what is a plate heat exchanger and its advantages?

What is a plate heat exchanger and its advantages?
It is a type of exchanger where the flow passages are made of ridged plates. Multiple
plates are positioned vertically and are held together by gaskets. Within the plates, on
either side, there are two fluids which flow in countercurrent direction.
The heat transfer occurs in the following ways: the fluids which flow on either side of the
plate, spreads out over the plate itself and hence covers a larger surface are as compared
to a conventional heat exchanger. Larger surface area results in quicker change and
transfer of heat. In other words, plate heat exchanger changes the temperature faster than
the conventional heat exchanger.
Advantages of plate heat exchanger: It is compact, easy maintained and assembled. The
heat transfer area can be changed to preference as plates can be assembled to best suit
your needs. If a leak should occur, it is easily detectable as the water accumulates on the
floor enabling one to detect the problem as soon as it occurs.