The gas-liquid plate heat exchangers can be used not only with freon, but also with similar gas media, including high pressure and similar refrigerants. On the water side, it can be almost any other liquid, for example glycol.
The common feature and advantage of gas-liquid heat exchangers over standard brazed plate heat exchangers is that they can withstand higher operating pressures. The operating pressure of our freon heat exchangers is 45 bar - 4.5 MPa, which is sufficient for the operation of most heat pumps, refrigerators or air conditioners.
⇓ You will find a detailed description at the bottom of the product list! ⇓
The gas-water heat exchangers - or simply gas-liquid heat exchangers - are available in two series. The first series consists of high pressure models with operating pressures up to 45 bar and is known as the Ba-26-F series, with smaller 308x106 mm size plates. It is equipped with a 5/8" connection pipe on the refrigerant/gas side. The second series - Ba-68-F - larger plates 526x119 mm > and with a larger 7/8" gas connection. On the liquid side, both heat exchanger series have a 1" standard threaded connection.
Is a gas-liquid heat exchanger the same as a refrigerant-water or refrigerant-glycol heat exchanger?
Refrigerant-to-water heat exchangers, often referred to as gas-to-liquid heat exchangers, are a generic term for a product category often known as gas-to-liquid heat exchangers. Essentially, the plate heat exchangers grouped here can be used not only with refrigerant, but also with similar gas media, including high pressure gases. On the water side - almost any other liquid can be used, for example glycol (refrigerant-glycol heat exchanger).
What media do gas-liquid heat exchangers work with?
There are actually many options. Our gas-liquid heat exchangers can work with the following media:
refrigerant-water (e.g. refrigerant R404A-water or R32-water) - this is an example of a heat exchanger that works in a heat pump refrigerant-glycol> (e.g. refrigerant R404A -glycol or R32-glycol) etc. Of course, gas-liquid heat exchangers can also work with a glycol solution, although pure glycol is rarely used, since in the European climate antifreeze properties are also provided by glycol diluted with water at a ratio of 30/70% or 50/50.
In what versions are coolant-water heat exchangers available?
Coolant-water heat exchangers, or simply gas-liquid heat exchangers, are available in two series in our range.
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The first series consists of high-pressure models with an operating pressure of up to 45 bar and Ba-26-F refrigerant- are known as water heat exchangers, based on smaller 308x106 mm sized plates. They are equipped with a 5/8" connection pipe on the refrigerant/gas side. This series includes refrigerant heat exchangers with a plate surface of up to 1.6 m². In practice, this series can handle the smallest heat pumps or air conditioners with outputs up to about 16 kW.
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The second series, called Ba-68-F coolant-water heat exchangers, is based on larger 526x119 mm plates and larger , equipped with a 7/8" gas connection. This series includes larger refrigerant-to-water heat exchangers for larger heat pump or air conditioning units The series offers a wide range of plates, the Ba-68-F heat exchangers range from 10 to 60 plates. The largest heat exchangers in the series can handle heat pumps or air conditioners with a power greater than 40 kW, and in the right configuration up to 50 kW.
On the liquid side, both coolant-water heat exchanger series have a standard 1" threaded connection.
Refrigerant for converting heat exchangers into air conditioning heat pumps - up to 45 bar This is a very common application of refrigerant heat exchangers in this category. Converting an air conditioner to a heat pump requires a refrigerant heat exchanger designed to work with the media present in the installation. On one side there will be some kind of liquid - water (or water mixed with glycol), and on the other side there will be a refrigerant - some kind of freon. Refrigerant can exist in various types, such as R404, R410, R290, R32 or similar, but it will always be a similar high-pressure medium.
Gas-liquid heat exchangers - BA-26-F series
Nordic Tec Freon plate heat exchangers from the BA-26-F series are based on a 308x106 mm plate, which provides a heat exchange surface of 0.026 m² (one plate).
The gas-liquid heat exchanger of the series is equipped with two channels, one of which is designed for Freon (or other gaseous medium). It has a characteristic connector suitable for soldering - a 5/8" tube.
On the other side, it is designed for conventional (liquid) media such as water or glycol solution and has a standard 1" male thread connection.
The most important design feature of gas-liquid heat exchangers of the BA-26-F series, which distinguishes them from traditional plate heat exchangers, is higher pressure resistance. The maximum design pressure is 45 bar and all gas-liquid heat exchangers are pressure tested to more than 60 bar during commissioning.
Gas-liquid heat exchangers - BA-26-F series
Nordic Tec Freon plate heat exchangers (FPHE) from the Ba-68-F series are based on a 526x119 mm plate. With these dimensions, each disc of the device is approx. It provides a heat exchange surface of 0.068 m². These plates are typically ribbed in order to increase the efficiency of heat transfer, traditionally - in this matter the solution is similar to the traditional BPHE.
The gas-liquid plate heat exchanger Ba-68-F traditionally has two flow channels for the media. The first channel is Freon, gas, coolant, etc. made for It is easily identified by the distinctive gas connections that are designed to be soldered and are 7/8" tubing.
The second channel is designed for liquid media, typically water or glycol-water solution, at least in heat pump solutions. It has a standard external threaded connector, 1" in size.
The most significant structural feature of Freon heat exchangers Ba-68-F, which distinguishes them from traditional liquid-liquid plate heat exchangers, is the increased resistance and durability under high pressure. As we know, Freon and similar media operate at much higher pressures than the typical 20-30 bar. The operating pressure of the gas-liquid models is max. 45 bar, each unit is subjected to a pressure test of 60 bar. The maximum permissible operating pressure is 4.5 MPa, which is sufficient for the use of most heat pump freon applications or similar purposes.
The gas heat exchangers of the series can optionally be equipped with thermal insulation, which can be purchased together with the heat exchanger.
Key Design Features of the Nordic Tec Ba-68-F Refrigerant-to-Water Heat Exchanger Series
Ba-68-F Refrigerant-to-Water Heat Exchangers are key design features that distinguish them from conventional liquid -from liquid plate heat exchangers, increased resistance to high pressure and durability. As you know, refrigerants and similar media operate at a much higher pressure than the traditional 20-30 bar. The maximum operating pressure of the gas-liquid heat exchanger is 45 bar, each unit undergoes a pressure test above 60 bar.
Refrigerant heat exchangers from this series used in heat pumps, air conditioners and similar units can also be equipped with thermal insulation, which can optionally be purchased together with the heat exchanger.
The Ba-68-F plate heat exchanger as a refrigerant condenser
The refrigerant condenser is a device - essentially a heat exchanger - but it can also be a plate heat exchanger or another type of model. The purpose of the refrigerant condenser is to condense - that is, to liquefy gas. In particular - this is used in heat pumps so that the refrigerant gives off heat and transfers it to the environment or another medium. If the Ba-68-F plate heat exchanger is used as a refrigerant condenser, its heat can be transferred to a liquid, which is then used in our heating system. This is how a heat pump works - and we can say that in certain situations a heat exchanger and a refrigerant condenser can be synonymous (although not always).
How does a refrigerant condenser work? | How do plate heat exchangers for refrigerants work?
Heat is transferred in plate heat exchangers by the cooling of the refrigerant when it condenses, i.e. liquefies. When the coolant is warm and gaseous, it releases heat and liquefies in contact with the cold water from channel 2 of the plate heat exchanger. The heat is then transferred to the second medium of the plate heat exchanger, which is water or a water-glycol mixture.
In this way, the refrigerant condenser - sometimes called a condenser - is practically indispensable. Ba-68-F heat exchangers are designed as refrigerant condensers for heat pumps and can operate with various types of refrigerants, virtually any refrigerant used in air conditioners or heat pumps.
Plate heat exchangers Ba-68-F - what design features allow them to serve as condensers for heat pumps or air conditioners?
Not all plate heat exchangers are suitable for use as condensers for air conditioners or heat pumps. The Ba-68-F models undergo a longer and more robust vacuum brazing process, which allows them to be certified for higher pressures than conventional liquid medium heat exchangers.
The Ba-68-F plate refrigerant condensers are permitted up to a pressure of 45 bar. Refrigerant (simply put - the refrigerant used in air conditioners or heat pumps) tends to rapidly increase in pressure (which is dangerous for conventional liquid medium heat exchangers) - reaching very high pressures that exceed 35-40 bar when the temperature reaches 40 -50 degrees Celsius. Therefore, conventional heat exchangers cannot be used as refrigerant condensers for heat pumps - a specific model certified for gas media and high pressures is required.
