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PLATE HEAT
EXCHANGERS
302e
Market Development
Engineering Excellence
since 1879 1932
125 years of production involving around Through continuing and systematic
100,000 heat exchangers for all indu- development coupled with scientific
stries has given API Schmidt-Bretten research API Schmidt--Bretten has
an unparalleled depth of experience. become leader in the field of heat
transfer.
As early as 1879 the German Patent
Office granted Wilhelm Schmidt, the A large selection of designs of SIGMA
company's founder, Patent No. 7153 for plate heat exchanger plates are avail-
a new highly efficient counter flow sur- able with different surface areas, corru-
face cooler. Following a brisk demand gations, plate materials, plate thick-
for the new surface cooler by the bre- nesses and gasket materials for all
wing and dairy industries both at home applications.
and abroad a large number of these
units, were manufactured. With a qualified staff involved in the
design, application and manufacture of
Practical experience gained in manu- SIGMA plate heat exchangers, SIGMA-
facturing "open" surface coolers for STAR® evaporators and SCHMIDT
different industrial applications had, by thermal systems, API Schmidt-Bretten
the beginning of 1932, led to design solves many thermal problems for a
and development of the first "closed" Spiral plate unit
wide range of industrial applications.
plate type heat exchanger "STAN- Modern manufacturing techniques
DARD". utilising the best of modern production
The spiral heat exchanger "STAN- and automation engineering form the
DARD" provided the first opportunity basis of SCHMIDT's production facility.
This unit was constructed of brass for separate sections for pasteurisation
plates milled with spiral channels and and heat recovery within a single unit.
chrome plated. Later models utilized SCHMIDT sales activities, supported
stainless steel plates pressed to form by domestic sales offices located
1938 saw the development of the throughout Germany and international-
corrugated flow channels. "REKORD" horizontal crossflow plate ly by several subsidiary companies,
heat exchanger. This unit was avail- provide close customer support and
able in two sizes. In 1948 the first aftersales service. SCHMIDT-Bretten
design of the new generation, the is also represented in many countries
SIGMA series, of plate heat exchan- in every continent to provide similar
gers was completed. The latest deve- customer support and aftersales ser-
lopment of this type is the X series of vice to our overseas customers.
high-performance plates with maxi-
1879 mized heat transfer coefficients. In spring 2003 API Schmidt-Bretten
moved to a new plant site that is
equipped with a new stock of
2000 machinery, particularly a second fully
automated press line dimensioned for
larger heat exchanger plates which will
offer new opportunities.
Counter flow external surface cooler SIGMA series 149 plate heat exchanger New factory in Bretten-Gölshausen
The Market
SCHMIDT
heat exchanger plates
SIGMA heat exchanger plates are
manufactured mainly from stainless
steels. The SCHMIDT plate types are
produced with a wide range of plate
corrugation patterns and depths.
These corrugations enhance the
thermal performance by increasing the
effective surface area and produce
turbulence whilst offering low flow
resistance.
SIGMA X-series
high performance plates
Suitable for clean, homogeneous,
solidfree liquids; particularly suitable
for heat recovery for capacities up to
170 cbm/h and high NTU values.
SIGMA 2 series
pasteurization plates SIGMAWIG welded plates,
For all viscous, fibrous or pulpy liquids without gaskets
in the food and beverage industries,
e.g for pasteurization of pumpable For clean, non-fouling, homogeneous
products with duties up to 250 cbm/h. Sectional view of a F-series plate package liquids. Capacities up to 450 cbm/h.
Construction
High heat transfer No mixing of the product changed, plates can be added or re-
moved.
coefficients
The sealing system of the SIGMA heat It is possible for the initial calculations
exchanger plates is designed for of the unit to provide for future oper-
Because SCHMIDT plate heat exchan- double sealing of the flow channels. If
gers develop extremely high heat ating conditions. It is also possible to
there are any leakages at the gasket install several sections into one frame
transfer coefficients (up to 7000 around the plate or the port areas, the
W/m2K) they require low surface areas and permit flow continuity in processes
leakage is to atmosphere and involving several process steps (e.g.
and have low capital cost. becomes detectable. This prevents the pasteurization). Different products can
The continuous in-house development two process fluids from mixing. be processed in different sections with-
program coupled to basic research in the same unit.
work done in cooperation with universi-
ties was and is the basis of the
optimized profiles of our SIGMA heat Low fouling
exchanger plates.
Fouling of the heat transfer surfaces of
a SCHMIDT plate heat exchanger is
extraordinarily low. This is a result of
Optimized heat recovery good product distribution, constant
velocity profile and smooth plate sur-
With high heat transfer coefficients and faces. The high induced turbulence
favourable flow characteristics SIGMA gives a selfcleaning effect which pre-
SIGMA-sealing system
plate heat exchangers designed for vents fouling.
counter current flow with product
temperature differences of less than Reinforcements
1 °C make heat recovery in excess of
Under the gasket groove the heat ex-
Easy maintenance
96% technically and economically
viable. changer plates are reinforced on both SCHMIDT plate heat exchangers can
sides. The profile on both sides grants easily be maintained and cleaned. The
an exact placement of the gaskets and unit can be cleaned without dis-
a stability of the plate package, mantling by cleaning-in-place (CIP)
especially for large plate types. systems, by reverse flow cleaning or
Low liquids content
by addition of suitable cleaning
solutions.
As the gap between two plates is Flexibility
small, a plate heat exchanger contains It is easy to inspect the plate surfaces,
only low quantities of processed With SCHMIDT plate heat exchangers to regasket plates or to clean them
product in comparison to a tubular changes to the processing conditions mechanically. Removing the closing
heat exchanger. The product remains can be readily accommodated. For this bolts makes the plate package easily
in the plate heat exchanger only for a purpose the plate arrangement can be accessible.
short time and the process can be
easily stopped or the temperature can
be changed quickly with minimum
damage to the product. The weight of
a plate heat exchanger is considerably
less than that of a tubular heat
exchanger for the same duties.
Compact construction
The concept of the plate heat
exchanger and the special compact
construction of SCHMIDT units allow
the housing of large heat exchanging
surface areas in a very compact,
space-saving frame. In comparison
with a tubular heat exchanger with the
same performance considerably less
space is required and no additional
space is necessary for opening the
plate heat exchanger.
Selection Criteria
X 7 T 2 F V SW
cooling, heating, heat recovery
pasteurization, sterilization
heat transfer condensing
evaporation
without gaskets
soft gaskets, mechanically fixed
sealing soft gaskets, glued in
hard gaskets (asbestos free)
stainless steels
corrosion
special materials
Specifications The various SCHMIDT SIGMA series Certain types of SIGMA plate heat ex-
plate heat exchangers cover flow rates changers can be supplied for operating
ranging between 1 m3/h – 2000 m3/h. pressures up to 25 bar.
SCHMIDT plate heat exchangers are
tested and licenced by several testing The plate capacities, in terms of sur-
authorities including German TÜV and face area, cover operating conditions Elastomeric gaskets are available for
other internationally recognized autho- that can range between 0,05 m2 and operating temperatures up to 170 °C
rities. 1.100 m2. and hard gaskets up to 250 °C.
Technology
Modern methods
Modern computer-controlled data
acquisition systems are used to record
the extensive measurements High-performance gaskets for SIGMA
SCHMIDT makes to assess the per- heat exchanger plates are glued-in by
formance characteristics of their a robot-controlled process which has a
different heat exchangers. Fully auto- variable operational program for
mated equipment is used for durability different gasket materials.
tests. The items being tested are
placed under stress to find the The adhesive free SIGMAFIX gasket
absolute limits of the equipment and its fixing system is used in a big part of
specific material qualities. our SIGMA plates and makes gaskets
changes quick and simple.
With these facilities SCHMIDT also
undertakes product trials on material
received from customers and provide
fully documentated evaluation reports.
SCHMIDT Engineering
In order to optimize the technical and
economic performance of SCHMIDT
heat exchangers we have developed
extensive and efficient computer soft-
ware programs that reflect SCHMIDT's Robot controlled gasket gluing assembly SIGMAFIX clip-in gasket detail
Customer Services
Aftersales service
Worldwide sales SCHMIDT aftersales service is always
representation available to meet all our customers'
needs and requests to provide safe,
To support the SCHMIDT policy and efficient and economic operation of all
tradition of customer oriented service SCHMIDT equipment. Specialized
we maintain subsidiary companies in SCHMIDT equipment is also available
the USA, in the Netherlands, France, to our customers to carry out their own
Spain, Romania and India as well as "in house" maintenance. Qualified
qualified representatives in many other service engineers provide immediate
on-site assistance. Stock of SIGMA plates
countries. Being a part of US based
API Heat Transfer Group we have
access to their sales network as well Presentation of new
as to their engineering capabilities. SCHMIDT products
Commissioning and SCHMIDT-Bretten introduces and pre-
installation engineers sents its latest developments, new
equipment and processing technology
at the most important trade and indus-
SCHMIDT-Bretten has experienced try exhibitions in all market sectors. We
commissioning and installation attend the fairs abroad in association
engineers available with specialized with our representatives and subsidiary
skills to take care of plant installation, companies. Special symposia are held
plant start-up and acceptance tests. to present the technical and commer-
These engineers are also available for cial benefits of the new products and
any aftersales service requirements. processes of our customers.
Worldwide representation
API Schmidt-Bretten is a market leader in thermal process technology since decades because of its
extensive know how. Almost 100.00 SIGMA plate heat exchangers with varying constructions and a
large number of thermal systems are well proven in many industrial sectors for the processing of all
kinds of thermal liquids. Most updated production equipment, perfected know-how and high quality
levels ensure first class products.
A worldwide network of subsidiaries and representation keeps close contact to our customers to give
them the best possible service. Being part of the API Heat Transfer Group in Buffalo / USA,
Schmidt-Bretten participates in the widespread engineering capabilities of the group and with the
complementing products opens up a wide field for thermal solutions.
Netherlands: Schmidt-Bretten Ned. B.V., Apolloweg 7 D/E, NL-8938 AT Leeuwarden, Phone (31) 58 - 288 55 80, Fax (31) 58 - 288 50 05
France: S.A.R.L. Schmidt-Bretten France, Z.A.C. de la Croix Prunelle, F-27220 Saint-André-de-I'Eure, Phone (33) 232 - 60 26 80, Fax (33) 232 - 60 28 77
Spain: Schmidt-Bretten Espana S.L., c/ San Isidro, 22. Oficina 300, E-08940 Cornella de Llobregat (Barcelona), Phone (34) 93 - 377 84 17, Fax (34) 93 - 474 11 51
Romania: Schmidt-Bretten Romania SRL, Sos. Vergului, Nr. 59, Sect. 2, Bucuresti / Romania, Phone (40) 21 - 255 21 95, Fax (40) 21 - 255 33 36
India: Schmidt-Bretten (I) Pvt. Ltd., Filtron House, 6-Sitabag Colony, Singhagad Road, Pune-411 030 / India, Phone (91) 20 -433 8642, Fax (91) 20 - 433 7913
USA: API Schmidt-Bretten Inc., 2777 Walden Avenue, Buffalo, N.Y. 14225 / USA, Phone (1) 716684-6700, Fax (1) 716 684-2129
10/2004