AxFlow Cleaning Concept for Plate Heat Exchangers
AxFlow ensures the long-term preservation of the original efficiency and operational readiness of gasketed plate heat exchangers. In addition to the traditional service, we offer manufacturer-independent cleaning of the heat transfer plates, re-sealing, and damage detection using UV contrast media.
Services Overview:
- Dismantling of the plate packs on-site
- Removal of all old seals – whether snapped or glued
- Chemical and mechanical cleaning of the plate systems
- Detection of damage using UV contrast media
- Application or fully automated gluing of new seals
- Sorting and arranging the plates according to the required sequence
- Assembly of the plate systems with subsequent pressure testing
- Spare parts inventory with plates and seals from various manufacturers
Our reconditioning process has been optimized with a focus on sustainable circular economy. The required energy is generated on-site using solar panels, and for the cleaning of the plates, mostly recycled rainwater is used. In addition, our service operation recycles materials from damaged plates and seals through various channels, returning them to the material cycle.
Cleaning of Plate Heat Exchangers – The Process
Dismantling of the Plate Packs
The AxFlow service team carries out the dismantling and transportation of complete plate packs from heat exchangers throughout Germany. If desired, the frame system can also be inspected in our service facility.
Removal of Old Seals
In the AxFlow service facility, all sealing elements are removed from the plates. Glued seals can be gently detached using nitrogen baths. The liquid cryogen reduces the elasticity of the seal and adhesive, making them brittle and easy to detach from the plates.
Cleaning of Heat Exchanger Plates
Depending on the degree of contamination, the plates undergo both mechanical and chemical cleaning stages to reliably remove, for example, production-related deposits, also known as fouling.
Visual Inspection of Damage and Leaks
After the cleaning process, each plate undergoes a thorough visual inspection by our service technicians. Any irregularities detected are further investigated using a UV contrast medium. This fluorescent liquid makes material-penetrating damage to the plates visible in a specially set-up dark room.
Re-sealing of Heat Exchanger Plates
All intact plates are then equipped with new sealing elements. Clip-on seals, which do not require glue, are manually applied by our service technicians. For plate systems with glued seals, the adhesive is evenly applied by a robot before the seal is precisely positioned on the plate.
Installation and Commissioning of the Heat Exchanger
Finally, our service team reassembles the reconditioned plates and, if desired, carries out a leak test of the entire heat exchanger.
Multi-Manufacturer Service at AxFlow
AxFlow offers this service nationwide in Germany and for all gasketed plate heat exchangers, regardless of the manufacturer. Our service facility keeps a permanent inventory of spare plates and seals in various sizes and materials to ensure a quick restoration of the operational readiness of your process technology. Contact our service team.
