EP2472211A2 - Distribution device and heat exchange device - Google Patents

Abstract

The distribution device (1) comprises a guide plate with a guide section (2) and an adjacent distribution section (3). The openings (8,9) for passing the fluid are formed in the regions of the distribution section. The guide section and the distribution section are arranged perpendicular to each other. The L-profile side plates are arranged in the front sides of the guide section and distribution section. An independent claim is included for heat exchanger assembly.

Description

The present invention relates to a distribution device for distributing a fluid, which in particular has a liquid fraction and a gas fraction. Furthermore, the invention relates to a heat exchanger device with a corresponding distributor.

Distribution devices are known, for example, as inlet distributors when two or more phase fluids are introduced into a container. In the context of gas-liquid separation vessels, for example, so-called vane inlet devices are known in order to achieve an even distribution and improved pre-separation of the fluid. The DE 10 2009 022 673 A1 discloses, for example, arranged on a floor panel vanes in the manner of slats with lugs as a distributor.

Especially in heat exchangers, it is desirable to distribute a refrigerant as homogeneously as possible in a jacket space. The DE 39 13 579 A1 discloses, for example, a heat exchanger with a jacket space through continuous tubes in which the medium to be cooled flows. In order to achieve a uniform coolant distribution in the surrounding flow space starting from an inlet connection, a baffle plate is proposed. The disclosed baffle is provided with holes and arranged in a horizontal plane in the flow space.

It is desirable, for example, to achieve even better distribution of cooling fluid in block-in-tank constructions of heat exchangers.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved distribution of fluid flowing into a container.

Accordingly, a distributor is proposed for distributing a fluid in a container from a fluid inlet of the container. In this case, the distributor device has at least one guide plate with a guide section and a distributor section adjoining the guide section. The distribution section has areas with openings for the passage of the fluid.

The distribution device can be laterally closed in such a fluid-tight manner that fluid can only pass downwards through the openings and is otherwise held by the distribution device.

The fluid may in particular have a liquid fraction and a gas fraction. For example, the fluid may be a refrigerant which enters a jacket space as a container as gas-liquid mixture.

As a rule, a corresponding fluid flows only locally in the region of a fluid inlet or inlet nozzle of the container, a particularly favorable homogeneous fluid distribution is achieved by the distributor, which can also be referred to as inlet flow diverter.

The distribution device is particularly suitable for use in a cryogenic plant. Areas of application, however, include other process engineering systems in which heat exchangers are used. This may be the case, for example, in the context of gas liquefaction or air separation.

In one embodiment of the distributor, the guide plate is designed as a bent sheet with a profile. The profile may be, for example, a circular section, a bent angle or an edge profile, for example in the manner of an L-angle.

In one embodiment of the distributor device, the guide section and the distributor section are formed by at least two guide plates arranged one against the other and substantially perpendicular to one another.

The guide plates may for example have a rectangular shape.

The distribution plate has openings, such as holes, gaps, slits, or, for example, material removal machined recesses with different geometries, in particular to pass fluid downwardly. Preferably, the distribution device is arranged horizontally. The distribution section forms, for example, a horizontal area with holes or slot openings.

In this respect, an embodiment of the distribution device for distributing a fluid in a container from a fluid inlet of the container comprises at least two guide plates arranged one against the other and substantially perpendicular to one another. In this case, one of the guide plates on areas with openings for the passage of the fluid. The first guide plate may in particular be designed as a baffle plate and the second guide plate as a distribution plate. The designed as baffle guide plate preferably extends vertically and running as a distribution plate baffle horizontal.

Preferably, the distributor is laterally vertically completely or partially closed, so that a fluid flow is passed through the openings of the Verteilblechs substantially.

You can run the guide plates as an angled sheet material einstückig.

In one embodiment of the distributor, the two guide plates form an L-profile, and on end faces of the L-profile side plates are arranged. The Side plates, for example, close off the distributor laterally fluid-tight. By an angled design, in particular with side plates, it is possible to define in a container a space portion which acts, for example, in the manner of a distribution channel.

Preferably, the openings are designed as slots. The slots are formed in particular in the distribution plate and in the direction substantially perpendicular to an edge of the distributor plate or a profile angle.

The distributor is preferably formed at least partially of aluminum or stainless steel. The choice of material can be adapted to the particular use of the distribution device, for example in cryogenic plants.

There is also proposed a heat exchanger device with a container which has a fluid inlet, at least one heat exchanger block arranged in the container, and with a distributor arranged in the container above the heat exchanger block.

The heat exchanger device is designed in particular as a block-in-container heat exchanger. This is also referred to as core-in-shell or block-in-kettle heat exchanger arrangements. In this case, several, usually designed as a plate heat exchanger heat exchanger blocks are arranged in a container or in a jacket space next to each other in the rule. The shell space forms, for example, a flow space for the cooling medium, which is usually evaporated isothermally, wherein the fluid flowing in the heat exchanger block is cooled. The heat exchanger blocks are preferably arranged at the same level. There may also be a non-isothermal evaporation.

In this respect, an embodiment of the heat exchanger device to a container with a fluid inlet, a plurality of arranged in the container Heat exchanger blocks and above the heat exchanger blocks, a distributor for distributing the fluid flowing through the fluid inlet, wherein the distributor comprises at least one guide plate having a guide portion and a distributor portion adjacent to the guide portion, and wherein the distribution portion having portions with openings for passage of the fluid.

In one embodiment, the container is cylindrical and forms a jacket space for a flow area for the refrigerant. The cylinder axis is preferably arranged horizontally.

In a preferred embodiment, the distribution device is formed of a baffle plate, which is vertical, and a distribution plate which extends horizontally along or parallel to the cylinder axis. The downwardly directed openings in the distribution plate are above the heat exchanger blocks or the block. Above is understood to be higher than in a vertical direction. The distributor does not necessarily have to run completely over the heat exchanger blocks.

Preferably, in the heat exchanger device, the distributor device is arranged in the container in such a way that a fluid flowing into the container through the fluid inlet flows through the openings of the distributor section into predetermined jacket regions in a targeted manner. For example, inflowing fluid at least partially falls on the heat exchanger block. The arrangement and design of the openings allows a targeted distribution of the liquid portion of the fluid through the openings on or adjacent to or the heat exchanger blocks in the shell space.

Preferably, by means of the distributor fluid, in particular liquid, is introduced or distributed in areas of the shell space, where possible little or no gas is generated by evaporation, for example by a heat exchanger block. The separation of a gas and liquid phase is thereby improved.

In one embodiment of the heat exchanger device, the distribution device, together with walls of the container and the optional side plates, delimits a space portion in the container. For example, the distributor and walls of the container include a space portion. The space portion, for example in the manner of a distribution channel, connects the fluid inlet in a wall of the container with the flow space by means of the openings in the distribution section of the distributor.

For example, the space portion is coupled upstream of the fluid inlet and outflow coupled to the openings as an outlet.

In one embodiment of the heat exchanger device, the fluid inlet has an inlet cross-sectional area and an inlet direction. The distribution device preferably has a longitudinal axis, which is designed to be horizontal and parallel along the longitudinal extent of the container.

Preferably, the longitudinal extent of the distributor is perpendicular to the direction of entry. In one embodiment, the openings are designed as slots perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the container. The slots extend, for example, parallel to cross-sectional areas of the space portion or of the container, which are formed perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the container.

In a preferred embodiment of the heat exchanger device, the cross section of a distribution channel formed by means of the distributor and walls of the container corresponds to an inlet cross section of the fluid inlet. This can be a particularly favorable Realize flow distribution, for example, from the fluid inlet to the left and right of a corresponding nozzle away.

In a preferred embodiment, the distribution device is designed in the manner of an L-profile sheet. Preferably, the slot width is between 30 mm and 70 mm. Most preferably, the slots are 50mm wide.

In one embodiment of the heat exchange device, the openings are made as slots, and the slots are spaced from an edge or angle of the L profile sheet between 40 mm and 100 mm. Particularly preferably, the distance between 60 mm and 80 mm.

In yet another embodiment of the heat exchange device, a total cross-sectional area of all openings is between 150% and 250% of the cross-sectional area of the fluid inlet. Particularly preferably, the total cross-sectional area of the openings is twice as large as the cross-sectional area of the inlet. Laterally, the distributor is then preferably completed by side plates. In principle, several inlet ports are conceivable.

In yet another embodiment of the heat exchanger device, the distribution section of the distribution device is configured with fluid-tight regions such that no heat exchanger block is below the fluid-tight region.

For example, the distribution section of the distribution device is provided with openings exclusively directly above the heat exchanger block (s) and is otherwise made fluid-tight. As a result, no fluid drips or flows into areas between adjacent heat exchanger blocks in the container.

In particular, in the heat exchanger device, the heat exchanger blocks and the distribution device are arranged such that openings of the distribution section are present above the heat exchanger blocks and the distribution section is otherwise closed.

Alternatively, the distribution section of the distribution device is provided with openings next to or between the heat exchanger blocks and otherwise configured fluid-tight. As a result, no fluid drips or flows into areas above the heat exchanger blocks in the container.

In particular, in the heat exchanger device, the heat exchanger blocks and the distribution device are arranged such that openings of the distribution section are present alongside or laterally of the heat exchanger blocks and the distribution section is otherwise closed.

In one development of the heat exchanger device, one or more fluid outlets are provided in addition to a fluid inlet. Below the fluid outlet nozzle of the container, in particular for gaseous fluid, no openings of the distribution section of the distributor are provided.

In the proposed heat exchanger device, the fluid is distributed as a cooling medium from above via a horizontal distribution channel by means of the distributor to where there is a favorable flow around the heat exchanger blocks. The arrangement of the openings, the fluid can be selectively directed into areas of the flow area with the heat exchanger blocks, in which a gas-liquid separation is efficiently possible.

Further possible implementations or variants of the distribution device or the heat exchanger device also include not explicitly mentioned combinations of before or below with regard to the exemplary embodiments described features. In this case, the person skilled in the art will also add individual aspects as an improvement or addition to the respective basic form of the distributor or the heat exchanger device.

Further embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims and the embodiments of the invention described below. Furthermore, the invention will be explained in more detail by means of embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures.

Showing:

FIG. 1:

a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a distribution device;

FIG. 2:

a schematic representation of a second embodiment of a distribution device;

FIG. 3:

a schematic representation of a third embodiment of a distribution device;

FIG. 4:

a longitudinal sectional view of an embodiment of a heat exchange device;

FIG. 5:

a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a heat exchanger device; and

FIG. 6:

a schematic representation of a fourth embodiment of a distribution device.

The FIG. 1 shows a perspective schematic representation of a first embodiment of a distribution device. The distributor 1 comprises a vertical and a horizontal baffle which form an L-angle along a common edge 13. The vertical guide plate 2 serves as a guide section and the horizontal distribution plate 3 as a distribution section. For example, in the orientation of the FIG. 1 , Fluid from right to left in the direction of a surface normal of the baffle 2 a. The distribution plate 3 has areas 4, 5 with openings 8, 9. Between the areas 4, 5 with the openings 8, 9, a fluid-tight region 10 is provided. Through the openings, which in the FIG. 1 in the rear region 4 are designed as slots 8, and in the front region 5 are formed as holes 9, fluid can pass downwards.

The distribution device 1, as in the FIG. 1 is shown, combines the functions of a perforated baffle plate with that of an inlet flow diverter, so a manifold near a flow nozzle of a container. The guide section 2 essentially serves to drain fluid or divert it. The distribution section 3 makes it possible, with the aid of the openings 8, 9, to dispense fluid specifically below the distribution device 1.

The FIG. 2 shows a perspective schematic representation of a second embodiment of a distribution device. The distribution device 18 is designed in the manner of a curved guide plate. The FIG. 2 shows one in the orientation of the FIG. 2 vertical guide section 2 and a horizontal distribution section 3 of the baffle. In the distribution section 3 are provided areas 4, 5 with longitudinal openings 8 in the manner of slits. In the central region 10 of the distribution section 3 are no holes or slits.

In the FIG. 2 is a possible fluid flow indicated by arrows. For example, inflowing through an inlet connection of a container fluid 15 reaches the baffle of the distribution device 18. By the flow, the fluid is pressed substantially horizontally to the left and right, as indicated by the arrows 16. By gravity, the fluid flows or flows along the fluid-tight region 10 in the direction of the areas 4, 5 provided with openings 8. There, the fluid exits through the openings 8 downwards, which is indicated by arrows 17.

The FIG. 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of a distribution device. The in the FIG. 3 distributor device 24 shown is manufactured as a circular segment-shaped profile, for example from a sheet metal such as aluminum or stainless steel.

Like in the Figures 1 and 2 illustrated embodiments, allows the shape of the distributor 24, together with a container wall 25 to form a distribution channel. The curved baffle closes, as in the FIG. 3 is shown in profile, with a container wall 25 shown here round, fluid-tight. The space area 23 can be understood as a horizontal distribution channel.

A distribution section 2 is provided opposite a container opening or a fluid inlet 26. Fluid 15 flowing in through the fluid inlet 26 strikes the distributor section 2 of the distributor device 24. In the lower region, downwardly directed openings are provided in the plate of the distributor device 24, which are shown dotted. The circular section, which points essentially downwards, is referred to as the distribution section 3. Due to the plate areas provided with openings in the areas 4, the fluid 17 can escape downwards.

The arrangement and positioning of the openings within the distribution channel 23 can be a targeted supply of fluid, for example, in the direction of heat exchanger blocks. Above and below is understood here and below in relation to the gravitational acceleration, which is usually shown vertically. Horizontal in this context means perpendicular to the gravitational acceleration.

In the following, an embodiment of a heat exchanger device based on FIGS. 4 to 6 explained in more detail. It is in the FIG. 4 a heat exchanger device 100 shown in longitudinal section. The FIG. 5 FIG. 3 illustrates a section AA transverse to an axis of symmetry of the heat exchanger device 100. In the FIG. 6 an illustration of a fourth embodiment of a distributor 101 is shown in perspective, which is provided in the heat exchanger device 100.

The heat exchanger device 100 is configured as a block-in-tank configuration. That is, a plurality of heat exchanger blocks 28, 29, 30 are installed within a cylindrical container 27, which is also referred to as a jacket. An advantage of this block-in-container arrangement, which is also referred to as core-in-shell or block-in-kettle, is in particular that heat exchanger blocks in the form of plate heat exchangers can be used particularly efficiently. In plate heat exchangers several layers of heat exchange passages are delimited by separating plates against each other, which usually leads to a cuboid block.

How to get in the FIG. 4 detects, in a cylindrical container 27 whose longitudinal axis 34, which is also an axis of symmetry and extends horizontally, three heat exchanger blocks 28, 29, 30 are provided. For example, fluid to be liquefied, such as natural gas or a process gas, is cooled by the heat exchanger blocks 28, 29, 30 by being supplied to the heat exchanger blocks 28, 29, 30 through inlet ports 31 which pierce the jacket or tank 27 in an upper region , And as cooled fluid via outlet nozzle 32, which are provided in the lower region of the shell 27, is discharged.

In the interior of the shell 27, which can also be referred to as a flow space, a mainly liquid refrigerant is usually isothermal evaporated. For this purpose, a fluid inlet 26 is provided approximately in the middle in the upper region in the jacket 27. The fluid is referred to below as a refrigerant or cryogen. The refrigerant occurs locally as a gas-liquid mixture. The liquid fraction is vaporized at the heat exchanger blocks 28, 29, 30 and exits as gas through fluid outlet openings 33 from the jacket space again. The fluid inlet 26 is arranged lower than the fluid outlets 33 for the cold medium. It is desirable that only the gas portion of the refrigerant from the shell space via the outlet nozzle or fluid outlets 23 is withdrawn. In order to reduce entrainment of liquid refrigerant as much as possible, an improved distribution of the entering through the fluid inlet nozzle 26 gas-liquid mixture is desired. Therefore, a distributor 101 is provided in the container 27.

In particular in the cross-sectional representation of FIG. 5 can be seen the circular cross-section of the cylinder jacket 27 as a container and provided in the interior heat exchanger block 28 with an inlet 31 and a drain 32 for fluid to be cooled. In the orientation of FIG. 5 is provided in the upper left circular segment of the fluid inlet 26. The refrigerant 15 enters a distribution channel 23 there. The distribution channel 23 is formed by a space portion within the shell 27, which is formed by the jacket wall 25 and an L-shaped guide plate of a guide portion and a distribution section 3.

The FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the distributor 101. The FIG. 6 shows the distributor 101 with a baffle 2, which is provided vertically and a distribution plate 3, which is provided horizontally. Further, side plates 19, 20 are provided, which are placed on the L-profile edges and connected fluid-tight and are connected to the guide and distribution plates 2, 3. An edge or contour 21, 22 of Side plates 19, 20 nestles against the container wall 25 (see. FIG. 5 ) and forms a fluid-tight seal with the container wall or jacket wall 25.

The resulting space section or distribution channel 23 thus connects the fluid inlet 26 with the interior of the shell 27 via the openings 8 in the distribution plate 3. The openings 8 are slit-shaped and extend substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal extension of the distributor 101 and perpendicular to an axis of symmetry 34 of the container 27th

One recognizes in conjunction with the FIGS. 4 . 5 and 6 in that fluid-tight regions 10, 11, 12 are provided in the distribution plate 3, where, on the one hand, there is no heat exchanger block 28, 29, 30 below the distribution plate 3 and, on the other hand, inlet or outlet ports 26, 33 are arranged above the distribution plate 3. The areas 4, 5, 6, 7 with openings 8 are provided substantially exclusively above but between the heat exchanger blocks 28, 29, 30. This ensures that a gas-liquid separation of the refrigerant medium takes place uniformly over the entire container length and liquid refrigerant medium does not flow directly onto the heat exchanger blocks 17 (arrows 17).

It can further be seen that the fluid inlet in the direction of the distributor 101 is arranged essentially in the middle of the longitudinal extent of the distributor 101. This results in a splitting of an inflowing fluid into two partial flows each about half. For example, the inlet nozzle 26 has a predetermined inlet cross-section. For a circular inlet nozzle, the cross-section is A = π / 4 × d ² , where d is the diameter of the inlet nozzle 26. Preferably, the sum of all cross sections A _{i of} the openings 8 is twice as large as the cross section A of the fluid inlet: Σ _i A _i = 2xA. That is, the number and geometry of the slots 8 is selected depending on the cross section of the inlet nozzle 26. Investigations by the Applicant have shown that the slots 8 should have a minimum distance from an edge 13, ie the inner angle of the L-profile.

The geometry and the dimensions of the distribution channel 23 by an L-profile is chosen such that the most uniform possible distribution of the cooling medium in the shell space is achieved. For example, in areas where gas loading of the fluid by evaporation of the coolant at the heat exchanger blocks 28, 29, 30 is particularly high, one can reduce the number of slots per length of the distribution plate 3 or slot cross-sections. As a result, the gas content is more manageable by introduced steam at the refrigerant inlet at the openings.

By installing the flow channel by means of a distribution device, as explained by means of embodiments, an efficient distribution of gas and liquid phase content of the coolant can be achieved. By integrating the distribution device within a container using the container wall, the weight and the effort in implementing a corresponding distribution channel are kept particularly low.

Although the present invention has been explained with reference to embodiments, it is not limited thereto, but variously modifiable. The proposed materials for the sheets and illustrated geometries are merely exemplary. Other than the explicitly mentioned application examples of distribution or heat exchanger devices are conceivable.

Used reference signs:

1

distributor

2

guide section

3

distribution section

4 - 7

Area with openings

8th

slot

9

hole

10 - 12

closed area

13

corner

14

angle

15 - 17

fluid flow

18

distributor

19, 20

Page sheet

21, 22

Side plate edge

23

distribution channel

24

distributor

25

container wall

26

fluid entry

27

coat

28 - 30

heat exchanger block

31

inlet

32

outlet

33

fluid outlet

34

shell axis

100

heat exchanger device

101

distributor

Claims (10)

Distributing device (1) for distributing a fluid (15) in a container (27) from a fluid inlet (26) of the container (27), wherein the distributor (1) at least one guide plate with a guide portion (2) and one to the guide portion (2) adjacent to the distribution section (3), and wherein the distribution section (3) has areas (4, 5) with openings (8, 9) for passing the fluid (17). Distribution device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the guide section (2) and the distribution section (3) are formed by at least two guide plates arranged one against the other and substantially perpendicular to one another. Distributor (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the two guide plates (2, 3) form an L-profile and on end faces of the L-profile side plates (19, 20) are arranged. Distributor (1) according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the openings (8) as slots, in particular in the distribution plate and in the direction substantially perpendicular to an edge of the Verteilblechs or a profile angle, are formed. Distributor (1) according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the distributor (1) is at least partially formed of aluminum or stainless steel. A heat exchanger apparatus (100) comprising a container (27) having a fluid inlet (26), at least one heat exchanger block (28) disposed in the container (27), and one in the container (27) above the Heat exchanger block (28) arranged distributing device (101) according to any one of claims 1-5. A heat exchanger device (100) according to claim 6, wherein the distributor (101) is disposed in the container (27) such that fluid (15) entering the container (27) through the fluid inlet (26) passes through the apertures (8) of the container Distributor section (3) at least partially on the heat exchanger block (28) falls. A heat exchanger device (100) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the distribution means (101) with walls (25) of the container (27) defines a space portion (23) in the container (27). Heat exchanger device (100) according to any one of claims 6-8, wherein the distribution section (3) is configured with fluid-tight regions (10, 11, 12), that under the fluid-tight regions (10, 11, 12) at least partially one or more heat exchanger blocks (28) are arranged. The heat exchange device (100) of any of claims 6-9, wherein a total cross-sectional area of the openings (8) is between 150% and 250% of the cross-sectional area of the fluid inlet (26).

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