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Investigation of the tightening function of a GPHE

Hedberg, Rasmus LU (2026) MMKM05 20252
Innovation
Abstract
This thesis presents the results of an investigation of the tightening function of a
gasketed plate heat exchanger (GPHE). The main focus of the project has been to
find a new method for tightening a GPHE that is more accurate than the current
method. This is achieved by factoring in manufacturing tolerances of the ingoing
parts. Other factors such as the number of channel plates, channel plate material and
thickness and gasket material were also considered, to find a solution that would be
applicable to the entire product range without modification.
During the thesis, a product development process tailored for this project was
developed. The process incorporated phases from existing product development
processes. This process... (More)
This thesis presents the results of an investigation of the tightening function of a
gasketed plate heat exchanger (GPHE). The main focus of the project has been to
find a new method for tightening a GPHE that is more accurate than the current
method. This is achieved by factoring in manufacturing tolerances of the ingoing
parts. Other factors such as the number of channel plates, channel plate material and
thickness and gasket material were also considered, to find a solution that would be
applicable to the entire product range without modification.
During the thesis, a product development process tailored for this project was
developed. The process incorporated phases from existing product development
processes. This process included phases where the problem was discovered and
defined, before an extensive concept development phase. The concept development
phase included many iterations, to find and test concepts to identify potential
improvements. Based on physical testing and feedback from experienced engineers
at Alfa Laval, three potential solutions were found.
The result of the thesis is a concept that improved the accuracy of the tightening sequence by finding a method that is based solely on mathematical functions.
By utilizing specific mathematical functions, the method is only dependent on
the tightening bolt forces. All other design parameters, and the manufacturing
tolerances, does not affect the result.
By finding a solution that is only dependent on the tightening bolt forces, this
thesis offers a solution that can accelerate the development process, while being
more accurate than the current method. (Less)
Abstract (Swedish)
Detta examensarbete presenterar resultatet av en utredning av ihopspänningen av
en packningsförsedd plattvärmeväxlare. Projektets huvudfokus var att hitta en ny
metod för att spänna ihop en packningsförsedd värmeväxlare some är mer exakt
än den nuvarande metoden. Detta åstadkomms genom att ta hänsyn till tillverkningstoleranserna av de ingående delarna. Andra faktorer som antalet kanalplattor,
material och tjocklek på kanalplattor och packningsmaterial undersöktes också för att
hitta en lösning som är applicerbar på hela produktutbudet utan några modifikationer.
Under examensarbetes gång utvecklades en produktutvecklingprocess specifikt för
detta projektet. Processen inkluderade faser från existerande produktutvecklingsprocesser.... (More)
Detta examensarbete presenterar resultatet av en utredning av ihopspänningen av
en packningsförsedd plattvärmeväxlare. Projektets huvudfokus var att hitta en ny
metod för att spänna ihop en packningsförsedd värmeväxlare some är mer exakt
än den nuvarande metoden. Detta åstadkomms genom att ta hänsyn till tillverkningstoleranserna av de ingående delarna. Andra faktorer som antalet kanalplattor,
material och tjocklek på kanalplattor och packningsmaterial undersöktes också för att
hitta en lösning som är applicerbar på hela produktutbudet utan några modifikationer.
Under examensarbetes gång utvecklades en produktutvecklingprocess specifikt för
detta projektet. Processen inkluderade faser från existerande produktutvecklingsprocesser. Denna process inkluderade faser där problemet utforskades och definierades,
innan en omfattande konceptutvecklingsfas. Konceptutvecklingsfasen inkluderade
många iterationer, för att upptäcka och testa koncept för att identifiera potentiella
förbättringar. Baserat på fysiska tester och feedback från erfarna ingenjörer på Alfa
Laval, identifierades tre potentiella lösningar.
Resultatet av detta examensarbete är ett koncept med ökad noggrannhet av
ihopspänningssekvensen, genom att hitta en metod som är baserat endast på
matematiska funktioner. Genom att använda matematiska funktioner är metoden
endast beroende av den totala bultkraften. Andra designparametrar, och tillverkningstoleranser, påverkar inte resultatet.
Genom att hitta en lösning som endast är beroende av bultkraften erbjuder
detta examensarbete en lösning som kan påskynda utvecklingsarbetet, samtidigt
som den är mer exakt än nuvarande metod. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Hedberg, Rasmus LU
supervisor
organization
course
MMKM05 20252
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Gasketed plate heat exchanger, Tightening function, Manufacturing tolerances, Bolt preload, Mathematical modeling, Packningsförsedd plattvärmeväxlare, Ihopspänningsfunktion, Tillverkningstoleranser, Åtdragningsmoment, Matematisk modellering
language
English
id
9221465
date added to LUP
2026-02-01 10:47:56
date last changed
2026-02-01 10:47:56
@misc{9221465,
  abstract     = {{This thesis presents the results of an investigation of the tightening function of a
gasketed plate heat exchanger (GPHE). The main focus of the project has been to
find a new method for tightening a GPHE that is more accurate than the current
method. This is achieved by factoring in manufacturing tolerances of the ingoing
parts. Other factors such as the number of channel plates, channel plate material and
thickness and gasket material were also considered, to find a solution that would be
applicable to the entire product range without modification.
During the thesis, a product development process tailored for this project was
developed. The process incorporated phases from existing product development
processes. This process included phases where the problem was discovered and
defined, before an extensive concept development phase. The concept development
phase included many iterations, to find and test concepts to identify potential
improvements. Based on physical testing and feedback from experienced engineers
at Alfa Laval, three potential solutions were found.
The result of the thesis is a concept that improved the accuracy of the tightening sequence by finding a method that is based solely on mathematical functions.
By utilizing specific mathematical functions, the method is only dependent on
the tightening bolt forces. All other design parameters, and the manufacturing
tolerances, does not affect the result.
By finding a solution that is only dependent on the tightening bolt forces, this
thesis offers a solution that can accelerate the development process, while being
more accurate than the current method.}},
  author       = {{Hedberg, Rasmus}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Investigation of the tightening function of a GPHE}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}