flat plate heat exchangers - input and output positions?

[julianf]

One of these -

You can just about make out the diagram on the sticker, but not well enough to make sense.

Are the inputs and outputs always on next to each other, or are they on opposite ends?



I was planing on using these for one circuit -

But if the flow and return for one circuit are on the same end of the unit, i would not be able to get the rotation.


Id like to think all units are the same, so im sure somone here will know?

(the other circuit is much smaller flow in my application, so i can use different connectors, which will go into place after the stainless horsetails)


Diagrams on the internet imply that the flow and return are at opposing ends, which is what i want, but are they all built the same?


Thank you

 

[Seadog]

I think that they flow along the long axis, as shown by the red arrow.
So input to output on the same side would seem logical to me.


However looking at a similar one on Vevor, they show in/out at the same end.

 

[julianf]

I think that they flow along the long axis, as shown by the red arrow.
So input to output on the same side would seem logical to me.

Thats certainly what line diagrams on google imply. Just wasnt sure if they were all identical in that respect.

Im guessing that, maybe, an even number of plates, and the terminals are on opposing ends, and an odd number, and theyre on the same end, or something like that?

 

[Seadog]

This also implies that they're paired at each end.

 

[Anguz]

ot sure how big it is ? but cant you just blow down a pipe and feel for the other end ?

 

[Seadog]

Not if you don't have one

 

[voipio]

The ones I've looked at have diagonally opposite connections for each pair of ins and outs. Crossflow gives the best heat exchange characteristic for a given plate area.

If the plates have an internal herringbone pattern, to direct the liquid flow, then same side in/out ports would very likely be applicable.

If the heat exchanger is not to hand, can the manufacturer supply the relevant info?

 

[Kram]

I was planing on using these for one circuit -

If the idea is to maximise flow by reducing restriction, it will make sod all difference compared to the restriction of the heat exchanger.

The flow is end to end, so yes you can use those at each end for one of the loops.

However looking at a similar one on Vevor, they show in/out at the same end.

Nope that shows hot going end to end on the left and cold going end to end on the right, with flow in the opposite direction.

 

[julianf]

If the heat exchanger is not to hand, can the manufacturer supply the relevant info?

Its a £20 ebay special from china. Im not expecting any sensible support whatsoever.

 

[knighty]

I'm no expert but I've probably handled a dozen of them, in/out are always opposite corners

I don;t think your fittings will work tho, I've had to fight them before finding decent fittings, you need something that will screw on with a flat face on the inside, so the faces can seal against each other (with a fibre washer in)

something like this.. https://theirrigationshop.com.au/products/copper-15mm-x-3-4-female-thread-union

depends how big it is... I have a big one at work, I used central heating pump fittings on it

 

[julianf]

I'm no expert but I've probably handled a dozen of them, in/out are always opposite corners

I don;t think your fittings will work tho, I've had to fight them before finding decent fittings, you need something that will screw on with a flat face on the inside, so the faces can seal against each other (with a fibre washer in)

something like this.. https://theirrigationshop.com.au/products/copper-15mm-x-3-4-female-thread-union

depends how big it is... I have a big one at work, I used central heating pump fittings on it

I was hoping to ptfe the threads. I figured the female would (probbaly) be tapered, and the male parallel (or vice versa), so, at some point it would bind up?

You dont think that would work?


Here's the ebay links -

Pardon our interruption...

and

Pardon our interruption...

I need 19mm rubber / silicone etc water pipe coming off at a right angle, and i was wanting to keep the joints to a minimum (vehicle use / vibration etc)

 

[voipio]

From the Vevor EATB12 instructions, there is a diagram that suggests that each in/out pair is connected to the same side i.e. Q1 Hot side in, Q2 Hot side out, Q3 Cold side in, Q4 Cold side out. :

 

[Kayos]

Can be either or but it's usually flow top, return bottom

The one at the top is designed for a flat face union and a washer, threaded elbows will "work" but alignment might be a problem

Can get them in whatever fitting you want

 

[Kram]

A ball nosed fitting with nut would allow it to be rotated any direction you want, same as gas bottle fittings use.

 

[knighty]

I was hoping to ptfe the threads. I figured the female would (probbaly) be tapered, and the male parallel (or vice versa), so, at some point it would bind up?

You dont think that would work?


Here's the ebay links -

Pardon our interruption...

and

Pardon our interruption...

I need 19mm rubber / silicone etc water pipe coming off at a right angle, and i was wanting to keep the joints to a minimum (vehicle use / vibration etc)

They've aleays put up a fight getting fittings to seal properly for me

Could you go with a straight fitting then fit a 90' straight after?

For veg oil? I had a better time using the small water return pipe thst goes to the header tank... you can just extend it and fit the fphe in the middle of it, much less faf... still got too hot to touch

 

[julianf]

They've aleays put up a fight getting fittings to seal properly for me

Could you go with a straight fitting then fit a 90' straight after?

For veg oil? I had a better time using the small water return pipe thst goes to the header tank... you can just extend it and fit the fphe in the middle of it, much less faf... still got too hot to touch

I really don't need much heat, just enough to melt hmpes in the dead of winter.
My constraints are more about where it's mounted, and a convenient place is in the heater circuit and that's all 19mm ID.

I could use a parallel fitting and a washer, maybe... The npt pipe thread (which, it seems, all these cheap units are made with - it was £20 delivered) limits the ease of finding bits.

Was your issue that they would seal and then come "unsealed" in use / with vibration etc?

 

[julianf]

Things like this evidently exist -

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Female-Male-Thread-Adaptor-American/dp/B074KGQFJW

Or this

BES.co.uk | Next Day Delivery On 15,000 + Plumbing Supplies

Order GASM8 NPT to BSP Adaptor - 3/4" NPT TF x 3/4" BSP TM and other pipe fittings at BES.co.uk. Low Prices, Free Next Day Delivery Available, 15k Plus Products in stock. P/N: 27213.

www.bes.co.uk

But both look like the npt female is for a taper seal, rather than a washer anyway?


Edit - the bes one, and possibly the other, seem oddly described. I think the description is what they're changing to rather than what they are, or somthing, as the image doesn't seem to match the wording. Either way, they both seem taper seals.

 

[Hitch]

Pump unions are what you want to connect them up.
Or some call them half unions.
Loose nut, flat face.
You can connect using parallel thread fittings, but a right pain, but I'd reccomend putting some loctite 577 on the threads if you do.

Most need to be mounted vertically too, you may be aware of that already.

 

[julianf]

Pump unions are what you want to connect them up.
Or some call them half unions.
Loose nut, flat face.
You can connect using parallel thread fittings, but a right pain, but I'd reccomend putting some loctite 577 on the threads if you do.

Most need to be mounted vertically too, you may be aware of that already.

They're pretty hard to find in npt thread.

Might be that the Americans call them somthing different?

 

[Gareth J]

Take it you've ruled out an electric fuel preheater or electric water preheater? Could save space and plumbing and work faster.