SWEP S400T

Yes. As an evaporator it stands vertical so the two-phase refrigerant spreads accross the plate pack and vapor leaves cleanly. Water runs counter-current to the refrigerant for the closest approach.

The other half of the job is keeping load off the connections. A 694 mm tall unit with large flanged or welded lines sees pipe expansion and compressor vibration, and both end up in the braze joints if the piping is unsupported. Anchor the lines close to the unit, isolate vibration, and keep pulsation and water hammer out of the circuit - those fatigue the braze over time.

SWEP publishes six styles for the S400T: threaded, Victaulic, solder, flange, solder coned and weld. The refrigerant and water sides are usually different styles on the same unit, so describe all four ports rather than one.

For a replacement, give the type and size at each port in the order they appear in the designation. The common mistake is matching the water connections and assuming the refrigerant side follows; an adapter on a suction line adds joints and length inside a cabinet that has neither to spare. When brazing solder connections, keep the heat off the body of the unit.

On paper the S400T, P400T and V400T are the same size and material: 694 x 304 mm, 316/316L plates, copper braze, 365.44 GPM. The difference is in the plate and the duty SWEP assigns. The P400T is described with a specially developed pattern and long thermal length; the V400T is described as suiting space-constrained installations; the S400T is the high-capacity chiller evaporator.

The DS400 is a True Dual evaporator on the same outline at 334.62 GPM, and the DS500 moves to a taller 980 x 304 mm frame. Neither is interchangeable with an S400T.

SWEP publishes the weight as 15.43 kg plus 0.7 kg per plate (34.02 lb plus 1.543 lb per plate). A 100-plate unit is about 85 kg (188 lb) and the full 280 plates about 211 kg (466 lb), before refrigerant and water.

That is far too much for the pipework to carry. Stand the unit on a base or bracket under the plate pack, plan the lift before the old unit comes out, and support the lines independently so nothing hangs from a connection. See Mounting and Piping for the arrangement.

It suits the duty it is built for: common refrigerants on one side and treated water or glycol solution on the other.

Three fluids rule it out. Ammonia attacks copper braze. Deionized or ultrapure water leaches copper out of the joints. Chloride-bearing water - seawater, brackish, pool or heavily chlorinated cooling water - pits 316, which is the job SMO 254 plates exist for. If the chiller water falls into any of these, say so with the inquiry and we will confirm a suitable construction. Plate and Brazing Materials covers the codes.

These models are catalogued alongside the S400T. Each has its own page with its dimensions, materials and part numbers.

SWEP B400T - Asymmetric pass arrangement - two passes one side, one the other.

SWEP DB400 - True Dual brazed plate condenser for flexible chillers and climate control, 694 x 304 mm.

SWEP DP400 - True Dual brazed plate evaporator for flexible chillers and climate control, 694 x 304 mm.

SWEP DS400 - True Dual brazed plate evaporator with two refrigerant circuits, 694 x 304 mm, up to 282 plates.

SWEP DV400 - True Dual brazed plate evaporator, 694 x 304 mm, up to 282 plates, Victaulic and solder connections.

SWEP P400T - Copper-brazed 316/316L evaporator on the B400T frame, up to 280 plates, 365.44 GPM max flow.

SWEP V400T - Copper-brazed 316/316L plate heat exchanger on the B400T frame for high-capacity chiller duty.

SWEP DB500 - True Dual brazed plate condenser with two refrigerant circuits, 980 x 304 mm, up to 298 plates.

SWEP DS500 - True Dual brazed plate evaporator with two refrigerant circuits, 980 x 304 mm, up to 298 plates.