Alfa Laval has unveiled its new T8 gasketed plate heat exchanger which it says is a perfect balance between optimal capacity, reliable performance and compact size.

Equipped with innovations such as Alfa Laval CurveFlow, Alfa Laval ClipGrip and the unique perpendicular corner guiding design, the T8 sets a new standard in minimising the total cost of ownership in heating and cooling applications, the company said.

Thanks to its compact size – less than 1 m in height – and with a connection size of 80 mm, the Alfa Laval T8 is the ideal gasketed plate heat exchanger for HVAC applications in buildings, as well as numerous other industries such as fluid power, metalworking, marine, power generation, general manufacturing, general utility cooling, engine cooling, and the semi-conductor industry.

“Alfa Laval T8’s unique design and simplicity combines the best of Alfa Laval’s 80 years of expertise in gasketed plate heat exchangers,” comments Johan Snarberg, product portfolio manager.

The innovative T8 comes with the unique Alfa Laval CurveFlow distribution area, which delivers superior flow distribution and more of the available pressure drop over the main heat transfer area. This allows the T8 to be configured with less plates, thus a more compact size and reduced maintenance costs. Energy efficiency is improved due to the reduced need for increased pumping power to compensate for higher pressure drop.

The T8 also features the new Alfa Laval ClipGrip, which allows fast and completely glue-free mounting. Gaskets stay in place during maintenance while reducing consumption of spare parts and additional time for re-gasketing.

Perpendicular corner guiding design ensures that the T8’s plate pack is perfectly aligned regardless of the number of plates, ensuring reliable performance and faster closing of the unit after servicing.

“To keep our customers’ equipment in top working condition, Alfa Laval offers a comprehensive portfolio of services covering the entire product lifecycle from start-up, support and maintenance to improvements and monitoring. Our global distribution partners and service engineers from Alfa Laval service centres ensure that customers get timely and reliable performance where and when it is needed,” said an Alfa Laval statement.

Alfa Laval is a leading global provider of specialised products and engineering solutions based on its key technologies of heat transfer, separation and fluid handling.

RECENT ORDERS

Meanwhile, the company reported it won several orders recently to supply heat exchangers. One of them was for two FPSOs (Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessels) to be moored offshore Angola.  The order, booked in the Energy & Process segment, has a value of approximately SEK50 million ($6.38 million) and delivery is scheduled for 2015. It comprises compact heat exchangers for various duties, such as cooling, heating and condensation, in the processing of crude oil on-board the FPSOs.

The T8 gasketed plate heat exchanger

“This is yet another order related to the oil and gas industry, this time to the offshore sector. It proves our products’ performance and reliability in these heavy duties,” said Lars Renström, president and CEO of the Alfa Laval Group.

The company also won an SEK 55 million oil and gas order in the US. It will supply heat exchangers to an oil production facility in the US. The order comprises heat exchangers for cooling carbon dioxide in an enhanced oil recovery process (EOR). EOR is an umbrella term for various processes that can increase the amount of oil that can be extracted from a well. One of the most common processes for achieving this is by carbon dioxide injection.

“This order is interesting in many ways,” said Renström. “Not only does it confirm our products’ reliability and performance in demanding applications, but it is also the second order in a short period of time specifically for EOR.”

Alfa Laval is listed on Nasdaq OMX, and, in 2013, posted annual sales of about SEK29.8 billion (approximately 3.5 billion euros). The company has today, after the acquisition of Frank Mohn AS, about 17 500 employees.

Alfa Laval’s worldwide organisation works closely with customers in nearly 100 countries. The company’s equipment, systems and services are dedicated to assisting customers in optimising the performance of their processes. The solutions help them to heat, cool, separate and transport products in industries that produce food and beverages, chemicals and petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, starch, sugar and ethanol.

Alfa Laval’s products are also used in power plants, aboard ships, in the mechanical engineering industry, in the mining industry and for wastewater treatment, as well as for comfort climate and refrigeration applications.