Laser-Welded Heat Transfer Surfaces for Efficient and Reliable Thermal Processes

ZZ Thermal Pillow Plate Panels are fully welded heat transfer surfaces manufactured from two stainless steel sheets joined by a 

controlled laser-welding pattern and formed into a three-dimensional flow channel.

The pillow plate design provides an efficient heat transfer surface with flexible channel geometry, low material consumption and 

high mechanical strength. Depending on the application, Pillow Plate Panels can be used as independent heat transfer surfaces or 

integrated into tanks, jackets, condensers, evaporators, cooling systems and heat recovery equipment.

How Pillow Plate Panels Work

Two metal sheets are joined by a precisely controlled laser-welding pattern. The unwelded areas form the internal flow channels, 

while the welded points define and control the channel geometry.

After welding, the panel is hydraulically formed to create the required channel height and flow path.

The result is a fully welded heat transfer panel with:

﹡No gaskets or adhesives

﹡Continuous welded construction

﹡Flexible channel geometry

﹡High heat transfer efficiency

﹡Good mechanical strength

﹡Easy cleaning of the external surface

﹡Long service life in demanding industrial environments

The channel configuration, welding pattern and panel geometry can be customized according to the required heat-transfer duty, 

fluid properties, pressure, temperature and installation requirements.

Key Advantages

Fully Welded Construction

Laser-welded construction eliminates gaskets and adhesives from the heat transfer surface, reducing potential leakage points and

 supporting long-term reliability.

Flexible Flow Channel Design

The welding pattern and forming process allow the internal flow channels to be designed according to the application, providing 

flexibility in flow distribution and pressure-drop requirements.

Efficient Heat Transfer

The large effective heat transfer surface and direct contact between the process side and the heat transfer panel enable efficient

 thermal transfer in heating, cooling, condensation and evaporation applications.

Low Maintenance

The smooth external surface and absence of external gaskets make Pillow Plate Panels suitable for applications requiring frequent 

cleaning and hygienic operation.

High Mechanical Strength

The welded structure provides a rigid heat transfer surface suitable for demanding industrial applications. Panel thickness, welding

 pattern and forming parameters can be selected according to the required pressure and operating conditions.

Customized Design

Panel dimensions, materials, connections, channel configuration and welding patterns can be customized to suit specific equipment

 geometries and process requirements.

Pillow Plate Panel Configurations

Pillow Plate technology can be adapted to different equipment configurations and process requirements.

Single Pillow Plate Panels

Flat or shaped panels can be used as independent heat transfer surfaces for cooling, heating, condensation or evaporation.

Pillow Plate Jackets

Pillow Plate Panels can be integrated into the walls of tanks and vessels to provide an efficient heating or cooling jacket.

Condenser Panels

Multiple panels can be arranged into modular banks for vapor condensation, refrigeration and heat recovery applications.

Evaporator Panels

Pillow Plate Panels can be designed for liquid evaporation or refrigerant evaporation, depending on the process conditions and 

required heat-transfer duty.

Refrigerated Channels and Hoppers

Custom-shaped panels can be integrated into channels, hoppers and other process equipment for indirect cooling of liquids or bulk 

materials.

Applications

Pillow Plate Panels are suitable for a wide range of industrial thermal processes, including:

﹡Industrial cooling

﹡Heating and temperature control

﹡Condensation

﹡Evaporation

﹡Refrigeration

﹡Heat recovery

﹡Crystallization

﹡Purification

﹡Tank and vessel temperature control

﹡Bulk solids cooling

﹡Difficult-duty heat transfer

Typical industries include:

﹡Food & Beverage

﹡Pharmaceutical

﹡Chemical

﹡Fertilizer

﹡Minerals

﹡Salt

﹡Sugar

﹡Waste Heat Recovery

﹡Refrigeration

﹡Industrial Process Equipment

Materials

Pillow Plate Panels can be manufactured from a range of corrosion-resistant materials according to the process medium and 

operating conditions.

Typical materials include:

﹡Stainless Steel 304

﹡Stainless Steel 316L

﹡Duplex Stainless Steel

﹡Titanium

﹡Other special alloys upon request

Material selection should be based on the process fluid, operating temperature, pressure, corrosion conditions and applicable 

design requirements.

Design & Manufacturing

Every Pillow Plate Panel is designed according to its intended application.

Our engineering process considers:

﹡Heat-transfer duty

﹡Process and utility fluids

﹡Operating and design temperature

﹡Operating and design pressure

﹡Required pressure drop

﹡Flow distribution

﹡Panel dimensions and geometry

﹡Material compatibility

﹡Connection configuration

﹡Cleaning requirements

﹡Installation conditions

The laser-welding pattern, welding-point density, channel geometry and forming parameters can be optimized according to the 

specific application.

For pressure-containing applications, the panel can be pressure tested according to the applicable technical requirements.

From Panel to Complete Heat Transfer System

Pillow Plate Panels can be supplied as individual panels or incorporated into complete heat transfer equipment.

Typical solutions include:

Pillow Plate Panels → Pillow Plate Jackets → Condenser Banks → Evaporators → Industrial Cooling Systems → Heat Recovery

 Equipment

This modular approach allows the heat transfer surface to be adapted to different equipment sizes and process requirements.

Why Choose Pillow Plate Panels?

Pillow Plate technology combines a compact heat transfer surface with flexible flow-channel design and fully welded construction.

It provides an alternative to conventional heat transfer solutions where customers require:

﹡Compact equipment

﹡High heat-transfer efficiency

﹡Low pressure drop

﹡Resistance to fouling or clogging

﹡Easy external cleaning

﹡Customized geometry

﹡Reliable long-term operation

From individual heat transfer panels to complete modular systems, ZZ Thermal develops Pillow Plate solutions according to

 specific process requirements.

Need a Customized Pillow Plate Panel?

Send us your process conditions, drawing or equipment requirements.

Our engineers can evaluate the application and recommend the appropriate:

﹡Material

﹡Panel dimensions

﹡Channel configuration

﹡Welding pattern

﹡Connection design

﹡Pressure and temperature rating

﹡Heat-transfer configuration

Contact us for a technical evaluation and quotation.