Abstract
A mixer/heat exchanger insert or mixer/heat exchanger having a geometry which leads to less fouling of a fluid to be temperature-controlled.
Claims
1.-15. (canceled)
16. A mixer/heat exchanger insert having an extent in a longitudinal direction of extent (L), comprising a temperature control fluid inlet, a temperature control fluid outlet, a volume for carrying a temperature control fluid, which volume extends between the temperature control fluid inlet and the temperature control fluid outlet and has a first tubular section, wherein the tubular section extends in the longitudinal direction of extent, wherein the tubular section is routed in loops transversely to the longitudinal direction of extent.
17. The mixer/heat exchanger insert as claimed in claim 16, wherein the loops routed in such a way around at least three axes extending in the longitudinal direction of extent that they each form loop eyes, which are situated on one of the axes extending in the longitudinal direction of extent and can enclose a further, straight tubular section of the volume extending in the longitudinal direction of extent (L).
18. The mixer/heat exchanger insert as claimed in claim 16, wherein the first tubular section extends continuously in the longitudinal direction of extent (L).
19. The mixer/heat exchanger insert as claimed in claim 16, wherein, as they extend around at least three axes (A, B, C) extending in the longitudinal direction of extent (L), the loops are routed without alternating curvature between two axes (A, B; B, C; . . . ) in each case.
20. The mixer/heat exchanger insert as claimed in claim 16, wherein, as they extend around at least three axes extending in the longitudinal direction of extent, the loops are routed with alternating curvature between two axes (A, B; B, C; . . . ) in each case.
21. The mixer/heat exchanger insert as claimed in claim 17, furthermore having a second tubular section extending in a straight line in the longitudinal direction of extent, which is connected fluidically in series with the first tubular section and passes through the loop eyes situated on a first axis (A) extending in the longitudinal direction of extent.
22. The mixer/heat exchanger insert as claimed in claim 21, furthermore having a third tubular section extending in a straight line in the longitudinal direction of extent (L) and a fourth tubular section extending in a straight line in the longitudinal direction of extent (L), which are connected fluidically in series with the first tubular section and the second tubular section, wherein the third tubular section passes through the loop eyes situated on a second axis (B) extending in the longitudinal direction of extent (L), and the fourth tubular section passes through the loop eyes situated on a third axis (C) extending in the longitudinal direction of extent (L).
23. The mixer/heat exchanger insert as claimed in claim 22, wherein the third tubular section and the fourth tubular section each form one leg of a U tube.
24. The mixer/heat exchanger insert as claimed in claim 19, wherein, as they extend around five axes (A, B, C, D, E) extending in the longitudinal direction of extent, the loops are routed without alternating curvature between two axes (A, B; B, C; C, D . . . ) in each case.
25. The mixer/heat exchanger insert as claimed in claim 20, wherein, as they extend around five axes (A, B, C, D, E) extending in the longitudinal direction of extent, the loops are routed with alternating curvature between two axes (A, B; B, C; C, D . . . ) in each case.
26. The mixer/heat exchanger insert as claimed in claim 20, furthermore having a fifth tubular section extending in a straight line in the longitudinal direction of extent (L) and a sixth tubular section extending in a straight line in the longitudinal direction of extent (L), which are connected fluidically in series with the first tubular section and the second tubular section and pass through the loop eyes situated on a fourth axis (D) extending in the longitudinal direction of extent (L) and through the loop eyes situated on a fifth axis (E) extending in the longitudinal direction of extent (L).
27. The mixer/heat exchanger insert as claimed in claim 16, wherein the tubular section has a tube path pattern in which, with respect to axes A, B, C, D and E arranged in the longitudinal direction at the corners of a pentagram, in particular a regular pentagram, the tubular section extends along the points A1, A2, B2, B1, C1, C2, D2, D1, E1, E2, A2, A1, B1, B2, C2, C1, D1, D2, E2, E1, A1 . . . , counterclockwise in relation to points A1, B1, C1, D1 and E1 situated offset relative to the axes, and clockwise in relation to points A2, B2, C2, D2 and E2 situated offset relative to the axes or extends in mirror symmetry.
28. A mixer/heat exchanger having: a fluid-carrying volume having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, and a mixer/heat exchanger insert as claimed in claim 16, wherein the mixer/heat exchanger insert extends into the fluid-carrying volume, with the result that a fluid flowing into the fluid-carrying volume through the fluid inlet is subject to a shear stress owing to the geometry of the mixer/heat exchanger insert before the inflowing fluid leaves the fluid-carrying volume through the fluid outlet.
29. The mixer/heat exchanger as claimed in claim 28, wherein the fluid-carrying volume has a constant clear cross-sectional area in the longitudinal direction of extent (L).
30. The mixer/heat exchanger as claimed in claim 28, wherein an envelope (E) of the mixer/heat exchanger insert as claimed in claim 16 has a clearance with respect to an inner wall of the fluid-carrying volume of the mixer/heat exchanger, into which the mixer/heat exchanger insert is to be introduced, which is at least a quarter of the tube diameter.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0043] Illustrative embodiments are described below with reference to the following drawings.
[0044] FIG. 1 shows a plan view of an illustrative embodiment of a mixer/heat exchanger insert viewed from the temperature control fluid inlet and temperature control fluid outlet.
[0045] FIG. 2 shows a plan view of an illustrative embodiment of a mixer/heat exchanger insert from the side facing away from the temperature control fluid inlet and the temperature control fluid outlet.
[0046] FIG. 3 shows a side view of an illustrative embodiment of a mixer/heat exchanger insert.
[0047] FIG. 4 shows another illustrative embodiment of a mixer/heat exchanger insert having two tubular sections of U-shaped configuration.
[0048] FIG. 5 shows an illustrative embodiment of a mixer/heat exchanger insert without tubular sections passed through the eyes.
[0049] FIG. 6 shows an illustrative embodiment of a mixer/heat exchanger insert with five tubular sections passed through the eyes of the loops.
[0050] FIG. 7 shows a partially sectioned view of an illustrative embodiment of a mixer/heat exchanger insert in which the temperature control fluid inlet and the temperature control fluid outlet are situated at opposite ends.
[0051] FIG. 8 shows a partially sectioned view of an illustrative embodiment of a mixer/heat exchanger insert in which the temperature control fluid inlet and the temperature control fluid outlet are situated at the same end.
[0052] FIG. 9 shows a winding pattern of the loops in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention in which the loops are routed with alternating curvature between two axes.
[0053] FIG. 10 shows an illustrative embodiment of a winding pattern around five axes, in which the loops are routed without alternating curvature.
[0054] FIG. 11 shows an illustrative embodiment of a winding pattern around three axes, in which the loops are routed without alternating curvature.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0055] FIG. 1 shows an illustrative embodiment of a mixer/heat exchanger insert 100, which has an extent in a longitudinal direction of extent L. FIG. 1 shows the mixer/heat exchanger insert 100 as viewed in the longitudinal direction of extent L. The mixer/heat exchanger insert 100 has a volume in which a temperature control fluid is carried. This volume extends between a temperature control fluid inlet 110 and a temperature control fluid outlet 120. The volume has a first tubular section 10, wherein the tubular section 10 extends in the longitudinal direction, although this cannot be seen in FIG. 1 owing to the view in the longitudinal direction of extent L. In this arrangement, the tubular section 10 is routed in loops, in this case around the axes A, C, E, B, D distributed uniformly along a circular arc in the longitudinal direction. Here, the loops form loop eyes around the respective axes, wherein loop 10a is routed around axis A and, in the process, forms loop eye 11a. Similarly, the tubular section is routed in a loop around axis B as a second loop 10b and, in the process, forms loop eye 11b. The winding pattern continues similarly around axes C, D and E. In this arrangement, the first tubular section 10 begins with the temperature control fluid inlet 110 and ends at the opposite end from the observer, wherein the second tubular section 20 is then connected fluidically in series to the first tubular section 10 at the opposite end from the observer and ends here in the temperature control fluid outlet 120. It should be understood here that the flow through the arrangement can also take place in the opposite direction of flow, as a result of which the temperature control fluid inlet 120 serves as an inflow for the temperature control fluid, which flows out again through the temperature control fluid outlet 110.
[0056] FIG. 2 shows the mixer/heat exchanger insert 100 of FIG. 1 from the end facing away from the observer in FIG. 1. Here, the reference signs are used analogously. From FIG. 2, it can be seen that the axes A, C, E, B, D are each arranged offset by an angle =72 along a circular arc and are thus distributed regularly along the circular arc. Here, the axes form the corners of a regular pentagram in the plan view shown in FIG. 2.
[0057] FIG. 3 shows a side view of the mixer/heat exchanger insert 100 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. From FIG. 3, it can be seen that the first tubular section 10 is adjoined by the second tubular section 20, which is here passed through the eye of loop 10a. Here, the winding pattern is repeated after passing twice around each of the axes.
[0058] FIG. 4 shows a side view of an end piece of a mixer/heat exchanger insert 100, in which respective further straight tube sections 20, 30, 40, 60 are passed through the respective eyes of the loops 10a-10j. Here, it can be seen from FIG. 4 that the second tubular section 20 is passed through loops 10f and 10a, the third tubular section 30 is passed through loops 10b and 10g, the fourth tubular section 40 is passed through loops 10c and 10h, and the sixth tubular section 60 is passed through loops 10e and 10j. The fifth tubular section 50, which is not visible in FIG. 4, would then be passed through loops 10d and 10i. From FIG. 4, it can be seen that the second tubular section 20 and the sixth tubular section 60 are connected in a U shape, with the result that the second tubular section and the sixth tubular section each form one leg of a U. Similarly, the fourth tubular section 40 and the third tubular section 30 are likewise connected in a U shape, with the result that the third tubular section 30 and the fourth tubular section 40 likewise form one leg of a U. Although not shown in FIG. 4, the second tubular section 20 and the fourth tubular section 40 can likewise be connected, at the end of the mixer/heat exchanger insert which is not shown here, in a U shape, for example, with the result that the straight tubular sections 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 meander through the eyes of the first tubular section 10, which lie one above the other. Likewise, the third and fourth tubular sections and/or also the fifth and sixth tubular sections could be connected in a U shape.
[0059] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a mixer/heat exchanger insert 100. In this case, the mixer/heat exchanger insert shown in FIG. 5 has only a first tubular section 10, which is routed in loops. Here, the loops form eyes lying one above the other, although no further straight tubular section is passed through said eyes in FIG. 5. A mixer/heat exchanger insert 100 of this kind can then be inserted into a corresponding tube, which is sealed off by end plates, for example, through which a corresponding temperature control fluid inlet 110 and a temperature control fluid outlet 120 are guided. Here, there is a continuous flow from one end to another end of a mixer/heat exchanger insert of this kind.
[0060] FIG. 6 shows a mixer/heat exchanger insert 100 in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, although, in this insert, further straight tubular sections are passed through the eyes formed by the loops. These can all end at the end plate, for example, as can be seen in the enlarged view. This also applies analogously to the opposite end. However, it should be understood that the mixer/heat exchanger insert 100 shown in FIG. 6 can be modified in such a way that the corresponding temperature control fluid inlets and outlets are connected to one another by U-shaped bends in such a way that there is serial flow through the first tubular section 10 routed in loops and the respective straight tubular sections 20, 30, 40, 50, 60.
[0061] FIG. 7 shows an illustrative embodiment of a mixer/heat exchanger 200 in accordance with one illustrative embodiment. The mixer/heat exchanger insert shown in FIG. 7 has a fluid-carrying volume 230, into which a fluid that requires temperature control and mixing is introduced through a fluid inlet 210, which fluid leaves the mixer/heat exchanger again through the fluid outlet 220. The mixer/heat exchanger shown in FIG. 7 has a temperature control fluid inlet 110 at one end and a temperature control fluid outlet 120 at the opposite end. In the interior of the mixer/heat exchanger 200, in particular in the interior of the fluid-carrying volume 230, there is the mixer/heat exchanger insert 100, which has already been described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. It should be understood that the fluid to be temperature-controlled can flow through the mixer/heat exchanger 200 substantially in the same direction as the temperature control fluid flows through the mixer/heat exchanger insert 100. However, the temperature control fluid can likewise also flow in a countercurrent through the mixer/heat exchanger insert.
[0062] FIG. 8 shows another illustrative embodiment of the invention, in which the mixer/heat exchanger insert has a temperature control fluid inlet 110 and a temperature control fluid outlet 120 at the same end. As a departure from FIG. 7, the fluid outlet 220 can then also be arranged on the longitudinal axis or end since no temperature control fluid inlet or outlet is arranged in this region.
[0063] FIG. 9 shows a winding path in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention in which the loops are routed around the corresponding axes A, C, E, B and D. Here, the sides offset clockwise from the axes shall be provided with the index 2 and those offset counterclockwise shall be provided with the index 1. According to this pattern, the first tubular section having loops 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f, 10g, 10h, 10i, 10j is wound successively around axes A, B, C, D and E, more specifically passing around them twice. Here, it can be seen from the winding pattern shown in FIG. 9 that, after each pass around an axis, the curvature of the first tubular section is in a different direction. In this way, the directions of curvature alternate after each pass around an axis. The winding pattern formed during this process is repeated after two passes around each axis in accordance with the pattern shown in FIG. 9. Here, the sides of the axes follow the pattern A1, A2, B2, B1, C1, C2, D2, D1, E1, E2, A2, A1, B1, B2, C2, C1, D1, D2, E2, E1, A1 . . . around the axes A, B, C, D and E. It should be understood that this winding pattern can also be inverted and that an inverted arrangement is also included in the scope of protection.
[0064] FIG. 10 shows an alternative winding pattern, in which loops 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d and 10e of the first tubular section are routed around the axes A, B, C, D and E without alternation of the direction of curvature. Here, it can be seen from FIG. 10 that the direction of curvature does not change. Figuratively speaking, when driving along this winding line, the steering has only ever to be turned in one direction, in this case to the left. In contrast, it was necessary, figuratively speaking, to turn the steering in the other direction after coming around each axis when driving along the winding pattern shown in FIG. 9. From FIG. 10, it can be seen that this winding pattern, in which the curvature does not alternate but is always in the same direction, is repeated after a single pass around each axis.
[0065] FIG. 11 shows another illustrative embodiment of the invention, in which the loops of the first tubular section are wound around just three axes, wherein the curvature does not alternate but is always in one direction. As an alternative, it is also possible with three axes to use a winding pattern (not shown) in which the direction of curvature changes between two axes in one pass. Similarly to the nomenclature in reference to FIG. 9, this pattern would be A1, A2, B2, B1, C1, C2, A2, A1, B1, B2, C2, C1, A1 . . .
[0066] It should be understood that the invention described above can be used as a mixer/heat exchanger. A typical use for this is in a reactor, for example, in which mixing and temperature control is desired. By means of the abovementioned invention, a sufficient mixing effect can be achieved and agglomeration of particles or highly viscous gel particles can be avoided or at least minimized. It is thereby possible to reduce or avoid a fouling effect. A mixer/heat exchanger insert in accordance with the invention described above is suitable, in particular, for allowing it to be introduced into particularly small tube diameters while nevertheless achieving a satisfactory heat exchanger characteristic and adequate mixing behavior.
[0067] It should be noted that the term comprise does not exclude further elements or method steps, just as the terms a and an do not exclude a plurality of elements and steps.
[0068] The reference signs used serve merely to enhance comprehensibility and should not be regarded as in any way restrictive, the scope of protection of the invention being given by the claims.
LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS
[0069] 10 first tubular section [0070] 10a first loop of the first tubular section [0071] 10b second loop of the first tubular section [0072] 10c third loop of the first tubular section [0073] 10d fourth loop of the first tubular section [0074] 10e fifth loop of the first tubular section [0075] 10f sixth loop of the first tubular section [0076] 10g seventh loop of the first tubular section [0077] 10h eighth loop of the first tubular section [0078] 10i ninth loop of the first tubular section [0079] 10j tenth loop of the first tubular section [0080] 11a, 11b, . . . loop eye of the first, second . . . loop [0081] 20 second tubular section [0082] 30 third tubular section [0083] 40 fourth tubular section [0084] 50 fifth tubular section [0085] 60 sixth tubular section [0086] 100 mixer/heat exchanger insert [0087] 110 temperature control fluid inlet or outlet [0088] 120 temperature control fluid outlet or inlet [0089] 200 mixer/heat exchanger [0090] 210 (mixing) fluid inlet or outlet [0091] 220 (mixing) fluid outlet or inlet [0092] 230 (mixing) fluid-carrying volume [0093] L longitudinal direction of extent of mixer/heat exchanger insert [0094] , alpha pitch angle of the tubular loops in relation to the longitudinal direction of extent L [0095] A, B, C, D, E axes extending in the longitudinal direction of extent L
