GPA Europe Annual Conference 2026

Vahterus will be present at the GPA Europe Annual Conference 2026 in Bergen, Norway this June.

GPA Europe Annual Conference is a conference and networking event organised for the European Gas Processing Industry. The Conference brings together business and technical leaders from a range of gas
processing organisations.

On Friday the 5th of June, Vahterus Technology & Development Director Valtteri Haavisto will be a key-note speaker at the event. See the agenda for his presentation below.

Reducing Equipment Emissions with Welded Plate Kettle Type Solutions

'Not only must we focus on reducing the CO₂ footprint of our processes, but we also need to address
emissions from the equipment itself. Kettle-type reboilers and vaporizers have long been standard in
industries where low operating pressures and design constraints prevent the use of vertical
thermosyphon systems. Traditionally, these units employ a TEMA K-shell with a U-shaped tube
bundle—a proven design, but one that comes with challenges: large footprint, high material usage,
significant service space requirements, and tube vibration risks.

To overcome these limitations and improve sustainability, Plate and Shell type heat exchangers have
been introduced for kettle applications. This design integrates a round, fully welded plate pack into an
eccentric shell, similar to how a tube bundle fits into a K-shell. Over three decades of operational
experience confirm benefits such as reduced footprint, lighter weight, tighter temperature
approaches, and improved reliability. These advantages translate directly into lower material
consumption and reduced CO₂ emissions compared to traditional shell-and-tube designs. Case
studies show up to 50% reduction in shell length without compromising performance—making Plate
and Shell kettles an ideal solution for industries seeking efficiency, space savings, and environmental
responsibility.'