Chevron Specification EXH-MS-4870

PLATE AND FRAME HEAT EXCHANGER

Commented Copy - Not for Vendor/Contractor Distribution

SPECIFICATION EXH-MS-4870
PLATE AND FRAME HEAT EXCHANGER

NOTE: This document is the "Commented" version of Specification EXH-EG-4870. The

comments, based on Company experience, provide background for the requirements
stated in the Specification. These comments are for Company use only, not for
distribution to Vendors/Contractors.

Copies of the EG Specification (without comment) are available in both hard copy
(paper)and electronic (MS Word for Windows) format. To order, contact CRTC
Technical Standards at either (510) 242-7232 or -7241. Copies of the MS Specification
are available only electronically. To order, contact CRTC Technical Standards at (510)
242-7241

December 1989 Page 1 of 8

Chevron Specification EXH-MS-4870

PLATE AND FRAME HEAT EXCHANGER

Commented Copy - Not for Vendor/Contractor Distribution

CONTENTS

1.0 SCOPE .................................................................................................................................3

1.1 Standards and Codes...............................................................................................................3
2.0 DESIGN ...............................................................................................................................3
2.1 Performance Characteristics ....................................................................................................3
2.2 Physical Characteristics ..........................................................................................................3
2.3 Maintenance Characteristics ....................................................................................................4
3.0 MATERIALS........................................................................................................................5

4.0 CONSTRUCTION................................................................................................................5
4.1 Frame Assembly.....................................................................................................................5
4.2 Plates.....................................................................................................................................6
4.3 Gaskets..................................................................................................................................6
4.4 Identification and Marking .......................................................................................................7
5.0 PAINTING ...........................................................................................................................7

6.0 INSPECTION AND TESTING ............................................................................................8

7.0 SUBMITTALS......................................................................................................................8
7.1 Submittals with Bid.................................................................................................................8
7.2 Submittals after Approval of Contract ......................................................................................8
8.0 GUARANTEE ......................................................................................................................8

Page 2 of 8 December 1989

Chevron Specification EXH-MS-4870

PLATE AND FRAME HEAT EXCHANGER

Commented Copy - Not for Vendor/Contractor Distribution

1.0 SCOPE

This general specification covers the minimum technical requirements for the design, manufacture,
and testing of plate and frame heat exchangers. Any exceptions to the requirements of this
specification shall be submitted in writing to the Company for approval.

1.1 Standards and Codes

The plate and frame heat exchanger shall be designed and fabricated in accordance with
ASME Code, Section VIII, Pressure Vessels, and the AISC Manual of Steel Construction. The
unit shall be ASME code-stamped and have a national board registration number.

2.0 DESIGN

2.1 Performance Characteristics

2.1.1 The unit shall be capable of continuous performance within the parameters stated on
the data sheets.

2.1.2 The heat exchanger shall have an even flow distribution across the heat transfer
surface. Velocity variations shall be minimal across the heat transfer surface.

2.1.3 Unless otherwise specified, the unit shall be designed for full countercurrent flow.

2.2 Physical Characteristics

2.2.1 The unit shall be capable of the ratings specified on the data sheets under the
operating conditions specified on the data sheets.

The minimum design temperature of heat exchanger pressure parts shall be the
maximum operating temperature plus 25°F. The design pressure shall be either the
maximum operating pressure plus 10% or plus 25 psig, whichever is greater.

Comment 2.2.1 Plate and frame heat exchangers are acceptable only for services
in which the pressure is below 300 pounds per square inch gage (psig), and the
temperature is below 300°F (149°C).

2.2.2 The unit shall be designed to handle full differential test pressure as well as operate
with one side off line at any time.

2.2.3 The unit shall be designed to withstand external loads as specified by the Company
on the Data Sheet.

December 1989 Page 3 of 8

Chevron Specification EXH-MS-4870

PLATE AND FRAME HEAT EXCHANGER

Commented Copy - Not for Vendor/Contractor Distribution

Comment 2.2.3 This is especially important in severe environments (i.e., offshore

structures) or seismically active zones.

2.2.4 The unit shall have the following characteristics.

2.2.4.1 Four lifting eyes arranged to allow a single-point lift. Each lifting eye shall
be capable of supporting the weight of the entire unit. Optional lifting
arrangements may be proposed by the vendor.

2.2.4.2 A structural steel base or steel support designed to support and lift the plate
and frame heat exchanger.

2.2.4.3 Fixed and movable end cover plates

2.2.4.4 Corrugated sheet metal plates

2.2.4.5 Flanged nozzle connections

2.2.4.6 Compression assembly bolts

2.2.4.7 Support column

2.2.4.8 OSHA shroud

2.2.4.9 Carrying bar and guide bar

2.3 Maintenance Characteristics

Vendor shall consider provisions for maintenance, repair, and alterations of the unit. The
following are the minimum maintenance requirements.

2.3.1 Design shall allow for the bolts to be tightened and loosened from one end by a single
wrench.

2.3.2 Heat transfer plates shall be individually removable.

2.3.3 Single pass designs (i.e., all connections on front pressure plate) are preferred and
shall be used wherever possible.

2.3.4 The preferred exchanger design is a modular bolted design where welded joints are
eliminated. (This allows all maintenance to be done without any welding
requirements.)

Page 4 of 8 December 1989

Chevron Specification EXH-MS-4870

PLATE AND FRAME HEAT EXCHANGER

Commented Copy - Not for Vendor/Contractor Distribution

3.0 MATERIALS

Comment 3.0 Consult your local materials specialist or ETD's Materials Division for
recommended materials for a particular service.

3.1 Construction materials for plate and frame heat exchangers shall be selected to provide an
economical design for the specified service conditions.

3.2 Frames shall be constructed of either ASTM A283 Grade C, ASTM A285 Grade C, ASTM
A515, or ASTM A516, unless otherwise specified by the Company.

3.3 The carrying bar and guide bar shall be clad (as a minimum) with stainless steel for heavily
corrosive environments. Only unpainted parts shall be in contact with the heat transfer
surface to reduce friction during plate removal.

3.4. Piping shall be Schedule 40 carbon steel, ASTM A106 Grade B unless approved otherwise
by the Company.

3.5 Threaded openings shall be class 6000 pound half-couplings or weld bosses and made of
ASTM A105.

3.6 Flanges shall conform to ANSI B16.5 and be made of ASTM A105.

3.7 Plates shall be either AISI 304 or 316 stainless steel with a carbon content of less than 0.07%,
unless otherwise specified by the Company.

3.8 Tie bolting materials shall be ASTM A193 Grade B-7 for bolts and ASTM A194 Grade 2H
for nuts. Bolts and nuts shall be cadmium plated, Teflon coated, or nickel phosphate treated.

4.0 CONSTRUCTION

4.1 Frame Assembly

4.1.1 Inlet nozzles 2 inches and larger shall have weld neck flanges. Inlet nozzles less than
2 inches shall have socket-welded couplings. Integral pad flanges may be provided in
lieu of weld neck nozzles.

4.1.2 Nozzles shall have raised-face flanges in accordance with ANSI B16.5.

4.1.3 Two 3/4-inch National Pipe Thread (NPT) half couplings or weld bosses shall be
provided on each nozzle for local pressure and temperature indicators.

December 1989 Page 5 of 8

Chevron Specification EXH-MS-4870

PLATE AND FRAME HEAT EXCHANGER

Commented Copy - Not for Vendor/Contractor Distribution

4.1.4 Welds that connect nozzles and couplings shall be full penetration welds.

4.1.5 The fixed and movable pressure plates shall be designed to meet the design pressure
without the aid of stiffeners.

4.1.6 The heat transfer plates shall be fully aligned by the carrying bar and guide bar for
proper sealing of the gaskets.

4.1.7 The frame of the exchanger shall be designed to permit the future installation of a
minimum of 15% additional plates.

4.2 Plates

4.2.1 Plates shall have metal-to-metal contact between adjacent plates to withstand the full
differential pressure. The nominal channel spacing shall be 1/16 to 1/4 inch.

4.2.2 Plates shall have a channel geometrical design. The channel design shall be identical
for the two fluids, if practicable. Mixed channel design may be offered as an
alternative.

4.2.3 The actual plate surface of the unit shall exceed the calculated design requirements
by 10%.

4.3 Gaskets

Comment 4.3 Consult your local materials specialist or ETD's Materials Division for
gasket-selection recommendations. This is a critical concern for plate and frame
exchangers.

4.3.1 Plate and port edges shall be sealed with elastomer gaskets to prevent leakage when
the product and heating/cooling medium passes through alternate spaces between the
plates.

4.3.2 The gaskets shall be of the dual-plate type to ensure that gasket failure will result in
external leakage but not fluid intermixing.

4.3.3 Nozzle gasket contact surfaces shall be machined to a finish equal to 125 RMS, or
better.

4.3.4 Finished gasket contact surfaces shall be free of scale.

Page 6 of 8 December 1989

Chevron Specification EXH-MS-4870

PLATE AND FRAME HEAT EXCHANGER

Commented Copy - Not for Vendor/Contractor Distribution

4.3.5 Service temperatures of gaskets shall not exceed the following:

Maximum Service
Gasket Material Temperature

Natural, styrene, neoprene 160°F (71°C)

Nitrile, Viton 210°F (99°C)
Resin-cured butyl 250°F (121°C)
Ethylene/propylene, silicone 280°F (138°C)

4.4 Identification and Marking

4.4.1 Frame plates, forgings, and pressure parts shall be legibly stamped with the steel
manufacturer's heat, slab, and serial numbers. The markings shall be in a visible
location.

4.4.2 Corrugated plates, when noninterchangeable, shall have the identification of the inlet
and outlet ports of both hot and cold liquids stamped into the corners of each plate.

4.4.3 A corrosion-resistant, stainless steel nameplate and nameplate bracket shall be

securely attached to each unit. The nameplate shall be easy to locate and read after
installation of the unit. The nameplate shall include all data required by the ASME
Code inclusive of the ASME U stamp.

4.4.4 The nameplates shall be securely attached using stainless steel screws or rivets. Glue
is not acceptable.

5.0 PAINTING

Company will specify coating system to be used, and surface preparation requirements. Vendor
may submit alternate coating proposal for Company review and approval.

Comment 5.0 On major construction projects, use the project painting specification if one exists.
Otherwise, select the appropriate coating systems from the Coatings Manual. In using the
Coatings Manual, use Standard Drawing COM-EF-68A or 68B (Section 210) to select the proper
coating system. Then refer to the data sheet for that specific coating system, which can be found
in Section 1120. It will give the exchanger manufacturer the information he needs to coat the
exchanger the way you want. Also, give the exchanger manufacturer a list of acceptable
coatings; these can be found in COM-EF-872A or B in the Coatings Manual.

For example, in an inland location, Section 210 (COM-EF-68A) will tell you to use Coating
System 2.3 for uninsulated surfaces which are below 300°F and/or must withstand steamout. In
Section 1120, you will find the data sheet for system 2.3, which tells you what surface

December 1989 Page 7 of 8

Chevron Specification EXH-MS-4870

PLATE AND FRAME HEAT EXCHANGER

Commented Copy - Not for Vendor/Contractor Distribution

preparation and film thickness are required. It also gives you a Chevron code number for the
coating (in this case P9). The acceptable brands list COM-EF-872A or B tells you what P9 really
is, and who makes brands that have a good performance record.

Vendor's standard coating system will generally not perform as well as the ones the Coatings
Manual recommends. However, they can be used and will save money when the environment
where the exchanger is to be used is only mildly corrosive. Vendor's standard is also a useful
option when a coating is not needed for the service conditions, but only to protect the exchanger
from rust that might occur during a prolonged period before it is placed in service.

6.0 INSPECTION AND TESTING

6.1 Units shall be hydrostatically tested for at least 1 hour at 1-1/2 times the design pressure. The
temperature of the hydrostatic test fluid shall be at least 70°F (21°C) during the test.

6.2 After the hydrostatic test, the unit shall be drained completely and dried.

7.0 SUBMITTALS

7.1 Submittals with Bid

7.1.1 Proposed line schedule

7.1.2 Completed data sheet

7.1.3 Proposed coating system

7.2 Submittals after Approval of Contract

7.2.1 Construction drawings

7.2.2 Approved line schedule

8.0 GUARANTEE

The Contractor shall guarantee the unit in accordance with GAM-EG-3042.

Page 8 of 8 December 1989