Alfa Laval Plate Heat Exchanger Spares — Plates, Gasket Compounds and Regasketing

Ordering spares for gasketed plate heat exchangers: how the M-series model and plate material are read, choosing the gasket compound (NBR, EPDM, HNBR, FKM) by medium and temperature, clip-on versus glued gaskets, and the regasketing and tightening-dimension discipline that decides whether a reconditioned pack seals.

What a plate order actually needs

A gasketed PHE is a stack of pressed channel plates between frame covers — every wetted part is a catalogue item. Three facts identify a plate: model (frame/plate family — M3, M6, M10, M30 in the stocked range), material, and pressing pattern (thermally long/short channels, often two patterns mixed in one pack). The stocked M6 plate in 316L covers most water and benign process duty; the M10 in titanium is the seawater answer — chloride pitting takes 316L packs out, and titanium is why coastal and marine coolers outlive their frames. Count plates and note end-plate variants before ordering; packs mix start/end plates with flow plates.

Gasket compound by medium

Gasket attachment is its own spec: modern packs run clip-on (glue-free) gaskets that snap to the plate edge — faster regasketing, no oven cure — while older packs may be glued; the gasket variant must match the plate generation. The broader compound chemistry is tabulated in the gasket-material guide.

Regasketing that holds pressure

• Record the tightening dimension first: the frame's plate-pack length (A-measure) is stamped or documented per unit — it, not bolt torque, is the closing spec. New gaskets close to the nominal dimension; chasing leaks by over-tightening cracks plates.
• Inspect every plate when open: dye-check suspect ones; one pinholed plate cross-contaminates circuits and condemns the pack's purpose, not just the plate.
• Keep the hanging order: plates are chevron-up/chevron-down alternates — photograph the pack before splitting it.
• Full gasket sets beat singles: elastomers age as a population; mixing five-year-old and new gaskets leaves the pack sealing unevenly at one dimension.

Alfa Laval plates, gaskets and the separator spares next to them (MAPX/MOPX guide) are quoted within 24 hours from brand stock — send model, plate count, material and compound, or simply the frame's nameplate photo, and the pack list comes back itemised.

Frequently asked questions

Which gasket material does a plate heat exchanger in hot-water service need?

EPDM — it is the compound built for hot water and glycols. NBR hardens there, and FKM, counter-intuitively, also dislikes hot water; FKM earns its price on aggressive chemistry instead.

Can I replace only the leaking gaskets in a plate pack?

It seals today and leaks next quarter — gaskets age as a set, and a mixed-age pack will not compress evenly at the specified tightening dimension. Regasket the pack, or at minimum a contiguous block, with one batch.

Why titanium plates for seawater when 316L is stainless?

Chlorides pit 316L through crevice corrosion exactly where plates touch gaskets; titanium is effectively immune at cooler temperatures, which is why seawater-cooled packs are ordered in Ti as a rule, not an upgrade.

What is the tightening dimension on a PHE?

The specified compressed length of the plate pack between frame plates — the unit's sealing spec. Close the frame to that measure; torque values are only the means of getting there evenly.

How do I identify a plate when the nameplate is gone?

Measure the plate (length, width, port diameter), note the pattern angle and count the pack, then photograph the gasket groove and hanging slot — that combination identifies model and generation for quotation.

Compiled by cBallast for identification and cross-reference. Part numbers, designations and trademarks belong to their respective manufacturers. Confirm ratings and dimensions against the manufacturer's current documentation and the nameplate of the installed equipment before ordering or installation.