The Fourth Edition of the Standards of the Brazed Aluminium Plate-Fin Heat Exchanger Manufacturers’ Association (ALPEMA) is the result of the work by a technical committee of all the Members to meet the objective of the Association to promote the quality and safe use of this type of heat exchanger. The Standards contain all relevant information for the specification, procurement, and use of brazed aluminium plate-fin heat exchangers.

Brazed aluminium plate-fin heat exchangers are the most compact and energy efficient heat exchangers for handling a wide range of services, noted particularly for their relative high thermal efficiency, compactness, low weight, and low maintenance. They provide low capital, installation, and operating costs over a wide range of cryogenic and non-cryogenic applications. The main applications are in industrial gas processing, natural gas processing and liquefied natural gas (LNG), refining of petrochemicals and refrigeration services. They also find applications in aircraft, automobiles, rail transport, offshore platforms, etc.

Their ability to carry multiple streams, occasionally up to twelve or more, allows process integration in certain industrial processes, establishing them firmly in air separation processes and other cryogenic systems. The very large surface area per unit volume is particularly advantageous when low temperature differences apply. Such applications are typically found in cryogenic systems and hydrocarbon dewpoint control systems where temperature difference is linked to compressor power.