INDEPENDENT SPECIALIST IN PLATES FOR PLATE HEAT EXCHANGERS
PLATES FOR PLATE HEAT EXCHANGERS
Rell Heat Exchanger Services supplies high-quality replacement plates for virtually all makes and models of plate heat exchangers, including Alfa Laval, GEA, APV, Tranter, Kelvion, Funke, Hisaka, SWEP, Sondex and Vicarb.
Available in stainless steel 304 and 316, titanium, SMO, nickel, Hastelloy and other special alloys for industrial, marine, HVAC, energy and food applications.
From single replacement plates to complete plate packs for overhauls and capacity upgrades.
From technical selection to fast delivery – we help you find the right plate for your heat exchanger.
Plates and parts
What does a plate do in a plate heat exchanger?
The plates are the heart of a plate heat exchanger.
Their large heat transfer surface allows heat to be exchanged efficiently between two separate media without them coming into contact.
Damaged, fouled or corroded plates can lead to:
- Reduced heat transfer
- Loss of capacity
- Increased pressure drop
- Internal leakage
- Unplanned downtime
- Higher energy costs
That is why timely inspection and replacement of plates is essential for reliable and efficient operation of your installation.
We are brand-independent and tailor our approach to your installation and process conditions.
Types of PLATE MATERIALS
AVAILABLE PLATE MATERIALS
We supply replacement plates for virtually all makes of plate heat exchangers.
Based on temperature, pressure, medium and corrosion risk, we recommend the most suitable plate material.
Available in, among others:
Material
Fluid
Stainless Steel (304, 316)
Water, river water, edible oils, mineral oil
Titanium, titanium-palladium Ti-Pd
Seawater, brine (salt solution), chloride
20Cr, 18Ni, 6Mo (254SMO)
Sulphuric acid, slightly saline aqueous solutions, inorganic aqueous solutions
Nickel
High temperature, high-concentration caustic soda
Hastelloy (C276, D205)
Concentrated sulphuric, hydrochloric and phosphoric acid
- High-quality alternatives in OEM quality
- Genuine OEM parts on request
- Technical support with selection
- Fast delivery from stock
TYPES OF PLATE HEAT EXCHANGER PLATES
Plate heat exchangers use different plate profiles to achieve the required heat transfer and pressure drop.
The most common designs are:
HIGH-THETA PLATES (HT)
Maximum heat transfer.
Suitable for applications that require high thermal performance.
Mixed Pack
Combination of HT and LT plates.
Offers the optimal balance between heat transfer and pressure drop.
LOW-THETA PLATES (LT)
Lower pressure drop and higher flow rate.
Widely used for viscous media and processes with limited pump pressure.
Mixed Pack
Combination of HT and LT plates.
Offers the optimal balance between heat transfer and pressure drop.
Heat exchanger plates for virtually all makes and models
We supply parts for virtually all makes of plate heat exchangers, including:
When should a plate be replaced?
Plates can be damaged by corrosion, erosion, fatigue, fouling or mechanical stress.
Common signs include:
✓ Internal leakage
✓ Corrosion or pitting
✓ Cracking
✓ Reduced performance
✓ Damage during maintenance
Timely replacement prevents unplanned downtime and consequential damage.
OEM or aftermarket plates?
We supply both genuine OEM plates and high-quality aftermarket alternatives.
OEM plates are manufactured to the original manufacturer’s specifications.
Aftermarket plates are often an attractive alternative, with short lead times and excellent value for money.
Depending on the application, we advise on the solution that best suits your installation.
HOW DO WE IDENTIFY YOUR PLATE?
Don’t have the nameplate or documentation for your heat exchanger?
In many cases we can still identify the right plate based on:
✓ Photos of the heat exchanger
✓ Photos of the plate
✓ Plate dimensions (L × W and horizontal and vertical port centre distances)
✓ Make and model
✓ Material type
✓ Process data
This often allows us to quickly offer the right replacement plate, even without documentation.
Frequently asked questions about plate heat exchanger plates
What is the difference between stainless steel 304 and 316?
Stainless steel 304 and 316 are the most widely used plate materials in plate heat exchangers.
Stainless steel 304 is widely used for water, drinking water, food and light industrial applications. It offers good corrosion resistance and is often an economical choice.
Stainless steel 316 contains molybdenum, making it more resistant to chlorides, salt solutions and more aggressive process media. That is why 316 is widely used in marine installations, chemical processes, cooling water circuits and industrial applications where corrosion plays a bigger role.
Not sure whether to choose 304 or 316? We are happy to help you select the right plate material based on temperature, medium, chloride content and process conditions.
When should I choose titanium plates?
Choose titanium plates when your heat exchanger runs on seawater, brine or other chloride-containing water. Chlorides attack stainless steel: even 316 stainless can develop pitting and hairline cracks in seawater within a short time, leading to internal leakage. Titanium is virtually immune to this and often lasts many years longer in these conditions.
That is why titanium is the standard for marine coolers, offshore installations, desalination plants, swimming pools and aquaculture. At higher temperatures or with acidic, chloride-containing media, we sometimes recommend titanium-palladium (Ti-Pd).
Titanium costs more to buy than stainless steel. But because it lasts much longer and reduces downtime, it is almost always the most economical choice in these applications. Not sure? Send us the medium, temperature and chloride content, and we will recommend the right plate material.
Can a damaged plate be repaired?
Titanium plates are mainly used when standard stainless steels are not sufficiently corrosion-resistant.
This is often the case with:
✓ Seawater
✓ Brine (salt solutions)
✓ High chloride concentrations
✓ Offshore installations
✓ Marine applications
✓ Aquaculture
✓ Swimming pools
Titanium offers excellent resistance to chloride corrosion and therefore often lasts considerably longer than stainless steel in aggressive conditions.
If you are unsure about the right material, we can advise which plate material best suits your application.
Can I order individual plates?
Yes.
You don’t always need to replace a complete set of plates. In many cases we can also supply one or more individual replacement plates.
This is useful, for example, when only a few plates have been damaged by:
✓ Corrosion
✓ Mechanical damage
✓ Internal leakage
✓ Incorrect assembly
✓ Wear
We supply individual plates for virtually all well-known makes and models of plate heat exchangers.
Do you supply OEM plates?
Yes.
We can supply both genuine OEM plates and high-quality aftermarket alternatives.
OEM plates are manufactured to the specifications of the original manufacturer.
We also supply high-quality aftermarket plates, which are often an attractive alternative thanks to:
✓ Shorter lead times
✓ Competitive prices
✓ High material quality
✓ Excellent fit
Depending on your application and requirements, we advise on the solution that best suits your installation.
Can you identify my plate?
In many cases, yes.
Even if the nameplate is missing or illegible, we can often still identify the correct model.
We do this based on:
✓ Photos of the plate
✓ Plate dimensions
✓ Port centre distances
✓ Plate thickness
✓ Material type
✓ Heat exchanger make and model
✓ Process data
Thanks to our experience with brands such as Alfa Laval, GEA, APV, Tranter, Kelvion, Funke, Hisaka, SWEP, Sondex and Vicarb we can often quickly determine which replacement plate is needed.
Do you ship worldwide?
Yes.
We supply plates for plate heat exchangers to customers in the Netherlands, Europe and beyond.
Depending on make, model and material, we ship plates worldwide for applications in:
✓ Industry
✓ Maritime
✓ Offshore
✓ HVAC
✓ Power plants
✓ Food industry
✓ Chemical industry
If you send us a request with the make, model or photos of the plate, we can usually tell you quickly which options are available and what the lead time will be.
Why Rell
Specialist heat exchanger know-how
Brand-independent advice
Fast turnaround times
Large stock
Worldwide delivery
Practical, solution-focused approach
We combine technical depth with direct communication and quick, personal contact.
Plate heat exchanger overhaul or parts needed?
Leave your details and we will get back to you quickly.
Dutch