ISO 15547 & API 662 Standard

Plate Heat Exchangers (PHE) Inspection Guide

Comprehensive guide for Gasketed Plate & Frame (GPHE), Brazed (BPHE), and Welded Plate Packs. Inspect Titanium, 316L SS, and Hastelloy chevron plates for pinholes, micro-cracks, and cross-contamination via Fluorescent Penetrant (PT) and Helium Leak Tracing.

PHE Tools & Inspection Scope Builders:
Plate Dye Penetrant (PT) Scope Helium Leak Tracing ToolISO 15547 & API 662 Tool RFP Inspection Scope
PHE Leak TestingAPI 662
Fluorescent Penetrant & Helium

Detect micro-cracks and pinhole leaks in disassembled titanium plate packs down to 0.1 microns under UV blacklight.

Mechanical Classifications

Plate Heat Exchanger (PHE) Design Architectures

4 Mechanical Classes
ISO 15547 Standard

Gasketed Plate & Frame (GPHE)

The standard industrial PHE consisting of a series of chevron-corrugated metal plates compressed between a fixed head and movable follower by heavy tie-bolts. Elastomeric gaskets (NBR, EPDM, Viton) seal channels and direct alternating fluid passes.

Metallurgy & Alloys:
Titanium Grade 1316L Stainless SteelHastelloy C-276254 SMO Alloy
Target Damage Mechanisms:
Chloride Stress Corrosion Cracking (CSCC)Gasket Channel PittingTie-Rod Expansion StretchInter-pass Cross Contamination
Primary NDT:Fluorescent PT (Dye Penetrant) • Helium Mass Spectrometer Leak Tracing • VT Visual Gasket Seating Inspection
Compact HVAC & Refrigeration

Brazed Plate Heat Exchangers (BPHE)

Gasketless all-welded compact plate heat exchangers where chevron corrugated stainless steel plates are vacuum brazed using pure copper or nickel filler. Specified for high-pressure refrigerants and hydronic HVAC units.

Metallurgy & Alloys:
316L Stainless SteelCopper Brazing FillerNickel Alloys
Target Damage Mechanisms:
Brazing Joint Fatigue CracksThermal Shock DebondingRefrigerant Freeze-up Bursting
Primary NDT:Acoustic Pulse Reflectometry (APR) • Pressure Decay Hydro Test • Helium Hood Leak Testing
Hazardous Chemical Service

Welded & Semi-Welded Pair Packs

Plates are laser-welded together in pairs to form sealed channels for aggressive process fluids (Ammonia, Acids), while the second fluid pass utilizes elastomeric gaskets for easy mechanical cleaning access.

Metallurgy & Alloys:
Titanium Grade 2Inconel 625Hastelloy C-22
Target Damage Mechanisms:
Laser Weld Seam FatigueChloride Pitting in Gasket ChannelsVibration Fretting At Contacts
Primary NDT:EDDY CURRENT Array (ECA) • Fluorescent PT • Helium Sniffer Tracing
High Pressure & Temperature

All-Welded Block & Shell-and-Plate

Fully welded corrugated plate packs enclosed inside a circular pressure shell or rectangular block casing. Combines the high heat transfer efficiency of plates with the high temperature/pressure rating of shell-and-tube vessels.

Metallurgy & Alloys:
Super Duplex 2507Titanium316L SS
Target Damage Mechanisms:
Corner Weld Joint CrackingThermal Expansion BindingCorrosion Under Insulation (CUI) on Shell Casing
Primary NDT:Phased Array UT (PAUT) • Pulsed Eddy Current (PEC) • Radiography (RT)
Zero-Commission B2B Platform

How B2B Project Workflow Works

From initial RFP scope to direct client sign-off. NDT EXCHANGE does not charge commissions or manage project payments.

01

RFP Scope

Asset Owner Scope

Asset Owner posts turnkey B2B inspection scope with technical specifications, asset list, and required NDT methods.

02

Competitive Bids

Agency Proposals

Certified NDT agencies submit competitive proposals (Fixed-Bid / T&M) detailing technician rosters and day rates.

03

Direct Settlement / Escrow

Payment Security

Client awards bid and sets up direct milestone payment or escrow — NDT EXCHANGE never holds or manages project funds.

04

Field Execution

Testing & Calibration

Level II/III inspectors perform on-site testing (PAUT, TOFD, MFL, UT), capturing flaw data and calibration overlays.

05

Sign-Off & Payout

Audit & Settlement

Level III auditor reviews findings; upon client sign-off, funds release directly to agency with 0% platform commission.

Project Data Flow:1. RFP Scope2. Agency Bids3. Direct Settlement4. Field Execution5. Direct Sign-Off
💡 Payment Policy: NDT EXCHANGE charges 0% fees and never holds or handles project funds.