Alfa Laval Packinox
Plate-and-shell heat exchanger

Introduction
Alfa Laval Packinox plate-and-shell heat exchangers are idealfor demanding heat recovery duties in processes with hightemperatures and pressures.
Thanks to its unique design, a Packinox combines the thermal and hydraulic efficiency of welded plate heat exchangers
with the high-temperature and high-pressure resistance ofshell-and-tube heat exchangers.
The result is a compact heat exchanger with high capacity,
high heat-recovery efficiency and minimal pressure drop.
Applications
Alfa Laval Packinox plate-and-shell heat exchangers areused as feed/effluent heat exchangers in:• Catalytic reforming•

Paraxylene production•

Hydrotreating/hydrodesulfurization•Paraffin dehydrogenation for LAB Plants

Packinox’s design is tried-and-tested, with more than450 units in operation in plants across the world.
Superior performance, high reliability and short payback time
has made Packinox the industry standard in energy-intensive applications such as catalytic reforming and aromatics
production.
Benefits
An Alfa Laval Packinox offers many benefits over a shell-andtube solution:•Outstanding heat recovery – minimal HAT (hot approachtemperature) and thermal efficiency >95%

Improved profitability• Low CAPEX: high capacity and compact size make itpossible to replace multiple shell and tube or plate heatexchangers with a single unit•

Optimal mixing of the liquid feed and the recycle gas••

Low pressure drop

Low OPEX: robust design and reliable operation as wellas continuous performance follow-up from Alfa Laval•

Ideal conditions for high yield•

High return on investment•

Guaranteed performance

Maximized energy efficiency• Fully customized design for optimal performance

Reduced CO2 emission• Optimized use of raw material in operation thanks
to the compact size•

Less fossil fuel consumption

Alfa Laval Packinox
How it works
The core of an Alfa Laval Packinox plate-and-shell heatexchanger is a fully welded bundle of heat transfer plates.
The counter-current flow of the hot and cold media in
combination with the high turbulence maximizes heat transfer
between the streams.
The plate bundle resides inside a pressure vessel filled withthe cold-stream gas under high pressure. This means theplate bundle is only exposed to the differential pressure
between the hot and cold streams, thereby minimizing themechanical stress on the plate welds.
Effective mixing
The liquid feed (naphtha or mixed xylene) enters a Packinox
plate-and-shell heat exchanger from the side and is mixed withthe recycle gas in the mixing chamber. The liquid is sprayed
into the recycle gas using Alfa Laval’s patented Spray Bars,ensuring a more homogenous liquid/gas mixture compared to
traditional mixing in the feed pipe. This optimizes heat transfer
in the plate bundle and minimizes mechanical stress.
Thanks to Alfa Laval’s Spray Bar technology and thepossibility to optimize the plates’ corrugation patternaccording to operating conditions, Packinox plate-and-shellheat exchangers offer greater flexibility than shell-and-tubes
when setting the ratio between the liquid feed and the recycle
gas, allowing for smaller gas flows without compromising
lifting efficiency.

Low pressure drop with HyperCut
A low operating pressure is key for high yields in catalytic
reforming and xylene production processes. Packinox
heat exchangers combine excellent heat recovery with lowpressure drop, usually within the range 0.3 to 1.5 bar (totalflange-to-flange, both sides).
Thanks to Alfa Laval’s unique HyperCut plates, the pressure
drop over the distribution area of the plates is very low. Thismeans more of the available pressure drop can be utilized
in the heat transfer area of the plate, resulting in higher heattransfer.

ManholeVent

Feed outlet

Effluent inlet

Hot bellows

Effluent header

Feed header

Packinox Performa
Packinox Performa gives you a detailed view of the operationand condition of your Packinox heat exchanger by providing
a real-time view of the operation, and weekly reports withcondition analyses and performance predictions. This makes
it easy to optimize maintenance, ensure reliable uptime, andmaximize energy efficiency.

Bundle support

Design configuration
Customized design
Each Packinox heat exchanger is designed and built to theexact conditions under which it will operate. Performance isoptimized by selecting the correct plate pattern, gap distance,plate dimensions, number of plates, ΔT, and pressure drop.
The result is outstanding performance and cost effectiveness.

Skirt

Liquid feed inlet
Venturi

Cold bellows

For more information about
Packinox Performa, visit ourwebsite or download our
product data sheet >>Effluent outlet
Recycle gas inlet

DrainRobust design
Alfa Laval Packinox plate-and-shell heat exchangers aredesigned and built for maximum operating reliability. The
chevron pattern on the heat transfer plates is produced using
underwater explosion forming, a technique developed by
Alfa Laval, in order to maximize the mechanical strength ofplates. Laser welding is used to ensure high weld quality andstrength.
We operate under a rigorous quality management system,and thorough inspections are performed at each step of theproduction process.
Accessible for service
The plate pack is accessible for service through a manhole
at the top of the unit and through one of the bellows from thebottom. All welds can be repaired, channels can be plugged
and bundle can be replaced if necessary.
Optionally, the shell can be equipped with a body flange,
allowing the entire top of the unit to be opened. This facilitates access to the plate pack greatly, enabling quick andeasy upgrades.
Installation
Alfa Laval Packinox heat exchangers are installed in an
upright position (the pressure vessel is fitted with a skirt orbrackets) within minimal footprint.

Pressure and temperature operating limits
Temperature
The typical design temperature is up to 550°C (1,000°F).
Design temperatures as high as 650°C (1,200°F) have beenachieved. Note: internal bellows compensate for thermal
differential expansion.
Pressure
Our reference list includes exchangers with design pressures
ranging from 3 bar to 140 bar.
Differential pressure between feed and effluent is the bundle’s only mechanical limitation. As a conservative measure,
we currently limit this value to 55 bar (depending on theconfiguration and operating temperature).
Codes and Standards
Alfa Laval Packinox’s quality and environmental management
systems are certified according to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.
We comply with all international standards for pressure vessel
manufacturing, for example ASME U, U2, R, NB, as well as all
local standards and regulations (PED 2014/68/EU, ATEX, EN
13445, CODAP, AD 2000-MERKBLATT, High Pressure Gas
Control Law, TR CU 010/2011 and TR CU 032/2013, Korea
Gas Safety, etc.)

Dimensions
Current size range
Shell diameter: 1.5 m to 6 m (3 to 18 ft.)
Shell total length: 10 m to 20 m (30 to 65 ft.)
Total weight: 30 to 400 metric tons (60,000 lb.
to 600,000 lb.)
Equivalent S&T surface area: 1,000 to
35,000 m² (10,000 to 375,000 sq. ft.) in a single shell.

Technical data
Construction materials
BundleStainless steel (SS 321, SS 316, SS 304, etc.).
Qualified construction materials include all types of austenitic
stainless steel, including highly corrosion resistant Alloy 6 Mo.
VesselQualified construction materials include 1.25 Cr 0.5 Mo,
2.25 Cr 1.0 Mo, stainless steel, carbon steel or otherqualities as per customer requirements
BellowsInconel, Incoloy or other, subject to demand.

For more information about ourservice offering, visit our website:
Service offerings for Packinox
heat exchangers >>Packinox heat exchanger installed in a catalytic reforming unit.

Unique features
HyperCut
Unique plate design that increases
reliability and reduces pressure drop
The design of our patented HyperCut plates
increases the mechanical robustness andoperating reliability of your Packinox heatexchanger, reduces the pressure drop overthe distribution areas, and improves oper­
ability. This makes it possible to maximize
heat recovery, minimize size and CAPEX,
and reduce the overall pressure drop.

Alfa Laval’s unique Spray Bar technology ensures effective mixing of theliquid feed and the recycle gas. The gas enters from the bottom and passes
the Spray Bars, where the liquid feed is sprayed into the gas.

Explosion Forming

Spray Bar

High-strength plates with long,
reliable lifetime
The pattern on a Packinox heat transfer plate
is formed by the shockwave from an underwater explosion. This one-step operation minimizes residual stresses in the plates, making
them mechanically stronger. The end result isvery high operating reliability and longevity.

Optimized mixing
Internal mixing of the liquid feed and recycle
gas is unique for Packinox heat exchangers.
Our patented Spray Bar technology ensures
perfect mixing, resulting in better heat transfer,less mechanical stress and more reliable operation compared to mixing in the inlet pipe.

ALOnline

PlateWash

Digital services for maximum uptime
and performance
We offer a range of digital services for ourPackinox heat exchangers, including process optimization, condition monitoring andpredictive maintenance through our Packinox
Performa software, as well as remote guidanceand support from our experts via video link.

Washing system that eliminates the riskof fouling
The PlateWash system monitors the pressure drop in the heat exchanger and allows
operators to engage water spraying during
operation whenever fouling begins to accumulate. This ensures maximum performanceover time and minimizes the risk for costly,
unplanned downtime due to cleaning.

ALOnsite

Option: Packinox+

Qualified support at your facility
With Alfa Laval as your partner, you havethe full backing of our global service network,including 24/7 remote technical support.
We can be at your plant within 1-2 days if
you need onsite assistance.

Alfa Laval Packinox plate-and-shell heat exchangers can also incorporate Alfa Laval’s new FlexFlow
technology.

For more information about
Packinox plate-and-shell keyfeatures, visit our website >>This is the optimal solution for highly asymmetricduties where flow rates differ greatly, for example,
liquid-to-gas and gas-to-gas duties.

For more information
about our Packinox+ offer,visit our website >>This document and its contents are subject to copyrights and other intellectual property rights owned by Alfa Laval Corporate AB. No part of this document may be copied, re-produced ortransmitted in any form or by any means, or for any purpose, without Alfa Laval Corporate AB’s prior express written permission. Information and services provided in this document are made asa benefit and service to the user, and no representations or warranties are made about the accuracy or suitability of this information and these services for any purpose. All rights are reserved.

100001034-3-EN 2309
How to contact Alfa Laval
Up-to-date Alfa Laval contact details for all countries are always available on
our website at www.alfalaval.com© Alfa Laval Corporate AB