Plate heat exchanger design pressure 1

[atedionyahoo]

Shall a plate heat exchanger design pressure be the same for cold side and hot side fluids while the operating pressures are different? If no, is it acceptable to design the end covers based on design pressure of contacting fluid even if it has lower pressure? Thanks.

 

[gr2vessels]

The plate heat exchangers design pressure is defined in the Clause 7.3 of API 662 Part 1 Ed. 2006 (refer exerpt below):
"Unless otherwise specified or approved by the purchaser, the plate-and-frame heat exchanger shall be designed for design pressure on either side, with atmospheric pressure or, if specified, vacuum on the other side."
Normally, you should design for the same design pressure on both sides, particularly if the breach of the gasket could cause major upsets. Ditto for the end plates and including all the additional loads in accordance with the Client specification.
Cheers,
gr2vessels

 

[bernoullies123]

Plate heat exchangers design is covered in AS 1210:1997 Section 3.34 which says that the end plates are to be designed as per unstayed flat ends and covers (Section 3.15).