The Alfa Laval Compabloc welded plate heat exchanger centres on a stack of corrugated heat transfer plates that are laser welded on models CP30 and above into a rigid, leak-tight core. Each plate is pressed from 316L stainless steel as standard, though the range extends to 254SMO, Titanium grade 1, 904L, Alloy C276, and Alloy C22 for aggressive media. The corrugation pattern does two things simultaneously: it increases the effective heat transfer area per unit volume and it induces turbulence at wall shear stresses high enough to resist fouling.

How does the Compabloc+ handle high-pressure duties up to 60 bar?

The Compabloc+ extends the standard Compabloc platform into higher-pressure territory. Alfa Laval developed the +Seal sealing concept specifically for this variant. A fully confined graphite gasket sits in a geometry that prevents over-tightening and limits creep, reducing the risk of external leakage at elevated pressures. Three Compabloc+ models are available — CP50+, CP75+, and CP120+ — each rated for full vacuum through 60 bar (870 psi) with design temperatures from −46 °C to 370 °C. The standard differential pressure between both sides reaches 38 bar on the CP50+ and CP75+, rising to 42 bar on the CP120+. For plants processing aggressive media at pressures that would normally demand a shell-and-tube exchanger, the Compabloc+ delivers plate-side thermal efficiency in a small footprint.

How is a welded plate heat exchanger cleaned without removing the plate pack?

The Compabloc core is enclosed by four corner girders, top and bottom heads, and four side panels. All of these structural components are bolted together. Removing the side panels exposes the full heat transfer area on both fluid circuits. Maintenance crews can inspect plate surfaces, perform mechanical cleaning, and carry out repairs without dismantling the welded plate core itself. This access model keeps planned downtime short and avoids the gasket replacement cycles associated with traditional gasketed plate-and-frame exchangers. For plants that schedule cleaning around production runs, the speed of panel removal supports improved uptime.

Configurable baffling for mismatched flow rates

Inside the Compabloc, pressed baffles separate each pass and redirect fluid between the plate pack and the panel. The design allows a different number of passes on the hot-side and cold-side circuits. This asymmetry handles large differences in volumetric flow rate between the two streams. If process conditions change later, the baffling can be rearranged to match the new duty without replacing the plate core. Multi-pass configurations enable overall counter-current flow, which allows temperature cross and temperature approaches as tight as 3 °C (5.4 °F). Where the process requires it, co-current operation is also possible.

How do plate-to-plate joints reduce crevice corrosion risk?

Crevice corrosion is a persistent concern where metal surfaces meet and trap stagnant fluid. The Compabloc uses a plate-to-plate joint design that minimises crevice geometry at the weld seam. Paired with plate materials such as 254SMO or Alloy C276, this joint configuration makes the Compabloc suitable for chloride-bearing and acidic process streams. Standard panels are carbon steel lined with the same alloy as the plates, so the wetted surface throughout the exchanger offers consistent corrosion resistance.