Brazed plate heat exchangers are permanently sealed units with no internal gaskets, the plates are vacuum-brazed together with copper or nickel brazing material. This means they cannot be opened for cleaning or repair. When a BPHE fails or fouls beyond chemical cleaning, the entire unit is replaced.
AQ Process Systems sources and exports replacement BPHE units sized to match your existing installation, along with connection kits, insulation jackets, and mounting hardware for quick swap-out. We also supply companion flanges, gaskets, and piping adapters to interface with your existing pipework.
For systems using multiple BPHEs or with critical uptime requirements, we recommend maintaining spare units on-site for rapid replacement during maintenance windows.
| Component | Specification | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Replacement Units | ||
| Replacement BPHE Units | Copper-brazed or nickel-brazed | SS 316L plates | Various plate counts | Complete replacement brazed plate heat exchangers, matched to existing duty, connections, and mounting. |
| Upgraded / Re-rated Units | Higher plate count or different brazing | Drop-in compatible | Upgraded replacement BPHEs with increased capacity or nickel brazing for ammonia/aggressive fluid compatibility. |
| Connection & Mounting | ||
| Connection Kits | Threaded, flanged, or solder | Various sizes | Inlet/outlet connection adapters, threaded fittings, flanged connections, or solder/braze adapters. |
| Companion Flanges & Gaskets | CS or SS | PN16/PN25 or ANSI 150/300 | Flanges and gaskets for interfacing BPHE connections to existing piping, metric and imperial sizes. |
| Mounting Brackets | CS or SS | Wall or frame mount | Mounting brackets, feet, and support hardware for wall-mounting or frame-mounting the BPHE. |
| Insulation Shells / Jackets | EPP foam or mineral wool | Snap-on or clamshell | Thermal insulation jackets preventing heat loss and condensation, snap-on or clamshell type. |
| System Accessories | ||
| Strainers / Filters | Y-strainer or basket | Upstream protection | Inline strainers protecting the BPHE from particulate fouling, installed upstream on both circuits. |
| Isolation Valves | Ball or butterfly | For BPHE isolation | Isolation valves allowing BPHE swap-out without draining the entire system. |
| Pressure & Temperature Gauges | Local indication | Both circuits | Pressure and temperature instruments for monitoring BPHE performance and detecting fouling. |
Parts are matched to OEM material specifications and dimensional tolerances. Please provide the equipment manufacturer, model number, and serial number (if available) for precise part identification. Mill Test Certificates (MTC) supplied with all tube materials per EN 10204 3.1.
No. BPHEs are permanently sealed by vacuum brazing and cannot be opened, re-gasketed, or re-tubed. If a BPHE develops an internal leak or fouls beyond what chemical cleaning can remove, the entire unit must be replaced. This is why we recommend keeping spare units on-site for critical applications.
Since BPHEs are replaced as complete units, the key spare is a replacement BPHE matched to your duty. Additionally, keep connection gaskets, mounting hardware, and insulation jackets. For systems with isolation valves, the BPHE can be swapped out in under an hour.
Yes. Standard BPHEs use copper brazing, which is not compatible with ammonia. For ammonia refrigeration and other copper-incompatible fluids, we supply nickel-brazed units. These are also preferred for potable water and certain food processing applications.
Provide the existing unit's manufacturer, model number, and plate count, we'll match the replacement. If the original data is unavailable, share the duty parameters (flow rates, temperatures, fluids) and we'll select the correct replacement unit.
BPHE lifespan varies from 5-20+ years depending on fluid compatibility, fouling potential, and operating conditions. Regular chemical cleaning (CIP) extends life significantly. In clean-fluid HVAC applications, 15-20 years is common. In fouling-prone or corrosive applications, 5-10 years may be typical.
Share your equipment make, model, and part numbers, we respond within 24 hours.