Brazed plate heat exchangers are the ideal solution for these plants thanks to their compactness, high thermal efficiency, and total maintenance-free operation. Compared to traditional shell-and-tube heat exchangers, they offer a series of concrete advantages that make them particularly suitable for modular, high-power density installations in small spaces.

The choice of Tempco
In Tempco hydraulic power plants, brazed plate heat exchangers are custom-sized based on the customer’s operating conditions:

• flow rates
• viscosity
• operating temperature
• heat dissipation duty

The use of copper or nickel-brazed stainless steel heat exchangers ensures high corrosion resistance and long operating life, with consistent thermal performance over time. Their compactness and reliability make them the perfect choice for high-performance systems, where every detail counts to ensure operational continuity and energy savings.

In short, brazed plate heat exchangers maximize thermal transfer efficiency and reduce overall dimensions, simplifying maintenance and improving the reliability of hydraulic power plants.

L'articolo Brazed plate heat exchangers in hydraulic power plants proviene da Tempco Blog.

The choice to use stainless steel for the frame of our T REG HC E temperature control units is strategic, as it specifically meets the most stringent hygiene and durability requirements. This material guarantees excellent corrosion resistance, which is essential in environments requiring frequent cleaning and the use of sanitizing agents. Its smooth, non-porous surface prevents the accumulation of contaminants, making cleaning easier and ensuring superior sanitization, in full compliance with the stringent regulations to which the Pharma and Food sectors are subject.

T REG HC E control units are designed to deliver high-level performance, putting technology at the service of quality. They guarantee operating temperature precision of ±0.5°C thanks to advanced PID electronic control, essential for the stability and repeatability of production processes. Operating within a temperature range of +30° C to +300° C and managing fluids such as pressurized water (130°C) or diathermic oil (180°C or +300°C), they are suitable for a wide range of applications, from reactor heating to thermal control in pasteurization processes. Each component, from high-flow centrifugal pumps to high-efficiency plate heat exchangers, is selected to ensure reliability and consistent performance.

The applications of T REG HC E thermoregulation units are diverse, in addition to the customization options Tempco offers. Whether maintaining precise temperatures in mixing tanks or producing hot water for specific needs, the T REG HC E is the ideal solution. Tempco also offer a wide range of options upon request, allowing each unit to be customized with special pumps, increased cooling capacity, or communication interfaces for seamless integration into the user’s automation systems.

The Tempco T REG HC E stainless steel thermoregulation units are the perfect embodiment of Tempco’s commitment to offering cutting-edge temperature control solutions, combining precision with hygiene and reliability. Contact us to find out how our thermoregulation units can elevate the standards of your production processes in the pharmaceutical and food industries.

L'articolo Precision and hygiene in stainless steel for pharma and food thermoregulation proviene da Tempco Blog.

The photos taken before the replacement intervention show very clearly the state of serious corrosion of the radiator thermal transfer pack fins.

We therefore proceeded to replace and revamp the system, installing thermal exchange batteries with a special ELECTROFIN treatment. The ElectroFin treatment is a special anti-corrosion protective coating that is applied by electrodeposition, which ensures the correct protection of the fin pack from the aggressive agents to which the systems and equipment are exposed in a saline/marine environment.

L'articolo Revamping and corrosion protection of cooling radiators in marine installation proviene da Tempco Blog.

Also in 2023 we have installed a fair number of biogas plants, all equipped complete with chiller, heat exchanger and condensate separator.

All systems are always supplied in full configuration and are delivered ready for installation. Speaking about biogas, of particular interest are therefore the latest applications in the paper mill sector, with the aim of reducing polluting emissions. In fact, paper mills have a high potential for the production of biogas and biomethane, as the production cycle of a paper mill generates large amounts of waste water rich in biodegradable COD (chemical oxygen demand), which lends itself to being treated and valorised for the production of biogas.

L'articolo Chillers, exchangers and separators for biogas treatment proviene da Tempco Blog.

The temperature of the lubricating oil is a fundamental parameter to ensure the correct functioning of turbines in power generation. High temperatures can compromise the viscosity of the oil, reducing its lubrication capacity and increasing component wear. On the other hand, temperatures that are too low can cause condensation and thus accelerate corrosion. Precise temperature control is therefore essential to ensure the life and efficiency of the system.

Tempco offers a wide range of coolers and custom cooling skid systems designed to meet the specific needs of turbines in the power generation sector. The double standby heat exchangers represent an innovative solution in this area: these systems allow the continuous passage of oil through the master exchanger, with a second exchanger if necessary, ensuring constant cooling and avoiding interruptions in power supply .

Interconnect valves are a key element in these Tempco dual systems. These valves regulate the oil flow between the exchangers, ensuring that the passage through the second exchanger occurs when necessary, quickly and effectively.

Operational Benefits:

• Improved reliability: advanced temperature management ensures stable and reliable operation of the turbines.
• Customization: Tempco solutions are custom designed, adapting to the specific needs of the customer.
• Minimal interruption: dual standby exchangers ensure continuous cooling, minimizing the risk of interruptions in energy production.

Solutions with dual standby exchangers for oil cooling in turbines in power generation represent a further advanced solution that demonstrates Tempco’s commitment to innovation and optimization of energy efficiency. Investing in these technologies not only improves operational performances, but also contributes to environmental sustainability in the power generation landscape.

Stay tuned on the latest applications of thermal energy management by subscribing our monthly Tempco Newsletter – Solid Temperature.

L'articolo Double standby exchangers for efficient oil cooling in power generation proviene da Tempco Blog.

In case of plate heat exchangers that can be inspected, it’s clear that cleaning is easier, but relatively easy in fact. Let’s say that being made to be inspected, it is sufficient to dismantle and open the exchangers and wash them, using acids, cleansers and more or less aggressive fluids. And once they are cleaned, close them again.

But this is not enough. Because usually this intervention is also integrated with a dye penetrant testing, in order to ensure that plates are not broken, cracked or showing corrosion.

In fact, evident effects of corrosion can be eye catching, but there can be also micro crackings, maybe due to a bad maintenance, for example if the plates pack has been clamped too tight and plates have been crushed. This cannot be evident, and it can be checked out only using dye penetrants. A testing operation that is performed on the 100% of the plates.

Another operation that can be made, even if it’s not necessarily required, but sometimes it is, is to provide a substitution of gaskets.

Most of the times, the cleaning process involves the removal of gaskets, plates cleaning and re-mount of the gaskets, especially if these are clip-on gaskets, not glued. But there can be times when gaskets are worn out and so they must be replaced. In this case, the revamping involves also the substitution of the overall gaskets pack.

This is clearly a quite invasive operation, and also quite expensive that is worth to carry out on plate heat exchangers of a certain size. In case of very small plate heat exchangers, very often it cannot be worth the cost, and a complete substitution of the plates pack could be more cheap.

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L'articolo Cleaning of inspectable plate heat exchangers proviene da Tempco Blog.

• Anti-corrosion coating cycles (such as for C5 M environments)
• Stainless steel nameplates and data plates
• Line connections made in AISI 316
• Thermal security coefficients increased (suitable fouling factor rate)
• Earthing systems
• Declaration of conformity for ATEX area installation
• Certifications of materials

These features are referred to the construction and selection of constructive materials of the plate heat exchanger, but also to all the engineering evaluations and the technical documentation required to ensure the exchanger is suitable to cope with the challenging conditions of the harsh industrial environment.

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L'articolo Special plate heat exchangers for oil&gas applications proviene da Tempco Blog.

If the fluid employed within the exchanger presents no particular problems in getting in contact with carbon steel, the fluid entering the flange of the exchanger gets then in direct contact with the material. Thereafter, it enters the exchanger and here it gets in contact with the stainless steel of the plates. But very often, it is necessary to avoid the contact of the fluids with components and materials that are prone to oxidation and corrosion. In this case, it is mandatory to avoid any possible contact of the fluid with carbon steel

Plate heat exchangers can have two main connection options, with flanged or threaded connections. Flanged connections make the trick quite easy, in fact it’s sufficient to coat the body in the nozzles area using elastomers, such as nitrile, ethylene-propylene or viton, or using stainless steel AISI 304 or AISI 316. The inner part of the body in the nozzle area is protected as well by this lining. The gasket of the first plate gets then in contact with the circular ring of this lining, so that the fluid flowing through the body enters between the first two plates, never getting in contact with carbon steel. The final plate is a blind plate, so it never gets in contact with carbon steel either, remaining always in contact only with the plates in stainless steel.

Speaking of it, fluids never flow between the first plate and the body, they always enter directly between the first two plates.

On plate heat exchangers with threaded connections, the nozzles – made in stainless steel or using plastic materials in case of aggressive fluids such as sea water or acids – have a sort of counterpart which gets in contact with the gasket, and is held back by the body. So that here as well the fluid entering the exchanger gets only in contact with stainless steel and the materials of gaskets. Never getting in contact with carbon steel, paint or other materials that are prone to corrosion.

Finally, the problem doesn’t even exist in plate heat exchangers for food and beverage applications, where hygienic requirements force to employ full stainless steel executions.

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L'articolo Fluids and carbon steel in plate heat exchangers proviene da Tempco Blog.

This kind of exchangers is employed in hydraulics plants especially in case of extremely sensitive applications. An example is the cooling of the hydraulic oil of a gearbox in a turbine for power generation, where the mechanical component is a core part of the application. In this case, having the presence of water within the oil leads to irreparable damages.

The most common solution employs tube-in-tube shell and plate exchangers, double tube then, or double wall. These exchangers have special heads that, in case of leakage of fluids, allow the leakage to flow within a special chamber between the two heads. Allowing the detection of the leakage and a prompt repair intervention.

In case of double wall plate heat exchangers, the presence of a double gasket in the nozzle area avoid the possibility of fluid’s mixing. In case of breaking of a gasket, indeed, along the external perimeter of the exchanger or in the nozzle section, the leakage flows towards the outside of the exchanger. In case of cracking of a plate, there is an air chamber passing between the two plates, with therefore a visible leakage of fluids toward the outside, making it easy to repair it.

Advantages and disadvantages of the double wall solution. The advantages are all related to the security, making double wall exchangers a mandatory choice when is strictly necessary to avoid any possible mixing between the primary and secondary fluid, in this case hydraulic oil and water. The disadvantages are many, on the other side, first of all the higher costs due to the fact that the number of plates gets duplicated. Thus increasing the amount and costs of construction materials. In addition, having a higher thickness and an internal chamber air between the two plates, the thermal transfer coefficient rates are lowered. And so, not only a higher amount of construction materials is needed, but also the thermal transfer surface must be increased, in order to achieve the same thermal duty. Anyway, it remains a necessary solution to prevent any possible problem of fluid’s mixing, protecting the oil hydraulic plant from serious issues.

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L'articolo Double wall exchangers and oil hydraulics proviene da Tempco Blog.

And so, how is made a mechanical seal? A mechanical seal is basically made by two parts, one fixed and one rotating. The fixed part is mounted on the main body pump, it achieves sealing through an O-ring and has a grinded and very smoothed surface that gets in direct contact with the mobile part.

The rotating mobile part is mounted on the shaft, and so this is integral with it. Also in this case, sealing is achieved with an O-ring, so a classical seal, on the shaft side. The seal between the two parts is ensured by the contact between the surfaces that are so very much smooth that avoid any fluid’s leakage, being it both water or oil.

Mechanical seals can be made in different materials, depending on the kind of fluid to be pumped and also on the temperature levels involved. Based on the type of fluid treated, and with increasing temperatures for example with oil and aggressive fluids, the constructive materials of the seal must ensure the proper resistance.

The materials undergo a very high friction: in fact, a two pole pump works at 2.900-3.000 rpm, generating a very high rubbing between the two parts. That’s why mechanical seals are usually cooled by the fluid itself or, in more extreme applications, by fluxing systems aimed to maintain temperatures at affordable levels.

The fluxing of the seals is not only necessary to maintain temperatures at acceptable levels, but also to create a lubrication layer, let’s call it like this, between the two surfaces. With the rotating speeds involved, and being the surfaces so much smooth, without a proper lubrication the two surfaces could seize up indeed, and therefore get ruined and causing a leakage in the seal.

Finally, during the substitution of a mechanical seal, always remember to change also the seal on the main body of the pump.

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L'articolo How is made a mechanical seal? proviene da Tempco Blog.