SWEP B80

Look at two readings. An undersized B80 shows a pressure drop above design and a leaving temperature that misses setpoint at peak load. Opening the valve further only adds pump energy, because 16.9 m3/h (74.41 GPM) is a port ceiling and not a duty point.

An oversized one shows the opposite: a very low pressure drop and a control valve that sits nearly closed and hunts. Low velocity also lets solids settle in the channels. The catalogued B80 builds run from 20 to 136 plates, so there is usually a count that fits without stepping to another frame.

The published formula is 2.62 kg plus 0.164 kg per plate (5.78 lb plus 0.362 lb per plate). A 76-plate unit comes to about 15.1 kg (33.3 lb) and a 136-plate unit to about 24.9 kg (55.0 lb), dry.

Both are within reach of a bracket, provided the bracket cradles the plate pack and is fixed to something structural. Do not let the unit hang from its pipework. The connections are brazed into a thin cover plate, and a pipe run pulling on them works the joint every time the system heats and cools.

One that holds back anything over 1 mm, the maximum particle size published for this frame. Put it on the inlet of each water circuit that is not already filtered, with isolation valves so the basket can be pulled without draining the loop.

The usual error is fitting it only on the side considered dirty. Ground-source and glycol loops shed installation debris for weeks after start-up, and it lodges at the channel entries where it cannot be reached.

The full nameplate string if there is one. A complete designation such as B80Hx76/1P-NC-S 4x1 1/4" fixes the plate type, plate count, pass arrangement, material, pressure class and connections in one line.

The fields people leave off are the ones that cause wrong orders. B80 builds on file come in both NC and SC material and in three pressure classes - F, M and S - and the connection patterns range from four plain 1 1/4" threads to combinations of solder and combo connections. For a new selection, send both fluids, the flow and the inlet and outlet temperature on each side, and the allowable pressure drop. Request a Quote takes either.

Usually enough. The leading letter matters most: B80, B80S, F80, P80 and V80 share the 526 x 119 mm plate but are different products, and the S suffix marks the all-stainless, copper-free build.

After that, the plate count can be recovered by counting plate edges along the side of the pack. The connections can be measured and described port by port, and the port centres checked against 470 x 63 mm. What cannot be read off the metal is the material code and pressure class. A photograph of whatever remains of the plate, plus the fluids and the working pressure, narrows those down.

These models are catalogued alongside the B80. Each has its own page with its dimensions, materials and part numbers.

SWEP B80S - The All-Stainless B80 - 316 plates with stainless braze for copper-free duty.

SWEP F80 - A copper-brazed 304 stainless evaporator on the 80 frame for chillers and heat pumps.

SWEP P80 - A copper-brazed 316/316L stainless refrigerant evaporator on the 80 frame for chillers.

SWEP V80 - General-purpose evaporator on the B80 frame, 526 x 119 mm, up to 140 plates, 74.41 GPM max flow.