The hygienic condenser - Alfa Laval - #1

Text version of the page

Compabloc The hygienic condenser In the pharmaceutical industry there is a requirement for high quality condensers. The hygienic Compabloc is used as main or overhead condenser on reactors as well as vent condensers. The Compabloc is a welded construction only with cover gaskets to the exterior. The design of the fully drainable, hygienic Compabloc, compared to the conventional Compabloc, involves a new concept of baffles and lateral end plates without any retention of condensate. The surface roughness is kept at a minimum by acid pickling and passivation. Also electropolishing can be offered on request. Applications Pharmaceutical industry, fine chemicals and speciality chemicals. Duty Condensing duties with or without non-condensable gases. Unique design The Compabloc is based on an innovative concept completely different from traditional shell-and-tube condensers. It really represents a quantum leap both technically and in terms of cost benefits. The Compabloc is built around a pack of corrugated heat transfer plates. These plates are welded alternately to form channels. The complete plate pack slides inside a four-column carbon steel frame bolted to pressure-retaining heads. Four removable panels contain the fluid inlet and inlet connections, and baffles direct the fluid media back and forth through the channels. The corrugated pattern in the Compabloc condenser creates a maximum of turbulence, which in turn results in outstanding heat transfer efficiency. The overall heat transfer coefficient is two to four times greater than in a corresponding shell-andtube unit. In other words, a Compabloc condenser requires only 25-50% of the heat transfer area of an equivalent tubular unit. That, in essence, is the advantage of the Compabloc. Cooling media Condensate Vapour