FR2793547A1 - THERMAL EXCHANGE MODULE - Google Patents

Abstract

Module (1) comprises hollow cylinder (2) with thick walls (3) where heating and/or cooling system (4) is placed. Wall has wi (6), on its inner side, defining inside cylinder and in between wings a heat exchanging channel (7). Hollow cylinder has contact surface (9) at ends (8). Contact surface allows positioning of contact surface of another module, or of plugging panel (11). An Independent claim is also included for the heat exchanger.

Description

The present invention relates to the field of devices for

  heating or cooling fluids and more particularly to heat exchange devices in the form of modules which can be positioned on a fluid pipe alone or in combination with other identical modules and

  which can each be adjusted differently.

  The heat exchange module according to the invention is of the type comprising a hollow cylinder with a thick wall in which are embedded heating and 0o / or cooling means, said wall comprising on its inner surface fins so as to form in the center of said hollow cylinder and between the fins a channel

heat exchange.

  It is characterized in that said hollow cylinder has at least one of its ends a contact surface making it possible to position either another contact surface of another heat exchange module, or an end plate making it possible to obstruct said end, i.e. a connection plate

  for connecting said module to the fluid pipe.

  The heat exchange module according to the invention is also characterized in that it comes in two versions: a single flow version in which the fluid enters through one end of the hollow cylinder, circulates in the heat exchange channel, in the center of said hollow cylinder and between the fins, in one direction, and exits through the other end of the hollow cylinder and a double flow version in which the fluid enters and exits through the same end and circulates in two opposite directions in the heat exchange channel, by circulating in the center of said hollow cylinder in one direction and between the fins in the opposite direction thanks to a return created by the end plate and thanks to a reverse flow tube positioned in the center

of said heat exchange channel.

  Advantageously, the module according to the invention makes it possible to produce a heat exchange device with variable heat exchange elements in

  combining a plurality of modules.

  The prior art certainly already knows heat exchange devices, but does not know, strictly speaking, of heat exchange device which has

  the specifics of the heat exchange module according to the invention.

  In particular, the prior art knows a module for producing hot water which has been the subject of a French patent application published under the number 2 622 682, but on the one hand, this module has been designed to heat slowly large amounts of water and is not, therefore, easy to arrange on a pipe and on the other hand, to increase the amount of water to be heated, the document recommends juxtaposing another module, but n 'exposes no possibility of combining several modules to increase performance. The prior art also knows heating elements such as that disclosed by the European patent application published under the number 0 299 343, but they are not modules and they cannot therefore be

  combined together to modulate performance.

  The heat exchange module according to the invention intends to remedy the drawbacks of the devices of the prior art by proposing a module comprising a hollow cylinder with a thick wall in which are embedded heating and / or cooling means, said hollow cylinder comprising at least one i 5 of its ends a contact surface allowing the temporary positioning of different elements which may consist of: - another contact surface of another heat exchange module, in order to constitute a heat exchange device whose thermal characteristics of heating or cooling are possibly not constant throughout; or - an end plate making it possible to obstruct said end and return the fluid in the second part of the heat exchange channel between the fins or in the reverse flow tube in the opposite direction to allow its evacuation from the same side as the 'introduction; or - a connection plate making it possible to connect said module to the fluid pipe, said connection plate comprising either a single connection if the module or the device constituted by the combination of a plurality of modules is single flow, or two connections if the module or device constituted by the combination of a plurality of

modules is double flow.

  An important advantage of the invention is to allow, at any time, to release the hollow cylinder in order to change the elements positioned at its or its ends, and to add or remove one or more modules constituting the

heat exchange device.

  In addition, the heating or cooling means of each module being designed to be variable, it is possible to vary, at any time, the heat exchange that occurs between each module, whether unique or inserted in a device.

  heat exchange, and the fluid passing through it.

  The invention will be better understood using the description given below of a

  mode of implementation given by way of nonlimiting example, with reference to the appended figures in which: - Figure 1 illustrates a front view of the module according to the invention, in its single flow version; - Figure 2 illustrates a profile view of the module according to the invention, in its single flow version; - Figure 3 illustrates a side view of the hollow cylinder with double flow according to the invention; - Figure 4 illustrates a sectional view along AA of Figure 3; - Figure 5 illustrates a profile view of the module according to the invention, in its dual flow version; - Figure 6 illustrates a top view of the module according to the invention, in its double-flow version; and - Figure 7 illustrates a side view of the dual heat exchange device

  flow produced by the combination of three modules according to the invention.

  The heat exchange module according to the invention, illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, is a heat exchange module (1) comprising a hollow cylinder (2) with a thick wall (3) in which are embedded heating means and / or cooling (4), said wall (3) having on its inner surface (5) fins (6) so as to form in the center of said hollow cylinder (2) and between the fins (6) a channel (7) d 'heat exchange. It is characterized in that said hollow cylinder (2) has at least one of its ends (8) a contact surface (9) making it possible to position either another contact surface (9) of another

  heat exchange module (1), i.e. a connection plate (11).

  The hollow cylinder (2) can, for example, be made of cast aluminum, and the interior surface is treated so as to facilitate maintenance and cleaning of the

heat exchange channel (7).

  The heating and / or cooling means (4) consist, as desired, either of a pipe embedded in the wall (3) and wound around the heat exchange channel (7), a pipe in which a hot fluid can circulate or cold responsible for transmitting its heat to the channel (7) or for capturing the heat contained in this channel; either an electrical resistance embedded in the wall (3). In the second case, the heat exchange module of course only heats the

  fluid contained in the heat exchange channel (7).

  Preferably, the heating and / or cooling means (4) are provided with means for adjusting the heat exchange capacity consisting of means for adjusting the heat flow or a thermostat, so as to allow

  vary the heat exchange capacity of each module (1).

  When the module (1) is provided with an electrical resistance, it has, by

  example, a power of 2000 Watts for a voltage of 230 Volts.

  In a first version of the invention called "single flow", illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the fluid to be heated or cooled passes through the heat exchange module (1) in a single direction, illustrated by the arrows F. In this version, a first module (1) comprises at a first end Is a connection plate (11) provided with a connector (12), in order to

  allow the fluid to enter the heat exchange channel (7).

  If the capacity of the module (1) is sufficient to heat or cool the fluid to the desired temperature according to its flow rate, the first module (1) then has at its second end another connection plate (11) in order to allow the fluid to be evacuated from the heat exchange channel (7) by the fitting (12) to the

desired temperature.

  If the capacity of the module (1) is not sufficient to heat or cool the fluid to the desired temperature according to its flow rate, it is then possible to position a second module (1) against the first, so that the channel (7 ) heat exchange of the first module (1) or in the exact extension of the exchange channel (7)

thermal of the second module (1).

  Likewise, it is entirely possible to position a third module (1) at the free end of the second module (1) and so on, so as to obtain the desired heat exchange between the heating means and I or cooling (4) and the fluid flowing in the heat exchange channel (7). In this case, the last module (1) of the chain has a connection plate to allow the

  fluid to be discharged from the heat exchange channel (7) at the desired temperature.

  Such a combination of a plurality of heat exchange modules

  allows for a very practical heat exchange device.

  Indeed, as it is possible to regulate the heat exchange authorized by each module, one obtains thanks to such a combination, a heat exchange assembly composed of a plurality of elements allowing for example a progressive rise in temperature of the fluid. , as it advances in the heat exchange channel, or on the contrary, a progressive cooling of the fluid,

  if the heat exchange device is used as a cooler.

  The contact surface (9), identical on each module, ensures perfect contact between one module and the next, the sealing of the heat exchange device being ensured by a removable pressing device responsible for

  keep the contact surfaces (9) pressed against each other.

  In a second version of the invention known as "double flow", illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6, said heat exchange channel (7) comprises in its center a reverse flow tube (13) and said plate connection (11) has two connections (12), in order to allow the fluid to pass through the heat exchange module (1) in a determined direction either first in the reverse flow tube (13), or between the fins ( 6), then in the opposite direction, between the fins (6) or in the

reverse flow tube (13).

  According to this version, said hollow cylinder (2) has at least one of its ends (8) a contact surface (9) making it possible to position either another contact surface of another heat exchange module, or a plate

  end (10), or a connection plate (11).

  In a preferred version of the invention, the hollow cylinder (2) of the heat exchange module (1) has a contact surface (9) at each of its ends (8) in order to allow positioning as desired, at the 'one or the other of its ends (8): - either another contact surface (9) of another heat exchange module (1) and constitute a set of two heat exchange modules joined together and thus multiply thus the heat exchange surface by two; - either an end plate (10) blocking the end (9) so as to stop the flow of fluid passing through the module - or a connection plate (11) comprising at least one connector (12) and general two connections (12), so that the module can be connected

  heat exchange (1) to a pipe.

  Thus, when a first module (1) is provided, at a first end, with a connection plate (11) comprising two connections (12), the fluid penetrates, via a first connection to the inside the exchange channel (7)

  either between the fins or in the reverse flow tube.

  If the capacity of the module (1) is sufficient to heat or cool the fluid to the desired temperature according to its flow rate, the first module (1) then comprises at its second end an end plate coming to block this end in order to stop the flow of fluid passing through the module in one direction and returning it inside the heat exchange channel (7), either in the reverse flow tube, or between the fins, in order to allow the fluid to be evacuated from the channel

  heat exchange at the temperature desired by the second fitting (12).

  o0 If the capacity of the module (1) is not sufficient to heat or cool the fluid to the desired temperature according to its flow rate, it is then possible to position a second module (1 ') against the first, as illustrated in FIG. 7, so the heat exchange channel (7) of the first module (1) is in the exact extension of the heat exchange channel (7) of the second module (1 ') and that reverse flow tube S5 (13) of the first module (1) or in the exact extension of the reverse flow tube (13) of the second module (1 '). It is also possible to position in the assembly of two modules thus formed, a single reverse flow tube (13) having a length equivalent to the length of two modules pressed one

against each other.

  Likewise, it is quite possible to position a third module (1 ") at the free end of the second module (1 '), or even more so as to obtain the desired heat exchange between the heating means and / or cooling and the fluid. In this case, the last module (1) of the chain has at its second end an end plate (10) blocking this end in order to stop the flow of fluid passing through the module. in one direction and return it inside the heat exchange channel (7) in the other direction, in order to allow the fluid to be evacuated from the heat exchange channel at the temperature

  desired by the second fitting (12) of the connection plate (11).

  Such a combination of a plurality of heat exchange modules makes it possible to produce a very practical heat exchange device (14), because it allows the contact surface between the fluid and the heating means to be increased.

and / or cooling (4).

  To favor the change of direction of the fluid when it arrives against the end plate (10), it is preferable to provide a recess (15) between the end

  longitudinal of the fins (6) and the contact surface (9).

  In a preferred version of the invention with double flow, said reverse flow tube (13) is removable, and it suffices to remove it from the interior of the hollow cylinder (2)

  to switch from the single flow version to the double flow version.

  Preferably, said hollow cylinder (2) has a contact surface (9) at each end (8) and it is symmetrical along a plane P perpendicular to its axis X so as to allow one or the other surfaces of

contact (9).

  Also preferably, regardless of the version of the module, said end plate (10) and / or said connection plate (11) are positioned on the hollow cylinder (2) removable from the end (8) , so as to always authorize the

modification of the device.

  Also preferably, the removable pressing device responsible for keeping the contact surfaces (9) pressed against each other or against the end plates (10) or the connection plates (11) consists of a set of threaded rods (16) connecting the initial end of the device and the final end. The threaded rods (16) can also make it possible to maintain a support (17) making it possible to position the device (15) in any position. The heat exchange module thus obtained has great modularity, because its initial end wall, its final end wall can be changed, adding another identical module to it, before or after depending on the direction of the flow passing through it, in order to produce a heat exchange device allowing

  perform very complex heat exchanges.

  In order to control the heat exchange caused, it is possible to position

  thermal sensors (18) or safety thermostats in the wall (3).

  The thermal module according to the invention makes it possible to heat or cool any fluid chemical of the aqueous solution, thermal fluid, solvent and other type, at temperatures between -20 ° C. and + 180 ° C. and at a pressure which can

reach 10 bars.

Claims (8)

  1- Heat exchange module (1) comprising a hollow cylinder (2) with a thick wall (3) in which are embedded heating and I or cooling means (4), said wall (3) comprising on its inner surface (5) fins (6) so as to form in the center of said hollow cylinder (2) and between the fins (6) a heat exchange channel (7), characterized in that said hollow cylinder (2) comprises at at least one of its ends (8) a contact surface (9) making it possible to position either another contact surface (9) of another heat exchange module (1), or an end plate (10), either a plate of connection (11).   2- heat exchange module (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the heating and / or cooling means (4) are provided with means   for adjusting the heat exchange capacity.   3- heat exchange module (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that said connection plate (11) comprises at least one connector (12) so as to allow connection of the heat exchange module (1) to a pipeline.   4- heat exchange module (1) according to any one of claims   1 to 3, characterized in that said end plate (10) and / or said connection plate (11) are positioned on the removable hollow cylinder (2) of The end (8).   - Heat exchange module (1) according to any one of the claims   1 to 4, characterized in that said heat exchange channel (7) comprises in its   centers a reverse flow tube (13).   6- heat exchange module (1) according to claim 5, characterized in   that said reverse flow tube (13) is removable.   7- heat exchange module (1) according to any one of claims   1 to 6, characterized in that a recess (14) is formed between the longitudinal end   fins (6) and the contact surface (9).   8- heat exchange module (1) according to any one of claims   1 to 7, characterized in that said hollow cylinder (2) has a contact surface (9) at each end (8) and in that it is symmetrical along a plane P perpendicular to its axis X.   9- heat exchange module (1) according to any one of claims   1 to 8, characterized in that it compost a removable pressing device responsible for keeping the contact surfaces (9) pressed against each other or against the end plates (10) or the connection plates (11) , made up   a set of threaded rods (16).   - Heat exchange device produced by the combination of a plurality of   heat exchange modules (1) according to any one of claims o0 previous.