Method for producing a series of at least a first and a second heat exchangers

Abstract

In a method for producing a series of at least a first and a second plate and fin heat exchanger, each having at least one fluid distribution tank capping at least some of the openings of the matrix unit and which is connected to a pipe, the tank is partitioned into several compartments using at least one partition, so as to distribute the number of openings assigned to a first fluid and to a second fluid, the partition being designed to divide the tank into several compartments which are each connected to a pipe for the passage of the first fluid or of the second fluid and which each communicate with a number of openings that varies according to the configuration adopted by the at least one partition, for the exchanger of the series.

Claims

1. A method for producing a series of at least a first and a second heat exchanger, each exchanger comprising: at least one heat exchange matrix unit which comprises a successive stack of separator sheets and corrugated fins delimiting a plurality of passages suited to allowing at least a first fluid, a second fluid and a third fluid to flow through the matrix unit, so that the third fluid can heat or be heated by the first and second fluids, each sheet having a length and a width, the stack having a direction of stacking perpendicular to the length and to the width of the sheets; each matrix unit comprising a predetermined number of openings, which are each formed in a peripheral face of the matrix unit, and wherein each opening communicates with one of the passages; at least one elongated fluid distribution tank which caps at least some of the openings and which is connected to a pipe, an axis of the tank being parallel to the direction of stacking and perpendicular to the width and to the length of the sheets; the matrix unit or units of the first exchanger being substantially identical to that/those of the second exchanger; wherein the method comprises the steps of adapting the exchangers of the series by partitioning each tank into several compartments using a partitioning means so as to assign a number of the openings to each of the first fluid and the second fluid, the partitioning means being configured to divide each tank into several compartments which are each connected to a pipe for the passage of the first fluid or to a pipe for the passage of the second fluid and which each communicate with a number of the openings that varies according to a configuration adopted by the partitioning means, so as to distribute the number of openings assigned to the first fluid and to the second fluid.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein for each exchanger the partitioning means comprises at least a first partition, in a main distribution tank, wherein a position of the at least first partition on the matrix unit is chosen between a plurality of positions that makes it possible to choose the number of openings assigned to the first fluid and to the second fluid.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein for each exchanger the openings are aligned and spaced uniformly on the peripheral face of the matrix unit.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein for each exchanger a main distribution tank covers all of the openings.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein for each exchanger one main distribution tank covers just some of the openings, and at least one other distribution tank covers another proportion, or even the rest, of the openings.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the pipes which are connected to the compartments each have a position in space that remains constant regardless of the configuration of the partitioning means.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the partitioning means is a semicircular plate arranged parallel to the sheets.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the shape of each partitioning means conforms to a contour of each respective tank.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the partitioning means is parallel to the width of the sheets.

10. A series of heat exchangers produced according to the method according to claim 1.

11. An air separation unit comprising at least one series of heat exchangers according to claim 10.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from reading the detailed description which follows, for an understanding of which reference will be made to the attached drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view, with cutaway, illustrating an exchanger comprising a main distribution tank equipped with partitions, the positions of which can vary according to the project, according to one preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention.

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view, with cutaway, illustrating the exchanger of FIG. 1 with its partitions, the positions of which can vary according to the project, arranged in a different configuration.

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view, with cutaway, illustrating an exchanger comprising a main distribution tank containing a secondary distribution tank.

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective view, with cutaway, illustrating an exchanger comprising a main distribution tank made up of three distribution tanks back to back.

(6) The description and the claims will adopt, nonlimitingly, the terms longitudinal, vertical and transverse employed with reference to the trihedral frame of reference L, V, T indicated in the figures. The direction of the stacking of the sheets L is perpendicular to the length in the vertical direction V and the width in the transverse direction T of the separator sheets 15. The separator sheet is depicted in shortened form; in reality, its length in the vertical direction V is far greater than its width in the transverse direction T.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(7) For the various alternative forms of embodiment, the same references may be used for elements that are identical or that perform the same function, for the sake of simplifying the description.

(8) FIG. 1 depicts a heat exchanger 10 of the brazed-sheet type, which is notably intended to equip an air separation unit.

(9) The exchanger 10 comprises a matrix unit 12 comprising a successive stack of separator sheets 15 and of corrugated fins 16 along a longitudinal axis, these being brazed together and delimiting a plurality of passages (not depicted). 14 corresponds to the passages for the third or for the other fluids that exchange with the first and second fluids and which therefore do not open onto an opening in the distribution tank or tanks for the first and second fluid. In instances in which the exchanger is associated with an air separation unit, the first fluid may be residual nitrogen from the low-pressure column of a double column, the second fluid may be pure nitrogen from the low-pressure column, and the third fluid may be air intended for the high-pressure column of the double column.

(10) The passages extend vertically and are designed to allow the flow of fluids and the transfer of heat through the exchanger 10. In the figures, the tank is positioned above the stack of sheets, but as an alternative, the tank may be positioned on the lateral side of the stack of sheets in contact with openings that allow fluids to be transferred towards the passages. The matrix unit 12 here is a standard matrix unit.

(11) What is meant by a standard matrix unit 12 is a matrix unit which has a vertical length, a transverse width, and a longitudinal height of stacking that is predefined and that comprises a predefined number of passages, of types of corrugated fin per passage and of openings.

(12) Thus, standard matrix units of the same type are all identical and can be mass produced ahead of the design phase of an exchanger for an air separation unit for example.

(13) According to the example described here, the matrix unit 12 performs an exchange of heat between the first fluid A, a second fluid B, and at least one third fluid.

(14) In order to do this, the exchanger 10 comprises a predetermined number of openings 20 which are each formed in an inlet face 22 of the exchange body 12 and which each communicate with an associated passage.

(15) In addition, the exchanger 10 comprises an elongate main fluid distribution tank 24 which caps the openings 20 formed on the inlet face 22 of the matrix unit 12. It is positioned with its axis in the direction of stacking L, perpendicular to the length and to the width of the sheets.

(16) The main distribution tank 24 comprises a partitioning means 34 designed to divide the main tank 24 into several compartments 28. In this instance, the means 34 is a semicircular plate arranged parallel to the sheets. Its shape conforms to the contour of the tank 24. The partition is parallel to the width of the sheets and perpendicular to the axis of the main tank.

(17) Each compartment 28 is connected to a pipe 30 for the passage of the first fluid A, or to a pipe 40 for the passage of the second fluid B.

(18) The invention makes it possible to distribute the number of openings 20 assigned to the first fluid A and to the second fluid B variably, after the matrix unit 12 has been manufactured.

(19) Advantageously, the pipes 30 and 40, and/or a manifold which connects several pipes coming from different exchange bodies 10 of the same separation unit, occupy a position in space that is identical regardless of the configuration of the partitioning means 32, 34.

(20) This feature means that it is possible to retain the same interfaces between the exchanger 10 and the rest of the installation, or of the plant, whatever the chosen configuration of the partitioning means 32, 34.

(21) According to one preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention, depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, the partitioning means comprises a first partition 32 and a second partition 34 each of which is mounted, on a case-by-case basis, after the matrix unit has been brazed, at variable positions in the main distribution tank 24, in order to compartmentalize the volume of the main tank 24 into three compartments 28. The partitions 32, 34 are in the shape of a semicircle and conform to the shape of the wall of the tank 24 so as to render the compartments 28 sealed with respect to one another.

(22) The two lateral compartments 28 group together the openings 20 which are assigned to the second fluid B, and the central compartment 28 groups together the openings 20 which are assigned to the first fluid A, for example.

(23) FIG. 1 illustrates a first example of the positioning of the partitions 32, 34, in which example the three compartments 28 are of identical size, each compartment 28 grouping together the same number of openings 20.

(24) As an alternative, FIG. 2 illustrates a second example of the positioning of the partitions 34, in which example the central compartment 28 groups together fewer openings 20 than the other two compartments 28.

(25) Thus, by comparing FIGS. 1 and 2, it may be seen that the method according to the invention makes it possible to manufacture two different heat exchangers from two substantially identical matrix units by varying only the partitioning of the tank 24, so that the fluid A circulates in the first exchanger of the series illustrated in FIG. 1 through more passages than it does in the second exchanger of the series illustrated in FIG. 2. It may also be noted that the first exchanger dedicates fewer passages to fluid B than does the second.

(26) The allocation of the passages may also be done in other ways.

(27) According to a first alternative form of embodiment of the invention, depicted in FIG. 3, the partitioning means 26 comprises a secondary distribution tank 36 which forms a compartment 38 inside the main tank 24. This compartment 38 may be completely or partially covered by the main tank 24.

(28) The secondary tank 36 is equipped with a pipe 30 for the passage of the first fluid A, the pipe 30 passing through the main tank 24.

(29) Likewise, the main tank 24 is equipped with a single pipe 40 for the passage of the second fluid B.

(30) The secondary tank 36 caps a number of openings 20 that is delimited according to its size along the longitudinal axis, which is parallel to the direction of stacking of the sheets.

(31) According to a second alternative form of embodiment of the invention, depicted in FIG. 4, the main distribution tank 24 is made up of three tanks 42 which may or may not be back to back, so as to cap the openings 20 of the matrix unit 12.

(32) According to this alternative form of embodiment, the partitioning means 26 is made up of the combination of tanks 42.

(33) The longitudinal dimension of the tanks 42 is adapted to suit the number of openings 20 and of passages that are to be associated with the first fluid A and with the second fluid B.

(34) According to one preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention, the matrix unit 12 of the exchanger 10 is formed of a succession of identical sequences, each sequence being formed of a successive stack of separator sheets 15 and of corrugated fins 14 and 16 forming a series of passages.

(35) Advantageously, the sequences may be prefabricated and placed/brazed back to back one after the other to form the matrix unit 12.

(36) In addition, according to one exemplary embodiment of the invention, the openings 20 are aligned and distributed on the inlet face 22 of the matrix unit 12.

(37) The invention also relates to a method for producing a heat exchanger 10 of the type described above.

(38) The method notably consists in mounting the main tank 24 on the standard matrix unit 12 and in partitioning the main tank 24 into several compartments 28 using the partitioning means 26 provided for that purpose, according to the specific parameters desired for the exchanger 10, in order to distribute the number of openings 20 assigned to the first fluid A and to the second fluid B.

(39) The present description of the invention is given by way of nonlimiting example.

(40) In order to make the description clearer, only the main fluid distribution tank 24 which caps the openings 20 formed on the inlet face 22 of the matrix unit 12 has been described.

(41) It will be appreciated that the exchanger 10 according to the invention may comprise several other tanks for collecting and/or distributing the other fluid(s);

(42) In the examples, the tank 24 is placed on the upper surface of the heat exchanger. It may equally be placed on the lower surface or on a lateral wall of the exchanger.

(43) While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims. The present invention may suitably comprise, consist or consist essentially of the elements disclosed and may be practiced in the absence of an element not disclosed. Furthermore, if there is language referring to order, such as first and second, it should be understood in an exemplary sense and not in a limiting sense. For example, it can be recognized by those skilled in the art that certain steps can be combined into a single step.

(44) The singular forms a, an and the include plural referents, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

(45) Comprising in a claim is an open transitional term which means the subsequently identified claim elements are a nonexclusive listing (i.e., anything else may be additionally included and remain within the scope of comprising). Comprising as used herein may be replaced by the more limited transitional terms consisting essentially of and consisting of unless otherwise indicated herein.

(46) Providing in a claim is defined to mean furnishing, supplying, making available, or preparing something. The step may be performed by any actor in the absence of express language in the claim to the contrary.

(47) Optional or optionally means that the subsequently described event or circumstances may or may not occur. The description includes instances where the event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not occur.

(48) Ranges may be expressed herein as from about one particular value, and/or to about another particular value. When such a range is expressed, it is to be understood that another embodiment is from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value, along with all combinations within said range.

(49) All references identified herein are each hereby incorporated by reference into this application in their entireties, as well as for the specific information for which each is cited.