01
Watch the conditions that age gaskets
- Track operating temperature, pressure and hot-to-cold cycling. These influence gasket wear and replacement needs.
- Opening and closing a plate pack adds stress to the gaskets. Use suitable CIP procedures to reduce unnecessary opening.
- Pressure shocks can damage plates and cause gasket blowout; investigate abnormal pressure events rather than treating them as routine wear.
02
Use cleaning to protect performance
- Clean regularly to limit deposits on the plates and preserve heat transfer.
- Monitor cleaning chemistry and use solutions recommended for the gasket material. The source specifically warns that ozone can degrade rubber.
- A gasket is selected for a particular duty. Confirm compatibility when the product, cleaning regime or operating conditions change.
03
Treat cold leakage as a maintenance signal
- Watch startup closely: leakage when cold that stops as the unit warms can indicate deteriorating gasket sealing.
- Arrange an assessment and gasket-replacement plan; warm operation sealing again does not remove the underlying warning.
- Use operating records to set inspection, cleaning and replacement intervals instead of assuming a fixed gasket life.
04
Keep integrity and traceability in the plan
- Perform integrity tests at agreed regular intervals. The reference does not specify a universal test interval or procedure.
- If fitted, inspect Gemini double-wall plates annually.
- Keep documentation and the serial number available for parts identification.
- Store spare gaskets sealed, dry, cool and dark, away from ozone-producing equipment.
Service planning at a glance
Reference intervals and checks from PDF pages 23–25. Verify against the instructions for your unit.
| Component / check | Reference timing | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | Each startup observation | Watch for cold leakage; include findings in the log. |
| Integrity testing | Regular, duty-specific intervals | No universal interval is given in this reference. |
| Gemini double-wall plates, if fitted | Yearly inspection | Specific recommendation on page 25. |
| Cleaning, plate inspection and gasket replacement | Based on condition and records | No blanket annual gasket replacement interval. |
This guide concerns hygienic gasketed plate heat exchangers. It does not establish a maintenance procedure for semi-welded units.