/ API – Plate Heat Exchangers /
API manufactures heat exchangers for the cooling of bearings, lube oils and rotor blades of diesel or gas motors, as well as of steam and gas turbines. Furthermore API provides big central cooling heat exchangers. Headquartered in Buffalo, USA, and with a history of more than 130 years API is at the forefront of advances in heat transfer technologies.
API's products are available in standard and customisedversions, and are used in a wide range of industries, including chemical processing and power generation. API’s product range for the power market includes:
Heat exchangers, evaporators and process heating
▸ SIGMA: gasketed plate heat exchangers
▸ SIGMATWIN: gasketed double-wall plate heat exchangers
▸ SIGMADUAL: semi-welded plate heat exchangers
▸ SIGMAWIG: all-welded compact plate heat exchangers
▸ SIGMASHELL: all-welded plate and shell heat exchangers
▸ BASCO: customised and TEMA type shell and tube heat exchangers
▸ BASCO: Hairpin heat exchangers
▸ BASCO: Double tube – double tubesheet heat exchangers
API has manufacturing bases in the US, UK, Germany and China, with sales support worldwide.
With improvements in heat transfer technology, plate heat exchangers can be used for a wide range of applications, including:
▸ Evaporation of working fluids
▸ Condensation of working fluids
▸ Extraction of heat
▸ Raw water heater
▸ Re-cooling of cooling circuits
▸ Cooling of lube oil for gas turbine, steam turbine, and wind turbine applications
▸ Cooling of motor cooling water
▸ Gland steam condensing
▸ Surface condensing
▸ Process heating and cooling
▸ Power plant central cooling
▸ Compressor cooling
▸ Atomising air cooling
▸ Feed water heating
▸ Geothermal process
Gasketed plate heat exchangers
A large amount of cooling water, mostly river or seawater, is used in stationary power plants.
API manufactures plate heat exchangers that have up to 20in (DN500) port holes and plate pressing depths of 4mm. These are used for the requested high-volume flows. To reduce fouling coming from sea or riverwater, gasketed plate heat exchangers can be opened for cleaning and inspection.
Gasketed and semiwelded plate heat exchangers for geothermal power plants
For geothermal power plants, API has designated SIGMA gasketed and semiwelded plate heat exchangers.
These are manufactured using the highest-grade materials, such as high alloy stainless steel or titanium, to cope with the corrosive water produced in geothermics, which is pumped from deep rock formations.
When used in geothermics, the heat exchanger also has to be openable for cleaning. Beside typical geothermal heating stations API has also supplied for electrical power plants including corresponding evaporators.
Heat exchangers for further applications
Gasketed plate heat exchangers can also be used in the main transfer station of district heating networks. Using high performance plates a NTU-value up to 10 can be reached.
Furthermore API products cool the lube oil from turbines and generators, with plate heat exchangers used when freshwater or seawater is available.
API can meet unique customer requirements, including oil flushing, and heat exchangers can be packaged in standardized TWIN cooler solutions incl. valves for this purpose. Also fully welded plate heat exchangers are available.
Steam Surface Condensers
The primary purpose of a surface condenser is to condense the exhaust steam from a steam turbine to obtain maximum efficiency, and also to convert the turbine exhaust steam into pure water (referred to as steam condensate) so that it may be reused in the steam generator or boiler as boiler feed water.
A properly designed Surface Condenser System must:
▸ Create & Maintain Vacuum
▸ Control Condensate Level
▸ Monitor Performance
▸ Include all the requisite accessories
▸ Available as stand alone units or complete packaged systems
▸ Sizes up to 10ft (3m) shell diameter and 45ft (14m) length
▸ Designed to meet HEI, ASME, TEMA, API and more…
▸ In-field technical support
Fuel Gas Heaters
Fuel gas heaters raise the temperature of fuel gas prior to combustion. Heated fuel results in higher turbine efficiency. The fuel is heated in a Shell and Tube Exchanger using Intermediate Boiler Feedwater as the heating medium.
BASCO NEN TYPE SHELL & TUBE EXCHANGER
Sizes
▸ Diameter – 3 to 42 in. (76.2 to 1067 mm);
▸ Length – 12 to 360 in. (0.3 to 9.14 m).
Tube Materials
▸ 3/8 in. (10 mm), 5/8 in. (16 mm), or 3/4 in. (19 mm) OD’s.
▸ Carbon Steel, Copper, Admiralty, 90/10 or 70/30 CuNi, 304 or 316 Stainless Steel.
▸ Straight tube configuration.
Design Pressure
▸ 3000 psi (69 bar) tubeside / xxxx psi (xx bar) shellside
▸ Design Temperature: 1000 F (538 C)
Shell/Head Materials
▸ Carbon Steel, 304 or 316 Stainless Steel
Features
▸ Gas in shell.
▸ Multiple shells in series or a single multi-pass shell.
▸ Expansion joint and Condensate Drains.
Lube Oil Coolers
Lube Oil Systems are designed to supply lubricating oil to various pieces of rotating equipment within a powerplant. Each lube oil system must be equipped with a lube oil cooler to maintain the proper temperature of the lube oil before it is supplied to the bearings.
Typically 2x100% coolers are used to eliminate downtime during maintenance intervals. The coolers can be either Shell & Tube or Plate and Frame depending on the application and user preference.
BASCO TYPE AEW SHELL & TUBE EXCHANGER
Sizes
▸ Diameter – 3 to 42 in. (76.2 to 1067 mm); Length – 12 to 360 in. (0.3 to 9.14 m).
Design Pressure
▸ 600 psi (40 bar).
Design Temperature
▸ 600 F (315 C).
Shell/Head Materials
▸ Carbon Steel, 304 or 316 Stainless Steel.
Tube Materials
▸ 3/8 in. (10 mm), 5/8 in. (16 mm), or 3/4 in. (19 mm) OD’s.
▸ Carbon Steel, Copper, Admiralty, 90/10 or 70/30 CuNi, 304/316 SS, or Titanium.
Features
▸ Floating tubesheet, double gasket seal with leak detection.
SCHMIDT GASKETED PLATE AND FRAME EXCHANGER
Sizes
▸ Nozzles – 2 to 4 in. (50-200 mm) diameter typical.
▸ Surface Area – up to 1,000 ft2 (93 m2) per unit typical.
Design Pressure
▸ 400 psi (27.5 bar)
Design Temperature
▸ 320F (160 C) - 392 F (200 C)
Plate Materials
▸ 304 or 316 Stainless Steel
Gasket Materials
▸ NBR, EPDM
Features
▸ Maximum efficiency, small footprint
Generator Coolers
As current flows in a conductor, heat is generated. That heat needs to be removed and this is done by circulating hydrogen gas through the generator and around the rotor.
HYDROGEN COOLING
For generators between 250-450 MW, hydrogen cooling is typically employed.
Hydrogen gas is circulated in a closed loop to remove heat from the active parts, then it is cooled by gas-to-water heat exchangers on the stator frame.
BASCO TYPE ES SHELL & TUBE EXCHANGER
Sizes
▸ Diameter – 20 to 168 in. (508 to 4250 mm).
▸ Length – 36 to 400+ in. (1 to 10+ m).
Design Pressure
▸ 600 psi (40 bar).
Design Temperature
▸ 300 F (150C).
Shell Materials
▸ Carbon Steel, Stainless Steel or supplied as “core only”
Tube Materials
▸ 5/8 in. (16 mm) OD’s.
▸ Available in Carbon Steel, Copper, Admiralty, 90/10 or 70/30 CuNi, 304 or 316 Stainless Steel.
Features
▸ Floating tubesheet, removeable bundle.
▸ Low Hydrogen pressure drop.
▸ Large volumetric flows.
▸ Flexible nozzle locations and orientation.
A main cooling water source (cooling tower, lake or sea water) is used to cool many aspects of the power plant.
This main cooling water is segregated from the the process cooling water (and individual coolers) via one or more larger heat exchangers.
SCHMIDT GASKETED PLATE AND FRAME EXCHANGER
Sizes
▸ Nozzles – 1 to 20 in. diameter (25 to 500 mm).
▸ Surface Area – up to 27,000 ft2 per unit (2,500 m2).
Design Pressure
▸ 400 psi (27.5 bar).
Design Temperature
▸ 320F (160 C).
Plate Materials
▸ 304 or 316 Stainless Steel, Titanium, SMO254, 904L.
Gasket Materials
▸ NBR, EPDM, others…
Features
▸ Plate & Frame Heat Exchangers provide maximum efficiency and minimal fill-up volume.
▸ True Counter-Current flow allows for approach temperatures down to 1-2 oF (0.5-1 oC).
▸ Large nozzles allow for high flow volumes, over 20,000 gpm (4,550 m3/hr).
▸ Inexpensive alloy materials when compared to Shell & Tube.
▸ Plate pack can be opened up for cleaning.
Gland Steam Condensers
A gland steam condenser is used to draw a very slight vacuum at the outer section of the turbine shaft seals to capture sealing steam leakage.
The shell & tube gland condenser uses cooling water to condense this steam to water, which is usually expelled to a drain.
BASCO TYPE BEM/AEU SHELL & TUBE EXCHANGER
Sizes
▸ Diameter – 3 to 42 in. (76.2 to 1067 mm);
▸ Length – 12 to 360 in. (0.3 to 9.14 m).
Design Pressure
▸ 600 psi (40 bar).
Design Temperature
▸ 300 F (150 C).
Shell/Head Materials
▸ Carbon Steel, 304 or 316 Stainless Steel.
Tube Materials
▸ 3/8 in. (10 mm), 5/8 in. (16 mm), or 3/4 in. (19 mm) OD’s.
▸ Available in Carbon Steel, Copper, Admiralty, 90/10 or 70/30 CuNi, 304 or 316 Stainless Steel, or Titanium.
▸ Straight tube and U-tube configurations.
Baffles
▸ Precision-punched Carbon Steel, Brass or Stainless Steel.
Features
▸ 1-pass, 2-pass, and 4-pass designs for fixed bundles.
▸ Complete package with blowers, ejectors, instrumentation, etc..
/ API – Plate Heat Exchangers /
API manufactures heat exchangers for the cooling of bearings, lube oils and rotor blades of diesel or gas motors, as well as of steam and gas turbines. Furthermore API provides big central cooling heat exchangers. Headquartered in Buffalo, USA, and with a history of more than 130 years API is at the forefront of advances in heat transfer technologies.
API's products are available in standard and customisedversions, and are used in a wide range of industries, including chemical processing and power generation. API’s product range for the power market includes:
▸ SIGMA: gasketed plate heat exchangers
▸ SIGMATWIN: gasketed double-wall plate heat exchangers
▸ SIGMADUAL: semi-welded plate heat exchangers
▸ SIGMAWIG: all-welded compact plate heat exchangers
▸ SIGMASHELL: all-welded plate and shell heat exchangers
▸ BASCO: customised and TEMA type shell and tube heat exchangers
▸ BASCO: Hairpin heat exchangers
▸ BASCO: Double tube – double tubesheet heat exchangers
Heat exchangers, evaporators and process heating
API has manufacturing bases in the US, UK, Germany and China, with sales support worldwide.
With improvements in heat transfer technology, plate heat exchangers can be used for a wide range of applications, including:
▸ Evaporation of working fluids
▸ Condensation of working fluids
▸ Extraction of heat
▸ Raw water heater
▸ Re-cooling of cooling circuits
▸ Cooling of lube oil for gas turbine, steam turbine, and wind turbine applications
▸ Cooling of motor cooling water
▸ Gland steam condensing
▸ Surface condensing
▸ Process heating and cooling
▸ Power plant central cooling
▸ Compressor cooling
▸ Atomising air cooling
▸ Feed water heating
▸ Geothermal process
Gasketed plate heat exchangers
A large amount of cooling water, mostly river or seawater, is used in stationary power plants.
API manufactures plate heat exchangers that have up to 20in (DN500) port holes and plate pressing depths of 4mm. These are used for the requested high-volume flows. To reduce fouling coming from sea or riverwater, gasketed plate heat exchangers can be opened for cleaning and inspection.
Gasketed and semiwelded plate heat exchangers for geothermal power plants
For geothermal power plants, API has designated SIGMA gasketed and semiwelded plate heat exchangers.
These are manufactured using the highest-grade materials, such as high alloy stainless steel or titanium, to cope with the corrosive water produced in geothermics, which is pumped from deep rock formations.
When used in geothermics, the heat exchanger also has to openable for cleaning. Beside typical geothermal heating stations API has also supplied for electrical power plants including corresponding evaporators.
Heat exchangers for further applications
Gasketed plate heat exchangers can also be used in the main transfer station of district heating networks. Using high performance plates a NTU-value up to 10 can be reached.
Furthermore API products cool the lube oil from turbines and generators, with plate heat exchangers used when freshwater or seawater is available.
API can meet unique customer requirements, including oil flushing, and heat exchangers can be packaged in standardized TWIN cooler solutions incl. valves for this purpose. Also fully welded plate heat exchangers are available.
Gland steam condensers – see power point presentation
STEAM SURFACE CONDENSERS
The primary purpose of a surface condenser is to condense the exhaust steam from a steam turbine to obtain maximum efficiency, and also to convert the turbine exhaust steam into pure water (referred to as steam condensate) so that it may be reused in the steam generator or boiler as boiler feed water.
A PROPERLY DESIGNED SURFACE CONDENSER SYSTEM MUST:
▸ Create & Maintain Vacuum
▸ Control Condensate Level
▸ Monitor Performance
▸ Include all the requisite accessories
▸ Available as stand alone units or complete packaged systems
▸ Sizes up to 10ft (3m) shell diameter and 45ft (14m) length
▸ Designed to meet HEI, ASME, TEMA, API and more…
▸ In-field technical support
FUEL GAS HEATERS
Fuel gas heaters raise the temperature of fuel gas prior to combustion. Heated fuel results in higher turbine efficiency. The fuel is heated in a Shell and Tube Exchanger using Intermediate Boiler Feedwater as the heating medium.
BASCO NEN TYPE SHELL & TUBE EXCHANGER
Sizes
▸ Diameter – 3 to 42 in. (76.2 to 1067 mm);
▸ Length – 12 to 360 in. (0.3 to 9.14 m).
Tube Materials
▸ 3/8 in. (10 mm), 5/8 in. (16 mm), or 3/4 in. (19 mm) OD’s.
▸ Carbon Steel, Copper, Admiralty, 90/10 or 70/30 CuNi, 304 or 316 Stainless Steel.
▸ Straight tube configuration.
Design Pressure
▸ 3000 psi (69 bar) tubeside / xxxx psi (xx bar) shellside
▸ Design Temperature: 1000 F (538 C)
Shell/Head Materials
▸ Carbon Steel, 304 or 316 Stainless Steel
Features
▸ Gas in shell.
▸ Multiple shells in series or a single multi-pass shell.
▸ Expansion joint and Condensate Drains.
LUBE OIL COOLERS
Lube Oil Systems are designed to supply lubricating oil to various pieces of rotating equipment within a powerplant. Each lube oil system must be equipped with a lube oil cooler to maintain the proper temperature of the lube oil before it is supplied to the bearings.
Typically 2x100% coolers are used to eliminate downtime during maintenance intervals. The coolers can be either Shell & Tube or Plate and Frame depending on the application and user preference.
BASCO TYPE AEW SHELL & TUBE EXCHANGER
Sizes
▸ Diameter – 3 to 42 in. (76.2 to 1067 mm); Length – 12 to 360 in. (0.3 to 9.14 m).
Design Pressure
▸ 600 psi (40 bar).
Design Temperature
▸ 600 F (315 C).
Shell/Head Materials
▸ Carbon Steel, 304 or 316 Stainless Steel.
Tube Materials
▸ 3/8 in. (10 mm), 5/8 in. (16 mm), or 3/4 in. (19 mm) OD’s.
▸ Carbon Steel, Copper, Admiralty, 90/10 or 70/30 CuNi, 304/316 SS, or Titanium.
Features
▸ Floating tubesheet, double gasket seal with leak detection.
SCHMIDT GASKETED PLATE AND FRAME EXCHANGER
Sizes
▸ Nozzles – 2 to 4 in. (50-200 mm) diameter typical.
▸ Surface Area – up to 1,000 ft2 (93 m2) per unit typical.
Design Pressure
▸ 400 psi (27.5 bar)
Design Temperature
▸ 320F (160 C) - 392 F (200 C)
Plate Materials
▸ 304 or 316 Stainless Steel
Gasket Materials
▸ NBR, EPDM
Features
▸ Maximum efficiency, small footprint
GENERATOR COOLERS
As current flows in a conductor, heat is generated. That heat needs to be removed and this is done by circulating hydrogen gas through the generator and around the rotor.
HYDROGEN COOLING
For generators between 250-450 MW, hydrogen cooling is typically employed.
Hydrogen gas is circulated in a closed loop to remove heat from the active parts, then it is cooled by gas-to-water heat exchangers on the stator frame.
BASCO TYPE ES SHELL & TUBE EXCHANGER
Sizes
▸ Diameter – 20 to 168 in. (508 to 4250 mm).
▸ Length – 36 to 400+ in. (1 to 10+ m).
Design Pressure
▸ 600 psi (40 bar).
Design Temperature
▸ 300 F (150C).
Shell Materials
▸ Carbon Steel, Stainless Steel or supplied as “core only”
Tube Materials
▸ 5/8 in. (16 mm) OD’s.
▸ Available in Carbon Steel, Copper, Admiralty, 90/10 or 70/30 CuNi, 304 or 316 Stainless Steel.
Features
▸ Floating tubesheet, removeable bundle.
▸ Low Hydrogen pressure drop.
▸ Large volumetric flows.
▸ Flexible nozzle locations and orientation.
A main cooling water source (cooling tower, lake or sea water) is used to cool many aspects of the power plant.
This main cooling water is segregated from the the process cooling water (and individual coolers) via one or more larger heat exchangers.
SCHMIDT GASKETED PLATE AND FRAME EXCHANGER
Sizes
▸ Nozzles – 1 to 20 in. diameter (25 to 500 mm).
▸ Surface Area – up to 27,000 ft2 per unit (2,500 m2).
Design Pressure
▸ 400 psi (27.5 bar).
Design Temperature
▸ 320F (160 C).
Plate Materials
▸ 304 or 316 Stainless Steel, Titanium, SMO254, 904L.
Gasket Materials
▸ NBR, EPDM, others…
Features
▸ Plate & Frame Heat Exchangers provide maximum efficiency and minimal fill-up volume.
▸ True Counter-Current flow allows for approach temperatures down to 1-2 oF (0.5-1 oC).
▸ Large nozzles allow for high flow volumes, over 20,000 gpm (4,550 m3/hr).
▸ Inexpensive alloy materials when compared to Shell & Tube.
▸ Plate pack can be opened up for cleaning.
GENERATOR COOLERS
A gland steam condenser is used to draw a very slight vacuum at the outer section of the turbine shaft seals to capture sealing steam leakage.
The shell & tube gland condenser uses cooling water to condense this steam to water, which is usually expelled to a drain.
BASCO TYPE BEM/AEU SHELL & TUBE EXCHANGER
Sizes
▸ Diameter – 3 to 42 in. (76.2 to 1067 mm);
▸ Length – 12 to 360 in. (0.3 to 9.14 m).
Design Pressure
▸ 600 psi (40 bar).
Design Temperature
▸ 300 F (150 C).
Shell/Head Materials
▸ Carbon Steel, 304 or 316 Stainless Steel.
Tube Materials
▸ 3/8 in. (10 mm), 5/8 in. (16 mm), or 3/4 in. (19 mm) OD’s.
▸ Available in Carbon Steel, Copper, Admiralty, 90/10 or 70/30 CuNi, 304 or 316 Stainless Steel, or Titanium.
▸ Straight tube and U-tube configurations.
Baffles
▸ Precision-punched Carbon Steel, Brass or Stainless Steel.
Features
▸ 1-pass, 2-pass, and 4-pass designs for fixed bundles.
▸ Complete package with blowers, ejectors, instrumentation, etc..
