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2.8. Gasketed Plate Evaporator

The gasketed-plate evaporator is also called the plate evaporator because the design is similar to that of a plate heat exchanger. A number of embossed plates with four corner openings are mounted by an upper and a bottom carrying bar. The gasket is placed at the periphery of the plates. The interfering gaskets of two adjacent plates prevent the mixing of the fluids and lead the fluid to the respective flow path through the corner opening (Figure 3.6). The fluids may either flow in series or parallel depending on the gasket arrangement.

The heat transfer coefficient is greatly enhanced due to high turbulent flow through narrow passages. This evaporator is suitable for high viscous, fouling, foaming and heat sensitive solutions.

This type of evaporators is mainly used for concentration of food products, pharmaceuticals, emulsions, glue, etc.

Figure 3.6 . Plate-evaporator.