FULL-AREA CONNECTION OF HEAT-TRANSFER BLOCKS BY HYDRAULIC WIDENING OF PIPES BETWEEN PROFILES

Abstract

The invention relates to a plate-type heat exchanger having at least a first and second heat-transfer block, wherein each block has multiple separating plates, which are arranged parallel to one another, which form a multiplicity of heat-transfer passages for fluids taking part in the heat transfer. The heat-transfer blocks are outwardly bounded by cover plates. A first cover plate of the first heat-transfer block is secured to an opposite second cover plate of the second heat-transfer block. At least one elongate first profile is secured to the first cover plate. At least one elongate second profile running parallel to the at least one first profile is secured to the second cover plate such that the two profiles are opposite one another in a direction parallel to the cover plates. Between the two profiles there is an interspace in which an elongate element is arranged in an interference fit with the two profiles, such that the two cover plates and thus the two heat-transfer blocks are secured to one another. The elongate element is designed as a hollow profile.

Claims

1. A plate-type heat exchanger (100) with at least one first and one second heat exchanger block (10a, 10b), wherein each heat exchanger block (10a, 10b) has multiple separating plates (4) which are arranged parallel to one another and form a multiplicity of heat exchange passages (1) for fluids involved in the heat exchange, and wherein the heat exchanger blocks (10a, 10b) are outwardly delimited by cover plates (5a, 5b), wherein a first cover plate (5a) of the first heat exchanger block (10a) is fixed to an opposite second cover plate (5b) of the second heat exchanger block (10b), characterized in that at least one elongate first profile (11) is fixed to the first cover plate (5a), and in that at least one elongate second profile (12), which runs parallel to the at least one first profile (11), is fixed to the second cover plate (5b) such that the two profiles (11, 12) are opposite one another in a direction (R) which runs parallel to the cover plates (5a, 5b), wherein, between the two profiles, one intermediate space (15) is present, in which space an elongate element (13) is arranged in a frictionally engaging manner with the two profiles (11, 12) such that the two cover plates (5a, 5b) and thus the two heat exchanger blocks (10a, 10b) are fixed to one another, wherein the elongate element (13) is formed as a hollow profile.

2. The plate-type heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the elongate element (13) engages both into a recess (110) of the first profile (11) and into a recess (120) of the second profile (12), wherein the two recesses (110, 120) each form a region of the intermediate space (15) and are opposite one another in said direction (R) and face one another.

3. The plate-type heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the elongate element (13) is arranged in a frictionally engaging and form-fitting manner in the two recesses.

4. The plate-type heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the recesses (110, 120) are formed as depressions which are concave in cross section, in particular as depressions which are semicircular in cross section, or in that the recesses (110, 120) are formed as depressions which are triangular in cross section.

5. The plate-type heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, for the purpose of producing the frictional engagement or the frictional engagement and form fit, the cross section of the elongate element (13) arranged in the intermediate space (15) is widened by deformation of the elongate element (13).

6. The plate-type heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the at least one first profile (11) is brazed fixedly or welded fixedly to the first cover plate (5a), and/or in that the at least one second profile (12) is brazed fixedly or welded fixedly to the second cover plate (5b).

7. A method for producing a plate-type heat exchanger (100) from at least one first and one second heat exchanger block (10a, 10b), wherein each heat exchanger block (10a, 10b) has multiple separating plates (4) which are arranged parallel to one another and form a multiplicity of heat exchange passages (1) for fluids involved in the heat exchange, and wherein the heat exchanger blocks (10a, 10b) are outwardly delimited by cover plates (5a, 5b), wherein at least one elongate first profile (11) is fixed to a first cover plate (5a) of the first heat exchanger block, and wherein at least one second profile (12) is fixed to a second cover plate (5b) of the second heat exchanger block (10b), wherein the two cover plates (5a, 5b) are arranged opposite one another in such a way that the two profiles (11, 12) are opposite one another in a direction which runs parallel to the two cover plates (5a, 5b), wherein, between the two profiles (11, 12), an intermediate space (15) is present, in which space an elongate element (13) is arranged in a frictionally engaging manner with the two profiles (11, 12) such that the two cover plates (5a, 5b) and thus the two heat exchanger blocks (10a, 10b) are fixed to one another, wherein the elongate element (13) is formed as a hollow profile.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the elongate element is arranged in the intermediate space (15) such that it engages into a recess (110) of the first profile (11) and into a recess (120) of the second profile (12), wherein the two recesses are opposite one another along said direction (R) and face one another.

9. The method as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the elongate element (13) is arranged in a frictionally engaging and form-fitting manner in the two recesses (110, 120).

10. The method as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the recesses (110, 120) are formed as depressions which are concave in cross section, in particular as depressions which are semicircular in cross section, or in that the recesses (110, 120) are formed as depressions which are triangular in cross section.

11. The method as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the elongate element (13) is arranged in the intermediate space (15) and subsequently its cross section (D) is widened by deformation for the purpose of producing the frictional engagement or the frictional engagement and form fit.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the elongate element (13) is widened in cross section hydraulically.

13. The method as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the first profile (11) is brazed fixedly or welded fixedly to the first cover plate (5a), and/or in that the second profile (12) is brazed fixedly or welded fixedly to the second cover plate (5b).

Description

[0043] Further features and advantages of the invention will be discussed in more detail below on the basis of the figure description of exemplary embodiments in which:

[0044] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view, in the form of a detail, of a plate-type heat exchanger according to the invention with a first heat exchanger block having first profiles for connecting the first block to a further, second block to which second profiles are fixed;

[0045] FIG. 2 shows a schematic sectional view, in the form of a detail, of the connection of two blocks by means of first and second profiles, and elongate elements held therein;

[0046] FIG. 3 shows a schematic sectional view of a probe for widening tubes, arranged between profiles, for the purpose of producing a form-fitting connection between two cover plates of two heat exchanger blocks; and

[0047] FIG. 4 shows a detail of a plate-type heat exchanger according to the invention having first and second profiles which have triangular recesses; and

[0048] FIG. 5 shows a detail of a plate-type heat exchanger according to the invention having first and second profiles with planar side surfaces.

[0049] FIG. 1 shows, in connection with FIG. 2, a plate-type heat exchanger 100 according to the invention which has at least two heat exchanger blocks 10a, 10b, wherein, for the sake of clarity, merely one block 10a is shown in FIG. 1. The second block 10b is indicated merely schematically on the basis of a cover plate 5b illustrated in the form of a detail. The second block 10b may be formed for example in the manner of the first block 10a.

[0050] The two heat exchanger blocks 10a, 10b are preferably plate-type heat exchangers, preferably brazed plate-type heat exchangers composed of aluminum. Such heat exchangers are used in numerous installations under a wide variety of pressures and temperatures. For example, they are used for the separation of air, the liquefaction of natural gas or in installations for producing ethylene. Such plate-type heat exchangers are shown and described for example on page 5 in The standards of the brazed aluminium plate-fin heat exchanger manufacturers' association ALPEMA, third edition, 2010.

[0051] The two heat exchanger blocks 10a, 10b each have multiple separating plates 4 (for example in the form of separating sheets), which are arranged parallel to one another and form a multiplicity of heat exchange passages 1 for the media to be brought into heat exchange with one another. The heat exchange passages 1 are closed off outwardly by edge bars 8 (for example sheet strips), hereinafter also referred to as side bars 8, fitted flush on the edge of the separating plates 4. Arranged within the heat exchange passages 1 are for example corrugated heat-conducting structures 3 (for example in the form of sheets), which are also referred to as fins 3. The separating plates 4, fins 3 and side bars 8 are connected fixedly to one another and thus form a compact heat exchanger block 10a or 10b. Outwardly, the two heat exchanger blocks 10a, 10b are each outwardly delimited by cover plates 5a or 5b (for example in the form of cover sheets).

[0052] For supplying and discharging the heat-exchanging media, semi-cylindrical collectors 7 with connecting pieces 6 which serve for the connection of supplying and discharging pipelines are fitted via inlet and outlet openings 9 of the heat exchange passages 1. The collectors 7 are also referred to hereinafter as headers 7. The inlet and outlet openings 9 of the heat exchange passages 1 are formed by so-called distributor lamellae or distributor fins 2, which provide a uniform distribution of the media within the individual heat exchange passages 1. The media flow through the heat exchange passages 1 in the channels formed by the fins 3 and the separating plates 4. It is possible already to fit the collectors 7 and connecting pieces 6 to the individual block 10a or 10b. According to one embodiment, it is alternatively also possible for all or individual collectors 7 to be fixed to the two blocks 10a, 10b only after the latter have been fixed to one another according to invention. Here, it is possible for example for a header 7 to extend over both blocks 10a, 10b, or to be fixed to both blocks 10a, 10b, in order to charge said blocks with a medium or to draw off a medium from both blocks 10a, 10b (this being indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 1).

[0053] The fins 3 are, at their points of contact, brazed to the separating sheets 4, as a result of which an intensive heat-conductive contact between the fins 3 and the separating sheets 4 is established. This improves the heat exchange between the different media, which flow alternately in adjacent heat exchange passages 1.

[0054] The blocks 10a, 10b are preferably formed from aluminum, wherein the components are connected to one another by way of brazing. As material, however, high-grade steel may also be used. The fins, separating sheets, distributor fins, cover plates and side bars, provided with brazing material, are stacked one on top of the other and subsequently brazed in a furnace to form a heat exchanger block 10a or 10b. The headers 7 with connecting pieces 6 are then welded onto the heat exchanger blocks 10a, 10b.

[0055] As can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2, at least one first profile 11 is fixed to a first cover plate 5a of the first heat exchanger block 10a, wherein preferably a plurality of elongate first profiles 11, which run parallel to one another, is fixed to the first cover plate 5a, said profiles each extending in the vertical direction here. Likewise, at least one second profile 12 is fixed to a second cover plate 5b of the second heat exchanger block 10b, wherein here too, preferably a plurality of elongate second profiles 12, which run parallel to one another, is fixed to the second cover plate 5b, said profiles likewise each running in the vertical direction.

[0056] For the connection of the two heat exchanger blocks 10a, 10b, these are arranged such that the first and the second cover plates 5a, 5b face one another and run parallel to one another in such a way that the at least one first profile and the at least one second profile are opposite one another in a direction R, which runs parallel to the two cover plates (and, here, perpendicular to the vertical), such that at least one intermediate space 15 in which an elongate element 13 is arranged in a frictionally engaging manner and preferably also form-fitting manner with the adjoining profiles 11, 12 is created.

[0057] Preferably, as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of first and second profiles 11, 12 is provided, wherein in this case, it is preferably provided that one second profile 12 is arranged between in each case two adjacent first profiles 11 such that, between the respective second profile 12 and the first profiles 11 adjacent (in the direction R) on both sides, in each case one intermediate space 15 is present, in which space in each case one elongate element 13 is arranged in a frictionally engaging and preferably also form-fitting manner with the adjacent profiles 11, 12 and at the same time engages in a frictionally engaging and in particular also form-fitting manner into a recess 110 of the in each case adjoining first profile 11 and into a recess 120 of the respective second profile 12 such that the two cover plates 5a, 5b and thus the two heat exchanger blocks 10a, 10b are fixed to one another. In this way, it is achieved in particular that the two blocks cannot be moved away from one another in a direction normal to the two cover plates 5a, 5b.

[0058] As per FIG. 2, the elongate elements 13 may be hollow profiles which have a hollow cylindrical wall and correspondingly in each case delimit an inner space. Correspondingly, the recesses 110, 120 are formed as depressions which are concave (for example substantially semicircular) in cross section (in this case perpendicular to the vertical or longitudinal axis of the elements 13). Other cross-sectional pairings are likewise conceivable. In this regard, as shown in FIG. 4, the recesses 110, 120 may also be of triangular form in cross section, wherein the hollow profiles 13 are, in cross section, then correspondingly of quadrangular (for example square or rectangular) form. Furthermore, it is also possible to dispense with the recesses in the profiles 11, 12. Thus, the profiles 11, 12 may have planar sides 11a, 12a, for example, between which the elongate elements are then anchored (for example by widening of their cross section) in a purely frictionally engaging manner, as is indicated in FIG. 5 in which the widened state of the hollow profile 13 is indicated by a dashed line.

[0059] If the two cover plates 5a, 5b as per FIG. 2 are, as described above, arranged opposite one another, the elements 13 are preferably introduced with play into said intermediate spaces, wherein, for the purpose of producing a frictional engagement and preferably also a form fit between the respective element 13 and the two adjoining profiles 11, 12, the respective element 13 is deformed. FIG. 2 schematically shows this transition from an arrangement of the elements 13 in the associated intermediate spaces 15 with play (FIG. 2, top) to a play-free frictionally engaging and form-fitting arrangement of the elements 13 in the associated intermediate spaces 15 (FIG. 2, bottom). In this case, the outer diameter D of the tubes 13 increases to a larger outer diameter D.

[0060] Finally, FIG. 3 shows a possibility for widening the hollow profiles (for example tubes) or elements 13 for the purpose of producing the respective frictional engagement or frictional engagement and form fit. In this case, a probe 20 is introduced into the inner space 13a of the respective hollow profile 13, which profile is arranged with play in the associated intermediate space 15, and in particular bears with a circumferential flange 20a on the profiles 11, 12 on the end sides, wherein a portion 20b of the probe projecting from the flange 20a extends into the inner space 13a of the hollow profile 13 in question. Said portion 20b of the probe 20 is, at its two ends, sealed off with respect to the inner space 13a of the respective hollow profile 13 by in each case one circumferential seal 23 (for example in the form of an O-ring).

[0061] A hydraulic fluid F, for example water or oil, is then introduced via a supply line 24 into a channel 21 formed by the probe, which channel opens into lateral openings 22 of the portion 20b of the probe 20 such that the fluid F is able to act on the inner wall of the respective hollow profile 13. This causes the respective hollow profile 13 to widen to a larger outer diameter D, which anchors the respective hollow profile 13 in the associated intermediate space 15 or in the recesses 110 and 120 in a form-fitting manner. The action by the fluid F is preferably performed such that the respective hollow profile 13 flows plastically in order to achieve the best possible form fit with the surrounding profiles 11, 12.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0062]

TABLE-US-00001 Heat exchange passage 1 Distributor fin 2 Lamella, fin 3 Separating plate 4 Cover plate 5a, 5b Connecting piece 6 Collector, header 7 Side bar 8 Inlet or outlet opening 9 Heat exchanger block 10a, 10b First profiles 11 Outer side 11a, 12a End side 11b, 12b Second profiles 12 Elongate elements 13 Inner space 13a Recesses 110, 120 Intermediate space 15 Probe 20 Portion 20a Flange 20b Channel 21 Lateral opening 22 Seals 23 Line 24 Plate-type heat exchanger 100 Outer diameter .sup.D, D Liquid (for example water) F Direction R