CA2937382A1 - Wire spacer for a plate type heat exchanger, plate type heat exchanger provided with such a wire spacer, and method of upgrading a heat exchanger - Google Patents

Abstract

A wire spacer (20) for spacing two adjacent heat transfer plates (2, 4) of a plate type heat exchanger (1). The wire spacer (20) is formed by a bent wire (22) that is alternatingly abutting the two adjacent heat transfer plates (2, 4), while extending along the fluid channel (6, 8) of the heat exchanger (1). The wire spacer (20) has first and second support segments (24, 26) providing a plate supporting function, and spacing segments (28) for maintaining a minimal vertical spacing (?y) between the heat transfer plates (2, 4) during heat exchanger operation. The first lower support segments (24) are formed by wire paths (32) that span a plane (S1) coinciding with a top surface of the lower heat transfer plate (2), and allow the wire spacer (20) to keep its orientation fixed with respect to the heat transfer plates.

Description

Wire Spacer for a Plate Type Heat Exchanger, Plate Type Heat Exchanger provided with such a Wire Spacer, and Method for Upgrading a Heat Exchanger TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The invention relates to a wire spacer for a plate type heat exchanger, and to a heat exchanger provided with a plurality of such wire spacers. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for upgrading existing plate type heat exchangers.
BACKGROUND ART

[0002] A conventional plate type heat exchanger generally consists of a plurality of heat transfer plates, forming spatially separated but thermally connected fluid channels through which fluid streams with a different temperature are allowed to flow. This enables heat transfer to take place from the hotter fluid to the colder fluid.

[0003] From US patent 2,595,457, various plate type heat exchanger configurations are known, having a heat exchanger plate assembly or plate core comprising heat transfer plates between which heat exchanger elements in the form of periodically (e.g.
sinusoidally) bent wires are mounted. One function of these bent wires is to provide extended wire fm surfaces that increase the effective heat transfer area of the heat transfer plates. A
second function of the bent wires is to maintain a parallel orientation of the adjacent heat transfer plates, so that the fluid channels will not deform as a result of the thermal gradients occurring during use.
As shown in US 2,595,457, the periodically bent wire spacers generally comprise first support segments (e.g. a yoke portion of a U-shape) for abutting the first heat transfer plate along a first support line in the direction of the fluid flow, second support segments (e.g. a yoke portion of an inverted U-shape) for abutting the second heat transfer plate along a second support line and at a spacing distance from the first support line, and spacing segments (e.g. legs of the U-shape) interconnecting the first support segments and the second support segments in an alternating manner.

[0004] The periodical wire spacers from US 2,595,457 have to be welded or brazed with their yoke portions to at least one of the heat transfer plates, in order to fix the orientation of the wire spacer with respect to the plates, and to provide sufficient thermal bonding for obtaining the increased effective heat transfer area. The required welding or brazing complicates manufacturing of such a heat exchanger.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0005] It would be desirable to provide a wire spacer for a plate type heat exchanger, which simplifies heat exchanger construction and/or maintenance.

[0006] Therefore, according to a first aspect, there is provided a wire spacer according to claim 1.

[0007] The wire spacer according to this aspect of the invention is formed by bending a stiff wire into a desired elongate shape. The mechanical stiffness (or rigidity) of the wire material is sufficient to maintain the predefmed wire shape during use of the heat exchanger, to properly space (i.e. maintain the desired space between) the heat transfer plates. The minimally required stiffness is determined by the allowed deformations of the wire spacers and the heat transfer plates under the typical thermal gradients and mechanical stresses occurring during heat exchanger operation. The wire portion perpendicular to the plates must be rigid with respect to the stresses imposed on the wire, and he wire thickness must be selected to meet this condition.

[0008] Typically, the heat transfer plates are 1 - 2 millimeter thick, so that the wire cross-section (or diameter, in case of a cylindrical wire) typically needs to be in the range of 2 -4 millimeter. For such a configuration, height of the vertical portion must be 0.1 to 0.2 mm smaller than the spacing distance between the heat transfer plates, both in cold condition and during shop assembly, in order to accommodate the small deformation due to thermal gradients during operation.

[0009] The material of the wire should be selected based on the expected heat exchanger operating temperature and thermal gradient forces. Among the possible wire materials are carbon steel wire (uncoated or aluminized or galvanized), various grades of austenitic stainless steel. A circular wire cross-section is preferred, but other wire cross-section shapes (e.g. polygonal) are possible.

[0010] The wire paths jointly span the support plane parallel to and abutting the first (lower) heat transfer plate. "Spanning of the plane" refers herein to providing at least three points that are non-coinciding and not co-linear, and that together defme the support plane.
The term "wire path" refers herein to a continuous portion of the bent wire that traces out a curved or bent wire trajectory spanning at least a line but preferably spanning a portion of the support plane (e.g. by forming a semi-circular shape, a U-shape, an S-shape, or a W-shape, within the support plane). In any case, the wire paths are formed to at least jointly span the support plane comprising the first support line.

[0011] The first support line forms a path along the first heat transfer plate, which path may for example be linear along a first direction corresponding to the main flow direction of the fluid within the channel enclosed by the adjacent heat transfer plates, e.g. in a cross-flow plate type heat exchanger with linear fluid channels. Alternatively, the first support line may be slightly curved, or even substantially curved so as to follow a more sophisticated trajectory, e.g. the trajectory defined by the curved fluid channels in a Z-type concurrent- or counter-flow plate type heat exchanger.

[0012] Each wire path extends at its path ends into respective spacing segments. The spacing segments interconnect the first support segments and the second support segments in an alternating manner, and have a mechanical stiffness that is sufficiently large for keeping the first and second heat transfer plates at the desired spacing distance, as was described herein above.

[0013] The co-planar shapes of the wire paths cooperate to form the support plane, such that the wire spacer can be positioned between the heat transfer plates with this common support plane parallel to and abutting a heat transfer surface of the first heat transfer plate. In the intended orientation, the spacing segments fix the orientation of the second support segments at the desired spacing distance with respect to the base wire portions and the support plane. So effectively, each wire path in the wire spacer according to this aspect of the invention functions as a base for supporting the wire spacer, and for fixing the orientation of the wire spacer with respect to the heat transfer plates.

[0014] According to embodiments of the wire spacer, the spacing segments extend at least partially and preferably entirely along a second direction that is locally perpendicular to the first support line.

[0015] In case of a straight first support line, the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. For adjacent parallel heat transfer plates, this second direction will be perpendicular to the heat transfer surfaces of both heat transfer plates.

[0016] In general, the proposed wire spacer according to this aspect allows for easy placement between two adjacent heat transfer plates, without needing further means for holding the wire spacer in the correction upright orientation.

[0017] The proposed wire spacers may be configured as relatively thin elongated structures, which do not occupy a significant volume. In contrast to this, bar spacers (e.g.
known from patent document US 5,383,516) occupy a larger volume, significantly reduce the effective cross-section of the fluid channels, and undergo substantial differential thermal expansion and thermal stresses during heat exchanger operation. Similarly, plate-embossing spacers (e.g. known from patent document US 2,281,754) create large flow obstructions and corresponding pressure drops.

[0018] According to an embodiment, the wire paths of the wire spacer jointly extend bi-directionally from the first support line and along a transversal direction, which is perpendicular to the first support line and is within in the support plane.

[0019] According to further embodiments, the wire paths may comprise smoothly curved portions and/or connected linear segments, or various other shapes spanning the support plane. For example, any of the wire paths may comprise interconnected linear path segments that are oriented in the support plane and perpendicular to the first support line.
Alternatively, any wire path may be formed as a smoothly curved shape with its curvature spanning the support plane, e.g. a semi-circular wire path.

[0020] According to an embodiment, each wire path extends to at least one side of the first support line along the transversal direction, which is oriented perpendicular to the first support line. The wire paths may extend toward opposite sides in an alternating manner along the wire spacer. For example, one particular wire path may extend to the positive transversal direction, while the preceding and subsequent wire paths extend to the negative (i.e. opposite) transversal direction. This alternating configuration allows fixing the orientation of the wire spacer between the heat transfer plates, while requiring a minimal amount of wire.

[0021] According to a further embodiment, each wire path may be individually bent to extend bi-directionally along both the positive and negative transversal directions from the first support line, to span a total base width.

[0022] A wire path that by itself extends to both directions from the first support line allows stabilization of its orientation with respect to the first heat transfer plate.
Furthermore, if each wire path is identically shaped to extend in both transversal directions, then the wire spacer may be formed as a periodical structure of consecutive identical units that each comprise an interconnected quadruplet formed by a first support segment, a spacing segment, a second support segment, and a further spacing segment. This periodicity greatly simplifies the manufacturing process wherein the wire is bent to form the proposed wire spacer.

[0023] According to a further embodiment, the total base width equals the spacing distance.

[0024] If the total base width equals the spacing distance, then an incidental occurrence of local twisting of the wire spacer about an axis parallel to the support line (i.e. a rotation of wire paths in the plane spanned by the spacing direction and transversal direction) will not have a detrimental effect on the spacing function. At the site of the twisting, the rotated wire paths with a total base width matching the desired spacing distance will still locally provide a spacing function.

[0025] According to an embodiment, the wire path may be formed by multiple interconnected linear path segments that are arranged with their long axes directed along the transversal direction. These linear path segments may be abutting as viewed along the support line, and interconnected by short curved portions at the respective segment end points. In this configuration, a length of the wire path viewed along the support line (i.e. the first or fluid flow direction) can be minimized, while the support width in the transversal direction will be maximized. Hence, stabilization in the spacing direction and transversal direction is optimized, while an effective thermal contact area between the wire spacer and the heat transfer plate is kept relatively small.

[0026] For example, the wire path may be formed as one of a contracted U-shape, a contracted S-shape, or a contracted W-shape. Any one of these shapes is easily formed in a manufacturing process involving wire bending actions in the positive and negative transversal directions only. Hence, wire bending actions in the direction along the support line, which complicate the manufacturing process, are avoided.

[0027] According to another embodiment, the wire path is smoothly curved in the support plane. According to further embodiments, the wire path forms one of a U-shape, an S-shape, or a curved W-shape.

[0028] A smoothly curved wire path is easily formed by bending the wire into the desired shape, without creating sharp turns or folds. Smooth curves minimize the risk of breaking the wire during construction. The smoothly curved wire path provides a considerable structural support area in the support plane, while minimizing the thermal contact area between the wire spacer and the first heat transfer plate. Any one of a smoothly curved U-shape, an S-shape, or a curved W-shape, is easily formed in a manufacturing process involving wire bending actions in the transversal directions only.
Hence, wire bending actions in the direction along the first support line, which would complicate the manufacturing process, are avoided.

[0029] According to an embodiment, the second support segments are formed by linear support segments with support lengths along the first support line.

[0030] The first support segments are effectively spaced along the first support line by the linear support segments. The preferred lengths of these linear support segments are determined by the expected differential pressures between the adjacent channels and the operating temperatures occurring in the heat exchanger. In particular, by forming the support segments with equal lengths, the wire spacer possesses a linear symmetry that will provide a nearly uniform linear supporting capability along the first support line.
Correspondingly, the wire spacer manufacturing process is greatly simplified.

[0031] According to a further embodiment, the support lengths are equal support lengths in the range of 100 mm ¨200 mm.

[0032] Support lengths in the range of 100 mm ¨ 200 millimeter allow robust spacing in a heat exchanger having heat transfer plates of 1 ¨2 millimeter thickness, and operating at a differential pressure of 500 - 1000 Pa in a temperature range of 100-300 C.

[0033] According to an embodiment, the spacing segments are formed by perpendicular linear segments with spacing heights equal to the spacing distance.
Optionally, the wire could extend transversely at the end of the perpendicular linear segments in addition to or in alternative to support segments along the first support line.

[0034] Spacing segments formed from linear segments that are oriented along the spacing direction provide maximal structural integrity and support.

[0035] According to an embodiment, a cross-section of the bent wire is circular.

[0036] A circular wire is easy and cheap to construct. Due to its cylindrical symmetry, the circular wire is easily bent into any desired elongated wire spacer shape.
In addition, the isotropic bending resistance of the circular wire allows bending in the transversal and spacing directions required for forming the inherently three-dimensional configuration of the proposed wire spacer according to the first aspect. The circular cross section also minimizes the contact area between the wire spacer and the heat transfer plates, thereby avoiding excessive thermal gradients and resulting stresses occurring during operation of the heat exchanger (as is the case with pins or stud spacers welded to heat transfer plates, e.g. known from patent document W096/19708). Furthermore, any thermal insulation coating can be applied to the smooth surface of the circular wire spacer in an easy and durable manner.

[0037] According to a further embodiment, a wire diameter of the bent wire is in a diameter range of 2 ¨ 4 mm.

[0038] At the expected heat exchanger design temperatures and thermal gradient forces described herein above, this preferred diameter range yields a wire spacer that is sufficiently rigid to prevent deformation, while still allowing the wire to be manufactured without difficulty. A thicker wire would be difficult to process, while a thinner wire would not be able to prevent deformation.

[0039] According to an embodiment, the bent wire has a first end and a second end, wherein each end is provided with attachment means for connecting the wire spacer to the first heat transfer plate and/or the second heat transfer plate. Optionally, this connection could be through electrical resistance welding or through a pin welded to the first and/or second heat transfer plates.

[0040] By providing the wire spacer with attachment means at the opposite wire ends, the wire spacer may be easily fixed with respect to the heat exchanger by attachment to externally accessible regions of the heat exchanger, for example to the plate edges near fluid channel apertures, or to flow guiding elements (ferrules) located at the plate edges.

[0041] According to a second aspect, and with corresponding effects and advantages as described herein above, there is provided a plate type heat exchanger as defined by claim 10.

[0042] As described herein above with respect to the first aspect of the invention, the first direction corresponding to the main flow direction of the fluid within the channel enclosed by the adjacent heat transfer plates may define a straight first support line along the first heat transfer plate (like in a cross-flow plate type heat exchanger with linear fluid channels). Alternatively, this first direction may also be construed as a local direction, which may change along the first support line. This allows the first support line to be curved along the fluid channel of the heat transfer plate (like in curved fluid channels in a Z-type concurrent- or counter-flow plate type heat exchanger).

[0043] According to an embodiment, the at least one wire spacer of the plate type heat exchanger is releasably positioned between the adjacent heat transfer plates, and wherein the first end and second end of the wire spacer are fixed to respective outer edges of the heat transfer plates. Optionally, this attachment can be made by electrical resistance welding or by welding a pin to the heat transfer plates.

[0044] According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for upgrading an existing plate type heat exchanger as defined by claim 14.

[0045] The effects and advantages of a heat exchanger resulting from the upgrading method according to this aspect have already been described herein above in view of the other aspects. In addition to a method for upgrading an existing heat exchanger, the method according to this aspect may also represent the reassembly phase after cleaning or repairing any heat exchanger provided with the wire spacers according to the first aspect of the invention. In such cleaning or repairing methods, the initial phase comprises removing the wire spacers from the fluid channels of the plate type heat exchanger.
Subsequently, the heat transfer plates having the wire spacers removed are easily cleaned or repaired by suitable methods without obstruction from the wire spacers. Subsequently, the original wire spacers or repaired substitutes are re-inserted into the fluid channels, as defined by this third aspect of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0046] Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts, and in which:

[0047] Fig.1 schematically shows a heat exchanger according to an embodiment, and

[0048] Fig.2a-2d present perspective views of wire spacers according to embodiments;

[0049] The figures are meant for illustrative purposes only, and do not serve as restriction of the scope or the protection as laid down by the claims.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0050] Fig.1 shows a perspective view of a plate type heat exchanger!
for exchanging thermal energy between a first fluid 14 and a second fluid 16 having a different temperature.
The shown heat exchanger! comprises a number of stacked heat transfer plates 2, 4.
Between each two adjacent heat transfer plates 2, 4 first fluid channels 6 and second fluid channels 8 are formed, for transporting the first fluid 14 and second fluid 16 respectively.

[0051] The first and second fluid channels 6, 8 are oriented mutually perpendicular, along a first direction X and a transversal direction Z respectively. The first and second fluid channels 6, 8 are alternatingly provided in the heat exchanger! in a second (vertical) direction Y, which is perpendicular to the first direction X and the transversal direction Z.
This plate configuration forms a so-called cross flow plate type heat exchanger. The adjacent heat transfer plates 2, 4 are spaced apart at a spacing height Ay in the second direction Y. Several of the first fluid channels 6 are provided with a plurality of wire spacers 20. The shown wire spacers 20 comprise first support segments 24, second support segments 26, and spacing segments 28 that interconnect the first support segments 24 and the second support segments 26.

[0052] The first support segments 24 are formed so as to abut the first heat transfer plate 2 along a first support line Cl, and the second support segments 26 are formed so as to abut the second heat transfer plate 4 along a second support line C2.

[0053] The first support segments 24 are curved into wire paths 32, which jointly define a first support plane Si that comprises the first support line Cl. As shown in Fig.1 and further illustrated by Fig.2a, each wire path 32 comprises three linear path segments 34a-c that are interconnected via sharply curved segments, jointly forming a contracted S-shape.
As a result, the linear path segments 34a-c of each wire path 32 jointly extend bidirectionally from the first support line Cl, and span the first support plane Si along both the first support line Cl and a transversal direction Z. Consequently, each wire path 32 forms a support portion that spans a total base width Az and effectively holds the wire spacer 20 steady between the heat transfer plates 2, 4, with the spacing wire segments 28 in an upright orientation. Preferably, the total base widths Az of the wire paths 32 equal the spacing distance Ay between the second support segments 26 and the first support line Cl.

[0054] The second support segments 26 are formed as linear wire segments with second support lengths Ax2 along the second support line C2. Here, the second support lengths Ax2 of subsequent second support segments 26 are shown to be equal. A typical value for the second support lengths Ax2 may be in the range of 100 mm ¨200 mm.

[0055] The spacing segments 28 interconnect the first support segments 24 and the second support segments 26 in an alternating manner. The spacing segments 28 in the shown embodiments are formed as linear wire segments that are perpendicular to the first support plane Si, and which hold the second support segments 26 at a spacing distance Ay from the first support line Cl. For a steel heat transfer plates of! ¨2 mm thickness, the spacing distance Ay is preferably 0.1 to 0.2 mm smaller than a plate distance between the heat transfer plates 2, 4 of a fluid channel 6, 8 in cold condition.

[0056] The wire spacer 20 is manufactured from bending a wire 22 having a circular cross-section, into a periodical structure having a multiplicity of the described segments. A
typical wire diameter 0 of the bent wire 22 (see Fig.2a) is in a diameter range of 2 ¨4 mm.

[0057] Fig.1 shows that each bent wire 22 has a first wire end 6 located at one side of the first fluid channel 6. At this first wire end 6, the bent wire 22 is provided with attachment means 44 for connecting the wire spacer 20 to the first heat transfer plate 2. At the opposing side of the first fluid channel 6, the wire spacer 20 terminates in a second end (not shown), wherein also the second end is provided with similar plate attachment means 44. The wire spacers 20 are releasably positioned between the adjacent heat transfer plates 2, 4, by temporarily fixing each wire spacer 20 with its first and second ends via the attachment means 44 to respective outer edges of the first heat transfer plate 2.
Alternatively, the attachment means 44 may also be provided on an upwardly bent portion of the wire spacer 20, so as to attach the wire spacer 20 to the second heat transfer plate (4).
The attachment means 44 can include ends of wire being attached through electrical resistance welding or through a pin welded to the heat transfer plate 2 and/or 4.

[0058] In an alternative embodiment shown in Fig.2b, each wire path 32 comprises only two linear path segments 34a, 34b that is interconnected via one sharply curved segment, and which jointly form a contracted U-shape. Here, each wire path 32 only extends in a single transversal direction Z within the first support plane Si from the first support line Cl.
Consecutive wire paths 32, 32' transversally extend in opposite transversal directions, so that the wire paths 32 jointly extend bidirectionally from the first support line Cl.

[0059] Many alternative wire spacers 20 provided with wire paths 32 formed from linear path segments and sharply curved connection segments may be conceived.
For example, the wire path 32 may be formed from a contracted W-shape with four linear path segments joined by three sharply curved interconnection segments.

[0060] Fig.2c shows an alternative embodiment of the wire spacer 20, wherein the wire paths 32 are smoothly curved within the support plane Si, so as to form a smooth S-shape.
Also in this embodiment, each wire path 32 extends bi-directionally from the first support line Cl, and spans a total base width Az. The wire spacer 20 in Fig.2c has a smoothly curved first support segment 24 with a first support length Axl that is considerably larger than in the previous embodiments.

[0061] Many alternative embodiments provided smoothly shaped wire paths 32 may be conceived. For example, the wire path 32 may be formed as a U-shape, or a curved W-shape.

[0062] Fig. 2d shows a further alternative embodiment of wire spacer 20, wherein each wire path 32 comprises three linear path segments 34a-c that are interconnected via sharply curved segments, jointly forming a contracted S-shape, similar to the embodiment shown in Fig. 2A. However, in Fig. 2d, wire path 32 alternatingly forms first support segments 24 along line Cl and C2, with second support segments 26 and spacing segments 28 between.

[0063] Any of the wire paths 32 described above have the property that wire spacer 20 is formed by bending the wire 22 using only bending operations in directions transversal to a main direction along the wire spacer 20, e.g. along the first direction X (or any of the support lines Cl, C2).

[0064] Alternatively, the wire path 32 may also be formed from backward or forward wire bending operations along this main direction along the wire spacer 20, although this will complicate the manufacturing process. By such a process, a wire spacer 20 having a more complex wire path 32 configuration may be obtained. An example of such a complex wire path 32 is a (nearly) circular wire path (not shown) that starts at an end of a spacing wire 28, extends perpendicular along the transversal direction Z, curves backward along the negative first direction -X, toward the negative transversal direction ¨Z, toward the positive first direction X, and back along the transversal direction Z to extend into a subsequent spacing wire.

[0065] The descriptions above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that alternative and equivalent embodiments of the invention can be conceived and reduced to practice, without departing from the scope of the claims set out below.

[0066] For example, any combination of the wire paths 32 described above may be provided within a single wire spacer 20.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS
1 plate type heat exchanger 2 first heat transfer plate 4 second heat transfer plate 6 first fluid channel 8 second fluid channel first fluid aperture 12 second fluid aperture 14 first fluid 10 16 second fluid 18 plate edge wire spacer 22 bent wire 24 first support segment 15 26 second support segment 28 spacing wire segment base wire portion 32 wire path 34a-c linear path segment 20 40 first end 42 second end 44 wire spacer attachment means 0 wire diameter X first direction 25 Y second direction Z transversal direction Si first support plane S2 second support plane Cl first support line 30 C2 second support line Axl first support length Ax2 second support length Ay spacing distance Az base width

Claims (13)

1. Wire spacer (20) for spacing a first heat transfer plate (2) and a second heat transfer plate (4) in a plate type heat exchanger (1), wherein the wire spacer comprises a bent wire (22) comprising:
- first support segments (24) for abutting the first heat transfer plate (2) along a first support line (C1);
- second support segments (26) for abutting the second heat transfer plate (4) along a second support line (C2);
- spacing segments (28) interconnecting the first support segments and the second support segments in an alternating manner, and spacing the second support segments at a spacing distance (.DELTA.y) from the first support line;
wherein the first support segments (24) are bent into wire paths (32) that jointly define a support plane (S1) comprising the first support line (C1).

2. Wire spacer (20) according to claim 1, wherein the wire paths (32) jointly extend bi-directionally from the first support line (C1) and along a transversal direction (Z) perpendicular to the first support line (C1) and within in the support plane (S1).

3. Wire spacer (20) according to claim 2, wherein each wire path (32) extends bi-directionally, and spans a total base width (.DELTA.z) that preferably equals the spacing distance (.DELTA.y).

4. Wire spacer (20) according to any one of claims 1 - 3, wherein the wire path (32) comprises connected linear path segments (34) spanning the transversal direction (Z), and preferably forms one of a contracted U-shape, a contracted S-shape, or a contracted W-shape.

5. Wire spacer (20) according to any one of claims 1 - 3, wherein the wire path (32) is smoothly curved in the support plane (S1), and preferably forms one of a U-shape, an S-shape, or a curved W-shape.

6. Wire spacer (20) according to any one of claims 1 - 5, wherein the second support segments are formed by linear support segments (26) with support lengths (.DELTA.xi) along the second support line (C2), preferably wherein the support lengths are equal support lengths (.DELTA.x) in the range of 100 mm - 200 mm.

7. Wire spacer (20) according to any one of claims 1 - 6, wherein the spacing segments are formed by perpendicular linear segments (28) with spacing heights equal to the spacing distance (.DELTA.y).

8. Wire spacer (2) according to any one of claims 1 - 7, wherein the wire path (32) extend bi-directionally from the second support line (C2) and along a transversal direction (Z) perpendicular to the second support line (C2).

9. Wire spacer (20) according to any one of claims 1 - 8, wherein a cross-section of the bent wire (22) is circular, and in particular wherein a wire diameter (.SLZERO.) of the bent wire (22) is in a diameter range of 2 - 4 mm.

10. Wire spacer (20) according to any one of claims 1 - 9, wherein the bent wire (22) has a first end (40) and a second end (42), wherein each end is provided with attachment means (44) for connecting the wire spacer to the first heat transfer plate (2) and/or the second heat transfer plate (4).

11. Plate type heat exchanger (1) for exchanging thermal energy between two fluids (14, 16), and comprising two adjacent heat transfer plates (2, 4) forming a fluid channel (6) along a first direction (X), and spaced apart at a spacing height (.DELTA.y) in a second direction (Y), wherein the plate type heat exchanger comprises at least one wire spacer (20) according to any one of claims 1 - 10 arranged between the two adjacent heat transfer plates.

12. Plate type heat exchanger (1) according to claim 11, wherein the at least one wire spacer (20) is releasably positioned between the adjacent heat transfer plates (2, 4), and wherein the first end (40) and second end (42) of the wire spacer are fixed to respective outer edges (18) of the heat transfer plates.

13. Method for upgrading an existing plate type heat exchanger (1) for exchanging thermal energy between two fluids (14, 16), and comprising two adjacent heat transfer plates (2, 4) forming a fluid channel (6) along a first direction (X), and spaced apart at a spacing height (.DELTA.y) in a second direction (Y), the method comprising:
- inserting at least one wire spacer (20) according to any one of claims between the two adjacent heat transfer plates (2, 4);
- positioning the wire paths (20) of the first support segments (24) in a manner abutting the first heat transfer plate (2) along a first support line (C1) in the first direction (X), and - positioning the second support segments (26) in a manner abutting the second heat transfer plate along a second support line (C2) at a spacing distance (.DELTA.y) from the first support line, thereby spacing the adjacent heat transfer plates.