Plate apparatus suitable for heat and/or material exchange

Abstract

A plate apparatus suitable for heat and/or material exchange has plates (P.sub.0, P.sub.1, P.sub.2, P.sub.3) contacting each other flush along a peripheral seal (1) while forming respective intermediate spaces (Z.sub.0, Z.sub.1, Z.sub.2, Z.sub.3) and having upper (2, 3) and lower (4, 5) through-flow openings for fluids. A group of these upper and lower through-flow openings (2, 5) is allocated to at least two fluids and is connected by correspondingly placed seals to every second plate intermediate space (Z.sub.1, Z.sub.3) carrying a flow from top to bottom. In flush upper through-flow openings (2) of plates (P.sub.0, P.sub.1, P.sub.2, P.sub.3) a distribution lance (6) runs across these openings and has outlet openings (6a) for at least one of the fluids. It is essential that the outlet openings (6a) are directed into those plate intermediate spaces (Z.sub.0, Z.sub.2) arranged between the second plate intermediate spaces (Z.sub.1, Z.sub.3) for the fluids to be mixed.

Claims

1. A plate apparatus suitable for heat and/or material exchange, the apparatus comprising a plurality of plates (P.sub.0, P.sub.1, P.sub.2, P.sub.3) that contact each other flush along a peripheral seal (1) while forming respective plate intermediate spaces (Z.sub.0, Z.sub.1, Z.sub.2, Z.sub.3) and that have upper through-flow openings (2, 3) and lower through-flow openings (4, 5) for fluids, wherein a group of these upper and lower through-flow openings (2, 5) is allocated to at least two fluids and is connected by correspondingly placed seals to every second one of the plate intermediate space (Z.sub.1, Z.sub.3) that carries a flow from top to bottom, wherein in flush upper through-flow openings (2) of the plates (P.sub.0, P.sub.1, P.sub.2, P.sub.3) a distribution lance (6) runs across these openings and has outlet openings (6a) for at least one of the fluids, and wherein the outlet openings (6a) of the distribution lance (6) are directed into the plate intermediate spaces (Z.sub.0, Z.sub.2) which are arranged between the second plate intermediate spaces (Z.sub.1, Z.sub.3) for the fluids to be mixed.

2. The plate apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the outlet openings (6a) are directed approximately radially downward and are positioned in the plate intermediate spaces (Z.sub.0, Z.sub.2).

3. The plate apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the through-flow openings (2) for the distribution lance (6) have an approximately horizontally running lower edge (2b).

4. The plate apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the horizontally running lower edge (2b) has a length of at least 60%, optionally 75%, of a diameter of the through-flow opening (2).

5. The plate apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plates (P.sub.0, P.sub.1, P.sub.2, P.sub.3) have at least one smaller discharge opening (10) underneath the through-flow openings (2) surrounding the distribution lance (6).

6. The plate apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the smaller discharge opening (10) is positioned in a lowest region above a seal (2a) surrounding the through-flow opening (2).

7. The plate apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the distribution lance (6) is allocated to a fluid in liquid phase.

8. The plate apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a region of the through-flow openings (2) surrounding the distribution lance (6) is allocated to a fluid in gas phase.

9. The plate apparatus according to claim 1, wherein for two fluids to be mixed with each other, the distribution lance (6) is allocated to a more viscous fluid of the two fluids.

10. The plate apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one of the fluids allocated to the distribution lance (6) is a fluid suitable for absorption of another fluid.

11. The plate apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the fluid allocated to the distribution lance (6) is an ionic fluid.

12. The plate apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plate intermediate spaces (Z.sub.0, Z.sub.2) arranged adjacent to the second plate intermediate spaces (Z.sub.1, Z.sub.3) are connectable to a heating or cooling medium.

13. The plate apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least the second plate intermediate spaces (Z.sub.1, Z.sub.3) allocated to the fluids to be mixed contain a spacer (7).

14. The plate apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the spacer (7) is constructed as a wave-shaped profile.

15. The plate apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the spacer (7) has a plurality of through-flow openings (7a).

16. The plate apparatus of the plate apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is designed as an absorber.

17. The plate apparatus according to claim 16, wherein two fluids performing an absorption process in the absorber are allocated to the second plate intermediate spaces (Z.sub.1, Z.sub.3), and one of the two fluids flows through the distribution lance (6).

18. The plate apparatus according to claim 17, wherein a liquid or viscous fluid flows through the distribution lance (6).

19. The plate apparatus according to claim 17, wherein a gaseous or vaporous fluid flows into a space surrounding the distribution lance (6).

20. The plate apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the liquid fluid is an ionic fluid.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 is a plan view of one plate of the plate apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical section through multiple plates arranged one next to the other in an embodiment of the invention;

(4) FIG. 3 is a cross section along the line III-III in FIG. 2;

(5) FIG. 4 is a horizontal section through some adjacent plates according to an embodiment of the invention;

(6) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a plate apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention; and

(7) FIG. 6 is a schematic absorption circuit illustrating the use of a plate apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention as an absorption cooling unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(8) FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a plate P.sub.1 of a conventional plate heat exchanger. It has on its outer periphery a peripheral edge seal 1 and at its four corner regions the four typical through-flow openings 2, 3, 4 and 5. Here, two upper/lower opposing through-flow openings—here the through-flow openings 2 and 5—are blocked by sealing rings 2a and 5a relative to the visible heat transfer surface of the plate, while the two other through-flow openings 3 and 4 opposite them are open, so that the fluid flowing into these through-flow openings can wet the visible plate surface, as is indicated by the illustrated arrows. The visible plate side thus belongs to a plate intermediate space Z.sub.0 or Z.sub.2 in FIG. 2, which typically carries a flow of a heating or cooling agent.

(9) Behind the shown plate P.sub.1, however, there is an intermediate space Z.sub.1 or Z.sub.3 (see FIG. 2) that is allocated to the fluids to be mixed. Therefore, the through-flow openings 3 and 4 are surrounded there by seals, while the seals 2a and 5a are missing on the back side of the shown plate.

(10) It can also be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 that a distribution lance 6 having a significantly smaller diameter is arranged in the upper through-flow openings 2. This distribution lance 6 runs, as FIG. 2 shows, axially through the through-flow openings 2 of adjacent plates P.sub.0, P.sub.1, P.sub.2, P.sub.3, P.sub.4. In those plate intermediate spaces that are not allocated to the fluids to be mixed, that is, in the “incorrect” plate intermediate spaces Z.sub.0 and Z.sub.2, the distribution lance 6 has downward projecting outlet openings 6a.

(11) During the operation of plate heat exchangers the through-flow openings 2 carry a flow of a first fluid, usually a gas, and the distribution lance 6 carries a flow of a second fluid, in general a liquid. While the distribution of the gaseous first fluid takes place without a problem to the correct plate intermediate spaces, the liquid fluid is fed by means of the distribution lance 6 first to the “incorrect” plate intermediate spaces Z.sub.0, Z.sub.2, in which the through-flow openings 2 are surrounded by the specified seals 2a. Thus, these “incorrect” plate intermediate spaces fill up with fluid until the lower edge of the through-flow openings 2 is reached. This state is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

(12) With further supply of fluid, the plate areas within the seal 2a act as dams over which the fluid flows as a thin film on both sides downward into the “correct” plate gaps. Here, the lower edges of the through-flow openings 2 are formed by straight, horizontally running edge sections 2b, so that the overflow already begins with a certain width. The edge sections 2b here run at a level that preferably lies above half the distance between the lower edge of the seal 2a on one side and the distribution lance 6 on the other side.

(13) For very large plate assemblies having long distribution lances 6, it can be expedient to increase the cross section of the outlet openings 6a with increasing distance from the fluid entrance. This achieves a more uniform distribution of the fluid onto the plate intermediate spaces following one after the other.

(14) FIG. 4 shows a horizontal section area through multiple plates. Here, spaces 7 and 8 in the form of corrugated inserts are arranged in the plate intermediate spaces. The spacers are dimensioned so that they contact both adjacent plates and thus create a support of the plates perpendicular to the plane of the plates. This arrangement prevents buckling of the plates when there are high differential pressures between adjacent plate intermediate spaces.

(15) Here, the spacers that are arranged in those plate intermediate spaces that carry a flow of fluids to be mixed—in the embodiment the spacer 7—are provided with a plurality of openings 7a. In this way, the fluids pass through the spacer 7, which promotes their mixing.

(16) FIG. 4 also shows that the plate intermediate spaces—differently than as shown in FIG. 3—can have different gap dimensions. In particular, the plate gaps carrying the flow of the fluids to be mixed can have a greater gap width than the plate gap that carries a flow of heating or cooling agent or is shut down.

(17) FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a complete plate apparatus for use in an absorption process. Here, as in FIG. 1, the feeding of the gaseous or vaporous working medium and the solvent to be mixed with it is provided in the left upper region. While the solvent is fed to the distribution lance 6, the supply of the working medium is realized via a pipe elbow 16. The distribution lance 6 that runs in the interior of the plate holes 2 is sealed relative to the pipe elbow 16 and crosses through it at a suitable position. In this way, the working medium and the solvent can be fed separately and the mixture of both fluids begins only directly above the plates.

(18) At the left lower edge, the solution enriched with working medium is discharged from the plate apparatus at a pipe connection 17.

(19) Connection nozzles 18 and 19 are allocated to the through-flow openings 3 and 4 in FIG. 1 and are used for the supply and discharge, respectively, of cooling water that receives the heat released during the absorption process.

(20) FIG. 6 shows the preferred application of the plate apparatus in the context of an absorption process—in the shown embodiment in an absorption cooling unit, but the use is equally expedient in an absorption heat pump.

(21) The function of absorption cooling units or heat pumps is known prior art and therefore will not be described in detail. What is essential in the present context is the construction of the absorber, which is marked in FIG. 6 by the reference symbol “A”. A suitable working medium in a gaseous or vaporous consistency is fed to the absorber. This working medium is to be mixed with a solvent, so that an absorption process is produced between the two fluids. For this purpose, the solvent, which usually has a relatively viscous consistency, is fed to the distribution lance 6, while the gaseous or vaporous working medium is fed into the space surrounding the distribution lance. The mixing of the two fluids is then performed in the so-called second plate intermediate spaces, wherein a large reaction surface between the working medium and the solvent is provided by the fluid distribution across the width of the plate intermediate spaces. In this way, while crossing through the plate intermediate spaces, a strong absorption of the working medium by the solvent is produced, and after flowing through the plate intermediate spaces, the solvent is strongly enriched with working medium, when it leaves the plate intermediate space at the lower end.

(22) The processing heat Q.sub.A released during the absorption process is received and dissipated by a fluid flowing in the specified first plate intermediate spaces.

(23) In the present application the use was described in connection with an absorption process. However, it is equally within the scope of the invention to use the plate apparatus for chemical reactions, in which different media are to be mixed within one plate gap.

(24) It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.