PLATE HEAT EXCHANGER

This heat exchanger is a set of metal plates separated by spacers (gaskets). The plates and gaskets have holes that make the hot and cold flow run on alternate sides of the plates, therefore transferring heat. The metal plates have flow disturbers on their sides to help improve the heat transfer. Plate heat exchangers are compact and therefore good for applications with limited space. It is also easy to alter their design to change their capacity – you simply add or remove plates and spacers.

The Service Module (TD360) provides hot and cold water to the heat exchanger and all the instruments needed to measure its performance. All fluid connections to the heat exchanger are self-sealing quick connectors – for safety and simplicity. The hot and cold fluid streams have different connectors to reduce errors. Connecting the heat exchanger takes less than one minute.

The heat exchanger is on a bedplate that has a clear schematic diagram showing the connections. The bedplate fixes to the Service Module with thumbscrews.

SHELL AND TUBE HEAT EXCHANGER

This heat exchanger is one of the most common type used in industry. This is because it is compact, but can work at higher pressures than other designs. It is a large tube (shell) which surrounds several smaller tubes (a bundle). One fluid passes through the shell, and the other fluid passes through the tube bundle, therefore transferring heat. Baffles around the bundle help to create a turbulent mixed flow.

The Service Module (TD360) provides hot and cold water to the heat exchanger and all the instruments needed to measure its performance. All fluid connections to the heat exchanger are self-sealing quick connectors – for safety and simplicity. The hot and cold fluid streams have different connectors to reduce errors. Connecting the heat exchanger takes less than one minute.

The heat exchanger is on a bedplate that has a clear schematic diagram showing the connections. The bedplate fixes to the Service Module with thumbscrews.

JACKETED VESSEL AND COIL

This heat exchanger mimics those used in the process industry. It can show heat transfer by using the outer skin (or ‘jacket’) of the vessel, or by a coil inside the vessel. You can set a continuous feed to the vessel for heating or you set a fixed batch for heating. The unit has an extra thermocouple to measure the batch temperature. It also has a motorised stirrer to show how stirring affects heat transfer.

The Service Module (TD360) provides hot and cold water to the heat exchanger and all the instruments needed to measure its performance. All fluid connections between the Service Module and the heat exchanger are self-sealing quick connectors – for safety and simplicity. The hot and cold fluid streams have different connectors to reduce errors.

The bedplate fixes to the Service Module with thumbscrews.

TWO-STAGE COMPRESSOR TEST SET

This test set has two independently-controlled, motordriven compressors, intercooler and air receiver. It works as a single-stage, two-stage or two-stage compressor with intercooler. All controls and instrumentation are on an easy-to-operate mimic panel.

Electric motors and low-maintenance toothed belts drive two twin-cylinder, air-cooled reciprocating compressors. Electronic drive units independently control both motors. Meters show motor electrical power consumption of each motor. A close-coupled load cell on each motor measures torque. A sensor on each motor measures speed, shown by a digital indicator. The product of the torque and speed gives true shaft power.

To allow students to study different types of air-compressor systems, diverter valves allow air to move in different directions. These include:

• From the first stage to the receiver
• Directly to the second stage
• To the second stage, by means of the integral water-cooled intercooler

Independent control of the two compressor speeds allows flexibility to match the two compressors under different conditions. Interlocks allow safe changes from one method of operation to another while the equipment works, and prevent misuse. For safety, all pressurised lines have relief valves.

To help produce pressure and volume diagrams, IMPACT offers the optional Pressure Indicator (GT103a). It fits to an adaptor on each of the two compressors to measure the pressure changes during a compression cycle. One Pressure Indicator is enough to test each compressor, one at a time. However, you may choose to use two for convenience.