SWEP B5

Fluids that copper cannot live with. Ammonia attacks copper braze, and deionized or ultrapure water leaches copper out of it, contaminating the loop and eventually opening a leak path. A copper-free construction is the answer to both, and the SN build of the B5 - stainless plates, nickel-alloy braze - is one.

Nickel braze also tolerates far higher temperatures, around 350 C against roughly 185 C for copper, although the unit's own nameplate rating still governs.

It is not a cure for chlorides. Pool, brackish or seawater pits 316 plate regardless of braze. For ordinary water, oil or glycol with no copper concern, a copper-brazed sibling is the more economical choice. See Plate and Brazing Materials.

All five share the 17.61 GPM port limit. The B5 is 187.5 x 72.5 mm with 316 plates and nickel braze, for small flows and small oil or water coolers. The B5T and B5AS are 193 x 76 mm with 316/316L plates and copper braze; the B5AS also targets small oil or water coolers at low flow.

The E5T and E5AS are 192 x 73 mm, copper brazed, and aimed at boilers - the E5T at wall-hung, non-condensing boilers and the E5AS, an AsyMatrix unit, at hot tap water production.

So the B5 is the copper-free one, and the smallest on the face. Compare SWEP B5T.

Yes, in place - the pack is brazed and cannot be opened. Circulate a cleaner through the fouled side against the normal flow direction, then flush thoroughly.

Match the cleaner to the deposit and to the unit. Water-side scale needs a descaler; an oil side fouled with sludge or varnish needs a degreasing or solvent-type cleaner, and an acid will do nothing for it. Whatever is used has to be compatible with stainless steel and nickel braze, and with the fluid the circuit will carry afterward - in a deionized water loop, cleaner residue is itself a contaminant. Fit a strainer on the water inlet; on a frame this small, the channels are the finest filter in the system.

The published maximum is 61 plates; the build on file is a 10-plate unit, B5Hx10. Weight follows 0.50 + (0.04 x number of plates) kg, so 10 plates is about 0.9 kg (2 lb) and 61 plates about 2.9 kg (6.5 lb).

Adding plates adds channels in parallel. Pressure drop falls on both sides and the approach tightens, at the cost of a deeper pack. What it does not change is the port: the 4 m3/h (17.61 GPM) ceiling is the same at 10 plates as at 61. Viscous oil is the case to watch - pressure drop on the oil side usually sets the plate count, not heat transfer.

It is the pressure class. M is the category covering up to 45 bar at 135 C, a fatigue-tested class associated with refrigerant service. The other fields read: B5 model, H plate (obtuse chevron, high heat transfer and high pressure drop), 10 plates, single pass, SN material.

Note that the class temperature and the braze temperature are different things. Nickel braze survives around 350 C, but that is a material ceiling; the pressure class and the nameplate set what the assembled unit is rated for. Quote the designation as written when requesting a replacement, and we will confirm the stamped rating with the quote.

These models are catalogued alongside the B5. Each has its own page with its dimensions, materials and part numbers.

SWEP B5T - Compact 316 stainless frame for low-flow heating and cooling loops.

SWEP B5AS - Very compact AsyMatrix brazed plate heat exchanger for low flows - small oil and water coolers.

SWEP E5AS - AsyMatrix brazed plate heat exchanger on the B5T frame, built for hot tap water production in boilers.

SWEP E5T - A very compact copper-brazed plate heat exchanger for wall-hung, non-condensing boilers.