Levylämmönsiirtäjät

Levylämmönsiirtäjät, known in English as plate heat exchangers, are devices used to transfer heat between two fluids. They consist of a series of thin metal plates stacked together. These plates are corrugated or stamped with a pattern that creates channels for the fluids to flow through. The corrugations also increase the surface area for heat transfer and provide structural support.

The two fluids flow through alternating channels, with each plate acting as a barrier between them. Heat is transferred from the hotter fluid to the colder fluid through the metal plates. The counter-current flow, where the fluids move in opposite directions, is often employed to maximize the efficiency of heat transfer. Levylämmönsiirtäjät are highly efficient due to their large surface area to volume ratio and the thinness of the plates.

These devices are widely used in various industries, including HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), food and beverage processing, chemical industries, and power generation. They are valued for their compact size, ease of maintenance, and high thermal performance. Their modular design allows for easy capacity adjustment by adding or removing plates. Different materials can be used for the plates, depending on the fluids being handled and the operating temperature and pressure, to ensure corrosion resistance and longevity.