Alfa Laval M3 100kW FW cooling

Inspect seals visually for cracks, hardening, swelling and discoloration; verify material compatibility with process fluids; check ClipGrip™ fastening. Aging symptoms and loss of elasticity are replacement indicators.

Verify A-dimension per manufacturer specifications with caliper (metallic contact required). Keep bolts clean and lubricated. Avoid over-tightening. Perform regular re-tightening after operating hours. At too low A-dimension, pressure loss and leakage are to be expected.

Monitor pressure differential across heat exchanger (increase indicates deposits). Check heat duty versus design value. Optimize CIP intervals after performance audits. Deposits generate higher pump load (energy waste up to 8,000 kWh/year possible).

After disassembly, inspect plate surfaces for local measurements (pitting), cracks and perforation corrosion. Verify material compatibility with process fluid. Observe fatigue cracks especially at corners and transitions. When perforation occurs, plate is unrecoverable and must be replaced.

After disassembly and cleaning, perform hydrostatic test per data sheet. Test pressure typically 1.5× operating pressure. Check external and internal leakage at all connections and plate edges. Document findings.

After opening, verify plate sequence and honeycomb pattern (corrected chevron patterns must alternate). Activate/validate 5-point alignment system for larger units. Offset or misplacement leads to short-circuiting and reduced heat duty.