Technical information - Compabloc heat exchanger

Alfa Laval is the only supplier of bloc-type heat exchangers with more than eight decades of experience developing heat transfer technology. All of that expertise has gone into making Compabloc the unrivalled champion of heat exchange – with unique innovations that set it apart from the rest.

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How does Compabloc work

Sitting at the core of every Compabloc is a stack of corrugated heat-transfer plates made of stainless steel or other corrosion-resistant materials, laser welded alternately to form channels.

The hot and the cold streams flow through alternate channels. Corrugated plates cause high turbulence, resulting in substantially higher heat transfer efficiency with a 50–80% smaller heat transfer area than comparable shell-and-tubes. Flow turbulence also reduces the build-up of fouling. The Compabloc’s unique plate design eliminates dead zones in the heat exchanger.

The two flows in a Compabloc can be configured as single pass, or as multiple pass by using baffles. The number of passes on the hot and cold side can be chosen independently, making it possible to optimize heat transfer even if flow rates on the different sides differ greatly. This unique flexibility means the Compabloc is always optimized for exactly the required duty. The baffles are made to withstand full vacuum, and can be rearranged if design conditions are changed in the future.

Compabloc units have a counter-current flow and can operate with a crossing temperature program (in a single unit), where the temperature approach is as close as 3°C (5.4°F), maximizing energy recovery. The small size and light weight makes it possible to install Compablocs anywhere, for instance at the top of distillation columns or suspended from support structures.

Alfa Laval Compabloc welded plate heat exchanger exploded view

Compabloc - 1-pass condenser

Compabloc - 2-pass condenser

Compabloc liquid-to-liquid

Compabloc reboiler

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Compabloc unique features

C-Weld™

Alfa Laval Compabloc with C-weld enables superior cleaning and extended performance
Superior cleaning and extended performance 

Alfa Laval manufactures the Compabloc plate pack using advanced laser welding with a butt-to-butt weld joint technique known as C-Weld. This eliminates crevices or “dead zones” common in other bloc-type heat exchangers, where fouling can build up, leading to corrosion and failure.

The use of laser welding and the C-Weld joint design further ensure higher reliability than conventional weld techniques, such as lap weld joints or TIG welding, which are far more susceptible to mechanical stress and failure. The end result is increased reliability and serviceability for maximum uptime.

SmartClean™

Alfa Laval Compabloc with SmartClean for fast and efficient flushing of fouling material
Fast and efficient flushing of fouling material 

Alfa Laval’s C-Weld manufacturing method creates open channels around all the edges of plates in the Compabloc plate pack. During mechanical or chemical cleaning, as well as in the course of regular operation, any fouling that occurs will move along the heat transfer surface and flow freely out of these channels at the plate boundary. This SmartClean design makes it possible to fully clean every plate in the unit, returning the Compabloc to like-new performance after maintenance.

The SmartClean channels, impossible on bloc-type heat exchangers manufactured with edge welding, makes regular cleaning of the Compabloc both simple and quick.

+Seal

Confident, long-term performance under pressure with Alfa Laval Compabloc +Seal
Confident, long-term performance under pressure 

Unlike traditional flat gasket designs, +Seal introduces the first fully confined graphite gasket in a bloc-type heat exchanger. This prevents the risk of media leaks at pressures as high as 60 bar, simplifies maintenance, and protects against overtightening and creeping.

This is part of our revolutionary new Compabloc+ and is the secret to reaching higher design pressures without compromising on safety.

 

XCore™

Alfa Laval Compabloc with Xore - advanced design for higher pressures
Advanced design for higher pressures 

Compabloc plates feature a one-of-a-kind pattern with “half-pyramids” equally distributed across the plate in an X-shaped pattern. This adds rigidity that increases mechanical strength for superior resistance to elongation forces common in high-pressure applications. With this cleanable XCore pattern, certain Compabloc models can handle pressures up to 42 barg without compromising thermal performance.

 

Alfa Laval Compabloc XCore

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6 considerations for your selection process

Discover the plate heat exchanger benefits of Alfa Laval Compabloc

Proven reliability

People choose Alfa Laval Compablocs for one simple reason. They just work, and more than 30,000 units delivered is the proof. Our proven manufacturing and technical solutions lead to high reliability and a long working life. Many Compablocs that have been in continuous operation for decades are still delivering peak performance.

A solution for improving sustainability

Compabloc’s high thermal efficiency leads to higher heat recovery, lower boiler fuel consumption, and reduced CO2 emissions when Compablocs are used for heat recovery.

Payback in months

High energy efficiency combined with low installation and maintenance costs means Compablocs offer much shorter payback times than other technologies, such as shell-and-tube or other types of welded plate heat exchangers. The equipment often pays for itself in a matter of months.

Increased production and reduced installation costs

Bottlenecks related to heating or cooling can often be resolved with more efficient heat exchangers. The compact size of a Compabloc enables you to pack much more performance into the same space, or free up space for other types of equipment. It also means lower installation costs.

Ready for any duty

Compabloc is available in a wide range of sizes and is custom made to fit the specific operating and installation conditions. It can be made in virtually any material that can be pressed and welded.

Simplified maintenance for higher performance

Minimized fouling allows Compabloc to operate with cleaning intervals substantially longer than traditional heat exchangers, reducing lifetime maintenance costs. It is also the only welded heat exchanger where all channels, both hot and cold, can be fully cleaned using a hydro jet, bringing performance back to 100% after every cleaning.

        

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HEXpert selector tool

Quickly find the ideal welded plate heat exchanger for demanding process applications. Fill in information about your duty, and within five minutes you can explore a customized recommendation for an efficient thermal solution.

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