Brazed Plate Heat Exchangers
Alfa Laval copper-brazed plate heat exchangers are a compact, efficient and maintenance-free solution for heating, cooling, evaporation and condensing in numerous applications. Each unit is designed for duty optimization, with a range of unique features that ensure both superior thermal performance and maximum reliability. This enables the longest possible service life.
Alfa Laval AC Brazed Plate Heat Exchangers
Built with Alfa Laval’s flexible DynaStatic distribution system, which our experts optimize according to your specific application and choice of refrigerant, our AC line of heat exchangers offers top thermal performance in evaporation duties. Combined with the unique FlexFlow asymmetric channel plates, you get the maximum possible efficiency for your system.
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Key Benefits
- DynaStatic and FlexFlow ensure optimal condensation and evaporation efficiency in any application and with any refrigerant
- As evaporators, AC units handle capacities ranging anywhere from 5 to 1000 kW
- A true dual-refrigerant circuit system, with three media possible for double compressors
- Thanks to high pressure resistance, an AC unit with distributor can also work as a condenser in reversible systems
- Available for design pressures ranging from 32 to 60 bar, with the same compact footprint and no need for bigger frames or bolts
With the integrated but flexible DynaStatic distribution system, Alfa Laval AC brazed heat exchangers can provide high performance in evaporation and condensing duties. In many cases, this performance can be 20–40% greater than comparable heat exchangers without a distribution system. This offers big advantages both for reversible systems and when defrosting is key to the application.
Alfa Laval has specially engineered the AC line for air conditioning/refrigeration chiller applications and heat pump applications. Common duties include dry expansion evaporators for cooling water or glycol, condensers for rejecting or recovering heat to water, economizers, subcoolers, and desuperheaters.
AC Brazed Plate Heat Exchanger - Product Leaflets
Alfa Laval AXP Brazed Plate Heat Exchangers
Alfa Laval AXP stands for “extreme pressure,” and that’s exactly what these brazed plate heat exchangers are designed to handle. Specifically engineered for subcritical and transcritical applications using CO2 (R744) as a refrigerant, the AXP line can also support other fluids that require very high pressures. AXP units are suitable for duties ranging from heat recovery, condensing and sub-cooling to gas cooling, suction gas heating and more.
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Key Benefits
- Highly resistant to corrosion and extreme pressures
- Compact design enables simple, cost-effective installation
- Robust tightening bolts and carbon steel external frames withstand mechanical stress
- Certified to handle pressures up to 167 bar (PED approval) and 2233 psi (UL approval)
- Available as an evaporator with add-on distributor and in full stainless steel for ammonia/CO2 cascade systems
- Small hold-up volume and low refrigerant charge ensure rapid response to temperature changes
Pressure peaks and rapid temperature changes subject heat exchanger materials to physical stress, eventually leading to problems that can cause equipment failure. With extensive experience in thermal transfer technology, Alfa Laval has studied these phenomena to produce a resilient brazed plate heat exchanger that can provide a long service life under high operating pressures.
The result of this development, our AXP line, has PED approval for maximum pressures of 167 bar at 90°C and UL approval for 2233 psi at 400°F. This makes AXP highly suitable for applications using CO2 as a refrigerant, such as hot water heat pumps, supermarket chiller installations, and commercial air conditioning systems.
Alfa Laval AXPM Brazed Plate Heat Exchangers
Alfa Laval AXPM stands for “extreme pressure,” and that’s exactly what these marine approved brazed plate heat exchangers are designed to handle. Specifically engineered for marine subcritical and transcritical applications using CO2 (R744) as a refrigerant, the AXPM line can also support other fluids that require very high pressures. AXPM units are suitable for duties ranging from heat recovery, condensing and sub-cooling to gas cooling, suction gas heating and more.
Designed for High Pressure Marine Applications
Key Benefits
- Highly resistant to corrosion and extreme pressures
- Compact design enables simple, cost-effective installation
- Certified to handle pressures up to 159 bar (marine approval)
- Also available as an evaporator with an add-on distributor
- Small hold-up volume and lower refrigerant charge provide rapid response to temperature changes
Pressure peaks and rapid temperature changes subject heat exchanger materials to physical stress, eventually leading to problems that can cause equipment failure. With extensive experience in thermal transfer technology, Alfa Laval has studied these phenomena in order to produce a resilient brazed plate heat exchanger that can provide a long service life under high operating pressures.
The result of this development, our AXPM line, has marine approval for maximum pressure of 159 bar at 20°C. This makes AXPM highly suitable for marine applications using CO2 as a refrigerant.
Alfa Laval CB Brazed Plate Heat Exchangers
High efficiency, superior mechanical resistance and a compact footprint make Alfa Laval’s CB line of brazed plate heat exchangers ideal for demanding installations where space is limited. That’s why they have become a common replacement for other types of heat exchangers in HVAC duties, refrigeration, process heating and cooling, oil cooling, domestic hot water, solar heating and much more.
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Key Benefits
- Wide variety of models and configurations make it possible to get the perfect fit for your application and duty
- Alfa Laval’s asymmetric FlexFlow plate design enables efficient performance with any type of refrigerant or in any liquid-to-liquid application
- The patented IceSafe design protects CB units from crystal formation in refrigerant condenser duties where defrosting is required
- For secondary heat exchangers used with gas boilers, Alfa Laval offers a range of extra-small asymmetric CB units
- One compact design available in models for pressures ranging from 32 to 90 bar
Alfa Laval CB brazed heat exchangers offer several advantages over traditional heat exchangers used in industrial, HVAC and refrigeration installations. Increased thermal efficiency within a compact unit makes it possible to tackle large-capacity duties where installation space is limited. The gasket-free design also allows for reliable performance in high-pressure and high-temperature applications. With a huge range of available sizes, capacities, plate patterns and connections, along with single-, dual- and multi-pass configurations, the available duties are practically endless. Additionally, CB units are available with AHRI certification as well as major pressure vessel and marine industry approvals.
How does the CB Work?
Thin, corrugated stainless steel transfers heat, while copper brazing seals the media in the plate pack. The result is a high-efficiency heat exchanger that consists solely of surfaces that actively contribute to heat transfer. Contact points between the plates are also brazed, which improves resistance to pressure and temperature fatigue.
The arrangement of the channels formed between the plates ensures that media flow through alternate channels, generally in a countercurrent pattern, which further optimizes the efficiency of the heat transfer. A co-current configuration is also available.
Alfa Laval CB Brazed Plate Heat Exchanger - Product Leaflets
Alfa Laval CBM Brazed Plate Heat Exchangers
The Alfa Laval CBM line of copper-brazed plate heat exchangers for marine applications offers an ideal solution for demanding installations with limited space. The gasket-free design ensures reliable performance, with stainless-steel plates brazed in a furnace using thin copper foil in between. CBM heat exchangers can be used for duties such as BOG (boil off gas) heating and cooling, natural gas heating, oil heating, heat recovery, refrigeration intercooling and CO2 refrigeration conditioning.
Robust, Compact Heat Transfer Performance
Key Benefits
- Compact and efficient plate-type heat exchanger
- Flexible temperature range from -196°C to +225°C and design pressures up to 159 bar
- Low hold-up volume
- Type-approved by all major class societies
- Available models: CBM30, CBM110, CBMH200, CBM400, CBM112, ACMH220, and Heatpac CBM
CBM heat exchangers support design temperatures from cryogenic (-196°C) up to 225°C, at a maximum design pressure of 51 bar. Even higher pressure applications are covered by the AXPM models, which can withstand extreme pressures up to 159 bar in a temperature range from -45°C to 225°C, thanks to reinforced external carbon-steel frame plates.
Heatpac CBM is a predefined range of CBM30 and CBM110 heat exchangers for fuel and lubrication oil preheating and heat recovery applications. These include standard insulation and counter flanges with gaskets and bolts.
How Does the CBM Work?
Two media at different temperatures flow on either side of thin corrugated stainless steel plates that are stacked on top of each other. The two media flow in a countercurrent flow through alternate channels and are held within the plate pack by a fusion-bonded seal around the edge of the plates. The points at which the plates are in contact with each other are also bonded with the same technology, reinforcing the pack against the pressure of the media inside.
The countercurrent flow makes it possible to extract heat efficiently even when there are only extremely small differences between the temperatures of the hot and cold media. This results in notable energy cost savings. In some systems, co-current flows are also possible.
Alfa Laval CBM Brazed Plate Heat Exchanger - Product Leaflets
Alfa Laval CD Brazed Plate Heat Exchangers (CombiDryer)
The Alfa Laval CD line is engineered for air dehumidification in compressed air drying applications, and is part of our complete offering of heat exchangers for the compressed air industry. Known as “combi-dryers,” these units bring together an air-to-air and air-to-refrigerant heat exchanger within one unit. This unique design ensures a compact installation with excellent thermal performance.
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Key Benefits
- Corrugated compressed plates significantly reduce the total heat exchanger size for the most compact unit possible
- Convenient placement of connections, with all refrigerant connections on one side, and the air and water drain on the other
- Integrated connection with heat recovery requires no additional piping
- Low pressure drop provides improved thermal efficiency with reduced energy consumption
- Available in a wide range of capacities: 37–1400 Nm3/h (22–825 scfm)
As a refrigerated air dryer, Alfa Laval CD units separate humidity from compressed air by cooling the air in an evaporator. As the air cools and loses its ability to hold moisture, the condensate exits through a separator.
The innovative design of the CD line takes this process another step further. By combining the air-to-refrigerant heat exchanger with air-to-air thermal transfer, CD units can offer much higher efficiency for improved performance. The coldest temperature in the system determines the dew point, which is normally maintained slightly above the freezing point of water, between 2 and 7°C.
Alfa Laval DOC Brazed Plate Heat Exchangers (Dedicated Oil Cooler)
Alfa Laval DOC (Dedicated Oil Cooler) brazed plate heat exchangers provide the same efficient heat transfer and compact construction as our CB models, but with a design that is specifically engineered for oil cooling applications. With a reinforced flange connection that withstands high vibrations, DOC units can reliably handle heavy mechanical loads that accompany engine and hydraulic applications.
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Key Benefits
- High connection load resistance for dependable, long-term performance
- Small footprint combined with improved efficiency reduces installation and long-term costs
- Low-theta plate design and large ports ensure reduced pressure drop
- Compact design increases flexibility for configuring, integrating, and installing a hydraulic oil cooling system with associated equipment
- Available in eight sizes to match the widest range of capacity needs
The robust connection flanges on a DOC heat exchanger feature internal threading and integrated mounting brackets. Based on extensive application expertise, Alfa Laval has engineered this design to meet the tough operating conditions of oil cooling duties. In addition to allowing for significantly higher torque than conventional connections, the DOC units provide upfront savings thanks to easy installation with a compact design. And the reliability and efficiency over time will further ensure the lowest total cost of ownership for your system.
Alfa Laval SE Brazed Plate Heat Exchangers
Maximize performance with the Alfa Laval SE brazed heat exchanger range – where ‘S’ stands for safety and ‘E’ for efficiency. Engineered with safety in mind, this premier range offers enhanced strength and minimal refrigerant charge. The advanced plate design boosts efficiency, delivering superior heat transfer using less natural refrigerant R290. Ideal for next-generation heat pumps and chillers, the SE range optimizes sustainability in heating and cooling, outperforming previous models.
For Safety and Efficiency
Key Benefits
- Optimized for natural refrigerants to support the transition to more sustainable energy solutions
- Enhanced safety due to up to 40% lower hold-up volumes and additional mechanical safety margin
- Increased efficiency thanks to a highly asymmetric design and integrated distribution system
- Greater energy savings, especially in heating duties, due to condensing temperatures reduced by 1 to 2K
- Easy to install in new or retrofit existing chiller or heat pump installations thanks to compact SE footprint
Minimize your carbon footprint and achieve higher thermal efficiency with the Alfa Laval SE range. Custom-built from standard modules, it is ideal for indoor and outdoor HVAC and refrigeration applications in residential and commercial settings.
Optimized plates with an innovative distribution system ensure a low refrigerant charge while meeting all safety requirements. Reduced hold-up volumes and Alfa Laval IceSafe technology enhance reliability and extend equipment lifespan.
The SE range uses fewer plates to achieve the same thermal efficiency as previous designs, due to its innovative plate and distribution system. Stronger, responsibly sourced stainless steel plates reduce energy use and the SE’s carbon footprint to support the transition to net zero.
How Does the SE Heat Exchanger Work?
With the DynaStatic distribution system, SE brazed plate heat exchangers are engineered to provide the optimal fit for their intended applications. The system is primarily designed to handle countercurrent media flows, but can also be configured for co-current flows.