Free-flow Plate Heat Exchanger

What is a Free-flow Plate Heat Exchanger and How Does It Work

What is a Free-flow Plate Heat Exchanger

A free flow heat exchanger, also known as a wide-channel plate heat exchanger, is a specialized type of gasketed plate heat exchanger (PHE) designed to handle fluids with high viscosity, fiber content, or solid particles. Unlike standard plate heat exchangers, free flow designs feature wider and unobstructed flow channels, reducing the risk of clogging or fouling and ensuring efficient heat transfer even with challenging media.

How Does a Free-flow Plate Heat Exchanger Work

A free flow heat exchanger utilizes plates with increased spacing to allow uninterrupted fluid passage. This minimizes pressure drop and prevents blockages, making it ideal for applications where traditional heat exchangers struggle due to high particulate content. The absence of metal contact points in the flow path ensures even distribution of fluids, improving thermal performance and ease of maintenance.

These heat exchangers are widely used in wastewater treatment, pulp and paper production, bioethanol processing, food and beverage industries (such as fruit juice and dairy), and chemical processing, where fibrous, high-solid, or high-viscosity fluids are commonly processed.

Free Flow Heat Exchanger Structure

Wider Plate Channels – Designed to accommodate fluids with suspended particles or highly viscous substances, ensuring minimal clogging and fouling.

Gasketed or Welded Design – Available in gasketed configurations for easy disassembly and cleaning or semi-welded versions for enhanced durability in more demanding applications.

Corrosion-Resistant Materials – Plates are typically made from stainless steel, titanium, or other specialized alloys to withstand aggressive fluids and high temperatures.

Efficient Heat Transfer – Despite the larger channel spacing, optimized flow paths ensure high thermal efficiency while maintaining low maintenance requirements.