Gasketed plate heat exchangers (PHEs) are designed for easy maintenance, plates and gaskets can be replaced individually without special tools. However, sourcing the correct gasket profile and plate pattern for your specific PHE model is critical for leak-free operation.
AQ Process Systems sources and exports OEM-compatible replacement plates and gaskets for all major PHE manufacturers. Gaskets are available in NBR, EPDM, Viton (FKM), and other elastomers depending on your process fluid and temperature requirements. Plates are pressed from the same grade stainless steel or titanium as the originals.
We maintain gasket cross-reference data for thousands of PHE models, allowing us to identify the correct gasket from your exchanger model number, plate type, and serial number.
| Component | Specification | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Plates | ||
| Heat Transfer Plates | SS 304/316, Ti Gr.1/2, Hastelloy, SMO 254 | Pressed chevron/herringbone | Replacement pressed plates, matching the original corrugation pattern, port layout, and material grade. |
| Plate Packs (Sets) | Complete plate stack | Mixed theta configurations | Pre-configured plate packs with correct mix of high-theta (H) and low-theta (L) plates for design duty. |
| End Plates / Liner Plates | Thicker gauge | Frame and pressure plate liners | End plates that interface between the plate pack and the frame, thicker gauge for structural integrity. |
| Gaskets | ||
| Plate Gaskets (Clip-on) | NBR, EPDM, FKM (Viton) | Clip-on or glue-on | Individual plate gaskets, clip-on (clipless) type for tool-free replacement, or glue-on for older models. |
| Plate Gaskets (Glue-on) | NBR, EPDM, FKM | Adhesive-bonded | Glue-on gaskets for PHE models without clip-on gasket channels. Supplied with recommended adhesive. |
| Frame Gaskets | Compression gaskets | Perimeter sealing | Gaskets sealing the frame plate and pressure plate to the plate pack perimeter. |
| Port Gaskets / O-rings | Elastomer | Connection port sealing | Nozzle connection gaskets and O-rings at the inlet/outlet port interfaces. |
| Frame Components | ||
| Tightening Bolts | High-tensile steel | Full-length threaded or stud type | Frame clamping bolts that compress the plate pack to the correct tightening dimension (A-dimension). |
| Guide Bars (Upper & Lower) | CS or SS | Various lengths | Horizontal bars guiding and supporting the plates, upper carrying bar and lower guide bar. |
| Roller & Bearing Assemblies | For movable pressure plate | Rollers and bearings allowing the pressure plate to slide along the guide bars during opening. |
| Support Columns & Feet | CS fabricated | Floor-mounted | Frame support structures, floor-standing columns, feet, and foundation bolt assemblies. |
| Accessories | ||
| Connection Nozzles & Flanges | CS or SS | Various sizes | Inlet/outlet nozzle connections and companion flanges for pipe connections to the PHE frame. |
| Shroud / Drip Tray | SS or CS | Safety enclosure | Protective shrouds and drip trays containing any gasket leakage during operation. |
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.
The most common spares are gaskets (the primary wear item, replaced every 3-8 years depending on service), replacement plates (to replace damaged, corroded, or cracked plates), tightening bolts (stretching over time), and guide bar components (wear from repeated opening/closing). Gaskets account for 80%+ of PHE spare parts consumption.
You need the PHE manufacturer name, model number (e.g. Alfa Laval M10, GEA NT100), and plate type code. AQ Process Systems maintains cross-reference data for thousands of models. Alternatively, we can identify gaskets from a sample gasket or plate photograph with dimensions.
Standard materials include NBR (nitrile, general purpose, oils, up to 130°C), EPDM (water, steam, chemicals, up to 160°C), FKM/Viton (acids, solvents, high temperature up to 180°C), and HNBR (hydrogenated nitrile, ozone resistant). Special materials include FFKM (perfluoroelastomer, for aggressive chemicals) and silicone.
Yes. We supply OEM-compatible replacement plates for Alfa Laval (M-series, T-series, TL-series), GEA (NT, NX, FA series), APV (SR, N-series), Tranter (GX, GC series), Sondex (S-series), and other manufacturers. Plates are pressed from the same material grade with matching corrugation pattern.
Clip-on (clipless) gaskets are preferred where available, they snap into channels on the plate, requiring no adhesive and allowing faster replacement. Glue-on gaskets are used on older PHE models without clip-on channels, or where the clip-on channel is damaged. We supply both types with the correct gasket profile for your plate model.
Gasket replacement interval depends on the process fluid, temperature, and cycling frequency. In mild service (water/water, below 80°C), gaskets may last 8-10 years. In aggressive service (acids, high temperature, frequent thermal cycling), replacement may be needed every 2-4 years. We recommend inspecting gaskets during every maintenance opening and replacing any that show compression set, cracking, or hardening.
Share your equipment make, model, and part numbers, we respond within 24 hours.