1. Scientific Selection from the Source, Matching Operating Conditions: During the procurement stage, provide the manufacturer with complete parameters for the medium composition, temperature, pressure, and flow rate. Select the appropriate material based on the operating conditions: for media containing chloride ions, use titanium alloy/316L stainless steel plates; for high-temperature conditions, match gaskets with corresponding temperature resistance ratings (e.g., fluororubber suitable for conditions above 150℃). This avoids corrosion and aging risks from the source, which is the foundation for extending service life.
2. Standardized Installation and Operation, Reducing Additional Stress: Strictly follow the manufacturer's installation manual, ensuring the frame is parallel, clamping bolts are evenly stressed, and inlet and outlet pipes have flexible connections to reduce additional stress caused by vibration and thermal expansion and contraction. During assembly and disassembly, operate according to the specified torque to avoid over-tightening bolts and deforming the plates, or under-tightening bolts and causing seal failure.
3. Control media conditions to reduce scaling and corrosion.
If using groundwater, circulating water, or other water sources with high impurities and hardness, install filters and softening devices in advance to control water quality within a reasonable range. Avoid prolonged exposure of equipment to humid or corrosive gas environments to slow down the corrosion rate of the external frame.
4. Standardize start-up and shutdown operations to reduce stress impact.
Avoid frequent start-ups and shutdowns. When shutting down, reduce the load first and slowly lower the temperature and pressure. When restarting, gradually increase the temperature and pressure to reduce plate fatigue stress caused by sudden temperature and pressure changes and prevent microcracks from developing into perforations and leaks.
5. Regular inspection and maintenance to eliminate potential problems early.
Daily inspection: Monitor the inlet and outlet pressure difference and heat exchange temperature difference data daily. If the pressure difference continues to rise or the heat exchange temperature difference decreases, it indicates that scaling has begun on the plates, and timely investigation and treatment are necessary. Daily inspections should check for leaks and abnormal vibrations to detect sealing or structural problems early.
Regular Cleaning: Professional cleaning should be performed every 6-12 months. In environments with poor water quality, the cleaning cycle can be shortened. Chemical cleaning or physical backwashing should be prioritized. Do not scrape the plates with hard objects such as wire brushes, as this can damage the plates and sealing surfaces and cause corrosion.
Replacing Gaskets: Even without leakage, it is recommended to inspect and replace the gaskets every 3-5 years. The replacement frequency should be further increased under high-temperature or corrosive conditions to prevent gasket aging from causing plate misalignment and deformation.
6. Install Vibration Isolation to Reduce Structural Loss: For large, detachable plate heat exchangers, dedicated floor-mounted spring vibration isolators can be used to absorb vibration, preventing vibration transmission that could cause loosening and aging of connectors and gaskets. This also reduces noise, protects the building structure, and further extends the service life of components.
