HEAT EXCHANGER MODULE, HEAT EXCHANGER SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING THE HEAT EXCHANGER SYSTEM

Abstract

A heat exchanger module (1) has a supply pipe portion (4) and a return pipe portion (6) that are connected fluidically to a heat exchanger chamber (2) of the heat exchanger module (1). The supply pipe portions (4) of a plurality of heat exchanger modules (1) can be interconnected fluidically to form a supply pipe (24), and the return pipe portions (6) of a plurality of heat exchanger modules (1) can be interconnected fluidically to form a return pipe portion (26). A feed pipe (12) is arranged inside the supply pipe portion (4), and a heat exchange fluid can be fed via the feed pipe (12) to the supply pipe portion (4).

Claims

1. A heat exchanger module (1), comprising: a supply pipe portion (4) and a return pipe portion (6) that are connected fluidically to a heat exchanger chamber (2) of the heat exchanger module (1), wherein the respective supply pipe portions (4) of a plurality of heat exchanger modules (1) can be interconnected fluidically to form a supply pipe (24), and the respective return pipe portions (6) of a plurality of heat exchanger modules (1) can be interconnected fluidically to form a return pipe (26), and wherein a feed pipe (12) is arranged inside the supply pipe portion (4), the feed pipe (12) being provided to feed a heat exchange fluid -47to the supply pipe portion (4).

2. The heat exchanger module (1) of claim 1, wherein a cross-sectional area of the supply pipe portion (4) minus a cross-sectional area of the feed pipe (12) is approximately the same size as the cross-sectional area of the feed pipe (12).

3. The heat exchanger module (1) of claim 1, wherein the feed pipe (12) is formed in one piece.

4. The heat exchanger module (1) of claim 1, wherein the feed pipe (12) is arranged concentrically in the supply pipe portion (4).

5. The heat exchanger module (1) of claim 1, wherein the feed pipe (12) is formed of plastics material.

6. A heat exchanger system (22) having a modular construction, comprising: a plurality of heat exchanger modules (1) arranged one behind the other, wherein each heat exchanger module (1) comprises a supply pipe portion (4) and a return pipe portion (6) that are connected fluidically to a heat exchanger chamber (2) of the heat exchanger module (1), wherein the respective supply pipe portions (4) of the individual heat exchanger modules (1) are interconnected fluidically to form a supply pipe (24), and the respective return pipe portions (6) of the individual heat exchanger modules (1) are interconnected fluidically to form a return pipe (26), and wherein a feed pipe (12) is arranged inside the supply pipe (24), the feed pipe (12) being provided to feed a heat exchange fluid to the supply pipe (24).

7. The heat exchanger system (22) of claim 6, wherein a fluid flow of the heat exchange fluid in the feed pipe (12) is directed counter to a fluid flow of the heat exchange fluid in the supply pipe (24).

8. The heat exchanger system (22) of claim 6, wherein the supply pipe (24) is fed with the heat exchange fluid at a downstream end of the feed pipe (12).

9. The heat exchanger system (22) of claims 6, wherein a sum of the lengths of the feed pipe (12), the supply pipe (24) and the return pipe (26) in each heat exchanger module (1) is approximately the same.

10. The heat exchanger system (22) of claim 6, wherein a cross-sectional area of the supply pipe (24) minus a cross-sectional area of the feed pipe (12) is approximately the same size as the cross-sectional area of the feed pipe (12).

11. The heat exchanger system (22) of claim 6, wherein the feed pipe (12) is formed in one piece.

12. The exchanger system (22) claim 6, wherein the feed pipe (12) is arranged concentrically in the supply pipe (24).

13. The heat exchanger system (22) claim 6, wherein the feed pipe (12) is formed of plastics material.

14. A method for producing a heat exchanger system (22) having a modular construction, comprising the steps of: arranging a plurality of heat exchanger modules (1) one behind another, providing a supply pipe portion (4) and a return pipe portion (6) at each heat exchanger module (1), and fluidically connecting the supply pipe portion (4) and the return pipe portion (6) to a heat exchanger chamber (2) of the heat exchanger module (1), fluidically interconnecting the respective supply pipe portions (4) of the individual heat exchanger modules (1) to form a supply pipe (24), and fluidically interconnecting the respective return pipe portions (6) of the individual heat exchanger modules (1) to form a return pipe (26), and arranging a feed pipe (12) inside the supply pipe (24) in order to feed a heat exchange fluid to the supply pipe (24).

15. The heat exchanger module (1) of claim 1, wherein an outside periphery of the feed pipe (12) touches an inside periphery of the supply pipe portion (4), at least in portions.

16. The exchanger system (22) of claim 6, wherein an outside periphery of the feed pipe (12) touches an inside periphery of the supply pipe (24), at least in portions.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional view of a heat exchanger module according to the invention, according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0043] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the known Tichelmann system.

[0044] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a heat exchanger system according to the invention comprising heat exchanger modules, according to FIG. 1, connected in parallel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional view of a heat exchanger module 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The heat exchanger module 1 comprises a heat exchanger element having a heat exchanger chamber 2 at which a supply pipe portion 4 and a return pipe portion 6 are fluidically connected to the heat exchanger chamber 2 at a respective connection port 8. According to an exemplary embodiment that is not shown, the heat exchanger module 1 can comprise a plurality of heat exchanger elements that are fluidically interconnected. For reasons of stability, the supply pipe portion 4 and the return pipe portion 6 can additionally be mechanically connected to the heat exchanger chamber 2 at a bracing point 10.

[0046] A feed pipe 12 is arranged in the supply pipe portion 4, and a heat exchange fluid can be introduced into the feed point 12 in an introduction direction ER. In FIG. 1, the feed pipe 12 is shown protruding from the supply pipe portion 4 counter to the introduction direction ER, as is the case for example when introducing the feed pipe 12 into the supply pipe portion 4. At the downstream end thereof, viewed in the introduction direction ER, the supply pipe portion 4 is formed to be open, just like the feed pipe 12, in particular for connection of a further heat exchanger module 1.

[0047] If the heat exchanger module 1 is intended to be operated alone, i.e. is not intended to be connected to a second heat exchanger module 1 arranged therebehind for example, the supply pipe portion 4 can be formed to be closed at the downstream end, viewed in the introduction direction ER. In contrast, in this case too, the feed pipe 12 remains open at the downstream end thereof, viewed in the introduction direction ER. Advantageously, the downstream end of the feed pipe 12, viewed in the introduction direction ER, is spaced apart from the downstream end of the supply pipe portion 4, viewed in the introduction direction ER, counter to the introduction direction ER. This configuration allows a more effective entry of the heat exchange fluid from the feed pipe 12 into the supply pipe portion 4.

[0048] In the supply pipe portion 4, the heat exchange fluid flows in a flow direction ZR, which is directed counter to the introduction direction ER, and enters the heat exchanger chamber 2 via the connection port 8. The heat exchanger chamber 2, which is for example heated by wastewater flowing therearound, heats the heat exchange fluid that enters the return pipe portion 6 via the other connection port 8. From there, the heated heat exchange fluid can be conveyed for example into a radiator (not shown) or the like, after which it is delivered back into the feed pipe 12 for example by a pump (not shown), in order to close the circuit.

[0049] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a known Tichelmann system, taking the example of solar collectors 18 which are connected in parallel.

[0050] In the case of the Tichelmann system (Tichelmann pipe routing) in a heating system the pipes are typically guided from the heat generator (e.g. heating boiler, solar installation comprising solar collectors 18) to the heat consumer (e.g. radiator, hot water tank), and back, in an annular installation, such that the sum of the lengths of the flow portion 14 and return portion 16 in each solar collector 18 is approximately the same. Solar collectors 18 having a short flow portion 14 have a long return portion 16, and vice versa. In this case, the intention is for all the solar collectors 18 to be subjected to approximately identical pressure losses, and thus for equal volume flows=equal heat flows to be established therein, even if no control valves are used. This brings about uniform heating of a heat exchange fluid, even in the case of solar collectors 18 located further away. A connection according to “Tichelmann” also means that the zeta values (pressure loss coefficients) of the shaped pieces of the pipeline for connection of a plurality of identical components (generally hot water tanks or solar collectors 18) are identical in sum per individual component, in order that a uniform through-flow is ensured (Source: Wikipedia https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tichelmann-System).

[0051] The colder flow portion 14 is indicated by solid lines, and the hotter return portion 16 is indicated by lines consisting of a dash and two dots. A heat exchange fluid pump and a heat consumer (e.g. radiator, hot water tank) for using the heat in the return portion 16 are omitted. Cold heat exchange fluid is introduced into the flow portion 14 in the introduction direction ER. Viewed in the introduction direction ER, the flow portion 14 comprises what is known as a Tichelmann pipe 20, upstream of the supply pipe 24 comprising the connection ports 8 for connection to the solar collectors 18. The Tichelmann pipe 20 is designed as an extension of the supply pipe 24 and is formed in parallel therewith. As a result of this arrangement, the heat exchange fluid flows in a flow direction ZR in the supply pipe 24, which direction is counter to the introduction direction ER, although a fluid flow in the flow portion 14 is not reversed, i.e. always flows in the same direction. From the supply pipe 24, the heat exchange fluid reaches the relevant heat exchanger module 1 and the heat exchanger chamber 2 thereof, via the relevant connection port 8. The heated heat exchange fluid is returned to the circuit via the return pipe 26.

[0052] The Tichelmann pipe 20 ensures that the path of the heat exchange fluid in the flow portion 14 is lengthened, and thus the sum of the lengths of the flow portion 14 and return portion 16 in each solar collector 18 is approximately the same.

[0053] In the case of the heat exchanger system 22 shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of heat exchanger modules 1 according to FIG. 1 are connected, in a parallel connection, to what is known as the “Tichelmann pipe” 20, as a result of which an infeed pressure of the heat exchange fluid into the heat exchanger modules 1 can be kept at approximately the same magnitude in each case, without providing control valves, as already mentioned above. As is also already mentioned, this ensures a uniform through-flow and thus a uniform heat transfer from the wastewater to the heat exchange fluid in the individual heat exchanger modules 1.

[0054] The feed pipe 12, shown dashed, is designed as a Tichelmann pipe 20 and is arranged inside the supply pipe 24. The heat exchange fluid must pass through the entire feed pipe 12 before it exits the feed pipe 12 at a downstream end of the feed pipe 12, viewed in the introduction direction ER of the heat exchange fluid, and thus feeds the supply pipe 24.

[0055] In the supply pipe 24, the heat exchange fluid flows in the flow direction ZR and enters the relevant heat exchanger module 1 of the heat exchanger system 22 via the relevant connection port 8, and subsequently back again, via the return pipe 26, for example to a heat exchange fluid pump (not shown), to the outlet of which the supply pipe 24 is connected.

[0056] In this case, the flow direction ZR of the heat exchange fluid in the supply pipe 24 is directed counter to the introduction direction ER of the heat exchange fluid in the feed pipe 12, i.e. inside the flow portion 14 the flow direction of the heat exchange fluid is reversed.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

[0057] 1 heat exchanger module [0058] 2 heat exchanger chamber [0059] 4 supply pipe portion [0060] 6 return pipe portion [0061] 8 connection port [0062] 10 bracing point [0063] 12 feed pipe [0064] 14 flow portion [0065] 16 return portion [0066] 18 solar collector [0067] 20 Tichelmann pipe [0068] 22 heat exchanger system [0069] 24 supply pipe [0070] 26 return pipe

[0071] ER introduction direction

[0072] ZR flow direction