7
ITEM
A-03-343
DATED
NOVEMBER 2012
SUPERCEDES
MARCH 2011
COMMISSIONING, DECOMMISSIONING AND
OPERATION:
Danger of injury!
Hazardous flow media (corrosive, poisonous, flammable,
explosive etc.) present dangers of chemical burns and burning.
• Inform yourself beforehand which flow media are used and
make sure that a protective shroud is on hand if the flow
media is hazardous.
START-UP. Before commissioning, carry out a visual check on
the plate heat exchanger and make sure that:
1. The heat exchanger is not operated with non-design flow
media, pressures and temperatures.
2. All pipe connections are firmly connected to the heat
exchanger.
3. All required components of the heat exchanger are
completely installed.
4. The permissible compression dimension “a min.” is not
underrun (refer to the data plate on the fixed pressure plate
for the correct a-dimension).
5. When restarting, no residues of previous processes (e.g.
cleaning agents) are present in the heat exchanger.
6. Pressure surges or shocks are avoided. The normal operation
of the heat exchanger may be jeopardized, and leakage
could occur.
If all of these conditions are fulfilled, it is safe to start
operating the heat exchanger.
NOTE: If faults occur during commissioning the plate heat
exchanger, see the Troubleshooting section. In order to avoid
clogging problems during commissioning the plate heat
exchanger, Aurora strongly recommends filters or bypasses for
the first flushing of the piping system.
OPERATION.
Danger of injury! Damage to the heat exchanger!
If the heat exchanger is in operation, there is risk of injury or
the danger that the heat exchanger might be damaged.
• For maintenance or repair operations, always decommission
the heat exchanger first.
Visually inspect the heat exchanger regularly during operation
and make sure that:
1. The heat exchanger is operated according to design
conditions (flow media, pressures and temperatures).
2. The minimum and maximum parameters given on the data
plate are not exceeded. If the parameters are exceeded, the
heat exchanger is operating under conditions it was not
designed for and Aurora accepts no liability for resulting
damage.
3. Pressure surges are avoided. The normal operation of the
heat exchanger could be jeopardized. Leakage could occur
and flow media could escape.
NOTE: If problems occur during operation of the heat
exchanger, refer to the Troubleshooting section.
DECOMMISSIONING.
Danger of injury!
All heat exchangers that are standing and not anchored down
present the risk of falling over. Always ensure that the heat
exchanger always is secured against toppling, even if it is stored
upright only for a short time.
SHORT-TERM SHUTDOWN.
CAUTION
Danger:
Environmental Damage,
Damage to the Heat Exchanger
When ecologically harmful flow media escape, serious
environmental damage is possible.
1. Make sure that a method for draining the heat exchanger
and a catchment tank for the entire charge capacity of
the heat exchanger are provided.
2. If the heat exchanger is further compressed below
“a min.”, the plates will warp and there is a significant
risk that they will crack. Make sure that the plate pack is
compressed to the necessary compression dimension
“a min.” < “a” < “a max.”.
3. DO NOT compress beyond the “a min” dimension.
Danger:
Damage to the Heat Exchanger
Fast switching operations (e.g. of valves in the pipes
connected to the heat exchanger) or process-related events
(e.g. spontaneous vaporization, condensate impacts) can
bring about high pressure surges, aka pressure shocks.
1. Avoid high-pressure surges so as to avoid damaging the
heat exchanger.
2. The tightening of the tie rod assemblies should be
carried out only in the depressurized state, as otherwise
the compression dimension “a min.” might be underrun.
CAUTION
CAUTION
Danger:
Escape of Environmentally
Hazardous Flow Media Possible
Flow media can be dangerous and environmentally
hazardous.
1. Make sure that no flow media can escape during the
shutdown period.
2. In case of outdoor installation, take precautions (e.g.
emptying, heating) against freezing the flow media in
the heat exchanger.