Key Terms for Heat Exchangers

3-A Sanitary Standards:
Standards developed for the design and fabrication of dairy and food processing equipment to ensure hygienic operation and cleanability.

AHRI certified:
Certification by the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), indicating that a product meets specific performance standards.

CIP (Cleaning-in-Place):
A system used to clean the interior surfaces of pipes, vessels, process equipment, filters, and associated fittings without disassembly. Often involves circulation of cleaning solutions (alkaline, acidic) and rinses.

Clip-on Gasket:
A gasket designed to be attached to the heat exchanger plate without adhesive, facilitating easier installation and removal during maintenance.

Double-Wall Plate:
A type of plate design where two plates are spot-welded together to create a double barrier. If a leak occurs in one plate, the fluid vents externally, preventing cross-contamination between the two primary fluids.

EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer):
A synthetic rubber commonly used for gaskets, known for its resistance to hot water, steam, and many chemicals.

FDA-compliant:
Refers to materials that meet the standards and regulations set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in contact with food or pharmaceutical products.

Free Flow Plate:
A type of plate design in a plate-and-frame heat exchanger with wider channels and fewer contact points, suitable for fluids containing solids or particulates to prevent clogging.

Gasket:
A seal made of an elastomeric or other flexible material placed between the plates of a plate-and-frame heat exchanger to prevent leakage and mixing of the fluids.

Heat Recovery:
The process of capturing and reusing waste heat from one process to preheat a fluid or provide energy for another process, improving energy efficiency.

HNBR (Hydrogenated Nitrile Rubber):
A synthetic rubber with improved resistance to heat and chemicals compared to standard NBR, often used when higher performance is needed.

NBR (Nitrile Butadiene Rubber):
A synthetic rubber known for its resistance to oils, fuels, and water. Also known as Buna-N.

Pasteurization:
A process of heating food or beverages to a specific temperature for a set time to kill harmful microorganisms, extending shelf life and improving safety.

Plate:
The corrugated metal sheet within a plate-and-frame heat exchanger that forms the heat transfer surface and channels for fluid flow.

Plate-and-Frame Heat Exchanger (PHE):
A type of heat exchanger consisting of a series of corrugated metal plates with gaskets in between, held together in a frame. Heat is transferred between fluids flowing in alternating channels created by the plates.

SIP (Steam-in-Place):
A process using steam to sterilize equipment and piping systems without disassembly.

UHT (Ultra-High Temperature) Sterilization:
A process that sterilizes liquid food, most commonly milk, by heating it for a short time, around 135°C (275°F), which kills all bacteria, including spores.

USP Class VI:
A standard set by the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) for testing the biocompatibility of plastic materials used in medical devices and pharmaceutical applications.

Viton (FKM):
A brand name for a type of fluoroelastomer (FKM) known for its excellent resistance to high temperatures, chemicals, and solvents.

WideGap Plate:
Similar to Free Flow plates, designed with wider gaps between plates to handle fluids with fibers or coarse particles.

WFI (Water-for-Injection):
Highly purified water used in the pharmaceutical industry for the preparation of injectable drugs. WFI systems require strict temperature control and prevention of contamination.