Heat Exchanger
critical
Known Models (19)
APV / SPX Flow (Denmark/USA) ParaFlow Series
50-5,000 kW thermal
· Freshwater / Seawater / Lube Oil
type: Gasketed Plate Heat Exchanger
size_range: ['N25', 'N35', 'N50', 'Q030', 'Q055', 'Q080']
power_range_kw: [50, 5000]
variant_count_approx: 6
period_start_year: 1980
period_end_year: None
drive_type: Passive
construction: Stainless steel / titanium plates, NBR/EPDM gaskets
successor_series: None
Common Failures:
- • Gasket degradation from age and thermal cycling
- • Plate fouling from biological growth on seawater side
- • Frame alignment issues from repeated opening
Service: Gasket replacement every 5-8 years. Plate CIP (cleaning in place) with acid/alkaline annually. Plate inspection at gasket renewal.
Spares: SPX Flow/APV network. Lead time: 2-4 weeks for gaskets. Aftermarket gaskets available from Thermoflex, Alfa Laval (compatible models).
Alfa Laval (Sweden) M-Series Gasketed Plate Heat Exchanger
50-10,000 kW thermal
· Freshwater / Seawater / Lube Oil / Fuel Oil
type: Gasketed Plate Heat Exchanger
size_range: ['M3', 'M6', 'M10', 'M15', 'M20', 'M30', 'MX25']
power_range_kw: [10, 10000]
variant_count_approx: 8
period_start_year: 1970
period_end_year: None
drive_type: Passive (no drive)
construction: Stainless steel / titanium plates, NBR/EPDM gaskets, carbon steel frame
successor_series: None
Common Failures:
- • Gasket degradation from thermal cycling and age — replacement every 5-8 years
- • Plate fouling from seawater scale/biological growth
- • Plate corrosion pitting from chloride attack (stainless steel in seawater)
- • Frame bolt fatigue from repeated opening/closing
Service: Gasket replacement every 5-8 years or at drydock. Plate cleaning with acid/alkaline solution annually. Tightening torque check annually. Plate inspection for pitting at each gasket renewal.
Spares: Alfa Laval global network — excellent availability. Keep onboard: 1 set gaskets, cleaning chemicals. Lead time: 1-3 weeks for gaskets, 4-6 weeks for plates.
Alfa Laval (Sweden) CB Series (Brazed Plate)
5-500 kW thermal
· Freshwater / Lube Oil / Hydraulic Oil / Refrigerant
type: Copper-Brazed Plate Heat Exchanger
size_range: ['CB14', 'CB26', 'CB30', 'CB52', 'CB76', 'CB112']
power_range_kw: [5, 500]
variant_count_approx: 6
period_start_year: 1990
period_end_year: None
drive_type: Passive
construction: Stainless steel plates, copper brazed, no gaskets
successor_series: None
Common Failures:
- • Fouling — not cleanable (brazed), must be replaced
- • Braze joint cracking from thermal shock or vibration
- • Internal channel blockage from debris
Service: No field cleaning possible — brazed construction. Replace when pressure drop exceeds 50% above clean value. Typical life 5-10 years depending on medium quality. Install strainers upstream.
Spares: Replacement units from Alfa Laval. Lead time: 1-3 weeks for standard sizes. Keep 1 spare onboard for critical cooling circuits.
Alfa Laval (Sweden) AlfaNova Fusion-Bonded
10-1,000 kW thermal
· Freshwater / Lube Oil / Aggressive Media
type: Fusion-Bonded Plate Heat Exchanger (100% Stainless Steel)
size_range: ['AlfaNova 14', 'AlfaNova 27', 'AlfaNova 52', 'AlfaNova 76']
power_range_kw: [10, 1000]
variant_count_approx: 4
period_start_year: 2005
period_end_year: None
drive_type: Passive
construction: 100% stainless steel, fusion-bonded (no copper, no gaskets)
successor_series: None
Common Failures:
- • Internal fouling — not cleanable, replacement-only
- • Higher cost than CB but no copper contamination risk
Service: Replace when fouled. Suitable for applications where copper contamination is unacceptable (e.g., ammonia refrigeration circuits). Typical life 8-15 years.
Spares: Alfa Laval direct. Lead time: 2-4 weeks. Premium price vs. CB series.
Alfa Laval (Sweden) Aalborg Exhaust Gas Economiser
200-15,000 kW thermal
· Exhaust Gas / Feedwater
type: Finned Tube Exhaust Gas Economiser
size_range: ['AQ-2', 'AQ-5', 'AQ-7', 'AQ-10', 'AQ-14']
power_range_kw: [200, 15000]
variant_count_approx: 5
period_start_year: 1960
period_end_year: None
drive_type: Passive
construction: Finned steel tubes, soot-blow capable
successor_series: None
Common Failures:
- • Soot fires from poor soot blowing practice — CRITICAL safety risk
- • Tube erosion from high exhaust gas velocity with HFO
- • Water-side scale from poor feedwater quality
- • Tube leakage from corrosion at low-load operation (acid dew point)
Service: Soot blowing DAILY when running on HFO. Exhaust gas temperature monitoring before/after — temperature rise indicates soot buildup. Water-side treatment per boiler water standards. Complete inspection at drydock — tube thickness measurement.
Spares: Alfa Laval Aalborg (Aalborg, Denmark). Tube replacement sections: 6-10 weeks lead time. Soot blower elements: 2-4 weeks.
Bloksma (Netherlands) Marine Shell & Tube Series
20-1,000 kW thermal
· Freshwater / Seawater / Lube Oil
type: Shell & Tube Heat Exchanger
size_range: ['B150', 'B200', 'B300', 'B400', 'B500']
power_range_kw: [20, 1000]
variant_count_approx: 5
period_start_year: 1970
period_end_year: None
drive_type: Passive
construction: Cupro-Nickel or titanium tubes, steel shell
successor_series: None
Common Failures:
- • Tube pitting from seawater chloride
- • End cover gasket leakage
- • Tube sheet corrosion at tube-to-sheet joints
Service: Zinc anode check quarterly. Tube bundle cleaning annually. End cover gasket replacement at drydock. Standard Shell & Tube maintenance.
Spares: Bloksma (Heerhugowaard, Netherlands). Lead time: 2-4 weeks for standard parts, 6-8 weeks for tube bundles.
Bowman (UK) Marine Shell & Tube Series
10-500 kW thermal
· Freshwater / Seawater / Lube Oil
type: Shell & Tube Heat Exchanger
size_range: ['EC80', 'EC100', 'EC120', 'EC140', 'GL140', 'GL180', 'GL260']
power_range_kw: [10, 500]
variant_count_approx: 7
period_start_year: 1960
period_end_year: None
drive_type: Passive
construction: Cupro-Nickel tubes, cast iron/bronze shell, removable tube bundle
successor_series: None
Common Failures:
- • Tube bundle erosion from high seawater velocity
- • Zinc anode depletion causing accelerated corrosion
- • End cover gasket leakage
- • Tube scale buildup from hard/tropical water
Service: Zinc anode check/replacement quarterly. Tube bundle cleaning with rod and brush annually. End cover gasket replacement at drydock. Tube bundle replacement every 8-15 years depending on water quality.
Spares: Bowman (Birmingham, UK). Tube bundles, zinc anodes, gasket sets. Lead time: 2-4 weeks for anodes/gaskets, 4-8 weeks for tube bundles.
Dae Sun (South Korea) DS Marine Plate Heat Exchanger
30-3,000 kW thermal
· Freshwater / Seawater / Lube Oil
type: Gasketed Plate Heat Exchanger
size_range: ['DS-10', 'DS-25', 'DS-50', 'DS-80']
power_range_kw: [30, 3000]
variant_count_approx: 4
period_start_year: 1995
period_end_year: None
drive_type: Passive
construction: Stainless steel / titanium plates
successor_series: None
Common Failures:
- • Gasket quality inconsistency on older production runs
- • Plate dimensional tolerances looser than Alfa Laval
- • Frame alignment issues
Service: Standard PHE maintenance. Gasket replacement every 4-6 years (shorter than premium brands). Korean aftermarket gaskets available.
Spares: Dae Sun (Busan, Korea). Lead time: 2-3 weeks in Korea. Limited outside Asia.
Donghwa Entec (South Korea) DH Plate Heat Exchanger
30-5,000 kW thermal
· Freshwater / Seawater / Lube Oil
type: Gasketed Plate Heat Exchanger
size_range: ['DH-15', 'DH-30', 'DH-50', 'DH-80', 'DH-100']
power_range_kw: [30, 5000]
variant_count_approx: 5
period_start_year: 1990
period_end_year: None
drive_type: Passive
construction: Stainless steel / titanium plates, clip-on gaskets
successor_series: None
Common Failures:
- • Gasket quality variability between production runs
- • Plate fouling
- • Frame bolt issues from repeated assembly
Service: Standard PHE maintenance. Gasket replacement every 5-7 years.
Spares: Donghwa Entec (Busan, Korea). Lead time: 2-3 weeks in Korea. Growing international network.
Funke (Germany) FP Series
20-2,000 kW thermal
· Freshwater / Lube Oil / Fuel Oil
type: Gasketed Plate Heat Exchanger
size_range: ['FP 04', 'FP 08', 'FP 10', 'FP 14', 'FP 20', 'FP 31']
power_range_kw: [20, 2000]
variant_count_approx: 6
period_start_year: 1970
period_end_year: None
drive_type: Passive
construction: Stainless steel plates, NBR/EPDM gaskets
successor_series: None
Common Failures:
- • Gasket degradation from thermal cycling
- • Plate fouling from oil-side deposits
- • Frame alignment issues
Service: Gasket replacement every 5-8 years. CIP cleaning annually. Standard PHE maintenance.
Spares: Funke Wärmeaustauscher (Gronau, Germany). Lead time: 2-4 weeks. Some gaskets compatible with Alfa Laval M-series equivalent sizes.
GEA (Germany) NT Series / Free Flow
50-8,000 kW thermal
· Freshwater / Seawater / Lube Oil / Fuel Oil
type: Gasketed Plate Heat Exchanger
size_range: ['NT50', 'NT100', 'NT150', 'NT250', 'NT350']
power_range_kw: [50, 8000]
variant_count_approx: 5
period_start_year: 1985
period_end_year: None
drive_type: Passive
construction: Stainless steel / titanium plates, clip-on gaskets
successor_series: None
Common Failures:
- • Gasket deterioration from thermal stress
- • Plate pitting from chloride corrosion on seawater side
- • Frame bolt elongation from repeated torquing
Service: Gasket replacement every 5-8 years. GEA Free Flow models for viscous media (fuel oil) require less frequent cleaning. Plate inspection at gasket renewal.
Spares: GEA Heat Exchangers (Sarstedt, Germany). Clip-on gaskets — easier and faster installation than glued types. Lead time: 2-4 weeks.
Hisaka Works (Japan) RX / UX Series
30-5,000 kW thermal
· Freshwater / Seawater / Lube Oil
type: Gasketed Plate Heat Exchanger
size_range: ['RX-10', 'RX-20', 'RX-30', 'UX-01', 'UX-10', 'UX-20', 'UX-40']
power_range_kw: [30, 5000]
variant_count_approx: 7
period_start_year: 1965
period_end_year: None
drive_type: Passive
construction: Stainless steel / titanium plates, clip-on gaskets
successor_series: None
Common Failures:
- • Gasket degradation — standard PHE issue
- • Plate fouling from seawater
- • Frame bolt fatigue
Service: Standard PHE maintenance. Gasket replacement every 5-8 years. Hisaka service through Japanese ports and Singapore.
Spares: Hisaka Works (Osaka, Japan). Lead time: 2-4 weeks Asia. Limited availability outside Asia — Alfa Laval gaskets NOT compatible.
Kangrim Heavy Industries (South Korea) Marine Exhaust Gas Boiler/Economiser
500-20,000 kW thermal
· Exhaust Gas / Feedwater / Steam
type: Exhaust Gas Boiler / Economiser (Composite or Standalone)
size_range: ['KE-500', 'KE-1000', 'KE-3000', 'KE-5000']
power_range_kw: [500, 20000]
variant_count_approx: 4
period_start_year: 1985
period_end_year: None
drive_type: Passive
construction: Finned steel tubes, welded construction, soot-blow capable
successor_series: None
Common Failures:
- • Soot fires — same risk as Aalborg economisers, daily soot blowing mandatory
- • Tube erosion from high-velocity exhaust gas
- • Feedwater-side corrosion from poor water treatment
- • Soot blower mechanism failure
Service: Daily soot blowing when running on HFO. Feedwater treatment per boiler standards. Tube thickness measurement at drydock. Complete inspection every 5 years.
Spares: Kangrim (Changwon, Korea). Lead time: 4-8 weeks for tube sections. Soot blower elements: 2-4 weeks.
Kelvion (Germany) NX Series / K Series
50-5,000 kW thermal
· Freshwater / Seawater / Lube Oil
type: Gasketed Plate Heat Exchanger
size_range: ['NX10', 'NX25', 'NX50', 'K055', 'K070']
power_range_kw: [50, 5000]
variant_count_approx: 5
period_start_year: 1920
period_end_year: None
drive_type: Passive
construction: Stainless steel / titanium plates, various gasket materials
successor_series: None
Common Failures:
- • Gasket degradation from age
- • Plate fouling
- • Frame misalignment from heavy seas vibration
Service: Gasket replacement every 5-8 years. Plate cleaning annually. Standard maintenance as per gasketed PHE practice.
Spares: Kelvion (Bochum, Germany, ehem. GEA Heat Exchangers, 2015 abgespalten). Lead time: 2-4 weeks.
SWEP (Sweden) B Series (Brazed Plate)
5-300 kW thermal
· Freshwater / Lube Oil / Hydraulic Oil / Refrigerant
type: Copper-Brazed Plate Heat Exchanger
size_range: ['B5', 'B8', 'B10', 'B12', 'B15', 'B25', 'B35', 'B80', 'B120']
power_range_kw: [5, 300]
variant_count_approx: 9
period_start_year: 1985
period_end_year: None
drive_type: Passive
construction: Stainless steel plates, copper brazed
successor_series: None
Common Failures:
- • Internal fouling — brazed, not cleanable
- • Braze joint failure from thermal shock
- • Channel blockage from debris
Service: Replace when fouled. Install strainers upstream. Typical life 5-10 years. No field maintenance possible on brazed unit.
Spares: SWEP (Landskrona, Sweden, part of Dover Corp). Lead time: 1-3 weeks. Competitive pricing vs. Alfa Laval CB.
Sasakura Engineering (Japan) Fresh Water Generator (Vacuum Evaporator)
5-100 t/day freshwater
· Seawater → Freshwater
type: Vacuum Evaporator (Plate or Shell & Tube)
size_range: ['VS-15', 'VS-25', 'VS-50', 'VS-75', 'VS-100']
power_range_kw: None
variant_count_approx: 5
period_start_year: 1960
period_end_year: None
drive_type: Passive (uses engine jacket water waste heat)
construction: Titanium/CuNi evaporator plates, vacuum shell, ejector
successor_series: None
Common Failures:
- • Evaporator plate scale buildup from high seawater temperature (>32°C tropics)
- • Ejector nozzle erosion from seawater
- • Demister pad fouling causing salinity in product water
- • Vacuum loss from gasket/seal degradation
Service: Chemical descaling every 500-1,000 hrs. Product water salinity check daily (<10 ppm). Ejector nozzle inspection annually. Demister pad cleaning/replacement at drydock.
Spares: Sasakura (Osaka, Japan). Lead time: 3-5 weeks Asia, 6-8 weeks elsewhere. Evaporator plates: 8-12 weeks. Keep onboard: descaling chemicals, salinity monitor.
Sondex / Danfoss (Denmark) S-Series Plate Heat Exchanger
30-3,000 kW thermal
· Freshwater / Seawater / Lube Oil
type: Gasketed Plate Heat Exchanger
size_range: ['S4A', 'S7A', 'S14A', 'S19A', 'S37', 'S62']
power_range_kw: [30, 3000]
variant_count_approx: 6
period_start_year: 1980
period_end_year: None
drive_type: Passive
construction: Stainless steel / titanium plates, NBR/EPDM gaskets
successor_series: None
Common Failures:
- • Gasket deterioration — standard PHE failure mode
- • Plate fouling from seawater side
- • Frame alignment issues
Service: Gasket replacement every 5-8 years. Plate CIP annually. Sondex acquired by Danfoss 2016 — service through Danfoss network.
Spares: Danfoss/Sondex (Kolding, Denmark). Lead time: 2-4 weeks. Gaskets and plates widely available.
Tranter (USA/Sweden) GX / GC Series
30-3,000 kW thermal
· Freshwater / Seawater / Lube Oil
type: Gasketed Plate Heat Exchanger
size_range: ['GX-12', 'GX-18', 'GX-26', 'GX-42', 'GX-51', 'GX-60', 'GC-26', 'GC-51']
power_range_kw: [30, 3000]
variant_count_approx: 8
period_start_year: 1985
period_end_year: None
drive_type: Passive
construction: Stainless steel / titanium plates, glued or clip-on gaskets
successor_series: None
Common Failures:
- • Gasket deterioration — standard PHE
- • Plate fouling from seawater
- • Frame alignment issues
Service: Standard PHE maintenance. Gasket replacement every 5-8 years.
Spares: Tranter (Wichita Falls, TX, USA / Norrköping, Sweden). Lead time: 2-4 weeks.
Wärtsilä / Hamworthy (Finland/UK) MOSS Inert Gas Generator (Economiser Section)
varies
· Exhaust Gas / Seawater (scrubbing)
type: Integrated Exhaust Gas / Inert Gas System with Heat Recovery
size_range: ['MOSS IG 2000', 'MOSS IG 5000', 'MOSS IG 10000']
power_range_kw: None
variant_count_approx: 3
period_start_year: 1975
period_end_year: None
drive_type: Passive (integrated with combustion system)
construction: Steel shell, seawater scrubber tower, demister section
successor_series: None
Common Failures:
- • Scrubber tower internal corrosion from hot acidic gases
- • Demister pad clogging/degradation
- • Seawater spray nozzle erosion
- • Combustion chamber refractory lining degradation
Service: Scrubber tower internal inspection annually. Demister pad replacement every 2-3 years. Refractory lining inspection at drydock. O2 analyzer calibration weekly during tank operations.
Spares: Wärtsilä/Hamworthy Gas Systems. Lead time: 4-8 weeks for scrubber internals. Demister pads: 2-4 weeks.