① Plate Heat Exchanger

The typical service life of a plate heat exchanger is around 10–20 years under normal operating conditions.

Regular cleaning, inspection, and gasket replacement can significantly extend its service life.

Severe corrosion, frequent leakage, or plate deformation may require earlier replacement.

② Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger

Shell and tube heat exchangers usually have a service life of approximately 15–30 years.

Their robust structure allows long-term operation in high-temperature and high-pressure applications.

Tube corrosion, cracks, and reduced heat transfer performance are common reasons for replacement.

③ Spiral Heat Exchanger

Spiral heat exchangers generally operate for around 15–25 years.

Their compact design provides good resistance to fouling and high heat transfer efficiency.

Severe corrosion, mechanical damage, or frequent maintenance issues may shorten their lifespan.

① Frequent Leakage

Continuous leakage may indicate damaged plates, tubes, gaskets, or corrosion problems.

If repeated repairs cannot solve the leakage issue, replacing the heat exchanger may be more economical.

② Reduced Heat Transfer Efficiency

When the heat exchanger cannot achieve the designed heating or cooling performance, internal fouling, blockage, or aging may have occurred.

If cleaning and maintenance cannot restore performance, replacement should be considered.

③ Increased Energy Consumption

Higher pump power consumption, longer operating time, and increased energy costs may indicate declining heat exchanger efficiency.

Replacing outdated equipment can improve overall system energy efficiency.

④ Frequent Maintenance Requirements

If the heat exchanger requires frequent repairs or replacement of spare parts, the equipment may be approaching the end of its service life.

A new heat exchanger can reduce downtime and improve operational reliability.

Conduct regular inspections and cleaning to prevent excessive fouling.

Select appropriate materials according to the working fluid and operating environment.

Avoid operating beyond the designed temperature, pressure, and flow range.

Replace damaged gaskets, seals, and components promptly.

Monitor key parameters such as temperature difference, pressure drop, and flow rate.

Follow a preventive maintenance plan to detect potential problems early.