resistance to each process side
Plate materials
- AISI 304
- AISI 316L
- AISI 904L
- 254 SMO
- Titanium / titanium-palladium
- Nickel
- Hastelloy grades
Shell materials
- Carbon steel
- AISI 304
- AISI 316L
- 316Ti
- 254 SMO
- Titanium
- Hastelloy and other alloys
Selection factors
- Fluid composition and concentration
- Temperature and phase condition
- Chloride / sulfur content
- Cleaning chemicals
- Corrosion allowance
- Code and customer specification
Technology comparison
Choosing the right exchanger type
Plate & shell
- High heat-transfer coefficient
- Compact and gasket-free
- High temperature and pressure
- Good thermal-cycle resistance
- Close temperature approach
Shell & tube
- Familiar and broadly applicable
- Large footprint and weight
- Lower heat-transfer coefficient
- Higher fluid inventory
- Mechanical cleaning possible
Gasketed plate
- High thermal efficiency
- Easy to open and expand
- Temperature and pressure limited by gaskets
- Gasket compatibility required
- Potential maintenance at high duty
Applications
Typical industries and process duties
Chemical Processing
Process heating, cooling, condensation, reboiling and heat recovery.
Solvent Condensation
Atmospheric and vacuum condensation with separate condensate and vent outlets.
ORC
Preheaters, evaporators and condensers with low working-fluid charge.
CCUS
Reboilers, overhead condensers, gas coolers and CO₂ liquefiers.
ENGINEERED SELECTION
Contact EngineeringHave a demanding heat-transfer application?
Send us the process data and our engineers will evaluate thermal performance, pressure drop, materials and mechanical requirements.
Product detail pages