Abstract
The invention relates to a turbulator (1, 10) for a channel (21, 23, 31, 42) of a process apparatus (30, 41, 44), in particular a heat exchanger, reactor or mixer, with a plurality of ribs (3, 14, 15), wherein at least one row (12, 13) of ribs (3, 14, 15), which define a common rib plane, is arranged, preferably uniformly, distributed and is, preferably uniformly, spaced apart from one another via gaps (4, 18, 19) in the longitudinal extension of the turbulator (1, 10). In order that the dead volumes and therefore the average residence times can be reduced by proportions that are not utilised or are utilised less efficiently for the process in order to keep the respective process medium in a defined and preferred operational state as far as possible over the entire residence time, it is provided that on at least one longitudinal end of the turbulator (1, 10) a hook element (6, 20) is provided for positively hooking a tool (7) to remove the turbulator (1, 10) from the channel (21, 23, 31, 42).
Claims
1. A turbulator for a channel of a process apparatus, in particular a heat exchanger, reactor or mixer, with a plurality of ribs, wherein at least one row of ribs, which define a common rib plane, is arranged, preferably uniformly, distributed and is, preferably uniformly, spaced apart from one another via gaps in the longitudinal extension of the turbulator, characterised in that a hook element is provided on at least one longitudinal end of the turbulator for positively hooking a tool to pull the turbulator out of the channel.
2. The turbulator according to claim 1, characterised in that the hook element has at least one hook surface extending perpendicular to longitudinal extension of the turbulator and/or inclined in the direction of the free end of the hook element viewed in the direction of the opposing longitudinal end of the turbulator and/or in that the hook element has an undercut when viewed from the hook element in the direction to the opposing longitudinal end of the turbulator.
3. The turbulator according to claim 1, characterised in that at least two rows of ribs, which define a common rib plane, are arranged, preferably uniformly, distributed and are, preferably uniformly, spaced apart from one another via gaps in the longitudinal extension of the turbulator.
4. The turbulator according to claim 1, characterised in that the single row of ribs and/or all rows of ribs define a common rib plane.
5. The turbulator according to claim 1, characterised in that the hook element and the ribs of the at least one row of ribs define a common rib plane and/or in that all ribs of the turbulator define a common rib plane.
6. The turbulator according to claim 1, characterised in that the ribs and/or gaps of at least one row of ribs are arranged at least substantially parallel to one another.
7. The turbulator according to claim 1, characterised in that the ribs of the at least one row of ribs have a free, preferably outer, end and/or in that the ribs of the at least one row of ribs are fixed with in each case one end on a web extending in the longitudinal direction of the turbulator and in that preferably the ribs of the at least one row of ribs and the web connecting the ribs of the at least one row of ribs define a common rib plane.
8. The turbulator according to claim 7, characterised in that the free ends of the ribs of at least one row of ribs are arranged on one side of the web and the free ends of the ribs of the at least one other row of ribs are arranged on the opposing side of the web and/or in that the web is provided at least substantially in the centre between two rows of ribs.
9. The turbulator according to claim 7, characterised in that at least some ribs, preferably the ribs of at least one row of ribs, are inclined at an angle of between 15 and 70, preferably of between 30 and 60, in particular of between 40 and 50, with respect to the web and/or in that the rows of ribs on opposing sides of the web are inclined in the direction of the same longitudinal end of the turbulator and/or web.
10. The channel of a process apparatus, in particular a heat exchanger, reactor or mixer, with at least one turbulator provided in the interior of the channel, characterised in that the at least one turbulator is a turbulator according to claim 1.
11. The channel according to claim 10, characterised in that the at least one turbulator is received completely in the channel in the longitudinal direction of the channel and/or of the turbulator.
12. The channel according to claim 10, characterised in that the at least one hook element of the at least one turbulator ends at least substantially at an edge of the channel.
13. The channel according to claim 10, characterised in that the channel is designed as a rectangular channel and/or in that a plurality of, in particular two, three or four turbulators are provided and are arranged parallel to one another in the interior of the channel.
14. The channel according to claim 13, characterised in that at least two parallel turbulators are arranged in the opposite longitudinal extension in the channel.
15. The channel according to claim 10, characterised in that the axial projection of the at least one turbulator fills the cross-section of the channel and/or the axial projection of the cross-section of the channel to at least 75%, preferably at least 80%, in particular at least 85%.
16. The process apparatus, in particular a heat exchanger, reactor or mixer, with at least two channels connecting one another and arranged axially one after another and/or parallel next to one another in the longitudinal extension according to claim 10.
17. The process apparatus according to claim 16, characterised in that the at least two channels are arranged on the front face abutting one another in a row, preferably partially offset to one another.
18. The process apparatus characterised in that a plurality of channels according to claim 10, is arranged parallel to one another and in that preferably the plurality of parallel channels is each arranged on the front face with a further channel abutting one another, preferably partially offset to one another, in a row.
19. The process apparatus according to claim 16, characterised in that at least two separate system sections is each provided with a plurality of channels arranged parallel to one another and in that the system sections are connected to one another preferably via a flange connection such that the channels of the at least two system sections are each connected on the front face abutting one another and are arranged in a row, preferably partially offset to one another.
20. The process apparatus according to claim 16, characterised in that the at least two channels partially offset to one another, in the connection region of the two channels, form at least one stop for at least one turbulator in one of the two channels.
Description
[0034] The invention is explained in detail below on the basis of a drawing merely representing an exemplary embodiment. In the drawing is shown:
[0035] FIG. 1 a first exemplary embodiment of a turbulator with a tool for pulling the turbulator out of a channel in a plan view,
[0036] FIG. 2 a first exemplary embodiment of a turbulator in a plan view,
[0037] FIG. 3A-B a channel with a plurality of turbulators according to FIG. 1 in a sectional view in the longitudinal direction and in a sectional view in the transverse direction,
[0038] FIG. 4A-B a channel with a plurality of turbulators according to FIG. 2 in a sectional view in the longitudinal direction and in a sectional view in the transverse direction,
[0039] FIG. 5 channels of a process apparatus connected to one another to extend the total channel length in a schematic plan view,
[0040] FIG. 6 a hook element of the turbulator from FIG. 1 in an enlarged representation,
[0041] FIG. 7 a process apparatus with two system sections comprising in each case a plurality of channels and connected in the longitudinal direction in a schematic side view,
[0042] FIG. 8 a detail of a process apparatus with channels connecting in the longitudinal direction in a schematic side view and
[0043] FIG. 9 a detail of a process apparatus with a plurality of channels parallel to one another and arranged next to one another in a schematic view.
[0044] In FIG. 1 is a turbulator 1 with a web 2 extending in the longitudinal direction and a row of ribs 3 which are connected to one end with the web 2. The ribs 3 define, together with the web 2, a rib plane which intersects the web 2 and the ribs 3. In addition, the web 2 and the ribs 3 are aligned parallel to the rib plane. The ribs 3 are inclined with respect to the web 2 and namely by roughly 45. In addition, the ribs 3 are arranged parallel to one another and in each case spaced apart from one another by gaps 4, which are also aligned parallel to one another. The free ends 5 of the ribs 3 are arranged on the side of the turbulator 1 facing away from the web 2, with the free ends 5 being arranged along a line in the turbulator 1 that is represented and in this respect preferred, said line also running parallel to the web 2. Each hook element 6 is provided on the longitudinal ends of the web 2 opposed to one another which, together with the ribs 3 and the web 2, defines a common rib plane. Each hook element 6 is intersected by the rib plane and is aligned parallel to the rib plane. As represented by way of example, the hook element 6 can be positively engaged behind from the respectively free longitudinal end of the turbulator 1 by a tool 7 with a corresponding hook element in order to pull the turbulator 1 out of a channel, even though the turbulator 1 is completely received in the channel and consequently does not protrude outwards with respect to the channel. The front end 8 of the tool 7 can be formed for this purpose maximally as wide as the turbulator 1. If the turbulator 1 can be inserted into a channel, accordingly, the tool 7 can also be introduced with its front end 8 into the channel in order to engage behind a hook element 6 of the turbulator 1. Alternatively or additionally, the front end 8 of the tool 7 can be designed maximally as wide as the channel receiving the turbulator. As required, a plurality of turbulators 1 arranged next to one another in a channel can be grasped on their hook elements 6 with a tool 7 and be pulled out of the channel together.
[0045] An alternative turbulator 10 is represented in FIG. 2. It also has a web 11 extending in the longitudinal direction of the turbulator 10 which is connected to two rows 12, 13 of ribs 14, 15. The rows 12, 13 of ribs 14, 15 extend from the web 11 in different, in particular opposite directions and end in free ends 16, 17 there. The free ends 16, 17 of each row 12, 13 of ribs 14, 15 lie in the turbulator 10 represented and in this respect preferred on a line which is also aligned parallel to the web 11. The individual ribs 14, 15 of the rows 12, 13 of ribs 14, 15 are in each case aligned parallel to one another. The rows 12, 13 of ribs 14, 15 are also separated from one another by in each case parallel gaps 18, 19 and are inclined with respect to the web 11 in the same direction. Similarly, in each case one hook element 20 is provided on the two longitudinal ends of the turbulator 10 which, together with the ribs 14, 15 and the web 11 of the turbulator 10, defines a common rib plane. The ribs 14, 15, the web 11 and the hook elements 20 are intersected by the common rib plane and are also aligned in each case parallel to the rib plane. Otherwise, in the turbulator 10 represented and in this respect preferred, the web 11 is arranged roughly in the centre to the transverse direction of the turbulator 10. The hook elements 20 can be engaged behind by a tool 7 which does not have to be wider on its front end 8 than the respective hook element 20. Consequently, the front end 8 of the tool 7 can be engaged into a channel in order to engage behind the corresponding hook element 20 in a positive manner.
[0046] A rectangular channel 21 with a roughly rectangular flow cross-section 22 is represented in FIG. 3A-B in which a plurality of turbulators 1, as represented in FIG. 1, are inserted, with the turbulators 1 being arranged in different alignments, as required, alternatingly to one another or in the opposite longitudinal extension in the channel 21. Identical longitudinal ends of adjacent turbulators 1 are accordingly assigned to opposing ends of the channel 21. As a result, the ribs 3 of adjacent turbulators 1 are inclined in opposite directions, the channel 21 can be flowed through and the turbulators 1 impress a turbulence on the flow. In addition, the turbulators 1 are received completely in the channel 21 in the case of the channel 21 represented and in this respect preferred. Furthermore, both longitudinal ends of the turbulator 1 extend at least substantially up to the longitudinal ends of the channel 21. The channel 21 has a cross-section 22 that is at least substantially rectangular in order to be able to receive turbulators 1, which are similar and have identical dimensions, next to one another. The projections of the two turbulators 1 in the longitudinal direction of the channel 21 fill the cross-section of the channel 21 or the projection of the channel 21 in its longitudinal direction to at least 75%, preferably at least 80%, in particular at least 85%. The length of a corresponding channel 21 is here preferably at least 0.2 m, in particular at least 0.5 m, further in particular at least 1 m. Moreover, it may be preferred when the corresponding channel 21 is less than 3 m, in particular less than 2 m, further in particular less than 1.5 m or less than 1 m long.
[0047] A rectangular channel 23 with a roughly rectangular flow cross-section 24 is represented in FIG. 4A-B into which a plurality of turbulators 10, as represented in FIG. 2, are inserted, with the turbulators 10 being arranged in different alignments, as required, alternatingly to one another. Identical longitudinal ends of adjacent turbulators 10 are accordingly assigned to opposing ends of the channel 23. As a result, the ribs 14, 15 of adjacent turbulators 10 are inclined in opposite directions, the channel 23 can be flowed through and the turbulators 10 impress a turbulence on the flow. In addition, the turbulators 10 are received completely in the channel 23 in the case of the channel 23 represented and in this respect preferred. Furthermore, both longitudinal ends of the turbulator 10 extend at least substantially up to the longitudinal ends of the channel 23. The channel 23 has a cross-section 24 that is at least substantially rectangular in order to be able to receive turbulators 20, which are similar and have identical dimensions, next to one another. The axial projections of the two turbulators 10 together fill the inner cross-section of the channel 23 to at least 75%, preferably at least 80%, in particular at least 85%.
[0048] Four channels 21 with turbulators 1 according to FIG. 1 are represented in FIG. 5 of which in each case two are arranged parallel to one another. Consequently, in each case two parallel channels 21 can basically be assigned to one system section of a process apparatus, with two system sections being arranged one after another according to FIG. 5 and therefore being connected one after another. In each case, two channels 21 arranged axially one after another abut here in an aligned and blunt manner against one another without a seal element being provided between the abutting channels 21 in the represented exemplary embodiment. However, a seal element, for instance in the form of an O-ring received in a circumferential groove may also essentially be provided. The flows can thus be readily guided further from the channels 21 first in the flow direction and represented on the left into the channels 21 second in the flow direction and represented on the right. Since the turbulators 1 of the adjoining channels 21 extend up to the connection region, in particular at least substantially up to the adjoining edges of the adjoining channels 21, a turbulent flow is also produced in the transition region between the channels 21, which for example can favour a reaction, accelerate the heat exchange via the wall of the channels and/or cause mixing of different material flows.
[0049] The hook element 6 of the turbulator 1 from FIG. 1 is represented in an enlarged representation in FIG. 6. The hook element 6 forms an undercut 25 viewed from the assigned longitudinal end in the direction of the opposing longitudinal end of the turbulator 1, said undercut can be engaged behind by a tool W represented only schematically, whose front corresponding hook element is preferably not wider than the hook element 6 of the turbulator 1 and/or not wider than the assigned channel 21. Thus, in the case of a plurality of turbulators 1 in a channel 21 each turbulator 1 can be separately grasped by the tool W and be pulled out of the channel 21. If pulling is carried out at the tool W in the longitudinal direction of the turbulator 1 in order to pull the turbulator 1 out of an assigned channel, the tool W does not slip off the hook element 6 as a result of the undercut. This is achieved for instance by a hook surface 26 being provided in the region of the undercut 25 of the hook element 6 to engage with the tool W, which extends either perpendicularly to the longitudinal extension of the turbulator 1 or, as is the case of FIG. 6, is inclined in the direction of the free end 27 to the longitudinal end of the turbulator 1 opposed to the corresponding hook element 6. In other words, the hook surface 26 is, in the turbulator 1 represented and in this respect preferred, inclined from the web 2 to the free end 27 of the hook element 6 in the direction of the opposing longitudinal end of the turbulator 1. If the hook surface 26 were inclined in the opposite direction, there would essentially be the possibility of the tool W unintentionally slipping from the hook element 6, which is prevented through the corresponding alignment of the at least one hook surface 26.
[0050] A process apparatus 30 with two system sections 32 each comprising a plurality of channels 31 arranged parallel to one another is represented in FIG. 7 which system sections 32 are arranged one after another in the longitudinal direction of the process apparatus 30. Each system section 32 is delimited in the longitudinal direction by two plates 33 in which the longitudinal ends of the channels 31 are received. The ends of the channels 31 can end here flush with the respective outer sides of the plates 33 for the sake of simplicity here. The system sections 32 or the assigned plates 33 are connected to one another via flange connections 34 or in a different manner, and namely such that the material flows are guided further from the individual channels 31 of the first system section 32 in each case into a channel 31 of the second system section 32 without notable mixing of the material flows from different channels 31 taking place between the channels 31 or between the system sections 32 or the material flows being able to notably separate between the channels 31 or between the system sections 32. As required, further system sections 32 can also be added in the longitudinal extension of the process apparatus 30 when this is useful for the purposes of scaling or adapting to different operational conditions or material flows. This adaptation or scaling is not negatively affected by the turbulators arranged in the channels 31. A circumferential seal element 35 is provided between the plates 33 or system sections 32 in the represented exemplary embodiment which seals the connection region of the two system sections 32 externally. The individual channels 31 are not separately sealed here, although this would essentially be conceivable. The plates 33 and therefore the channels 31 abut bluntly against one another and form only a very slight gap which can essentially be tolerated. For the sake of clearer illustration, turbulators not represented are provided in the channels 31 adjoining one another which, however, do not protrude outwards with respect to the channels 31 such that minimum dead volumes can be realised in the region of the plates 33 as the connection region of the channels 31. The shell space 36 of the system sections 32 between the plates 33 can be flowed through by a heat transfer medium in order to temperature-control the channels 31, for which connectors 37 are provided for introducing and discharging the heat transfer medium. However, this is not necessary. The supply of the material flows into the channels 31 or system sections 32 also takes place just like the collection and discharge of material flows from the channels 31 or the system sections 32 via corresponding bases 39, which are however, also not necessary in the represented shape, via corresponding connectors 39. The bases are connected to the in each case adjoining system section 32 in the represented process apparatus 30 via flange connections 40.
[0051] A detail of a process apparatus 41 with channels 42 connected in the longitudinal direction is represented in FIG. 8, with the channels 42 in each case comprising turbulators 1 which are inserted into the assigned channel 42 up to the in each case adjoining channel 42. Unlike the process apparatus 30 represented in FIG. 7, the channels 42 are not flush in the process apparatus 41 of FIG. 8, but rather are arranged slightly offset to one another. The channels 42 are arranged here offset to one another in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the channels 42 and parallel to the turbulators 1. As a result, a respectively adjoining end of a channel 42 forms a stop 43 for the turbulators 1 of the adjoining channel 24.
[0052] A detail of a process apparatus 44 with channels 45 arranged parallel to one another is represented in FIG. 9, which are all received in a terminal plate 46, to which an end plate 48 adjoins, which has deflections 47 to deflect the flow of a channel 45 into an adjoining parallel channel 45 such that the thus connected channels 45 are flowed through one after another and in the opposite direction. The channels 45 have turbulators 1 which extend up to the end of the respective channels 45 and end at least substantially flush with them. The turbulators 1 of the channels 45 are here in each case introduced into the channels 45 in the opposite longitudinal alignment. The deflections 47 in the end plate 48 can therefore be designed with low dead volume.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0053] 1 turbulator [0054] 2 web [0055] 3 rib [0056] 4 gap [0057] 5 free end [0058] 6 hook element [0059] 7 tool [0060] 8 front region [0061] 10 turbulator [0062] 11 web [0063] 12, 13 row [0064] 14, 15 rib [0065] 16, 17 free end [0066] 18, 19 gap [0067] 20 hook element [0068] 21 channel [0069] 22 flow cross-section [0070] 23 channel [0071] 24 flow cross-section [0072] 25 undercut [0073] 26 hook surface [0074] 27 free end [0075] 30 process apparatus [0076] 31 channel [0077] 32 system section [0078] 33 plate [0079] 34 flange connection [0080] 35 seal element [0081] 36 shell space [0082] 37 connector [0083] 38 base [0084] 39 connector [0085] 40 flange connection [0086] 41 process apparatus [0087] 42 channel [0088] 43 stop [0089] 44 process apparatus [0090] 45 channel [0091] 46 plate [0092] 47 deflection [0093] 48 end plate [0094] W tool
