Heat Exchangers: Systems, Parts, & Components for Heat Transfer

We offer a variety of equipment to meet your heat transfer needs.

Whether you need parts to keep your current units operating, a direct replacement for a worn out or inefficient heat exchanger, or a new unit for a new process, CSI can support you. Our customer service team, engineers, designers, and product specialists provide solutions through a broad range of brands, technologies, and capabilities.

Gasket Plate & Frame

Provide efficient heat transfer in compact equipment with a small footprint - much smaller and more efficient than shell-and-tube heat exchangers.

Scraped-Surface

Incorporate an internal mechanism which periodically removes the product from the heat transfer wall.

Steam Injection

Ideal for heating liquids and slurries over a wide range of viscosities and solid contents to precise temperatures.

Point Of Use

Well suited for cooling both Water For Injection (WFI) and Purified Water (PW), the PoU module offers easy installation.

FAQs

Can I retrofit an existing process skid with a new tubular heat exchanger?

Yes—with the right front-end engineering. A tubular exchanger can be integrated on an existing skid, but plan for a full fit-for-service review: physical fit and nozzle elevations; utility capacity (steam/hot water/chilled water/condensate); hydraulic impact (added ΔP, pump curve/NPSHa vs NPSHr); compliance and surface finish (3-A/BPE, product contact materials); cleanability (CIP/SIP, drainability, access for pigging if used); thermal duty and control (LMTD, turndown, hold time, instrumentation); and service/maintenance (isolation, bypasses, supports, expansion joints). A field scan and model tie-in package de-risk the retrofit, and a commissioning plan (FAT/SAT) keeps start-up predictable.

What type of heat exchanger is best for pasteurized beverage applications?

Plate heat exchangers are ideal for low- to medium-viscosity, clean beverages (milk, clear juices) due to high heat transfer efficiency, compact size, and easy CIP. For products with pulp, particulates, or higher viscosity, the Alfa Laval WideGap PHE offers a strong middle option—handling larger particles and reducing fouling better than standard PHEs while maintaining plate-level efficiency. For very thick, shear-sensitive, or abrasive beverages, choose tubular or scraped-surface designs. For aseptic or extended-shelf-life processing, pair the selected exchanger with proper HTST controls, hold-tube design, and hygienic valving.

Who provides corrosion-resistant heat exchangers for CIP applications?

CSI provides corrosion-resistant plate and shell-and-tube heat exchangers for CIP in 316L, with upgrades to AL-6XN®, Hastelloy® C-22/C-276, 254 SMO®, duplex 2205, and titanium for high-chloride chemistries. Hygienic options include ASME BPE/3-A, sanitary tri-clamp or flanged ends, drainable layouts, and CIP/SIP-friendly geometry. Plate units offer EPDM/FKM/PTFE gasket options with double-seal leak detection. CSI also supports alloy selection, thermal sizing, ΔP/cleanability checks, documentation (MTRs, finish certs), spares, and retrofit assistance.

Where can I find sanitary heat exchangers with ASME BPE certification?

From CSI. We specify and supply ASME BPE–compliant sanitary heat exchangers (plate and shell-and-tube) with BPE surface finishes, hygienic connections, and full documentation (MTRs, BPE compliance). We can size to your duty and, if needed, source from qualified OEMs that meet ASME BPE.

What’s the maintenance interval for hygienic heat exchangers in pharma

In pharma, maintenance intervals are driven by cleaning validation and condition monitoring—not a fixed schedule. A practical GMP baseline:

Integrity testing: Perform pressure or hydrogen-trace integrity tests every 6–12 months. Integrity testing helps track plate or tube wear without disassembly, reducing unnecessary invasive maintenance and allowing PMs to be planned around production rather than reacting to catastrophic failure.

Performance trends: Trigger maintenance if ΔP rises >20% from the clean baseline or if approach temperature drifts >2–3 °C.

Plate heat exchangers: CIP after each run per validation; open and inspect every 3–6 months; regasket/replate based on condition (typically 2–5 years).

Shell-and-tube: CIP after each run; borescope 12–24 months; pull/clean bundle every 2–3 years or sooner based on trending.

Elastomers: Replace on condition. EPDM/FKM gaskets typically last 12–36 months with hot caustic/acid/SIP; PTFE lasts longer.

Documentation: Maintain PM records, verify cleanability and bioburden control, and adjust intervals using trend data (ΔP, U-value, endotoxin/TOC).

Where can I source heat exchangers with sanitary weld connections?

From CSI. We supply heat exchangers with sanitary weld ends—ASME BPE long tangents or stub ends—ready for orbital/autogenous welding. Available on shell-and-tube and plate units (via weld-ferrule adapters) in 316L (≤20 µin Ra/electropolished), AL-6XN®, and Hastelloy®. Full documentation (MTRs, BPE compliance, finish certs) plus end-prep, weld coupons, and field passivation support.

How much does a hygienic plate heat exchanger cost for small batch processing?

Budgetary ballpark for small-batch sanitary plate HXs: ~$1,600–$6,000+ new. Price moves with duty (plate count/area), pressure rating, alloy (316L vs AL-6XN®/Hastelloy®), gasket material (EPDM/FKM/PTFE), surface finish (mill vs electropolished), connections (tri-clamp/weld), and documentation (BPE/MTRs). Utilities skids, hold tubes, and automation add cost.

Guide to Choosing the Right Heat Exchanger

This guide is designed for processors, production managers, and mechanical engineers to help in the heat exchanger selection process.

Guide to Choosing the Right Heat Exchanger

Read Guide

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