Kotelolämmönvaihdin

Kotelolämmönvaihdin, also known as a sheathed heat exchanger or plate-and-frame heat exchanger, is a type of thermal device designed to transfer heat between two or more fluids. These fluids are kept separate by thin metal plates, preventing them from mixing. The term "kotelolämmönvaihdin" is derived from Finnish, where "kotelo" means casing or enclosure and "lämmönvaihdin" means heat exchanger.

The basic principle of operation involves a series of corrugated plates stacked together. Each plate has channels through which one of the fluids flows. Adjacent plates carry different fluids, creating a counter-current or co-current flow pattern. As the fluids pass through their respective channels, heat is conducted from the hotter fluid, through the plate material, to the colder fluid. The corrugations on the plates are designed to increase turbulence, which enhances the rate of heat transfer.

These heat exchangers are widely used in various industrial applications due to their efficiency, compact size, and ease of maintenance. They are common in HVAC systems, refrigeration, chemical processing, food and beverage production, and power generation. The modular design allows for easy adjustment of the heat transfer capacity by adding or removing plates. The materials used for the plates and gaskets are chosen based on the specific properties of the fluids and operating temperatures to ensure durability and prevent corrosion.