Overview
EN ISO 15547-1:2005 (CEN adoption of ISO 15547-1:2005) specifies requirements and recommendations for plate-and-frame heat exchangers used in the petroleum, petrochemical and natural gas industries. The standard covers mechanical design, materials selection, fabrication, inspection, testing and preparation for shipment. It applies to gasketed, semi-welded and welded plate-and-frame heat exchangers and is intended for use by vendors, purchasers and engineering organizations working with plate-type heat exchanger equipment.
Key Topics and Requirements
- Scope and applicability: Requirements for plate-and-frame heat exchangers in hydrocarbon processing and gas industries; includes gasketed, semi-welded and welded configurations.
- Terms and definitions: Standardized definitions (plate, plate pack, plate gap, end plate, pass plate, shroud, etc.) to ensure consistent interpretation.
- Design requirements:
- Mechanical design and pressure containment requirements.
- Requirement that the pressure design code (e.g., ASME Section VIII, EN 13445) and structural welding code be specified or agreed by the purchaser.
- Specifications for maximum/minimum design temperatures, design pressure, corrosion allowance and allowable forces/moments.
- Materials selection: Guidance on material specifications for plates, frames, gaskets and ancillary components.
- Fabrication and welding: Requirements for construction methods and compliance with agreed structural welding codes.
- Inspection and testing: Mandatory and recommended inspection and pressure/test procedures before shipment.
- Documentation and drawings: Vendor must supply general arrangement drawings, data sheets, plate counts, gasket materials/attachment, support details, mass and center-of-gravity and recommended tools for assembly.
- Vendor–purchaser responsibilities: Vendor to declare exceptions, first-time use of designs/materials, gasket life/storage instructions, spare-parts list and proof of type testing for fireproof shrouds.
- Annexes for practical use: Includes recommended practice (Annex A), a checklist (Annex B) and sample data sheets (Annex C).
Applications and Users
Who benefits from EN ISO 15547-1:
- Heat exchanger manufacturers and vendors preparing proposals and shop documentation.
- Process, mechanical and piping engineers specifying plate-and-frame heat exchangers for oil, gas and petrochemical plants.
- Purchasers and asset owners assessing vendor compliance, warranty and spare-parts needs.
- Inspectors and testing authorities verifying fabrication, pressure testing and shipment readiness.
Typical applications:
- Plate-and-frame heat exchangers for process heating/cooling, condensers, reboilers and utility duties in petroleum refineries, petrochemical plants and gas processing facilities.
Related Standards
- ISO 15547-2 - Brazed aluminium plate-fin heat exchangers (companion part).
- Referenced pressure vessel/structural codes such as ASME Section VIII and EN 13445 (examples cited in the standard).
Keywords: plate-and-frame heat exchangers, gasketed heat exchanger, semi-welded, welded, petroleum industry, petrochemical, natural gas, mechanical design, materials selection, fabrication, inspection, testing, EN ISO 15547-1:2005.