¶ xReference
xReference short for cross-reference, is a tool from SWEP to assist customers in transitioning from BPHE’s from other manufacturers to SWEP’s broad range of brazed plate heat exchangers.
Finding the right replacement for your current heat exchanger can be confusing. With xReference you can get alternatives for a SWEP replacement heat exchanger by typing in your current model and plate count. xReference functions as a first step in your selection process. For some selections, xReference might provide enough capability but depending on the application and thermal case, use of our selection tool SWEP SSPTM is recommended.
To fully benefit from the effort that SWEP has put into xReference, it helps to be aware of the philosophy and calculations that provide the foundation upon which these alternatives are being based.
Note: xReference can only be used for single-phase applications. Evaporator and condenser applications are not supported!
In xReference, SWEP breaks down the selection process into two parts: model and plate count.
¶ Selecting a model
When comparing heat exchangers from different manufacturers there are several properties that SWEP takes into consideration in xReference. These properties are those which SWEP uses to find comparable heat exchanger models.
- External dimensions
- Port size
- Symmetric- or asymmetric channels
- Single- or double-wall
- Advertised application
- Port center to center distance
¶ Estimating number of plates
When estimating number of plates SWEP has constructed xReference to suggest a plate count that would result in a similar raw heat transfer area.
SWEP defines raw heat transfer area, as the product of height multiplied with the width and number of plates.
For example, a SWEP B80 with 40 plates has a height of 526 millimeters and a width of 119 millimeters. Converting these measurements to meters and multiplying the height with the width gives us the raw heat transfer area per plate which comes out to be 0,0626 square meters.
Area per plate is then multiplied by the number of plates to get a total raw heat transfer area of 2,5 square meters.
xReference allows for up to 3 % of raw heat transfer area under surfacing. This means that the raw heat transfer area of the SWEP alternative is allowed to be up to 5% smaller than the raw heat transfer area determined by the user’s input.
¶ Selection factors not considered in xReference
To keep xReference simple and easy to use SWEP must omit factors such as, but not limited to, plate type, fluids, pressure drop, and level of asymmetry. SWEP recommends using SWEP SSPTM if there are uncertainties regarding xReference.
¶ Multipass units
xReference should not be used for comparisons of multipass units. For users interested in multipass units SWEP recommends using SWEP SSPTM.