It’s important to maximise the reliability and uptime of your equipment. Unscheduled downtime is problematic and costly, whereas a programme of high-quality preventive maintenance maximises the performance and lifespan of your equipment, helping keep your business at the forefront of its industry.
Performing maintenance on and changing gaskets on your Alfa Laval heat exchanger is an important and cost-effective step. This short guide explains how to complete the task quickly and accurately. However, ensure that you read the instruction manual for your Alfa Laval heat exchanger prior to commencing maintenance, to ensure you obtain the right parts.
The key steps to replace the gaskets on your Alfa Laval heat exchanger
Step 1: Remove the old gasket from the heat exchange plate, ensuring that all sealing surfaces are clean, dry, and free from debris such as dust and grease.
Step 2: Attach the Alfa Laval clip-on gasket to the plate, securing the gasket tabs to the edge in the correct positions. Note the following special points:-
Alfa Laval Clip 3 gasket: Simply align the gasket with the grooves on the plate before securing the tabs on the outside.
Alfa Laval Clip 8 wide stream plate: A regular Alfa Laval Clip 8 gasket can be used, but requires simple modification first. Using sharp scissors, cut and remove the connection beams closest to the centre of the plate before fitting.
Alfa Laval Clip 15 gasket: Due to its large size, it is advisable to hang the gasket, or lie it flat, for 24 hours before use, to help it retain its correct shape. When attaching to the plate, the upper and lower connection beams must be fixed with GC1 tape.
Step 3: Repeat steps 1 and 2 to replace all the gaskets on the plates which require changing.
Step 4: Note that there is a special gasket for end plate II. However, if the end plate II gasket is not available, you can create a suitable alternative using two regular channel plate gaskets. Simply cut these in half and use the two pieces that have complete ring gaskets (you will need to remove the clips and connection beams). Attach the two sections with GC1 double adhesive tape, avoiding the use of tape or glue in the ring gasket areas.
Step 5: The transition plate is the final plate in each pack and features a larger porthole than the other plates to accommodate ring gaskets and collars. Replace the transition plate or use GC5 glue to attach the ring gasket and collar to the plate.
Step 6: Replace the gaskets on the frame plate, pressure plate, connection plate, and on all connections. Simply remove the old gasket and push the replacement components into place.
Step 7: After fitting the new gaskets, stack the plates horizontally so that the gaskets settle snugly into the grooves.
Step 8: When hanging the plates in the heat exchanger unit, take extra care to ensure that the lower diagonal fits correctly into the gasket groove. Some minor adjustments may be necessary.
🔹Contact ITS for all your Alfa Laval replacement gaskets
ITS are the UK’s leading distributor of Alfa Laval Hygienic Flow products and equipment. If you require replacement gaskets or plates for your heat exchange equipment, we’re your first port of call, offering a fast response on all orders (with next-day delivery for in-stock parts). Get in touch for more information or to place an order.
🔹Browse our hygienic products on the ITS website here: https://www.industrialtradingsolutions.com/productcategory/heating-cooling/
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