Designed for precise heat transfer in processing plants, Teralba industrial plate heat exchangers help operators heat, cool, recover energy and regulate process streams.
As an Australian plate heat exchanger manufacturer, Teralba engineers each unit to suit specific application requirements, operating conditions, maintenance needs and production demands.
Introducing Teralba's Accu-Therm Industrial Plate Heat Exchanger Series (Gasketed)
Accu-Therm Industrial Plate Heat Exchanger Series (also known as PHE’s) are ideal for applications where the fluids are water-like with no particulates. Industrial Plate Heat Exchangers achieve some of the highest heat transfer coefficients of all heat exchanger configurations and are the optimum choice for close temperature approaches i.e where product outlet temperature is close to the service inlet temperature.
Accu-Therm Plate heat exchangers consist of thin, corrugated heat transfer plates compressed inside a frame, with the product in every second channel and service fluid in between the product channels. The heat transfer plates incorporate a stamped herringbone pattern and are assembled in an inverse configuration to create two sets of parallel channels, one for each liquid. The herringbone patterns point in opposite directions, creating a lattice in each channel. This provides a high level of turbulence, which results in very high heat transfer rates.
The heat transfer plates on the industrial Accu-Therm PHEs are sealed with proven clip-in gaskets and elastomers such as EPDM, NBR (Nitrile) and silicon, are available. Frames for the Industrial units are typically painted or powder-coated and can include height adjustable feet for food processing areas. Alternatively, a forklift base on the heat exchanger allows the unit to be moved from point to point. Both connections and plates can be supplied in various alloys for particularly challenging chemicals.
Accu-Therm Industrial PHE’s are available in a huge range of sizes from a few hundred litres per hour through to 2,100,000 l/hr!
The formed plate pattern creates controlled flow paths that increase contact between the process fluid and the heat transfer surface. This supports efficient heating and cooling within a compact unit, making plate heat exchangers suitable for facilities requiring high thermal output without large equipment footprints.
Industrial plate heat exchangers provide high surface area within a compact frame, making them practical for plant rooms, skids, processing lines and retrofit projects with limited space. Their compact design can simplify installation while delivering high thermal performance.
The frame design allows access to the plate pack for inspection, cleaning, plate replacement and gasket maintenance. This is valuable for industrial sites where fouling, product buildup, scaling or scheduled maintenance must be addressed without replacing the entire unit.
Plate heat exchangers are suitable for a wide range of thermal applications, including product heating and cooling, process water heating, glycol cooling, waste heat recovery and energy transfer between process streams. Their efficient plate design supports heat recovery and helps minimise energy loss.
Depending on the design, plate heat exchangers can be modified by adjusting the number of plates to accommodate revised flow rates or heat load requirements.
To add or remove plates, the unit is first isolated and depressurised, then the tightening bolts are loosened, allowing one side of the frame to be opened. Plates can then be inserted or removed as needed to achieve the new duty, and the correct plate arrangement is checked against process specifications. The frame is then re-tightened to the correct torque, ensuring a proper seal for each plate. After reassembly, the heat exchanger undergoes a pressure test before being returned to service.
Maintenance technicians or engineers typically complete this process, which can usually be performed within a scheduled maintenance window, helping minimise plant downtime. This provides flexibility when production volumes increase, product lines change or process conditions are updated.
As an Australian plate heat exchanger designer, Teralba offers local support for specification, sizing, manufacturing, servicing and replacement components. This gives operators access to timely application advice, maintenance support and equipment tailored to Australian site conditions.
To engage with Teralba, engineers can start by contacting our technical team for an initial consultation, where process requirements and site conditions are discussed in detail. Our engineers then assist with equipment sizing and specification based on your needs.
For troubleshooting or maintenance, operators can call or email our support line to receive prompt advice or arrange an on-site service visit.
For urgent requirements, we also provide access to spare parts and replacement gaskets. Throughout the project lifecycle, Teralba’s support team works directly with clients to ensure a smooth experience from specification through to commissioning, operation, and ongoing maintenance.
Teralba collaborates with Australian process plants to address practical heat transfer challenges, including improving heating and cooling performance, supporting cleaner operations, simplifying maintenance and improving energy efficiency.
Removal and replacement of a large industrial plate heat exchanger plate pack.
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These projects demonstrate how Teralba industrial plate heat exchangers can be specified to suit process duty, site conditions and long-term operational requirements.
For new installations, process upgrades or replacement units, Teralba provides Australian-made heat exchanger design, manufacturing and supply configured to suit specific process duties, site conditions and maintenance requirements.
Contact us today for expert advice and a customised quote.
A plate heat exchanger is a compact heat transfer unit that uses a series of thin metal plates to transfer heat between two fluids. The fluids flow through separate channels on opposite sides of the plates, allowing heat to move from one fluid to the other without the fluids mixing.
Plate heat exchangers are commonly used for industrial heating, cooling, heat recovery and process temperature control where efficient performance and a smaller equipment footprint are required.
A plate heat exchanger transfers heat between two fluids through thin metal plates. The fluids flow through separate channels on opposite sides of each plate, allowing heat to pass through the plate surface without mixing. This creates a large heat transfer area within a compact unit, making it effective for heating, cooling and heat recovery.
The 10 13 rule is commonly used as a design guideline for plate heat exchangers and generally refers to typical approach temperature ranges used to assess heat transfer performance. In practical terms, the correct design depends on inlet and outlet temperatures, flow rates, pressure drop limits, fluid properties and required duty. Teralba can help size and specify an industrial plate heat exchanger based on actual process conditions.
Common plate heat exchanger problems include fouling, scaling, blocked channels, gasket wear, gasket leakage, plate corrosion, incorrect pressure drop and reduced heat transfer performance. These issues often result from unsuitable fluid conditions, poor maintenance, incorrect sizing or changes in operating duty. Regular inspection, cleaning and correct specification help maintain reliable performance.
Plate heat exchangers offer high thermal efficiency, compact installation, flexible capacity and accessible service features. They can be used for heating, cooling, process temperature control and heat recovery. For industrial sites, the main advantage is strong heat transfer performance within a smaller footprint, with options to configure plates, gaskets and connections to suit the application.
Plate heat exchangers may not be suitable for every process. Limitations can include gasket compatibility, pressure and temperature restrictions, fouling risk with dirty or fibrous fluids, and the need to select the correct plate design to avoid excessive pressure drop. For high-pressure, high-temperature or heavily contaminated duties, another heat exchanger type may be more appropriate.
The lifespan of a plate heat exchanger depends on the process media, operating temperature and pressure, gasket material, cleaning routine and maintenance schedule. With proper specification and regular servicing, the frame and plates can provide a long service life, while gaskets may need to be replaced over time as part of normal maintenance.
A plate heat exchanger does not normally require electricity to transfer heat. Heat transfer occurs as fluids pass through the plate channels. However, the wider system may use electrically powered pumps, valves, sensors or controls to move fluids and manage temperature.
The four common methods of heat exchange are conduction, convection, radiation and phase change. In a plate heat exchanger, heat transfer mainly occurs through convection from the fluid to the plate surface, conduction through the metal plate and convection from the plate into the second fluid.
The basic rule of a heat exchanger is that heat moves from the hotter fluid to the cooler fluid through a heat transfer surface. The fluids are kept separate while thermal energy passes between them. Performance depends on temperature difference, flow rate, heat transfer area, fluid properties, plate material and pressure drop.
Yes, plate heat exchangers can handle elevated temperatures when correctly specified with suitable plate and gasket materials and pressure ratings. The allowable temperature range depends on the design and the fluid being processed. For very high-temperature or high-pressure duties, the application should be carefully reviewed to confirm the appropriate heat exchanger type.
Teralba Industries