Introduction
The main objective of this project is to design and construct a plate and frame heat exchanger that can be utilized in the department’s brewing system. Currently, the plate and frame heat exchanger used for brewing is brazed together, and thus cannot be taken apart. Due to this, the brazed heat exchanger cannot be cleaned, and has a buildup of hops, and other various brewing solids, which cannot be cleaned out. This new heat exchanger would utilize gaskets and bolts to lock together, and be able to taken apart for cleaning. Additionally, this would allow the new plate and frame heat exchanger to be modular, and allow for the addition and subtraction of extra heat exchanger plates, to increase or decrease the rate of heat transfer of the system.
Figure 1. Diagram of a gasketed plate and frame heat exchanger.
Requirements
The key requirements for this heat exchanger are to at the very least match the heat exchanging capacities of the previously used system. Additionally, this system must be modular, and be able to be taken apart for cleaning. The main requirements for the plate and frame heat exchanger are below.
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Take boiling wort from 200°F - 212°F to a maximum temperature of 80°F (preferably 70°F).
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Utilize tap water at ~54°F - 60°F for cooling.
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Be constructed of 20-30 stainless steel plates.
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Plate dimensions must be ~8.75” x 4” at ~1/32” thick (24 gauge SS).
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Properly utilize rubber gaskets to prevent any leaking in the system.
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Weigh less than 20 lbs.
Acknowledgements
I would like to acknowledge the help that I have received through the duration of this project. Professor Beardsley has helped immensely in figuring out the main objectives of this project, and helped in several key design aspects, along with Professor Pringle and Dr. Johnson. Also, I Matt Burvee was a great helping in helping to obtain materials for this project, along with John Evert for assisting in the CNC machining of the die plates.