Abstract: A plate heat exchanger gasket is configured to be positioned between adjacent heat transfer plates in a plate heat exchanger and includes a continuous seal part integrated with spaced-apart wedge parts. The media pressure produced by the fluids flowing in the plate interspaces act on the continuous seal part and applies a force tending to push the continuous seal part outwardly. The wedge parts are sized to contact and act against portions of the heat transfer plates so that movement of the wedge parts is prevented. Because the wedge parts are integrated with the continuous seal part, the wedge parts thus prevent the continuous seal part (plate heat exchanger gasket) from being pushed outwardly and so blow-outs are not so likely to occur.
Abstract: A plate heat exchanger gasket is configured to be positioned between adjacent heat transfer plates in a plate heat exchanger and includes a continuous seal part integrated with spaced-apart wedge parts. The media pressure produced by the fluids flowing in the plate interspaces act on the continuous seal part and applies a force tending to push the continuous seal part outwardly. The wedge parts are sized to contact and act against portions of the heat transfer plates so that movement of the wedge parts is prevented. Because the wedge parts are integrated with the continuous seal part, the wedge parts thus prevent the continuous seal part (plate heat exchanger gasket) from being pushed outwardly and so blow-outs are not so likely to occur.
Abstract: A method for detecting a leak in a heat exchanger plate includes positioning the heat exchanger plate between a first fixture and a second fixture to create both a first sealed space between the heat exchanger plate and the first fixture and a second sealed space between the heat exchanger plate and the second fixture. The first sealed space is on one side of the heat exchanger plate and the second sealed space is on the other side of the heat exchanger plate. The method includes supplying an inert gas to the second sealed space, drawing a vacuum in the first sealed space, and detecting whether the first sealed space includes the inert gas. The presence of inert gas indicates the plate is not leak-tight.