PLATE-AND-SHELL HEAT EXCHANGER AND A HEAT TRANSFER PLATE FOR A PLATE-AND-SHELL HEAT EXCHANGER

Abstract

The present invention relates to a plate-and-shell heat exchanger and a heat transfer plate for a plate-and-shell heat exchanger. The heat exchanger comprises a shell and a plurality of heat transfer plates within the shell. The plates form fluidly connected first cavities for providing a first fluid flow path for a first fluid flow. The shell forms a second cavity in which the plates are arranged, and a second fluid flow path is provided for a second fluid flow, separated from the first fluid flow path by the plates. The heat exchanger comprises heat transfer plates which are formed for improving the distribution of the second fluid flow within the heat exchanger.

Claims

1. A plate-and-shell heat exchanger comprising a shell and a plurality of heat transfer plates within the shell, said plates forming fluidly connected first cavities for providing a first fluid flow path for a first fluid flow and the shell forming a second cavity in which the plates are arranged and providing a second fluid flow path for a second fluid flow separated from the first fluid flow path by the plates, wherein the first fluid flow path leads through inlet and outlet plate openings between adjacent plates and the second fluid flow path leads through second inlet and outlet openings of the shell, wherein at least some of the plates comprise at least one recess in proximity of one plate opening and the second inlet or outlet opening, and is symmetric along a cross sectional line of the heat exchanger extending orthogonal to a cross sectional line reaching from inlet to outlet plate openings.

2. The plate-and-shell heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein at least some of the plates comprise two recesses close to one plate opening and the second inlet or outlet opening.

3. The plate-and-shell heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein at least some of the plates comprise four recesses, two of which are close to the inlet plate opening and two of which are close to the outlet plate opening.

4. The plate-and-shell heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein two recesses, one plate opening and the second inlet opening or the second outlet opening are positioned in one distribution section of the heat exchanger, said distribution section corresponding to a section of the heat exchanger which spans an angle smaller than 120°, in particular smaller than 90° and preferably smaller than 85° in a cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger.

5. The plate-and-shell heat exchanger according to claim 4, comprising two distribution sections offset from each other by 180° and preferably separated from each other by guiding sections, said guiding sections preferably comprising curved outer portions, which align with an inner wall of the shell.

6. The plate-and-shell heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the recess comprises at least one straight portion and/or at least one concave curved portion and/or at least one convex curved portion.

7. The plate-and-shell heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein two recesses are provided and designed to form a distribution chamber of a u-shaped cross section.

8. The plate-and-shell heat exchanger according to claim 7, wherein the height of the distribution chamber is smaller than twice the height of the plate openings, in particular less than one and a half times the height of the plate openings and preferably about the same as the height of the plate openings.

9. The plate-and-shell heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the plate is symmetrical about two axes in a cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger.

10. The plate-and-shell heat exchanger according to claim 9, wherein the plate is symmetrical about the two axes being respectively the cross sectional line of the heat exchanger extending orthogonal to a cross sectional line reaching from inlet to outlet openings, and about said line reaching from inlet to outlet openings.

11. The plate-and-shell heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein recessed plates are interconnected in pairs at their outer rim.

12. The plate-and-shell heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the plates are positioned symmetrically within the shell such that the two distribution chambers formed by the recesses are of equal size and shape.

13. A heat transfer plate for a plate-and-shell heat exchanger according to claim 1.

14. The plate-and-shell heat exchanger according to claim 2, wherein at least some of the plates comprise four recesses, two of which are close to the inlet plate opening and two of which are close to the outlet plate opening.

15. The plate-and-shell heat exchanger according to claim 2, wherein two recesses, one plate opening and the second inlet opening or the second outlet opening are positioned in one distribution section of the heat exchanger, said distribution section corresponding to a section of the heat exchanger which spans an angle smaller than 120°, in particular smaller than 90° and preferably smaller than 85° in a cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger.

16. The plate-and-shell heat exchanger according to claim 3, wherein two recesses, one plate opening and the second inlet opening or the second outlet opening are positioned in one distribution section of the heat exchanger, said distribution section corresponding to a section of the heat exchanger which spans an angle smaller than 120°, in particular smaller than 90° and preferably smaller than 85° in a cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger.

17. The plate-and-shell heat exchanger according to claim 2, wherein the recess comprises at least one straight portion and/or at least one concave curved portion and/or at least one convex curved portion.

18. The plate-and-shell heat exchanger according to claim 3, wherein the recess comprises at least one straight portion and/or at least one concave curved portion and/or at least one convex curved portion.

19. The plate-and-shell heat exchanger according to claim 4, wherein the recess comprises at least one straight portion and/or at least one concave curved portion and/or at least one convex curved portion.

20. The plate-and-shell heat exchanger according to claim 5, wherein the recess comprises at least one straight portion and/or at least one concave curved portion and/or at least one convex curved portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Further details and advantages of the invention are described with reference to the following figures:

[0022] FIG. 1a: an exploded view of a plate-and-shell heat exchanger;

[0023] FIG. 1b: a sectional schematic view of a plate-and-shell heat exchanger;

[0024] FIG. 2a: a detailed view of a heat transfer plate of a plate-and-shell heat exchanger;

[0025] FIG. 2b: a detailed sectional view of a plurality of connected heat transfer plates;

[0026] FIG. 3: a schematic view of a first and second fluid flow path through the heat exchanger;

[0027] FIG. 4: a sectional view of a heat exchanger with a recessed heat transfer plate; and

[0028] FIG. 5: a sectional view of another embodiment of a heat exchanger with a recessed heat transfer plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] FIG. 1a shows an exploded view of a plate-and-shell heat exchanger 100. The heat exchanger 100 comprises a shell 20 and a plurality of sealed pairs of heat transfer plates 10 within the shell 20.

[0030] The shell 20 may be of a hollow cylindrical shape and the plates 10 may be of a corresponding shape and size such that they can be fit into the shell 20. Other shapes of the shell 20 and plates 10 are also possible, however shapes are preferred, which at least partially allow for close positioning of the plates 10 to the shell 20.

[0031] The plates 10 form fluidly connected first cavities 11 for providing a first fluid flow path 12 for a first fluid flow indicated by the corresponding arrows. The first fluid flow enters and leaves the heat exchanger 100 through first inlet and outlet openings 23, 23′. The first cavities 11 are surrounded by two adjacent plates 10, which are connected to each other, as is shown more clearly in FIG. 1b and as will be described below in more detail. FIG. 1b shows the heat exchanger 100 in a sectional view and in an assembled state.

[0032] The plates 10 are welded or brazed at their rims in pairs, two and two, forming first cavities 11 for a sealed first fluid flow path 12 from a first inlet opening 23 to a first outlet opening 23′. A plurality of such stacks are stacked and welded or brazed around the first inlet and outlet openings 23, 23′. The connected first inlet and outlet openings 23, 23′ form hollow volumes such as e.g. hollow cylinders reaching through the stack to distribute and circulate a first fluid along the sealed first fluid flow path 12. The second fluid flow path 22 formed outside of the sealed pairs of plates 10 and inside of the shell 20 is connected to second inlet and outlet openings 24, 24′. A second fluid flow enters and leaves the heat exchanger 100 through second inlet and outlet openings 24, 24′.

[0033] The shell 20 forms a second cavity 21 in which the plates 10 are arranged and in which a second fluid flow path 22 for a second fluid flow is provided. The second fluid flow enters and leaves the heat exchanger 100 through second inlet and outlet openings 24, 24′. The second fluid flow path 22 is separated from the first fluid flow path 12 by the plates 10. The heat exchange occurs between the two fluids flowing separated from each other by the plates 10.

[0034] FIG. 2a shows a detailed view of a heat transfer plate 10 as known in the art. The plate 10 may comprise a circular sheet metal and may comprise bent or otherwise non-planar portions. The plate 10 may separate the first fluid flow path 12 on one side of the plate 10 from the second fluid flow path 22 on the other side of the plate 10. The plate 10 may comprise patterned heat transfer sections on one or on both sides of its generally planar and/or circular sides. The patterned heat transfer sections may be patterned for increasing the contact surface between the plate 10 and the fluids flowing past the plate 10, thereby increasing the heat transfer through the plates 10 and between the fluids. The patterned heat transfer sections may include a mesh and/or stamped and/or die-cut and/or deep-drawn portions.

[0035] The plates 10 may comprise plate openings 13, 13′ for connecting fluidly adjacent plates 10 to each other and to the first inlet and outlet opening 23, 23′ shown in FIG. 1a. Two adjacent plates 10 may be connected and sealed together by a welding or brazing along the edge of the plate openings 13, 13′ and/or along the outer perimeter of the two plates 10.

[0036] In contrast to the plate 10 shown in FIG. 2a the plates 10 according to the invention have an at least partially non-circular outer perimeter, as will be shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0037] FIG. 2b shows a detailed sectional view of a plurality of connected heat transfer plates 10. Two adjacent plates 10 may be connected to each other at their outer circumferences, in particular at annular connection portions 14 of their outer edges. Thus, sealed pairs of connected plates 10 are provided for allowing the first fluid to flow through the first fluid flow path 12 bounded by the connected pairs of plates 10.

[0038] The second fluid flow path 22 is guided between two adjacent pairs of connected plates 10 and separated from the first fluid flow path 12 by the plates 10 it passes. The second fluid flow path 22 comprises flat, narrow channels between closely positioned plates 10. For efficient heat exchange, the second fluid flow rate in the vertical direction and between the pairs of connected plates 10 as shown in FIG. 2b is essential. This flow component corresponds in approximation to a radial or tangential component of the second fluid flow with respect to the shell 20.

[0039] As can be seen in FIG. 2b, in the area of the annular portions 14 of the plates 10, the second fluid needs to flow in a horizontal direction of FIG. 2b to be distributed between the various pairs of connected plates 10.

[0040] This horizontal or axial component of the second fluid flow may be limited by the space available between the plates 10 and the inner wall of the shell 20. Accordingly, the heat transfer rate between the two fluids may be adversely affected by a lack of space between the plates 10 and the inner wall of the shell 20.

[0041] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a first and second fluid flow paths 12, 22 through the heat exchanger 100. Cross sections of the heat exchanger 100 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shell 20 are shown next to each other in FIG. 3. The left image shows a cross-section of the heat exchanger 100 at a longitudinal position which corresponds to the position of a pair of connected heat transfer plates 10. The left image therefore shows the inside of a pair of connected heat transfer plates 10, that is the inside of a first cavity 11. The first fluid flow path 12 is indicated by the arrows. Inside the cavity 11, the first fluid flow path 12 leads from the inlet plate opening 13 to the outlet plate opening 13′. In between the two openings 13, 13′, the first fluid fills the entire first cavity 11 such that heat transfer can occur over the entire or almost entire surface of the pair of connected plates 10. The heat transfer between the first fluid in the first cavity 11 and the second fluid outside the first cavity 11 is hence facilitated. Inside the sealed pair of plates 10, the edges of the two connected plates 10 are welded or brazed or otherwise connected.

[0042] The right image shows a cross-section of the heat exchanger 100 at a longitudinal position which corresponds to the position of a gap between two pairs of connected heat transfer plates 10. The right image therefore shows the inside of the second cavity 21, which is separated from the first cavity 11 by the walls of the heat transfer plates 10. The second cavity 21 contains parts of the second fluid flow path 22, as indicated by the corresponding arrows. The cross section of the right image is therefore off-set with respect to the cross-section of the left image in an axial or longitudinal direction of the shell 20. The two openings 13, 13′ shown in the right image connect two neighbouring pairs of connected plates 10 and are part of the first fluid flow path 12 passing there through.

[0043] Inside the second cavity 21 the second fluid flow paths 22 leads from the second inlet opening 24 to the second outlet opening 24′. As can be seen in the upper portion of the right image, the second fluid flow path 22 needs to spread out upon entering the inside of the shell 20, in order for it to be distributed more evenly between adjacent heat transfer plates 10. Before leaving the shell 20, the second fluid flow path 22 needs to converge such that it can stream out of the shell 20 through the second outlet opening 24′. Depending on the precise geometry of the heat exchanger 100, the spreading out and convergence of the second fluid flow paths 22 may influence the efficiency of the heat exchanger 100. The present invention may facilitate both, the spreading out and the convergence of the second fluid flow path 22 within the second cavity 21.

[0044] The second fluid flow path 22 fills the second cavity 21. The second cavity 21 is bounded by the inside of the shell 20, the outsides of the pairs of connected plates 10, one of which is shown in the right image, and possibly further structures contained within the shell 20. The second flow path 22 enters the shell 20 through the second inlet and outlet openings 24, 24′, which may be positioned on opposite sides of the shell surface.

[0045] FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of the present invention's solution for spreading out and converging the second fluid flow path 22 more effectively. The plate 10′ of the heat exchanger 100 comprises four recesses 9. Two of the recesses 9 are close to the inlet plate opening 13 and the other two recesses 9 are close to the outlet plate opening 13′. The heat exchanger 100 is designed such that the recesses 9 close to the inlet plate opening 13 are also close to the second inlet opening 24 and the recesses 9 close to the outlet plate opening 13′ are also close to the second outlet opening 24′. The second inlet opening 24 defines an upper side of the heat exchanger 100 and the second outlet opening 24′ defines a lower side of the heat exchanger 100. A different embodiment not shown in the figures might comprise only one single recess 9 close to the upper side of the heat exchanger 100 and only one single recess 9 close to the lower side of the heat exchanger 100.

[0046] The two recesses 9 on the upper side of the heat exchanger 100, the inlet plate opening 13 and the second inlet opening 24 are positioned in a first distribution section 101 of the plate 10. The first distribution section 101 corresponds to a section of the heat exchanger which spans an angle smaller than about 90° of the cross-sectional view or plane of the heat exchanger 100 with respect to its central axis. The first distribution section 101 and a second distribution section 101′ are indicated by dashed lines on the heat transfer plate 10′.

[0047] The two distribution sections 101, 101′ correspond broadly to the portions of the second fluid flow path 22 shown in FIG. 3, which diverge upon entering the shell 20 and converge prior to leaving the shell 20. The two distribution sections 101, 101′ are offset from each other by about 180° with respect to a centreline of the heat exchanger 100. The centreline or central axis of the heat exchanger 100 is positioned at or close to the intersection of the dashed lines and is perpendicular to the drawing plane. The centreline corresponds to the axial direction of the heat exchanger 100.

[0048] The two distribution sections 101, 101′ are separated from each other by two guiding sections 102. Unlike the distribution sections 101, 101′, the guiding sections 102 comprise a radially outward outer portion 103 shaped as a circular line. The outer portions 103 of the guiding sections 102 are formed to fit close to the neighbouring inside of the shell 20.

[0049] In the following, the recess 9 located on the top left side will be described more closely. It is understood that some or all the recesses 9 of the heat exchanger may feature the mentioned characteristics. The recess 9 may comprise a concave curved portion 92. The concave curved portion 92 allows for an improved distribution of the second flow in between the pairs of connected heat transfer plates 10′ while at the same time maintaining a large surface area of the plates 10′. Additionally, a convex curved portion 93 may be provided at a position above or below either of the inlet or outlet plate openings 13, 13′. Two neighbouring concave curved portions 92 may be connected to each other by one or more convex curved portions 93.

[0050] The recesses 9 and the inner side of the shell 20 define a distribution chamber 104. The distribution chamber 104 can be u-shaped, the flanks of the u-shape being defined by the recess 9 and the inside of the shell 20. The portion connecting the flanks of the u-shape may be defined by the inside of the shell 20 and a portion of the plate 10 connecting the two recesses 9. The distribution chamber 104 functions as a connection volume between the second inlet and outlet openings 24, 24′ on the one side and, on the other side, the part of the second cavity 21 which is situated between the heat transfer plates 10′. In flowing through the distribution chamber 104 the second fluid is diverged and converged more smoothly when it enters and leaves the second cavity 21. The height of the distribution chamber 104, i.e. its extent in the vertical direction in FIG. 4, is smaller than twice the height of the plate openings 13, 13′.

[0051] FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the invention, in which like features are indicated by like numerals. The major difference between the embodiment of FIG. 5 and the embodiment of FIG. 4 is that the recess 9 comprises one straight portion 91 and no concave curved portion 92. Two adjacent straight portions 91 may be connected by one or more convex curved portions 93. The convex curved portion 93 of FIG. 5 forms a semicircle or almost a semicircle around the plate openings 13, 13′. The straight portions 91 may be all parallel to each other. In all embodiments, the plates 10′ of the heat exchanger 100 may be symmetrical about two axes in the cross-sectional views shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0052] As illustrated in the recessed embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5, the heat transfer plates 10′ may be symmetric along a cross sectional line (A) of the heat exchanger extending orthogonal to a cross sectional line (B) reaching from inlet to outlet plate openings (13, 13′). The plates (10′) may even be symmetrical about the two axes being respectively the cross sectional line (A) of the heat exchanger extending orthogonal to a cross sectional line reaching from inlet to outlet openings (13, 13′), and about said line (B) reaching from inlet to outlet openings (13, 13′).

[0053] As further illustrated in the recessed embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5, the heat transfer plates 10′ may be positioned symmetrically within the shell 20 such that the two distribution chambers 104 formed by the recesses 9 are of equal size and shape. This gives an especially strong heat exchanger to high pressures. The symmetric positioning enables more event distribution of the flows, and with shells 20 being e.g. circular or oval, the shell wall curvature assists in keeping the stack of heat transfer plates in position despite the flows and pressures.

[0054] The invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments but may be varied in manifold ways. Features of the above-mentioned embodiments may be combined in any logically possible manner. All features and advantages including construction details and spatial configurations, which are disclosed in the claims, in the description and in the figures, may be essential to the invention, both, individually and in combination with each other.