CB30 100kW AC cooling

Common issues

• Internal fouling/scaling reducing heat transfer efficiency over time
• Leakage at brazed joints, often from thermal cycling fatigue or freezing
• Reduced flow from partial internal blockage, since a brazed pack cannot be opened for cleaning
• Corrosion of stainless plates in aggressive water quality (chlorides) without adequate treatment
• Freeze damage if the system is drained improperly or glycol concentration is insufficient
• Connection/pipe stress causing cracking at inlet/outlet stubs

Inspection checklist

• Check the approach temperature difference between circuits against the commissioning baseline
• Measure pressure drop across the unit and compare to baseline as a fouling indicator
• Inspect for external leakage at brazed joints and connections
• Check insulation condition where fitted
• Verify upstream strainers are clean and undamaged
• Review water treatment/chemistry logs for the cooling circuit
• Check mounting/support brackets for vibration damage or looseness
• Confirm glycol concentration, where used, is adequate for the expected minimum temperature

Service intervals

Typical intervals for this design class, not the manufacturer’s figures for your model. The manufacturer’s manual is binding.

Critical spares

• Complete replacement heat exchanger unit (brazed units are not field-rebuildable)
• Pipe connection gaskets/O-rings at flanged joints
• Strainer basket/element upstream of the unit
• CIP cleaning chemical for internal fouling removal
• Inlet/outlet pressure and temperature sensors for performance monitoring

Safety

• Pressure hazard - isolate and depressurize the unit before disconnecting any connection
• Chemical handling hazard during CIP cleaning
• Hot surfaces on the AC/HVAC-side circuit adjacent to the unit

Class survey

Class surveys of HVAC/AC cooling heat exchangers typically confirm pressure test history where applicable, absence of leakage, and that the unit matches the approved cooling system arrangement drawing. No internal opening is expected for a brazed unit, so survey relies on external condition and performance trending.

Estimated lifetime: Brazed plate heat exchangers of this type typically give on the order of 10-15 years of service under normal water quality and treatment, but service life is strongly dependent on water chemistry and effectively ends at the first joint leak, since the unit cannot be reopened for repair - confirm against Alfa Laval's data for the CB30.