DE102021208792A1 - Heat exchanger, in particular a tube bundle heat exchanger - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a heat exchanger (1), in particular a tube bundle heat exchanger. The heat exchanger comprises a housing (2) which surrounds a housing interior (3) and through which a first fluid (F1) can flow and which has an underside (2a) and an upper side (2b). The heat exchanger (1) also comprises a plurality of tubular bodies (4) arranged at a distance from one another in the housing interior (3), which each extend along a longitudinal extension direction (L) and through which a second fluid (F2) can flow, each being fluidically separate from the first fluid (F1). are, so that heat can be transferred from the second fluid (F2) through the tubular body (4) to the first fluid (F1). A flow guide element (11) for deflecting the second fluid (F2) impinging on the flow guide element (11) is arranged in the fluid distributor (5).

Description

The invention relates to a heat exchanger, in particular a tube bundle heat exchanger.

In a two-flow heat exchanger, a first fluid can absorb heat from a second fluid, which is guided through the heat exchanger fluidically separately from the first fluid, by heat transfer. In this way the second fluid is cooled.

Such heat exchangers are, for example, from DE 10 2017 208 324 A1 and the DE 10 2011 081 031 A1 known.

It is an object of the present invention to create an improved embodiment for a heat exchanger of the type mentioned at the outset, which is characterized in particular by improved efficiency in the heat transfer.

This object is solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Preferred embodiments are subject matter of the dependent patent claims.

A heat exchanger according to the invention, which can in particular be designed as a tube bundle heat exchanger with a bundle of tube bodies, comprises a housing which surrounds a housing interior and through which a first fluid can flow and which has an upper side and a lower side.

In the interior of the housing, several, i.e. at least two, tubular bodies are arranged at a distance from one another, through which a second fluid can flow, fluidically separate from the first fluid, so that - as described at the outset - heat can be transferred from the second fluid through the tubular bodies to the first fluid . The first fluid thus serves to cool the second fluid. For this purpose, the tubular bodies can be arranged at a distance from one another, so that intermediate spaces are formed between the individual tubular bodies, through which the first fluid can flow—fluidically separated from the second fluid.

The heat exchanger according to the invention also includes a fluid distributor for distributing the second fluid to the individual tubular bodies and for this purpose has a distributor housing which adjoins the housing and in which an inlet opening for introducing the second fluid into the distributor housing is formed. The fluid distributor or a distributor interior surrounded by the distributor housing communicates fluidly with the tubular bodies.

Correspondingly, the heat exchanger according to the invention can have a fluid collector for collecting the second fluid after it has flowed through the tubular bodies, which has a collector housing adjoining the housing and in which an outlet opening for discharging the fluid from the collector housing is formed. The fluid collector or a collector interior surrounded by the collector housing also communicates fluidly with the tubular bodies. The first and the second fluid can thus be guided through the heat exchanger fluidically separately from one another.

For this purpose, the tubular bodies are preferably arranged between the fluid distributor or the distributor housing and the fluid collector or the collector housing in the interior of the housing.

Of considerable importance for an efficient heat transfer from the second to the first fluid is a homogeneous quantity distribution of the second fluid to the individual tube bodies and, associated therewith, an improved homogeneity of the temperature distribution of the second fluid. In particular, an undesired local boiling of the first fluid due to thermal overload can be counteracted in this way.

In order to achieve this goal, the heat exchanger according to the invention is based on the basic idea of providing at least one flow guide element in the fluid distributor for conducting the second fluid impinging on the flow guide element to the tubular bodies. The at least one flow guide element is preferably arranged in a distributor interior delimited by the distributor housing. In this way, the second fluid in the fluid distributor can be distributed particularly evenly over the individual tubular bodies, so that a desired, improved homogeneity of the temperature distribution also occurs in the second fluid.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one flow guide element is formed by a guide plate, in particular a shaped sheet metal part, which preferably has a three-dimensional, particularly preferably curved, geometric shape that deviates from a planar geometry. Such a guide plate is technically simple and therefore inexpensive to produce and can be provided as a sheet metal part by forming with the desired geometric shape.

According to an advantageous development, the baffle or the sheet metal part by means an integral connection, preferably by means of a welded connection or a soldered connection or an adhesive connection, to the fluid distributor or the distributor housing. This allows the baffle to be manufactured with the desired geometry in a separate manufacturing step before it is assembled to the distributor housing.

In an alternative advantageous development, the fluid distributor, preferably the distributor housing, and the flow guide element can be formed by a one-piece cast part made of the same material. Thus, the flow guide element can be manufactured in the course of casting the distributor housing. A separate assembly step for assembling the flow guide element is no longer necessary. This simplifies the manufacture of the heat exchanger.

According to a preferred embodiment, the at least one flow guide element is arranged with respect to the vertical direction in the region of the tubular body closest to the underside. In this way, the flow guide element can be used to convey the second fluid counter to the direction of gravity, which during operation of the heat exchanger typically runs opposite to the vertical direction, to the upper tubular bodies in relation to the vertical direction, i.e. to those tubular bodies that are arranged near the top of the housing is to distract. This prevents the majority of the second fluid introduced into the fluid distributor from being introduced into the lower tubular body with respect to the vertical direction due to the force of gravity acting on the second fluid.

The at least one flow guide element is therefore particularly expediently arranged in a region of the fluid distributor which is lower in relation to the vertical direction and in which the inlet opening of the fluid distributor is also arranged. In this way, the second fluid can be deflected by means of the flow guide element immediately after entering the distributor interior. In particular, that portion of the second fluid introduced into the fluid distributor is deflected by the flow guide element which would be introduced essentially completely into the lower tubular body with respect to the vertical direction without the flow guide element.

Particularly preferably, the at least one flow guide element can be arranged at a, preferably acute, angle to the vertical direction. In this way, the desired deflection of the second fluid towards the upper tubular bodies is supported. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one flow guide element can be connected to a lower housing wall of the distributor housing. This measure facilitates the manufacture or assembly of the flow guide element on the distributor housing. It is conceivable here to produce the flow guide element and the distributor housing in one piece, in particular by means of a casting process. As an alternative to this, however, it is also conceivable to fasten the flow guide element to the distributor housing, in particular by means of one or more screw connections.

According to a further advantageous development, the at least one flow guide element is arranged in the interior of the distributor in such a way that the second fluid impinging on the flow guide element is at least partially deflected to the tubular bodies that are further away from the flow guide element, in particular to the tubular bodies closest to the upper side. This measure ensures that the second fluid is distributed over the individual tubular bodies in such a way that a more homogeneous quantity and temperature distribution is established than would be the case without a flow guide element.

The at least one flow element can particularly preferably connect two opposite lateral housing walls of the distributor housing to one another. When the flow guide element is arranged in the distributor housing, this preferred variant prevents a significant part of the second fluid introduced into the distributor interior from being able to flow past the side of the flow guide element without hitting it and thus being deflected.

According to an advantageous development, at least one through opening can be provided in the flow guide element. In this way, due to the heat dissipation to the first fluid, condensed second fluid can flow away from the flow guide element—following the force of gravity—to the underside of the housing.

At least one additional flow guide element for deflecting the first fluid flowing through the housing interior can expediently be arranged in the housing interior. Experimental investigations have shown that an advantageous homogeneous distribution of the first fluid in the interior of the housing—preferably in the spaces formed between the tubular bodies, particularly preferably in the immediate spatial vicinity of the tubular bodies—is also achieved by means of such an additional flow guide element for deflecting the first fluid. In particular, this at least partially prevents tubular bodies located close to the upper side of the housing from being flowed through proportionally by less first fluid than tubular bodies located closer to the underside due to the effect of gravity. This measure causes a more even heat transfer from the first fluid and to the second Fluid and thus causes improved efficiency in heat transfer.

According to an advantageous development, the at least one additional flow-guiding element is designed as an element base with a plurality of openings which pass through the tubular bodies. This variant is particularly easy to produce. It also proves to be particularly advantageous that the individual tubular bodies can also be fixed mechanically in the interior of the housing by means of the element base and the arrangement of the tubular bodies in the interior of the housing can thus be reinforced. At the same time, the base of the element is held firmly on the tubular bodies. The areas of the element base around the openings act as flow guide elements for the first fluid.

According to a further preferred embodiment, in a first end region of the housing interior facing the fluid collector, there is an inlet base which is fastened to the housing and/or to the collector housing and has a plurality of openings. The openings are penetrated by the tubular bodies. Alternatively or additionally, in a second end region of the housing interior facing the fluid distributor, there is an outlet base fastened to the housing and/or to the distributor housing and having a plurality of openings. The openings are penetrated by the tubular bodies. This variant brings about an additional mechanical stabilization both of the individual tubular bodies and of the additional flow-guiding element or additional element base on the housing.

The at least one element base and/or the inlet and/or outlet base are particularly preferably arranged in a plane which extends perpendicularly to the direction of longitudinal extension of the tubular bodies. This variant allows easy assembly of the floors and the tubular bodies and each other.

The at least one additional flow guide element is particularly expedient, preferably by means of at least one fastening element, particularly preferably by means of at least two fastening elements, arranged at a distance from the inlet floor and fastened to it. Alternatively or additionally, in this variant, the at least one additional flow guide element is arranged at a distance from the outlet floor and is fastened to it, preferably by means of at least one fastening element, particularly preferably by means of at least two fastening elements. This variant is technically particularly easy to implement. In addition, fasteners designed in this way require little installation space.

Further important features and advantages of the invention result from the dependent claims, from the drawings and from the associated description of the figures with reference to the drawings.

It goes without saying that the features mentioned above and those still to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, with the same reference symbols referring to identical or similar or functionally identical components.

• 1 ein Beispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Wärmeübertragers mit einem Strömungsleitelementen zum Ablenken des zweiten Fluids in einem Längsschnitt,
• 2 den Wärmeübertrager der 1 in einer perspektivischen Teildarstellung,
• 3a-3e den Fluidverteiler des Wärmeübertragers mit dem Verteilergehäuse und dem Strömungsleitelement zum Ablenken des zweiten Fluids in verschiedenen perspektivischen Darstellungen,
• 4 eine Weiterbildung des Wärmeübertragers der 1 mit zwei zusätzlichen Strömungsleitelementen zum Ablenken des ersten Fluids,
• 5 eines der in 4 gezeigten zusätzlichen Strömungsleitelemente in separater Darstellung.

They show, each schematically:

• 1 an example of a heat exchanger according to the invention with a flow guide element for deflecting the second fluid in a longitudinal section,
• 2 the heat exchanger 1 in a perspective partial view,
• 3a-3e the fluid distributor of the heat exchanger with the distributor housing and the flow guide element for deflecting the second fluid in different perspective views,
• 4 a further development of the heat exchanger 1 with two additional flow guide elements for deflecting the first fluid,
• 5 one of the in 4 shown additional flow control elements in a separate representation.

1 illustrates an example of a heat exchanger 1 according to the invention, which is implemented as a tube bundle heat exchanger, in a longitudinal section, the 2 in a perspective partial view. The heat exchanger 1 comprises a housing 2 which surrounds a housing interior 3 through which a first fluid F1 and—fluidically separate from this—can flow a second fluid F2. The housing 2 has an underside 2a and an upper side 2b lying opposite the underside 2a along a vertical direction H. The vertical direction H thus extends from the bottom 2a to the top 2b. The terms “top side”, “bottom side” and “vertical direction” refer to a preferred operating position of the heat exchanger 1, in which the direction of gravity S extends opposite to the vertical direction.

Furthermore, the heat exchanger 1 comprises a plurality, ie at least two, arranged in the housing interior 3 tubular bodies 4. The tubular bodies 4 are according to FIG 2 bundle-like or grid-like in several grid rows and grid columns arranged at a distance from each other. A second fluid F2 can flow through the tubular bodies 4 fluidically separate from the first fluid F1. In this way, heat can be transferred from the second fluid F2 through the tubular body 4 to the second fluid F1. The second fluid F2 thus flows inside the tubular body 4, while the first fluid F1 flows around the tubular body 4 on the outside, namely in intermediate spaces 29 formed between the individual tubular bodies 4. The tubular bodies 4 each extend along a longitudinal direction L, which runs perpendicular to the vertical direction H and thus preferably extends perpendicularly to the direction of gravity S and parallel to a horizontal direction HR.

The heat exchanger 1 comprises a fluid distributor 5 for distributing the second fluid F2 to the individual tubular bodies 4. The fluid distributor 5 has a distributor housing 6 adjoining the housing 2 in the longitudinal direction L. The distributor housing 6 delimits a distributor interior 12 which communicates fluidly with the tubular bodies 4 . An inlet opening 9 for introducing the second fluid F2 into the interior space 12 of the distributor is formed in the distributor housing 6 . The heat exchanger 1 also includes a fluid collector 7 for collecting the second fluid F2 after it has flowed through the tubular bodies 4. The fluid collector 7 has a collector housing 8 adjoining the housing 2 opposite the fluid distributor 5 in the longitudinal direction L. The housing 2 with the tubular bodies 4 is therefore arranged between the distributor housing 6 and the collector housing 8 with respect to the direction of longitudinal extent L. The collector housing 8 delimits a collector interior 13 which communicates fluidly with the tubular bodies 4 . An outlet opening 10 for discharging the second fluid F2 from the interior space 13 of the collector is formed in the collector housing 8 .

How 1 can also be seen, an additional inlet opening 27 is formed in the fluid distributor 5 or its distributor housing 6, which communicates fluidly with the intermediate spaces 29 formed in the housing interior 3 between the individual tubular bodies 4, so that the first fluid F1 - fluidly separated from the second fluid F2 - can be introduced into the housing interior 3.

Accordingly, an additional outlet opening 28 is formed in the fluid collector 7 or its collector housing 8, which also communicates fluidly with the spaces 29 formed in the housing interior 3 between the individual tubular bodies 4, so that the additional outlet opening 28 through the housing interior 3 or the spaces 29 guided first fluid F1 - fluidly separated from the second fluid F2 - can be discharged again from the housing interior 3 or from the heat exchanger 1. The flow through the housing interior 3 with the first and second fluid F1, F2 can thus take place in the example of the figures in cocurrent, but in a variant that is not shown also in countercurrent. A flow guide element 11 of the heat exchanger 1 for deflecting the second fluid F2 impinging on the flow guide element 11 towards the tubular bodies 4 arranged in the housing interior 3 is arranged in the distributor interior 12 of the fluid distributor 5 delimited by the distributor housing 6 . The flow guide element 11 is arranged in the distributor interior 12 in such a way that the second fluid F2 impinging on the flow guide element 11 is at least partially deflected towards the tubular bodies 4 that are farther away from the flow guide element 11 in the vertical direction H—in particular to the tubular bodies 4 closest to the upper side 2b.

For clarification, the 3a until 3e the fluid distributor 5 with the distributor housing 6 and the flow guide element 11 in different perspective views. Accordingly, the flow guide element 11 is arranged with respect to the vertical direction H in the region of the tubular body 4 closest to the underside 2a. Thus, the flow guide element 11 is arranged in a lower region of the distributor interior 12 with respect to the vertical direction H, in which region with respect to the vertical direction H the inlet opening 9 formed in the distributor housing 6 is also positioned.

Like those in particular 1 can be seen, the flow guide element 11 can be arranged at an acute angle to the vertical direction H. The flow guide element 11 can according to the 3a-3e be connected to a lower housing wall 14 of the distributor housing 6 . The flow element 11 connects two opposing lateral housing walls 15a, 15b of the distributor housing 6 with each other. The flow guide element 11 can be formed by a guide plate 30 which has a three-dimensional, ie curved, geometric shape.

The baffle 30 can as in the 3d and 3e shown to be a sheet metal part. The guide plate 30 or the shaped sheet metal part, ie the flow guide element 11, can be connected to the distributor housing 6 of the fluid distributor 5 by means of an integral connection, for example by means of a welded connection or a soldered connection or an adhesive connection. This allows the baffle to be manufactured 30 with the desired geometry in the course of a separate manufacturing step before it is assembled on the distributor housing.

Alternatively, the distributor housing 6 of the fluid distributor 5 and the flow guide element 11 as in 3a and 3e recognizable formed by a one-piece and material-uniform casting. Thus, the flow guide element 11 can also be formed in the course of the casting of the distributor housing 6 .

A through opening 26 can be formed in the flow guide element 11 . Via this passage opening 26, condensed second fluid F2 can flow away from the flow guide element 11, following the force of gravity, to the underside 2a of the housing 2. If the distributor housing 6 and the flow guide element 11 are a one-piece cast part, the through-opening 26 can be produced in the course of the casting. If the flow guide element 11 is a guide plate 30 or a shaped sheet metal part, the through-opening 26 can be produced by means of a stamping or embossing process.

The 4 illustrates a further development of the example 1 . Accordingly, additional flow guide elements 16a, 16b can be arranged in the housing interior 3 for deflecting the first fluid F1 flowing through the housing interior 3 or the intermediate spaces 29. In the example of 4 For example, in a first end region 19 of the housing interior 3 facing the fluid distributor 5 there is an inlet base 20 fastened to the housing 2 and—alternatively or additionally—to the distributor housing 6 with a plurality of openings 21 through which the tubular bodies 4 pass. In addition, in a second end region 22 of the housing interior 3 facing the fluid collector 7 there is an outlet base 23 fastened to the housing 2 and—alternatively or additionally—to the collector housing 8 with a plurality of openings 24 through which the tubular bodies 4 pass.

For clarity, the outlet floor is 23 in 5 shown separately. According to the 4 and 5 a first additional flow guide element 16a is formed as a first element base 17a with a plurality of openings 18a through which the tubular bodies 4 pass. The first element floor 17a and the inlet floor 20 are in the example scenario 4 and 5 each formed like a plate and arranged at a distance from one another in a plane E1 or E2, which extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction L of the tubular body 4. As the 4 and 5 Also to illustrate, the first additional flow directing member 16a may be spaced and attached to the inlet floor 20 by means of fasteners 25a.

The second additional flow guide element 16b can according to 3 be configured analogously to the first additional flow guide element 16a, so that a separate representation as in 5 shown for the first additional flow guide element 16a can be dispensed with. The second additional flow guide element 16b can also be designed as a second element base 17b with a plurality of openings 18b through which the tubular bodies 4 pass. The second element base 17b and the outlet base 23 are also each plate-like in the example scenario and are arranged at a distance from one another in a plane E3 or E4 that extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction L of the tubular body 4 . The second additional flow guide element 16b can also be used as in 4 indicated by means of fastening elements 25b at a distance from the outlet floor 23 and fastened to it.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• DE 102017208324 A1 [0003]
• DE 102011081031 A1 [0003]

Claims (15)

Heat exchanger (1), in particular tube bundle heat exchanger, - with a housing (2) surrounding a housing interior (3) and through which a first fluid (F1) can flow, which has a bottom (2a) and a top (2b), - with a plurality of tubular bodies (4) arranged at a distance from one another in the housing interior (3), which each extend along a longitudinal direction (L) and each fluidically separate from the first fluid (F1) can be flowed through by a second fluid (F2), so that heat can be transferred from the second fluid (F2) through the tubular body (4) to the first fluid (F1), - wherein at least two of the tubular bodies (4) are arranged next to one another along a vertical direction (H) extending from the underside (2a) of the housing (2) to the upper side (2b), - With a fluid distributor (5) for distributing the second fluid (F2) to the individual tubular bodies (4), which has a distributor housing (6) adjoining the housing (2), in which an inlet opening (9) for introducing the second Fluid (F2) is formed in the distributor housing (6), - having a fluid collector (7) for collecting the second fluid (F2) after it has flowed through the tubular body (4), a collector housing (8) adjoining the housing (2), in which an outlet opening (10) for discharging the second Fluid (F2) formed from the collector housing (8). - a flow guide element (11) for deflecting the second fluid (F2) impinging on the flow guide element (11), in particular towards the tubular bodies (4), being arranged in the fluid distributor (5). heat exchanger claim 1 , characterized in that the flow guide element (11) is formed by a guide plate (30), in particular a shaped sheet metal part, which preferably has a three-dimensional, particularly preferably curved, geometric shape. heat exchanger claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the guide plate (3) or the shaped sheet metal part is connected to the fluid distributor (5) or the distributor housing (6) by means of an integral connection, preferably by means of a welded connection or soldered connection or adhesive connection. heat exchanger claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the fluid distributor (5), preferably the distributor housing (6), and the flow guide element (11) are formed by a one-piece and material-uniform casting. Heat exchanger according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flow guide element (11) is arranged in a distributor interior (12) delimited by the distributor housing (6). Heat exchanger according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flow guide element (11) is arranged with respect to the vertical direction (H) in the region of the tubular body (4) adjacent to the underside (2a); and/or that the flow guide element (11) is arranged in a region of the distributor housing (12) which is lower in relation to the vertical direction (H) and in which the inlet opening (9) is also arranged. Heat exchanger according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the flow guide element (11) is arranged at a, preferably acute, angle to the vertical direction (H); or/and that - the flow guide element (11) is connected to a lower housing wall (14) of the distributor housing (6) and preferably protrudes at an angle from this. Heat exchanger according to one of Claims 5 until 7 , characterized in that the flow guide element (11) is arranged in the distributor interior (12) in such a way that the second fluid (F2) impinging on the flow guide element (11) flows at least partially to the tubular bodies (4) that are further away from the flow guide element (11), in particular to the the upper side (2a) closest tube bodies (4) is deflected.; Heat exchanger according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flow element (11) connects two opposing lateral housing walls (15a, 15b) of the distributor housing (6) or collector housing (8) to one another. Heat exchanger according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one through opening (26) is formed in the flow guide element (11). Heat exchanger according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one additional flow guide element (16a, 16b) for deflecting the first fluid (F1) flowing through the housing interior (3) is arranged in the housing interior (3). heat exchanger claim 11 , characterized in that the at least one additional flow guide element (16a, 16b) as element base (17) with a plurality of Openings (18a, 18b) is formed, which pass through the tubular body (4). heat exchanger claim 11 or 12 , characterized in that an inlet base (20) fastened to the housing (2) and/or to the collector housing (8) and having a plurality of openings (21) is provided in a first end region (19) of the housing interior facing the fluid collector (5), which pass through the tubular bodies (4) and/or that in a second end area (22) of the housing interior (3) facing the fluid distributor (7) an outlet base (23) fastened to the housing (2) and/or to the distributor housing (6) with a A plurality of openings (24) is provided, which pass through the tubular body (4). Heat exchanger according to one of Claims 11 until 13 , characterized in that the at least one element base (17a, 17b) and/or the inlet and/or outlet base is arranged in a plane (E1, E2, E3, E4) which extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction (L). Heat exchanger according to one of Claims 11 until 14 , characterized in that - the at least one additional flow guide element (16a), preferably by means of at least one fastening element (25a), particularly preferably by means of at least two fastening elements (25a), is arranged at a distance from the inlet floor (20) and is fastened to it; or/and that - the at least one additional flow guiding element (16b) is arranged at a distance from the outlet floor (23) and is fastened to it, preferably by means of at least one fastening element (25b), particularly preferably by means of at least two fastening elements (25b).

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