Leading positions in three global key technologies
Alfa Laval’s operations are based on three key technologies – heat transfer, separation and fluid handling, all of which are of decisive significance for many industrial processes. Heat transfer products accounted for 58 (57) percent of new sales in 2008, separation products for 23 (22) percent, and fluid handling products for 9 (10) percent.
Alfa Laval is the global leader in all three technology areas.
KEY TECHNOLOGIES
SELECTED MARKET SEGMENTS
COMPETITORS
DESCRIPTION
Heat transfer  
Plate heat exchangers
  • GEA (Germany)
  • Hisaka (Japan)
  • SPX/APV (U.S.)
  • SWEP (U.S.)
Various technologies for heat transfer are used in most industrial processes for heating, cooling, freezing, ventilation, evaporation and condensation of fluids. As a result of the numerous applications, there are many customers in the chemical, food processing, oil and gas production, power generation and marine industries and for temperature control and ventilation of buildings.

Decisive significance
A heat exchanger transfers heating or cooling, usually from one fluid to another, but this can also occur with the help of air. The products are of decisive significance in ensuring the efficiency of the entire manufacturing process. In many cases, they offer far more efficient energy utilization, with lower costs and minimum environmental impact. The main products in Alfa Laval’s product range are compact plate heat exchangers.  

Plate heat exchangers
Plate heat exchangers are made up of a series of corrugated plates assembled close to each other. Between the plates there are two channels with a cold and a warm medium. These pass on each side of the plates and in opposite directions to each other. Heating or cooling is transferred via the plates. Gasketed plate heat exchangers are sealed with rubber gaskets. Brazed plate heat exchangers have been developed to cope with higher pressures and temperatures. Welded plate heat exchangers have been developed to handle even higher pressures and temperatures.
Separation
High-speed separators
  • GEA (Germany)
  • Mitsubishi Kakoki Kaisha (Japan)
  • Pieralisi (Italy)
  Decanters
  • GEA (Germany)
  • Pieralisi (Italy)
  • Guinard/Andritz (France, Austria)
  • Flottweg (Germany)
Ever since Alfa Laval was established in 1883, separation technology has been a core operation. The technology is currently used to separate liquids from other liquids and solid particles from liquids. More recently, the technology has been used to separate particles from gases.

Wide-ranging application area
Separators play a vital role in a range of industrial processes. Examples include:
  • processing of food and beverages and in pharmaceutical, biotech,chemical and petrochemical processes
  • extraction and production of crude oil – for the treatment and recoveryof drilling fluids
  • treatment of lubricating oils and crude oil
  • management and treatment of fuel and lubricating oils for vessels andelectric power plants
  • dewatering of sludge in wastewater plants
High-speed separators and decanter centrifuges
Alfa Laval’s products in centrifugal separation are dominated by high-speed separators and decanter centrifuges. Separators with high rotation speeds are used primarily for separating liquids from each other. Decanter centrifuges are normally based on horizontal separation technology and work at slower speeds. They are used, for example, in dewatering sludge in wastewater treatment plants. A third separation product is membrane filtration, which is the established solution for separating very small particles.
Fluid handling  
Sanitary fluid handling
  • GEA (Germany)
  • SPX/APV/ Waukesha Cherry Burrell (U.S.)
  • ITT Industries (U.S.)
Transporting and regulating fluids in an efficient and safe manner are crucial processes in industry. In recent years, Alfa Laval has focused on sanitary fluid handling, in which hygiene requirements are stringent.

Providing exact flows
The company’s pumps, valves and installation material are used in fluid handling in such applications as the production of beverages, dairy products, food, pharmaceutical products as well as health and personal care products. Among other applications, the products are used to attain exact pumping of all type of fluids in sanitary applications. Customers often integrate many of Alfa Laval’s products for fluid handling into their systems, and thus, continually require product deliveries.  

Products for sanitary applications
The main types of pumps used in sanitary environments are centrifugal, rotary lobe and liquid ring pumps. Other products in fluid handling are valves, tank-cleaning products and various types of installation materials.