Structural analysis of gasketed plate heat exchangers

Abstract

Gasketed plate heat exchangers (GPHEs) are widely used in the petrochemical, food, and textile industries. Due to pressure and temperature gradients among plates, these devices are exposed to a high-stress level. There are few reports about structural analysis of this type of equipment in the specialized literature, where the focus is on the analysis of thermal and hydrodynamic performance. This article aimed to evaluate the structural behavior of GPHEs through experimental and numerical analysis. Experimental structural tests were carried out in two similar heat exchangers with 316 L stainless steel plates. Three procedures were performed and named as single loading test (one side of GPHE is pressurized), double loading test (both sides are pressurized) and assembly test. Stresses were determined using strain gauges for all the procedures. A simplified numerical model in FEM (Finite Element Method) were performed using the Static Structural module present in ANSYS 18 and their results are consistent with the experimental behavior. For the single and double loading tests (10 bar), results indicated that the highest mechanical stress region is located at the GPHE distribution area. In double loading tests, the equivalent von Mises stress is up to 80% lower than in single tests. However, results indicate that the stress field is higher than the minimum yield stress during the assembly procedure, which may be significant for future equipment failure.