SonFlow Gasketed Plate Heat Exchangers

The SonFlow plate heat exchangers are designed with the latest technology and engineered for optimal thermal performance, efficiency, and reliability. SonFlow AHRI-Certified® plate heat exchangers provide independent assurance that SonFlow plate heat exchanger units will perform exactly as specified and that they can trust SonFlow products to deliver the performance they need. SonFlow plate heat exchangers provide customers with the best possible solution.

SonFlow Condenser and SonFlow Evaporator are designed to condense the low-pressure vapor and evaporate duties. These SonFlow gasketed plate heat exchangers are ideal for the food, sugar, biogas, pulp and paper, mining, petrochemical, chemical, and alcohol industries.

SonFlow’s traditional gasketed plate heat exchangers are the ideal choice for a wide range of applications across various market segments. Featuring innovative technologies and intelligent design, SonFlow’s traditional plate heat exchangers are an excellent investment and the preferred choice for standard duties. SonFlow plate heat exchangers are engineered to meet specific temperature demands and capacities, making them ideal for HVAC, industrial, and hygienic applications.

SonFlow’s new Free Flow gasketed plate heat exchanger series is ideally suited for difficult media containing solids, particles, fibers, and high viscous products. The Free Flow corrugated plates are designed for special tasks, where the conventional plate heat exchanger usually has a higher risk of fouling or clogging.

The key focus for the SonFlow Free Flow plate series lies in reliability and high performance. If the gasketed plate heat exchanger is not suited for the operating media, the intervals between maintenance and the risk of fouling are increased.

Assembly Guide for SonFlow SFF151 & SFF301 Gasketed Plate Heat Exchanger

The SonFlow SFF151 and SFF301 free flow gasket plate heat exchangers are specially developed for pulp and paper, sugar, and the general industrial markets handling fluids that contain fiber and solids.

The design of the SonFlow SFF151 and SonFlow SFF301 plate heat exchangers consists of two different plate patterns; “SonFlow HIGH” and “ SonFlow LOW.”

SonFlow HIGH/LOW combination gives a wide channel.
SonFlow LOW/HIGH combination gives a narrow channel.

There are two design constraints:
• The first plate must always be a SonFlow HIGH (1) plate
• The last plate must always be a SonFlow LOW (2) plate

Due to this, you must always have a +1 channel on the wide side.

Correct Assembly:

In order to assemble the plate package correctly, it is important that the plates are in the correct order. SonFlow HIGH-plates are marked with the number 1, and the suspension of the plate and SonFlow LOW-plates are marked with the number 2.

The first plate must always be a SonFlow HIGH plate, and the last plate must always be a SonFlow LOW plate.

How do you disassemble and assemble a SonFlow gasketed plate heat exchangers?

Disassembling / Opening Procedure:

• Shut down the SonFlow plate heat exchangers
• Close the valves
• Drain the plate heat exchangers
• Dismantle pipes from the pressure plate
• Inspect the sliding surfaces of the carrying bar
• If the plate pack is to be reused, mark the plate assembly on the outside by a diagonal line (especially important with a multi-pass setup)
• Measure and note the dimension
  

1. Release and remove the short-threaded bars.
2. Remove the long threaded bars by loosening each threaded bar equally, one small step at a time.
3. The plates can now be removed: Always wear protective gloves when handling plates, remove the plates one by one from the frame, remove the plates by lifting them backward and then sideways off the top bar, and then slide out of the frame.

Assembling:

1. Lubricate Copper Based Anti-Seize to the threaded bar at the fixed bolt head.
2. Lubricate Anti-Seize Compound on the threaded bar, where the locking bush is to be tightened.
3. To prevent personal injury, straps must be used if the frame is not tightened to the floor.
4. The first plate to apply to the frame is the “start plate.” (The plate with gasket on both right and left side.)
5. Next, the right and left plates are added alternately. The plates are designed to be used both as right and left plates; however, every other plate must be rotated 180˚ to create fluid flow passages.
   Note: At the top of each plate, you find a triangle, which can help you place the plates in the correct order by adding the triangles alternately.
6. The last plate to apply is the endplate (without portholes).
7. The edges form a “honeycomb” configuration when the plates are correctly assembled.
8. If the “honeycomb” configuration is uneven, check the proper position of the gaskets.
9. ONLY FRAMES WITH ROLLER: Use a spirit level to ensure that the front frame is raised 1 mm compared to the rear frame.
   Note: Do not remove tie bolts.
10. Apply the four (4) long threaded bars. Tighten them just enough to press the plate package together and make it possible to add the small threaded bars.
    Tip: Spray WD40 Oil on the threaded bar, to make the hexagon nut (tie bolts) run easily.
11. Apply the short threaded bars.
    Tighten all the threaded bars, by tightening each threaded bar equally, one small step at a time, from the top of the frame and down.
    Important: The heat exchanger, must at this stage, always be tighter at the top than at the bottom.
12. Measure that the width of the heat exchanger has the same dimensions, on both sides – at the top and bottom, until it is perfectly balanced. Always use the correct tightening dimensions. Please consult us for advice on the tightening dimensions if there is any uncertainty.

When a gasketed plate heat exchanger starts to leak, the gaskets start to get hard or fall off; it is time to think about changing your gaskets. Our supplied plate heat exchanger gaskets provide an efficient solution and ensure the optimal performance of your SonFlow gasket plate heat exchangers.

Separator Spares & Equipment provides a range of services for SonFlow gasketed plate heat exchangers. From preventive maintenance and troubleshooting to upgrades, we have you covered!

Do you need SonFlow plate heat exchanger gaskets?

Regular maintenance of your SonFlow frame heat exchangers will improve performance and reliability. Gasket kits from Separator Spares & Equipment will make it easier for your scheduled maintenance, saving you time and lower operating costs.

Did your SonFlow plate heat exchangers lose performance?

Request a quote (request gasket materials and plate materials)! Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have a poorly functioning gasketed plate heat exchanger. Separator Spares & Equipment has years of experience servicing these heat exchangers and will be happy to provide helpful troubleshooting tips or even parts if necessary. We can help you with your SonFlow gasketed plate heat exchanger spare parts, replacement plate pack,  and service needs. To learn more about our services, please visit our Plate Heat Exchanger Services webpage.

Separator Spares & Equipment, LLC specializes in genuine (OEM) SonFlow Brazed Plate Heat Exchangers. SonFlow’s new efficient brazed heat exchangers (SFB) are permanently sealed plate heat exchangers suitable for a wide variety of applications across numerous market segments.

The key focus for the brazed heat exchanger series lies in reliability and high performance. The SonFlow heat exchanger team, with more than 40 years of experience in heat exchangers, has developed and thoroughly tested the efficient brazed heat exchangers, handling advanced heat transfer technology.

We will calculate each solution based on the customer’s requirements to ensure an ideal pressure drop and flow rate. The Separator Spares & Equipment brand is on every box, so you can rest assured that our whole team is behind you every step of the way. An energy efficient solution that is designed to meet your needs!

Please visit our Brazed Plate Heat Exchangers webpage to learn more about brazed heat exchanger models.