Power Generation
From coal-fired plants and CCGT facilities to hydroelectric stations, nuclear auxiliaries, and grid-scale energy storage, plate heat exchangers handle critical cooling duties throughout the power generation industry. Generator stator cooling, turbine lube oil, boiler feed water heating, closed cooling water, and waste heat recovery: PHEs deliver capacity in compact footprints with proven service life.
Built for Generation Auxiliaries and Cycle Efficiency
ARES PHE supplies plate heat exchangers across a wide range of power generation thermal cycles: subcritical and supercritical steam plants, combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) facilities, hydroelectric and pumped storage, geothermal, concentrating solar power (CSP), biomass, and grid-scale battery thermal management.
Plate-and-frame technology replaces shell-and-tube exchangers in many auxiliary duties at 40-60% of the footprint, with full disassembly access for inspection and cleaning during planned outages.
Where PHEs Work in Power Generation
From the generator stator cooling loop to the boiler feed water preheater, plate heat exchangers handle thermal duties across every generation technology in the modern power industry.
Generator Stator Cooling Water, Hydrogen-Cooled Generators
Large hydrogen-cooled generators in power plants rely on a closed-loop deionised water system to cool the stator windings. The stator cooling water (SCW) must be ultra-pure to prevent dielectric breakdown, typical specifications limit conductivity to <0.5 µS/cm and exclude virtually all dissolved solids.
The PHE sits between the SCW loop and the auxiliary cooling water system. Plate materials are AISI 316L; the wetted side is passivated to prevent any contamination of the deionised water. Service intervals are dictated by the auxiliary cooling water side fouling rate.
Turbine Lube Oil Cooling
Steam turbines and gas turbines have substantial lube oil systems with bearings, governors, and seal systems all requiring oil-cooling. The PHE rejects lube oil heat to auxiliary cooling water.
NBR gaskets with 316L plates handle most duties; pressure ratings up to 25 bar accommodate the lube oil header pressures.
Closed Cooling Water Systems
Power plants use multi-tier cooling water systems: equipment cooling water (ECW), bearing cooling water (BCW), auxiliary cooling water (ACW). The PHE sits between each closed treated loop and the open cooling tower or natural-draught cooling system.
AP-Series Performance units deliver the high effectiveness needed for cycle efficiency.
Boiler Feed Water Heating
Recovery of low-grade heat from auxiliary streams to pre-heat boiler feed water improves cycle efficiency. PHEs handle low-grade heat recovery at compact size.
Welded plate technology (AFW) is preferred where gasket exposure to BFW chemistry must be avoided.
CCGT HRSG Auxiliaries
Combined cycle gas turbine plants include heat recovery steam generators (HRSG) with multiple steam levels. Auxiliary cooling for HRSG drums, deaerator chemistry, and condensate polishing all use plate heat exchangers.
Modular packaging suits CCGT skid-mounted balance of plant.
Concentrating Solar Power (CSP)
CSP plants use molten salt or synthetic heat-transfer fluid as the primary heat carrier. Heat is transferred via PHEs to feed water and ultimately to the steam generation system. Plate and welded designs are selected to suit the heat-transfer fluid and the operating temperature of each CSP project.
Materials compatible with high-temperature HTFs; gasket-free welded construction for thermal stability.
Battery Energy Storage Cooling
Grid-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) require thermal management to maintain cell temperature within tight bounds. PHEs handle the interface between cell-cooling liquid and facility water or air-cooled chillers.
Compact A-Series fits BESS container envelopes and integrates with battery management systems.
Why PHEs Are Standard in Power Generation
Cycle Efficiency
Verified thermal performance enables accurate cycle modelling and heat-balance calculations
Compact Footprint
40-60% smaller than equivalent shell-and-tube for retrofit installations
Outage Window Service
Full plate-pack inspection during planned outages
Code Stamped
ASME Section VIII Division 1 (U-Stamp), PED Module H, AD 2000
Renewable Ready
CSP, geothermal, biomass, and BESS thermal management capable
Recommended Products for Power Generation
A-Series (Gasketed)
Auxiliary cooling, lube oil, BESS thermal management
AP-Series (Performance)
High-effectiveness duties, closed cooling water, stator cooling
AFW Full Welded
BFW heating, CSP heat transfer, high-temperature duties
Case Studies
Real projects, real results. See how ARES PHE plate heat exchangers perform in Power Generation installations worldwide.
Power Generation Case Study
Project overview, engineering approach, and measured results from a real installation.
Read Case Study →Engineer Your Power Plant PHE With Us
From conventional thermal plants to emerging renewable technologies, our application engineers help you specify the right PHE for every duty in your generation cycle.