EP1508763A1 - Heat exchanger with vent tube - Google Patents

Abstract

The heat exchanger has a number of tubes (3) arranged in a housing (2) and preferably combined into at least one bundle of tubes and several intermediate walls (4) dividing the housing into separate regions (5). A venting tube (6) preferably passing through all regions of the housing has a number of venting bores formed transversely to the longitudinal direction of the tube. An independent claim is also included for the following: (a) a method of arranging a venting tube in a heat exchanger with several intermediate walls.

Description

The invention relates to a heat exchanger having a plurality of in one Housing arranged and preferably to at least one tube bundle combined tubes and a plurality of the housing in separate areas dividing partition walls.

Heat exchangers of the aforementioned type are known from the prior art and are commonly referred to as tube heat exchangers. They serve that Heat exchange between two different tempered media, the a medium in the generally summarized as a tube bundles U-shaped trained tubes, whereas the other medium in the transverse or Longitudinal flow is passed to the tubes of the heat exchanger. When second medium from which dissipates the heat and to the through the tubes Guided first medium to be transferred, is usually a highly heated fluid in the form of water vapor, water or inert gas.

Preferably, this has the tubes of the heat exchanger receiving Housing a plurality of partitions, as a result of their arrangement Housing areas arise. The partitions are also used by the position-safe and dimensionally stable arrangement in the housing of the heat exchanger arranged for the heat transfer tubes.

Disadvantageously, however, it has been found that this is for a Heat exchange through the individual housing sections to be passed second Do not remove the medium from the respective housing areas without residue leaves. In particular, when using a gaseous fluid may be Condensable residues in the form of gas bubbles form, coming from the outside in non-accessible locations in the enclosure, i. accumulate. As a result, with increasing operation of the heat exchanger the originally through the individual heat exchanger tubes for heat exchange to Provided surface can not be fully used, since the itself Accumulated fluid residues the individual heat exchanger tubes according to Art surrounded by an insulator. In particular, residues are formed in the area the intermediate walls, so that with increasing operating time of Heat exchanger can literally form insulation layers, the disadvantageously, the efficiency of the heat exchanger in some significant Can worsen dimensions. And so were in operation Heat exchangers detected power losses of up to 50%.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide an improved heat exchanger, which overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages and also has a relatively high degree of movement with increasing operating time.

This object is achieved by a heat exchanger of the type described above, which is characterized by at least one preferably all areas of the housing through outstanding vent pipe having a plurality of transverse to the longitudinal extent of the pipe vent holes.

Unlike conventional heat exchangers, the inventive Heat exchanger via at least one vent tube. This penetrates all Areas of the housing, which ensures that a vent of the entire housing can be made. Formed is the vent pipe from a shape and cross-sectional area to the particular application adapted pipe over a plurality of transversely to the longitudinal extent of the Pipe has trained vent holes. In a simple way can so a fluidic connection between the individual housing areas and the environment surrounding the heat exchanger are formed so that inside the housing possibly accumulated or trapped fluid residues can be completely sucked off when needed. The accumulation of the Performance and thus the efficiency of the heat exchanger impairing gas or vapor residues can thus advantageously be counteracted. The use of the vent tube is conceivable easy. Will the consumer deteriorate the efficiency of the Heat exchanger found so it is only necessary to operate of the heat exchanger short-term, the otherwise closed Vent pipe to open by means of appropriate fittings and located in the Aspirate accumulated fluid residue through the vent tube. The vent tube can then be closed again and the functional Operation of the heat exchanger can be added.

According to an alternative embodiment, the heat exchanger has a plurality of vent tubes, wherein each housing area in each case at least one Vent tube is provided. Can not be achieved by this arrangement just an accelerated venting process, also so in use several sealed housing areas are ensured that a mixing of the introduced into the individual housing areas media not taking place. Per to be vented housing area is at least one Provide vent pipe, the vent holes exclusively in each case Having the vent tube associated housing portion. For example a heat exchanger housing divided into four sub-areas, so are provide at least a total of four vent tubes, each Venting pipe is used for venting one of the four sub-areas. In addition, it is of course also possible, per area to be vented not only but to provide a plurality of vent tubes, which also for these tubes is true that vent holes only with respect to each to be vented Range are provided.

Should the individual sub-areas of the heat exchanger housing with and the same medium or should a possible mixing of the the media used are not relevant, the use is under Only one vent tube sufficient, it being provided that the vent tube at least per separate area a vent hole having. Even with such an embodiment is of course the use several vent tubes with respect to an accelerated venting process advantageous.

According to a further feature of the invention it is provided that the number of Bleed holes per vent pipe and their respective diameter in Depending on the use of the heat exchanger are designed. to Optimization of the deaeration process can reduce the number of Vent holes and their respective diameters are varied, wherein it depends, vent holes with each required cross section to be positioned in those areas of the housing to be vented, in which preferably fluid residues in the form of gas bubbles or the like form. On the one hand, such an arrangement ensures that the Sucked out in the housing areas trainees residues completely and thus a complete ventilation of the housing can be made, on the other hand, the goal - oriented training of the Vent holes achieved an overall accelerated venting process. To further improve it can also be provided that the Vent bores aligned, which is in the context of the invention means that the vent holes so over the effective length of the Vent tube are arranged distributed that one with respect to the Use of the heat exchanger expected residue formation preferably be completely sucked for venting the heat exchanger can.

Inventive heat exchangers are manufacturer with a equipped vent tube described above. According to a special Proposal of the invention, however, an installation of inventive ventilation pipes also be retrofitted in terms of retrofitting, with a disassembly the heat exchanger or piping is not required. proposed is in this context according to the invention a method of arrangement a vent pipe in a plurality of intermediate walls having Heat exchanger in which an original for heat exchange provided pipe in the region above the longitudinal direction to bottom arranged partition is separated and the severed pipe section removed and through a provided with vent holes vent pipe is replaced.

After opening the heat exchanger water chamber are the for provided pipes fixed in the bundle holder, parts of the old pipe controlled cut without damaging neighboring pipes, control of Neighboring pipes for damage, new pipes with a defined perforation used, sealed to the pipe, merged in internal collectors and guided by existing or new container neck to the outside. For this entire measure remains the heat exchanger in the power plant and only needs be driven off. Disassembly of pipelines is not required.

An inventively retrofitted heat exchanger offers the already above-described advantages, wherein, unlike an already with the manufacturer a vent pipe equipped heat exchanger according to the invention Method is provided that an originally for the heat exchange provided pipe retrofitted and used in the other as a vent pipe becomes. For this purpose, depending on the intended use of the Heat exchanger at least one of the preferably U-shaped Heat exchange tubes in the area above the longitudinal to bottom arranged partition wall separated. The thus separated leg of the U-shaped Pipe is then removed and through with vent holes replaced vent pipe replaced. This then serving as a vent pipe Part of the U-shaped tube can then be used to vent the Heat exchanger can be used in the manner described above. Conveniently, the other leg of the U-shaped tube in the same way separated and replaced by a vent tube or, if so neither desired nor required, sealed. In any case, however originally serving as a heat exchange tube U-shaped tube of Disconnect the heat exchanger from the heat exchange circuit.

For positionally safe arrangement of the vent tube is according to another Feature of the invention provided that originally for the Heat exchange provided pipe before its separation in the area above the intermediate wall is widened. This can preferably be done by means of a probe take place by means of over a defined length an end-side expansion of the in Heat exchanger remaining pipe section can be made. By expanding the tube ensures that the heat exchanger remaining pipe section after its separation not in its position slipped, but rather is held securely. In addition, the Pipe widening the formation of a pipe receiving for the einzubringende Serve ventilation pipe. In the trained in this way pipe receiving can then the vent tube is inserted and anchored. To this end the pipe receiving can be configured as a press fit. Also suitable other connectivity options, such as gluing.

Fig. 1:

in schematischer Darstellung den erfindungsgemäßen Wärmetauscher gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform;

Fig. 2:

in schematischer Darstellung den erfindungsgemäßen Wärmetauscher gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform;

Fig.3:

in einer schematischen Darstellung einen Teilausschnitt eines ursprünglich für den Wärmeaustausch vorgesehenen Rohres;

Fig. 4:

in einer schematischen Darstellung einen Teilausschnitt eines ursprünglich für den Wärmeaustausch vorgesehenen Rohres mit einer endseitig ausgebildeten Erweiterung und

Fig. 5:

in einer schematischen Darstellung einen Teilausschnitt eines für den Wärmeaustausch vorgesehenen Rohres, in welches ein der Entlüftung dienendes Rohr eingeführt ist;

Fig. 6:

in einer schematischen Darstellung einen Teilausschnitt eines für den Wärmetausch vorgesehenen Rohres, in welches gemäß einer alternativen Ausführungsform ein der Entlüftung dienendes Rohr eingeführt ist.

Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the description with reference to the following figures. Showing:

Fig. 1:

a schematic representation of the heat exchanger according to the invention according to a first embodiment;

Fig. 2:

in a schematic representation of the heat exchanger according to the invention according to a second embodiment;

3 shows:

in a schematic representation of a partial section of a pipe originally intended for the heat exchange;

4:

in a schematic representation of a partial section of a pipe originally provided for the heat exchange with an end formed extension and

Fig. 5:

in a schematic representation of a partial section of a tube provided for the heat exchange, in which a venting tube is inserted;

Fig. 6:

in a schematic representation of a partial section of a tube provided for the heat exchange, in which according to an alternative embodiment, a venting tube is inserted.

Shown in Fig. 1 in a schematic view of the lower portion of a Heat exchanger 1. The heat exchanger 1 is formed by a variety of in a housing 2 arranged and combined into tube bundles U-shaped tubes 3. Provision is further more intermediate walls 4, the divide the housing 2 into separate areas 5.

The tubes 3 are flowed through by a medium to be heated, which in Flow direction 10 flows into the tubes 3 and these in the flow direction 11 leaves again. Delivered via the introductions 17, which are also considered central trained individual introduction can be designed according to the Flow direction 12 in each portion 5 of the housing 2, a second medium, the transverse to the orientation of the tubes 3 through the areas 5 of the housing. 2 flows through and the housing through the outlet openings 6 in Leaves flow direction 13 again. When flowing through the housing 2 are while the guided through the sections 5 medium in a conventional manner the heat energy carried by him to the guided through the tubes 3 medium from. It goes without saying that the second medium in other than can be introduced into the heat exchanger shown in Fig. 1 manner.

Adversely, there may be medium residues within the housing 2, that is to say, within the individual areas 5, for example in that the transversely directed to the tubes 3 through the housing 2 Medium is not completely dissipated through the outlets 18, as a result in the form of bubbles or the like non-condensable gas cushion on the Can form pipelines 3 and 4 on the intermediate walls. These Residues can disadvantageously act as an insulator and a Achieve power loss of up to 50%.

In order to avoid the above-described disadvantage, the invention is a Venting tube 6 provided that preferably all areas 5 of the Casing 2 protrudes and a plurality of transverse to the longitudinal extent 14 of the Pipe 6 has trained vent holes. Anything in the case 2 forming fluid residues can be sucked through this vent pipe 6 and be delivered to the surrounding the heat exchanger 1 environment. Of the Use of the vent tube 6 thus creates the possibility of the housing 2 of the Heat exchanger 1 to be rid of any fluid residues, including at increasing operating time of the heat exchanger 1 a comparatively high Efficiency is ensured.

The embodiment of FIG. 1 shows an inventive Heat exchanger 1, in which the manufacturer already introduced a vent pipe 6 is. In contrast, the embodiment of FIG. 2 shows a a vent pipe in the aforementioned sense retrofitted heat exchanger. 1 Provided in this embodiment, that originally for the Heat exchange provided pipe 3 in the area above the longitudinal direction 14 arranged at the bottom intermediate wall 4 at the designated 8 point was separated and removed the separated pipe section and by a with Vent holes 15 provided vent pipe 6 has been replaced. The rest Part 7 of the originally intended for the heat exchange tube. 3 remains in the heat exchanger 1 and is the end by a plug. 9 locked. To determine the location of the inside of the heat exchanger arranged intermediate walls 4 can in an upstream process step an eddy current measurement are performed. The operation of this subsequently introduced in the sense of a retrofit in the heat exchanger 1 Vent tube 6 corresponds to that, as already described for Fig. 1.

For the arrangement of a vent pipe 6 in the sense of retrofitting According to the invention, a method is provided which, with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6 closer should be described. Shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 in schematic Partial view of a part of the original for the heat exchange provided pipe 3 in the region of the in Fig. 2 denoted by 8 separating point. In a first method step, which is shown in FIG originally intended for the heat exchange tube 3 preferably in Area above the longitudinal direction 14 at the bottom arranged intermediate wall separated. This is shown schematically in Fig. 3 by the dashed line indicated separation point 8. After a separation of the tube 3 is the separated pipe section 18 then removed from the heat exchanger 1 and replaced by a provided with vent holes 15 vent pipe 6. to position-safe arrangement of the vent pipe 6 is in the heat exchanger. 1 remaining section 7 of the original for the heat exchange provided pipe 3 to form a pipe receiving 16 expanded. This pipe expansion is shown in Fig. 4. Once this is done, can in one Final process step, the vent pipe 6 in the heat exchanger. 1 inserted and fitted in the pipe receptacle 16. The vent pipe 6, in particular Fig. 5 can be removed, rohraufnahmeseitig formed sealed, for what purpose a closure element 21st can be provided. For a position-safe arrangement of the vent tube 6 is this in the remaining heat exchanger in the section 7 of the tube. 3 plugged in. Alternatively, a gluing is possible.

An alternative embodiment for connecting the vent pipe 6 with FIG. 6 shows the portion 7 of the tube 3 remaining in the heat exchanger. It is shown here that the end of the vent pipe 6 in the Venting tube 6 inserted connecting element 20 is provided, the for example, in the form of a cylindrical and rohraufnahmeseitig pointed tapered element may be formed. For a connection of the Venting tube 6 with the remaining part of the heat exchanger 7 of the Pipe 3, the vent pipe 6 is introduced into the heat exchanger, wherein the Connecting element 20 via the tube receiving side edge of the Venting pipe 6 protrudes and so as a connection between the vent pipe. 6 and section 7 is inserted into the tube 3. Using the Connecting element 20 is thus on the one hand a position-safe arrangement of the Venting tube 6 relative to the section 7 of the tube 3 causes, as well as another ensures an end seal of the vent tube 6. For a position-safe arrangement of the remaining portion 7 in the heat exchanger of the tube 3, this is widened in the region of the intermediate wall 4, see FIG that an unintentional slipping of the section 7 effectively can be prevented.

Alternatively to the above-described method implementation can also be provided be that the originally intended for the heat exchange pipe 3 before a separation is first widened in the region of the later separation point 8. It is thereby achieved that after a successful separation of the tube in the Heat exchanger remaining portion 7 of the tube 3 does not slip, but rather is kept secure. After a separation of the pipe The pipe extension then serves as a pipe receiving, as already above described. A process implementation according to this alternative thus provides before that for a retrofit of the vent pipe 6, first for the Heat exchange originally provided pipe preferably above the bottom arranged intermediate wall is widened. Then takes place in the area this extension a separation of the tube 3, due to the extension an unwanted slipping of the remaining in the heat exchanger 1 Part section 7 of the tube 3 is prevented. The widened end of the Subsection 7 is also used after a separation of the tube 3 as Pipe receptacle 16, into which the introduced into the heat exchanger 1 Vent tube is fitted.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Heat exchanger

2

casing

3

pipe

4

partition

5

Area

6

vent pipe

7

part Of

8th

separation point

9

Plug

10

flow direction

11

flow direction

12

flow direction

13

flow direction

14

longitudinal direction

15

vent hole

16

tube support

17

Inlet

18

outlet

19

pipe section

20

connecting element

21

closure element

Claims (10)

Heat exchanger with a plurality of in a housing (2) arranged and preferably combined to at least one tube bundle tubes (3) and a plurality of the housing (2) in separate areas (5) dividing partitions (4),
marked by
a preferably all areas (5) of the housing (2) protruding vent pipe (6) having a plurality of transversely to the longitudinal extent (14) of the tube (6) formed vent holes (15). Heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that the vent pipe (6) has a vent hole (15) at least per separate area (5). Heat exchanger according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the number of vent holes (15) and their respective diameters are designed depending on the use of the heat exchanger. Heat exchanger according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the orientation of the vent holes (15) is designed depending on the use of the heat exchanger. Heat exchanger according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vent pipe (6) extends as far as the intermediate wall (4) of the region (5) which is arranged at the bottom in the longitudinal direction (14). Heat exchanger according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a plurality of vent holes (15). Method for arranging a vent pipe (6) in a plurality Partitions (4) having heat exchanger (1), in which a originally intended for the heat exchange tube (3) in the area above the longitudinal wall (14) to the bottom arranged intermediate wall (4) is separated and the severed pipe section is removed and through a with vent holes (15) provided with vent pipe (6) is replaced. A method according to claim 7, characterized in that the originally intended for the heat exchange tube (3) is widened before separation. Method according to one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that the vent pipe (6) is inserted into a pipe receiving means (16). Method according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that in the heat exchanger (1) remaining pipe section (7) of the originally intended for the heat exchange pipe (3) is closed.

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