PHE Spare Parts Glossary: Key Terms Explained
PHE Spare Parts Glossary: Plate Count, A-Measurement, Ports & More
Most slow spare parts inquiries are slow for one reason: the two sides are naming different things. This plate heat exchanger parts terminology list covers the words that come up most in a gasket or plate order, and what each means on your unit.
Plate Count
The plate count is the number of plates in the pack right now, not the number stamped on the tag. Packs gain and lose plates over a service life. Count before you order, and note any difference from the nameplate.
A plate heat exchanger plate count also sets the A-measurement. Change one and the other follows, which is why the two are recorded together on a service sheet.
A-Measurement
The plate heat exchanger A-measurement is the gap between the inside face of the frame plate and the inside face of the pressure plate, measured with the pack compressed. It appears on the drawing and, on most units, the nameplate. Write it down before you open the unit. Once the bolts are slack, that figure is your only reference for closing it correctly.
Ports and Corner Ports
Port size and port type describe the connections on the frame: flange, thread or lined, and the diameter that has to match your pipework. Corner ports are the four openings pressed into each plate, which carry fluid from the connections into the channels. They are separate parts of the same flow path.
Gasket Profile and Attachment
The profile is the cross section of the gasket. The attachment is how it stays on the plate: clipped into place, glued, or held by lugs. Both matter at order time, because a gasket with the right outline and the wrong attachment will not seat.
Plate Pack and Chevron Angle
The plate pack is the stack of plates and gaskets between the frame and pressure plate. Plates carry a corrugation pattern, and the chevron angle of that pattern affects heat transfer and pressure drop. Some packs mix two angles in a set order. Record the arrangement as you strip the unit so it goes back the same way.
Using the List
A complete plate heat exchanger spare parts list is short: model and serial number, current plate count, A-measurement, port details, gasket profile and attachment, and the medium with its temperature. Send those and the reply is a match, not another round of questions.
Questions on any term here? Send a nameplate photo and the details above to info@newroc-phe.com.
FAQ
Q: Where do I find the plate count if the tag is missing?
A: Count the plates in the pack. Add the count and the A-measurement to your inquiry.
