Frequently Asked Questions

A brazed plate heat exchanger is a device used to transfer heat between two fluids, such as water, refrigerant, or oil, without these substances mixing together. It consists of multiple thin metal plates (usually stainless steel) stacked together, with a thin layer of copper or nickel brazing fusing them. This compact design makes them highly efficient at exchanging heat in HVAC, refrigeration, and industrial applications.

Brazed plate heat exchangers are a key component in HVAC, refrigeration, and industrial systems because they efficiently transfer heat, save space, and require minimal maintenance. If you work in HVAC design, maintenance, or installation, understanding BPHEs will help you optimize system performance, reduce energy costs, and troubleshoot common issues.

Brazed plate heat exchangers are ideal for compact, high-efficiency applications, but are more ideal for small to medium flow rates.

Plate-to-frame applications are larger and can handle higher flow rates. They’re also commonly used in industrial cooling and large-scale applications.

Brazed plate heat exchangers (BPHEs) are fully sealed and cannot be disassembled, therefore requiring a chemical cleaning process known as Cleaning-In-Place (CIP). This method cleans the interior surfaces of closed systems, such as a BPHE, by circulating a liquid and flushing with clean water to remove all residues.

For best results, perform CIP cleaning every 6–12 months, depending on system conditions.