Plate heat exchanger with several modules connected by sections

Abstract

The invention relates to a plate heat exchanger 1 with at least two cuboidal modules 1a, 1b. The two modules 1a and 1b are cuboidal and are each closed to the outside by cover sheets 5. The two modules 1a and 1b are arranged such that in each case, cover sheets 9a and 9b of the same size are directly adjacent. On the contact surfaces, sections 20a, 20b are welded that prevent movement of the two modules 1a, 1b perpendicular to the contact surfaces 9a, 9b either alone or with an additional formed part 50.

Claims

1. A plate heat exchanger (1) comprising: at least two plate heat exchanger modules (1a, 1b), wherein each module (1a, 1b) comprises a plurality of stacked passages (3) through which heat-exchanging media can flow in alternation and that are separated from one another by partition plates (4), wherein the passages are closed to the outside by sidebars (8), said modules (1a, 1b) having an overall cuboidal shape and being bordered on the outsides by cover sheets (5), said modules (1a, 1b) are arranged next to one another such that one rectangular side (9a) of one cuboidal module (1a) is directly adjacent to a corresponding rectangular side (9b) of another cuboidal module (1b), said modules (1a, 1b) further comprising means (6) for supplying and discharging heat-exchanging media and means (7) for distributing heat-exchanging media among the individual passages (3) and collecting heat-exchanging media from said individual passages (3), and said at least two modules (1a, 1b) having at least one common header (7), said plate heat exchanger further comprising one or more formed parts (20a, 20b, 30a, 30b, 40a, 40b, 60a, 60b) at a time is directly attached by brazing, cementing, welding and/or tacking on one of the two cover sheets (5) that form the respectively directly adjacent sides (9a, 9b) of two adjacent modules (1a, 1b), and one or more other formed parts (20a, 20b, 30a, 30b, 40a, 40b, 60a, 60b) at a time is directly attached by brazing, cementing, welding and/or tacking on the other of said two adjacent cover sheets that form the respectively directly adjacent sides (9a, 9b) of two adjacent modules (1a, 1b), said directly adjacent sides (9a, 9b) hereinafter called contact surfaces (9a, 9b), and either (a) said formed parts (40a, 40b, 60a, 60b) being arranged, shaped, and engaged with one another such that the movement of said modules (1a, 1b) perpendicular to the contact surfaces (9a, 9b) is prevented by the one or more formed parts (40a, 60a) on the one contact surface (9a) and the one or more other formed parts (40b, 60b) on the other contact surface (9b), or (b) said one or more formed parts and said one or more other formed parts (20a, 20b, 30a, 30b) being arranged and shaped such that the movement of the modules (1a, 1b) perpendicular to the contact surface (9a, 9b) is prevented by said one or more formed parts (20a, 30a) on the one contact surface (9a), said one or more other formed parts (20b, 30b) on the other contact surface (9b), and one or more additional formed parts (50, 51), wherein each of said additional formed parte engages one of said one or more formed part and one of said one or more other formed part.

2. The plate heat exchanger (1) according to claim 1, wherein on each contact surface (9a, 9b), said one or more formed parts and said one or more other formed parts are each a U-shaped section piece (20a, 20b) wherein at least one side edge (21a, 21b) of each of said U-shaped section piece (20a, 20b) is fastened on the one contact surface or one the other contact surface (9a, 9b), each of said U-shaped section piece (20a, 20b) being arranged such that one of the U-shaped section pieces (20a) fastened on the one contact surface (9a) forms a pair with another U-shaped section piece (20b) fastened on the other contact surface (9b), and wherein the two openings (22a, 22b) of the U-shaped sections pieces (20, 20b) that form said pair are pointing at one another to thereby form a cavity (23) into which one of said additional formed parts (50) can be inserted.

3. The plate heat exchanger (1) according to claim 2, wherein the two U-shaped sections (20a, 20b) of each pair touch each other.

4. The plate heat exchanger (1) according to claim 3, wherein several pairs of said U-shaped sections are fastened onto said contact surfaces, said pairs of said U-shaped sections being arranged parallel to one another, spaced at regular distances, and distributed over the contact surfaces.

5. The plate heat exchanger (1) according to claim 2, wherein said at least one additional formed part is a rod (50, 51) having a length and cross-section corresponding to the length and cross-section of said cavity (23).

6. The plate heat exchanger (1) according to claim 1, wherein each of said one or more formed parts on the one contact surface forms a pair of formed parts with the one of said one or more other formed part on the other contact surface of the adjacent module, wherein the movement perpendicular to the contact surfaces is prevented by said pair of formed parts acting in conjunction with one of said additional formed parts.

7. The plate heat exchanger (1) according to claim 1, wherein each of said one or more formed parts and said one or more other formed parts is a hollow section having a cavity, the hollow sections being arranged such that a hollow section that has been attached on the one contact surface (9a) forms a pair with another hollow section that has been attached on the other contact surface (9b), the openings of the hollow sections of the pair of hollow sections being arranged in a straight line such that one of said additional formed parts can be inserted into the two cavities of the hollow sections of the pair of hollow sections.

8. The plate heat exchanger (1) according to claim 7, wherein the hollow sections of one pair touch on the face side.

9. The plate heat exchanger (1) according to claim 1, wherein each of said one or more formed parts and said one or more other formed parts is a pipe length (30a, 30b), the pipe lengths (30a, 30b) being arranged such that a pipe length (30a) that has been attached on the one contact surface (9a) forms a pair with a pipe length (30b) that has been attached on the other contact surface (9b), the openings (31a, 31b) of the pipe lengths (30a, 30b) of the pair of pipe length being arranged in a straight line such that said one of said additional formed parts (51) can be inserted into the two openings (31a, 31b) of the pipe lengths (30a, 30b) of the pair of pipe lengths.

10. The plate heat exchanger (1) according to claim 9, wherein the lengths of pipe (30a, 30b) of one pair touch on the face side (31a, 31b).

11. The plate heat exchanger (1) according to claim 1, wherein said formed parts on each of said contact surfaces form one or more pairs wherein each pair defines a cavity (23) there between, and said one or more additional formed parts are each a rod (50, 51) having a length and cross-section that corresponds to the length and cross-section of said cavity (23).

12. The plate heat exchanger (1) according to claim 1, wherein on each contact surface (9a, 9b), said one or more formed parts and said one or more other formed parts are each a U-shaped section piece (40a, 40b) with one side edge (41a, 41b) of the U-shaped section (40a, 40b) being fastened on one of the two contact surfaces (9a, 9b), the U-shaped sections (40a, 40b) being arranged such that one U-shaped section (40a) fastened on the one contact surface (9a) forms a pair with another U-shaped section (40b) fastened on the other contact surface (9b), the two U-shaped sections (40a, 40b) of the pair being arranged such that the free side edge (42a) of one U-shaped section (40a) is located in the opening (43b) of the other U-shaped section (40b).

13. The plate heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein on each contact surface (9a, 9b), said one or more formed parts and said one or more other formed parts are each an L-shaped section piece (60a, 60b) with one side edge (61a, 61b) of the L-shaped section (60a, 60b) being fastened on one the two contact surfaces (9a, 9b), the L-shaped sections (60a, 60b) being arranged such that one L-shaped section (60a) fastened on the one contact surface (9a) forms a pair with another L-shaped section (60b) fastened on the other contact surface (9b), the two L-shaped sections (60a, 60b) of the pair being arranged such that the L of the L-shaped section (60a, 60b) is fastened upside-down on the contact surface (9a, 9b), and the two short sides (62a, 62b) of the L of the L-shaped section (60a, 60b) overlap.

14. The plate heat exchanger (1) according to claim 1, wherein said formed parts (40a, 40b, 60a, 60b) are arranged and shaped such that the movement of said modules (1a, 1b) perpendicular to the contact surfaces (9a, 9b) is prevented by the one or more formed parts (40a, 60a) on the one contact surface (9a) and the one or more other formed part (40b, 60b) on the other contact surface (9b).

15. The plate heat exchanger (1) according to claim 1, wherein said one or more formed parts and said one or more other formed parts (20a, 20b, 30a, 30b) are arranged and shaped such that the movement of the modules (1a, 1b) perpendicular to the contact surface (9a, 9b) is prevented by said one or more formed parts (20a, 30a) on the one contact surface (9a), said one or more other formed parts (20b, 30b) on the other contact surface (9b), and said one or more additional formed parts (50, 51), wherein each of said additional formed parts engages one of said one or more formed part and one of said one or more other formed part.

16. The plate heat exchanger (1) according to claim 1, wherein said formed parts provide a direct thermal contact between the two modules.

17. The plate heat exchanger (1) according to claim 2, wherein several pairs of said U-shaped sections are fastened onto said contact surfaces, said pairs of said U-shaped sections being arranged parallel to one another, spaced at regular distances, and distributed over the entire contact surfaces.

18. The plate heat exchanger (1) according to claim 1, wherein said partition plates are parallel to said cover sheets.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further advantages, features and details of the present invention shall be described in the following with reference to the Figures, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a plate heat exchanger according to the prior art,

(3) FIG. 2 shows the arrangement of 2 modules in general,

(4) FIG. 3 shows one configuration with U-shaped sections and one rod (additional formed part),

(5) FIG. 4 shows one configuration with lengths of pipe and one rod (additional formed part),

(6) FIG. 5 shows one configuration with U-shaped sections without an additional formed part,

(7) FIG. 6 shows one configuration with L-shaped sections without an additional formed part, and

(8) FIG. 7 shows a configuration like FIG. 3 wherein the U-shaped sections are directly touching.

(9) FIG. 1 was already explained in the introduction of the specification in the assessment of the prior art.

(10) FIG. 2 shows the basic arrangement of two cuboidal modules of a plate heat exchanger as described, here one configuration of a plate heat exchanger 1 according to the invention consisting of two modules 1a and 1b. The two modules 1a and 1b are cuboidal and are closed to the outside by cover sheets 5. Both modules 1a and 1b are arranged such that in each case, cover sheets 9a and 9b of the same size are directly adjacent. The two cover sheets 9a and 9b form the contact surfaces between the two modules 1a and 1b of the plate heat exchanger 1. The formed parts of the configurations of the invention that are explained in more detail in FIGS. 3 to 6 are attached on these contact surfaces 9a and 9b.

(11) FIG. 3 shows one configuration of the invention in which U-shaped sections 20a and 20b are attached on the contact surfaces 9a and 9b. An extract is shown, the cutting plane being perpendicular to the two contact surfaces 9a, 9a, as shown in FIG. 2.

(12) The U-shaped sections 20a are welded or brazed on one side edge 21a of the U-shaped section via a weld joint or a brazed joint 10 to the cover sheet 5 on the contact surface 9a. Analogously, the U-shaped sections 20b on one side edge 21b are attached on the contact surface 9b via a weld joint 10. The U-shaped sections are arranged such that their openings 22a and 22b point at one another and thus form the cavity 23. A rod 50 with a rectangular cross-section that corresponds to the size of the cavity 23 is fitted into this cavity.

(13) The two U-shaped sections 20a and 20b are arranged on the contact surfaces such that they touch each other. Within the scope of this application, touching means that within the scope of production tolerances of these sections, at most a small gap is formed between the U-shaped sections 20a and 20b. Likewise, within the scope of production tolerances, the rod 50 is fitted into the cavity 23 that is formed by the two U-shaped sections 20a and 20b of one pair.

(14) In this configuration of the invention, several U-shaped sections 20a, 20b are distributed regularly over the two contact surfaces 9a and 9b so that the intermediate space between the two contact surfaces 9a and 9b is filled regularly with pairs of sections that are spaced apart from one another. The U-shaped sections 20a, 20b and the rectangular rods 50 thus have a length that corresponds roughly to the length of one of the side edges of the contact surfaces 9a, 9b.

(15) The rod 50 that has been inserted between the two U-shaped sections 20a, 20b of one pair prevents the movement of the modules perpendicular to the contact surfaces. A movement in the plane of the contact surfaces 9a, 9b is likewise prevented in this configuration of the invention.

(16) In the production of this configuration of a plate heat exchanger according to the invention, first the individual U-shaped sections 20a and 20b are welded onto the cover sheets 5 of the modules 1a, 1b that later form the contact surfaces 9a and 9b. The two modules 1a, 1b are then joined together on the contact surfaces. In this case, the U-shaped sections 20a, 20b that are arranged in pairs on the respective contact surfaces form the cavity 23 between the U-shaped sections 20a, 20b of one pair. The rectangular rods 50 are fitted into these cavities 23 and in this way the two modules 1a and 1b are connected. In addition, the modules can then be optionally welded via sidebars 8 on the edges, as described in the prior art.

(17) The plurality of the regularly arranged section pairs 20a, 20b with the corresponding rectangular rods 50, however, in contrast to the prior art, yields a much flatter and thus mechanically more stable connection between the two modules 1a and 1b.

(18) FIG. 4 shows another configuration of the invention in which lengths of pipe 30a, 30b are fastened on the contact surfaces 9a, 9b. Here, two extracts are shown, the cutting planes lying perpendicular to the two contact surfaces 9a, 9b, as shown in FIG. 2. The right-hand representation shows an extract of the cutting plane along L1-L2 of the left-hand representation.

(19) According to the configuration of the invention shown in FIG. 4, lengths of pipe 30a and 30b are welded 10 onto the contact surfaces 9a and 9b. In this case, the lengths of pipe 30a and 30b are arranged in pairs on the contact surfaces 9a and 9b such that the openings 31a, 31b of the lengths of pipe 30a and 30b of one pair lie in a straight line. That is to say, it is thus possible to simultaneously look through the opening 31a in the length of pipe 30a and through the opening 31b in the length of pipe 30b of one pair. A round rod 51 is fitted into these two openings 31a and 31b. The movement of the two modules 1a and 1b in one direction perpendicular to the contact surfaces 9a and 9b is prevented by the round rod 51 in the lengths of pipe 30a and 30b that are fastened on the contact surfaces 9a and 9b respectively. In addition, at the same time, the relative movement of the modules 1a, 1b in the contact planes 9a and 9b is prevented.

(20) Also, in this configuration of the invention, several pairs of pipe lengths 30a, 30b are arranged in succession in a line so that a line of several pairs 30a, 30b extends over the entire length of one side length of the contact surfaces 9a, 9b. Of these lines, several lines are distributed at regular distances over the other side length of the contact surfaces 9a, 9b so that the contact surfaces are filled with a plurality of regularly arranged pairs of pipe lengths 30a, 30b. A corresponding round rod 51 is fitted into each line of successively arranged pairs of pipe lengths 30a, 30b so that the openings 31a, 31b of the pipe lengths 30a, 30b are filled by the rod 51. Thus, in this configuration of the invention, the cross-section of the rod 51 is chosen such that at most one gap between the rod 51 and the inner wall of the pipe lengths 30a, 30b is formed within the scope of the production tolerances.

(21) In this configuration of the invention, the pipe lengths 30a, 30b of one pair are spaced apart from one another. Alternatively, the pipe lengths 30a, 30b can be arranged such that the face sides touch each other (not shown).

(22) The production of this configuration of a plate heat exchanger 1 takes place similarly to the configuration that is shown in FIG. 3. In the production of such a configuration of a plate heat exchanger 1 according to the invention, first the individual pipe lengths 30a, 30b are welded onto the cover sheets 5 of the modules 1a, 1b that later form the contact surfaces 9a and 9b. The two modules 1a, 1b are then joined together on the contact surfaces. The pipe lengths 30a, 30b that are arranged in pairs on the respective contact surfaces in this case form the cavity in the openings 31a, 31b of the pipe lengths 30a, 30b of one pair. The round rods 51 are fitted into these cavities and thus the two modules 1a and 1b are connected. In addition, the modules can then be welded optionally via sidebars 8 on the edges, as in the prior art.

(23) The plurality of regularly arranged pipe lengths 30a, 30b and the round rods 51 in this configuration of the invention also yield a much flatter and thus mechanically more stable connection between the two modules 1a and 1b than in the prior art.

(24) One configuration with hollow sections (not shown) is analogous to the configuration with pipe lengths described in FIG. 4.

(25) FIG. 5 shows another configuration of the invention in which only U-shaped sections 40a, 40b prevent the movement of the modules 1a, 1b perpendicular to the contact surfaces 9a, 9b without other additional formed parts being used. An extract is analogously shown, the cutting plane being perpendicular to the two contact surfaces 9a, 9b, as shown in FIG. 2.

(26) In this configuration of the invention, on each contact surface 9a, 9b, U-shaped sections 40a, 40b with one side edge 41a, 41b are attached by means of a weld joint 10. The U-shaped sections 40a, 40b are arranged such that one U-shaped section 40a that is attached to contact surface 9a forms a pair with another U-shaped section 40b attached to the other contact surface 9b. The free side edges 42a, 42b (the side edges of the U-shaped sections 40a, 40b that are not welded to the contact surfaces 9a, 9b) of the U-shaped sections 40a, 40b are located in the openings 43b, 43a of the respective other U-shaped section 40b, 40a.

(27) The U-shaped section 40a that is attached on one contact surface 9a forms, so to speak, a guide rail for the long side 42b of the U of one U-shaped section 40b that is fastened on the other contact surface 9b and vice versa. In this way, movement along the short side of the U of the U-shaped sections 40a, 40b, and thus movement perpendicular to the contact surfaces 9a, 9b, is prevented.

(28) Preferably, the two U-shaped sections 40a, 40b of one pair touch one another. Touching is defined here as the U-shaped sections 40a, 40b being arranged within the scope of the production tolerances on the contact surfaces 9a, 9b such that at most a small gap forms between adjacent sides 42a, 42b, 43a, 43b of the U of the U-shaped sections 40a, 40b of one pair.

(29) In this configuration of the invention, several U-shaped sections 40a, 40b are also arranged regularly over the two contact surfaces 9a and 9b so that the intermediate space between the two contact surfaces 9a and 9b is filled regularly with pairs of sections that are spaced apart from one another. The plurality of U-shaped section pairs 40a, 40b thus have a length that corresponds roughly to the length of one of the side edges of the contact surfaces 9a, 9b.

(30) In the production of this configuration of a plate heat exchanger 1 according to the invention, first the individual U-shaped sections 40a and 40b are welded onto the cover sheets 5 of the modules 1a, 1b that later form the contact surfaces 9a and 9b. The two modules 1a, 1b are then joined together on the contact surfaces, the U-shaped sections 40a, 40b being inserted into one another, similarly to the joining of two guide rail systems. The joined modules 1a and 1b are then connected to one another. In addition, the modules can then be welded optionally via sidebars 8 on the edges, as in the prior art.

(31) A much flatter and thus mechanically more stable connection between the two modules 1a and 1b than in the prior art is also achieved in this configuration of the invention.

(32) In the additional configuration of the invention shown in FIG. 6, on each contact surface, at least one L-shaped section piece 60a, 60b as a formed part is fastened on one contact surface 9a, 9b via a side edge 61a, 61b of the L-shaped section 60a, 60b. The L-shaped sections 60a, 60b are arranged such that one L-shaped section 60a that has been fastened on one contact surface 9a forms a pair with another L-shaped section 60b that has been fastened on the other contact surface 9b. The two L-shaped sections 60a, 60b of one pair are arranged such that the L of the L-shaped section 60a, 60b is attached upside-down on the contact surface 9a, 9b, and the two short sides 62a, 62b of the L of the L-shaped section 60a, 60b overlap. The L-shaped section 60a that is attached on one contact surface 9a forms, so to speak, a guide rail for the short side 62b of the L of one L-shaped section 60b that is fastened on the other contact surface 9b and vice versa. In this way, movement along the long side 63a, 63b of the L of one L-shaped section 60a, 60b, and thus movement perpendicular to the contact surface 9a, 9b, is prevented.

(33) Preferably, the two L-shaped sections 60a, 60b of one pair touch one another. Touching is defined here as the L-shaped sections 60a, 60b being arranged within the scope of the production tolerances on the contact surfaces 9a, 9b such that at most one small gap forms between adjacent sides 62a, 62b of the L of the L-shaped sections 60a, 60b of one pair.

(34) Also, in this configuration of the invention, several L-shaped sections 60a, 60b are distributed regularly over the contact surfaces 9a and 9b so that the intermediate space between the two contact surfaces 9a and 9b is filled regularly with pairs of sections that are spaced apart from one another. The plurality of L-shaped section pairs 60a, 60b thus have a length that corresponds roughly to the length of one of the side edges of the contact surfaces 9a, 9b.

(35) A much flatter and thus mechanically more stable connection between the two modules 1a and 1b than in the prior art is also achieved in this configuration of the invention.

(36) Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the art can, using the preceding description, utilize the present invention to its fullest extent. The preceding preferred specific embodiments are, therefore, to be construed as merely illustrative, and not limitative of the remainder of the disclosure in any way whatsoever.

(37) The preceding examples can be repeated with similar success by substituting the generically or specifically described reactants and/or operating conditions of this invention for those used in the preceding examples.

(38) From the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention and, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions.

(39) The entire disclosures of all applications, patents and publications, cited herein and of corresponding German patent application No. 10 2012 006477.2, filed Mar. 29, 2012, are incorporated by reference herein.