JPS5971984A - Plate type heat exchanger - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to plate heat exchangers in which two fluids are coupled to flow through a common passageway between plates that are separated by a heat transfer relationship with a third fluid. Something,
More particularly, it concerns the use of hollow rods to support the plate and allow one of the two fluids to be ejected into a common channel.

Heat exchangers are required in some industrial applications to provide heat transfer between the mixed liquid and gas and a third fluid. For efficient operation and optimal heat transfer, the liquid and gas must be uniformly distributed as a mixture in a common passageway before passing through the heat exchanger in a heat transfer relationship with the third fluid. Must be. If the liquid and gas separately enter the core of each heat exchanger through adjacent passages separated by a common plate, transverse slots in the plate are provided for the two fluids to be mixed. This will provide a fluid path for the Heat exchangers of this type are disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,559,722 and 4,249,595.

In U.S. Pat. No. 3,559,722, a segmented or slotted divider plate for separating liquid and gas is supported by corrugated sheet metal fins that "bridge" the slots. The fin that acts as a bridge/? Reinforce structures weakened by slots in rad metal plates.

For the purpose of providing a device for achieving high operating pressure ratios and controlling the flow rate of one of two fluids, US Pat.
, 249,595 discloses the use of slotted rods to support metal plates in place of bridging fins/F-ruds. The slotted rod has a larger surface area than would be possible with the highest available fin density fin material to provide supportive contact with the adjacent metal plate by brazing. The resulting heat exchanger has a rated operating pressure of greater than 490 KgAa (700 psi).

Sparge tubes are an alternative device for dispensing and ejecting fluid into passageways for mixing with other fluids. The dispensing tube has a plurality of spaced apart orifices disposed along its length;
A conduit extending laterally across the width of the fluid passageway between the metal plates. Liquid (or gas) is ejected from one or both ends of the conduit, flows through the orifice, and mixes with other fluids flowing through passages around the sparge tube.

This and other uses of sparge tubes in heat exchangers are illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 3,895,676. Sparge tube heat exchangers are typically used in two-phase fluid applications where they exhibit optimum flow rates, with ASME rated pressures ranging from less than 175 Kg/ca (250 psi) to approximately 490 Kg/ca (700 psi). Extends.

A distribution tube positioned between two plates tends to vibrate as fluid flows between its outer surface and the facing surface of the adjacent plate. These fluid flows that cause tube movement or vibration may result in hastened fatigue failure. Since the tubes are not usually brazed in place or installed in contact with both plates, they do not provide sufficient support and therefore do not provide sufficient support to the heat exchanger structure.
IJ Lux Gap or 1l-j: Causes weakness.

This is the limiting factor for controlling the pressure rating of a heat exchanger assembled with sparge tubes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a plate heat exchanger equipped with a device for separately distributing a first fluid and a second fluid and mixing the two fluids in a common passage.

Another object of the invention is to support adjacent plates of a heat exchanger at the point where the two fluids mix so that the resulting structure can withstand relatively high operating pressures.

Yet another object of the invention is to control the flow rates of two fluids through a heat exchanger before they are mixed in a common passage.

Still another object is to eject one of two fluids using a device that allows brazing in a predetermined position without being subjected to vibration or fatigue friction.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings.

The present invention is a plate heat exchanger that includes three or more generally planar metal plates of similar size and shape arranged in spaced-apart parallel relationship. The metal plate is connected at its periphery to a rod arrangement and together with the rod arrangement defines separate first and second passages.

Apparatus is included for admitting a first fluid into the first passageway and distributing the fluid substantially across the width of the heat exchanger. a hollow metal rod disposed within the first passageway and across the first passageway and having two substantially flat parallel surfaces abutting and supporting a metal plate defining the first passageway; There is.

A plurality of channels are disposed laterally across at least one surface of the flat surface of the hollow metal rod. The hollow rod also includes a plurality of orifices spaced along its length to provide fluid communication between the first passageway and the interior of the rod. An inlet device is provided at one end of the hollow rod to allow the second fluid to flow into the interior of the hollow rod. The first fluid passes through transverse channels within the hollow rod and mixes with the second fluid as it passes through the orifice. mixed 1st
A manifold arrangement is provided to collect and transport the fluid and the second fluid out of the heat exchanger.

The heat exchanger further includes a device for admitting a third fluid into the second passageway and distributing the third fluid substantially across the width of the heat exchanger. After the third fluid traverses at least a portion of the heat exchanger in heat transfer relationship with the mixed first and second fluids, the manifold arrangement collects the third fluid in a second passageway within the heat exchanger. It operates to transport it outside.

Referring to FIG. 1, a plate heat exchanger incorporating the present invention is designated generally by the reference numeral 10. The plate heat exchanger 10 is made of flat metal plates 11 of similar shape, length and width, spaced apart in parallel relation and sealed at the edges by sealing rods 12. . The plate heat exchanger 10 is normally constructed with the first header 13 disposed on its bottom end and with its longitudinal axis oriented vertically, i.e. with the end shown in FIG. 1 facing downwards. It is arranged in Therefore, the second header 14 is arranged along one side, and the third header 15 is connected to the plate heat exchanger 1.
It will be placed above 0.

Referring now to Figures 2-5, a first embodiment of plate heat exchanger 10 is illustrated in more detail through the use of cross-sectional views. For example, Figure 2 shows a typical
Please disclose the internal structure of the passage.
A second fluid is introduced, distributed, mixed, and passed through the plate heat exchanger 10. Throughout the following description, for simplicity, the first heat exchanger fluid will be simply referred to as a vapor and the second fluid will be referred to as a liquid. However, it should be understood that the liquid and vapor flow paths through the heat exchanger are interchangeable within the scope of the claims. The third fluid flows through the second passageway within the plate heat exchanger 10, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. In a preferred embodiment, the first and second passages are arranged in alternating order across the width of the heat exchanger, and the first passage is always sandwiched between two second passages. There is. Therefore, if the letter (A) represents the first passage and the letter (, B) represents the second passage, the order is BABA...AB. In an alternative example, the order is BABBABBA.
...Let's be BBAB.

Steam enters the first passageway from the first header 13 through an inlet defined by the sealing rod at a point where the first header 13 is sealingly attached to the sealing rod in surrounding relation. The steam is distributed by a Kik consisting of two parts: a trapezoidal corrugated fin metal plate material 17a and a triangular portion of the corrugated fin plate material 18a. The steam flow is generally parallel to the back portions of the corrugated fin metal plate material 17a and the corrugated fin plate material 18a so that it is evenly distributed across the width of the plate heat exchanger 100 in the first passage. directed towards. Immediately downstream of the corrugated fin plate material 17a is a short section of corrugated fin plate material 24a disposed with the back of the fin running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the heat exchanger. A spacer rib 23 on the hollow metal rod 16 abuts the downstream end of the corrugated fin plate material 24, a, and another spacer rib 23 similarly formed on the opposite side of the hollow metal rod 16. abuts a substantially long portion of the corrugated fin plate material 24b which also runs parallel to the longitudinal axis of the plate heat exchanger 10.

The hollow metal rods 16 serve various functions within the plate heat exchanger 10. First, the hollow metal rods 16 provide structural support between adjacent metal plates 11, the facing surfaces of which form first passages, and second, the hollow metal rods 16 provide structural support between adjacent metal plates 11, and second, the hollow metal rods 16 provide structural support between adjacent metal plates 11, with the facing surfaces of the metal plates forming a first passageway. thirdly, the hollow metal rod 16 is filled with plate heat exchanger 10 in a predetermined proportion as will be explained hereinafter. Contains devices for controlling the flow of steam and liquid through the

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, hollow metal rod 16 includes a plurality of spaced apart channels 20 formed on its surface that abuts adjacent metal plate 11. As shown in FIGS. These channels 20 provide a means for steam to enter the first header 13 and pass through the first passageway over obstacles provided by the hollow metal rods 16 or otherwise. A plurality of second channels 21 are also formed on the surface of the hollow metal rod 16 that abuts the adjacent metal plate 11, but the channels only partially extend across these parallel surfaces of the hollow metal rod 16. Extending. The second channel 21 is of great depth so as to intersect a groove 22 extending longitudinally along the inner surface of the hollow metal rod 16 adjacent the surface on which the second channel 21 is formed. The intersection of each groove 22 with one of the second channels 21 defines an orifice 22a.

Liquid is transferred to the plate heat exchanger 1 through a second header 14 which is sealingly attached to a sealing rod 12 in surrounding relation to the end of a hollow metal rod 16 extending from each of the first passages.
Flows into 0. Thereafter, the liquid flows through the hollow interior of the hollow metal rod 16 and flows into the first passage through the orifice 22a and the second channel 21. As the liquid flows through the orifice 22a, it exhibits a significant pressure drop, at which point it partially flows into the vapor. The vapor and liquid are mixed in the first passageway and the mixture passes through the corrugated fin plate material 24b and the corrugated fin plate portion 17b and the corrugated fin plate portion 18b.
is collected at the opposite end of the plate heat exchanger 100. Wave-type fin plate portion 17b and wave-type fin plate portion], 8
b is similar in shape to each of the corrugated fin metal plate material 17a and the corrugated fin plate material 18a; Adapted to collect the mixture. Thereafter, the two-phase fluid exits the heat exchanger through a second collection manifold 26 which is sealingly mounted in surrounding relation to the sealing rod 12 adjacent the corrugated fin plate portion 18b.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the second passage is between the facing surfaces of the adjacent metal plates 11 of the plate heat exchanger
through and defined by the sealing rod 12. vapor, liquid,
A third fluid (typically steam) or a mixture thereof enters through a third header 15 that is sealingly attached to the sealing bar 12 adjacent the triangularly corrugated fin plate 27a. The triangular corrugated fin plate 27a and the adjacent trapezoidal corrugated fin plate 28A include devices for distributing the third fluid across the width of the heat exchanger. The third fluid passes through the corrugated fin plates 28 of the plate heat exchanger 10 in a countercurrent direction to the mixed liquid and vapor and in a heat transfer relationship to the mixture. Subsequently, the third fluid is collected by the corrugated fin plate 28b and the corrugated fin plate 27b, and passed through the first collector 25, which is sealingly attached to the sealing rod 12 adjacent to the corrugated fin plate 27b, to the plate heat exchanger. It flows out from 10.

6 to 9 show a second embodiment according to the invention which is substantially the same as the first embodiment except as regards the structure of the hollow metal rod 16. FIGS. In a second embodiment, the hollow rod is designated by the reference numeral 16' and comprises a channel 20 across parallel planes abutting the facing metal plate 11 in exactly the same way as the hollow metal rod 16, but the hollow rod is 2 channel 21,
The spacer ribs 23 are not included, and the grooves 22 are also not included.

Instead, the hollow rod 16' is shaped such that its upstream and downstream facing sides are concave and the hollow rod is spaced apart along its length so that these concave surfaces includes a plurality of orifices 30 centered at .

As already explained in connection with the first embodiment of the hollow metal rod 16, the steam passes through the first header 13 to the first heat exchanger.
It flows into the passageway and is distributed between the corrugated fin plate material 18a and the corrugated fin metal plate material 17a, and passes through the corrugated fin plate material 24a and the channel 20 in the hollow rod 16'. Liquid enters through the second header 14 and flows across the width of the plate heat exchanger 10 and through the interior of the hollow rods 16'. The liquid continues to flow out of the orifice 30 and into the corrugated fin plate material 2.
It mixes with the steam in 4a and 24b and flows through the plate heat exchanger 10 in a heat transfer relationship with the third fluid.

The mixed liquid and vapor are transferred to the corrugated fin plate portions 17b and 18b.
and exits through the second collection manifold 26. The flow of the third fluid through the plate heat exchanger 10, which includes hollow rods 16', is as described above and as shown in FIG.

Channel 20 and orifice 22a or channel 20
The relative cross-sectional areas of the plate heat exchanger 10 and the orifices 30 determine the vapor-to-liquid flow rate through the plate heat exchanger 10. The designed pressure drop of the liquid and vapor in the system will determine the dimensions of the channel 20 and orifice 22a or 30 and their spacing along the length of the hollow metal rod 16 or 16'. Proper design of heat exchangers, including the present invention, includes balancing various parameters to provide adequate structural support for adequate vapor and liquid flow so that high pressure ratios are not compromised. There is. For example, the density and width of channels 20 along the length of hollow metal rod 16 or hollow rod 16' should not be so great that the product exceeds 75% of the length of both rods, for reasons 75 This is because preferably 25 inches of the surface of the hollow metal rod 16 or 16' will be left to support the adjacent metal plate 11. Similarly, the depth of the channel 20 is limited by the internal cross-sectional area of the hollow metal rod 16 or 16' to improve the flow rate of the liquid. From there, liquid can be supplied through another header similar to the second header 14. The flow rate of both liquid and vapor is achieved through two or more hollow metal rods 16 or 16' in a single first passageway disposed with parallel channels 20 on the back of the corrugated fin plate material 24b. It can be increased by laminating layers.

It will be appreciated that the plate heat exchanger 10 may be made of aluminum plates and aluminum extrusions or other materials having good heat transfer properties.

Techniques for making this type of heat exchanger using brazed aluminum are well known in the art and include assembling the metal plate 11 and the other components described above in a fixed body in a salt bath or vacuum. Including brazing in a furnace.

The hollow metal rods 16 or 16' are two rUJ-shaped rods that are brazed together in the shape shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 8 and 9 during the fabrication of the plate heat exchanger 10. Contains a type channel.

The two channel parts containing the hollow metal rod 16 or hollow rod 16' are welded together prior to brazing to ensure proper alignment thereof. More expensive methods may use a single hollow extrusion for the hollow metal rod 16 or hollow rod 16'.

Various modifications to the preferred embodiments disclosed herein will be apparent to those familiar with the convex art.

For example, the hollow rod 16' can include an orifice 30 on both concave surfaces, or rather only on the downstream facing concave surface, to minimize the risk of liquid backflow during vapor reduction. Corrugated fin plate material 24. Second channel 21, like channel 20, can extend across the width of hollow metal rod 16 so that both vapor from a and liquid from orifice 22a flow through second channel 21.

It is also preferred for the third fluid to operate the plate heat exchanger 10 in a parallel or cross-flow relationship to the mixed liquid and vapor flow. If separate headers and collectors are provided, multiple fluids passing through separate passages within the plate heat exchanger 10 may be combined into a single third fluid in heat exchange relationship with the mixed liquid and vapor. It can be replaced with These and other modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an elevational view showing one end of the plate heat exchanger of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 2-2 of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the hollow metal rod along cross-sectional line 3-3 in FIG. 2; FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the hollow metal rod in cross-sectional line 4-4 in FIG. 1; 6 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the heat exchanger similar to that shown in FIG. 2; FIG. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the hollow rod of the second embodiment taken along cross-sectional line 8--8 of FIG. 7; FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the hollow rod at cross-sectional line 9-9 of FIG. Explanation of symbols of main parts 10... Plate heat exchanger,] 1... Metal plate, 12
...Sealing rod, 13...Ladder to 1st, 1
4...Second header, 16...Hollow metal rod, 2
0... Channel, 22a... Orifice.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1) A plate heat exchanger comprising: a. a plurality of generally planar metal plates arranged in a spaced-apart parallel relationship; b. a rod device for sealingly connecting the metal plates. a rod device defining a first passageway between adjacent facing surfaces of the two metal plates; C. a device for allowing a first fluid to flow into and distributing the first fluid into the first passageway; disposed within and across the first passageway downstream of the device for causing the metal plate to extend between opposing surfaces of the metal plate defining a second passageway while supporting the metal plate; , a plurality of channels formed in at least one surface of the hollow metal rod abutting one of the metal plates and spaced apart along the length to provide fluid communication between the hollow interior and the first passageway; a hollow metal rod e containing a plurality of orifices in which a second fluid flows through the orifices and mixes with the first fluid within the first passageway;
an inlet device for introducing fluid into the interior of the hollow rod; f collecting the mixed first and second fluids and transporting the fluids out of the first passage after the fluids have traversed at least a portion of the heat exchanger; A plate heat exchanger consisting of a device. 2) the connecting rod arrangement and the metal plate together define a second passageway between other adjacent facing surfaces of the two metal plates; said heat exchanger further directs a third fluid into the second passageway; an apparatus for inflowing and distributing the third fluid and collecting and conveying the third fluid out of the heat exchanger after the third fluid has passed in heat transfer relationship with the mixed first and second fluids; The plate heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the first and second passages are continuous with each other. 3) Plate heat exchangers comprising: a three or more generally flat metal plates of similar length and width arranged in spaced apart parallel relationship along a common longitudinal axis; b metal plates; the metal plates are hermetically connected along the peripheries of the facing surfaces of the metal plates, and together with the metal plates, a plurality of fluid passages are defined between adjacent facing surfaces of the metal plates;
a rod device adapted to include a passage: C a device for admitting a first fluid into the first passage and distributing the first fluid substantially across the width of the heat exchanger; d a rod device disposed within the first passage and containing a first rod; two substantially flat parallel surfaces extending laterally across the passageway and abutting and supporting the metal plate defining the first passageway for directing the first fluid through the hollow bar; a plurality of channels disposed laterally across at least one surface of said planar surface for fluid flow therethrough and further providing fluid communication between said first passageway and an interior of said hollow rod; a hollow metal rod containing orifices spaced apart along its length; e. an inlet device for allowing a second fluid flowing through the orifice to enter the interior of the hollow rod to mix with the first fluid in the first fluid passageway; f. A device for causing the third fluid to flow into the second passage and distributing the third fluid substantially across the width of the heat exchanger; 3) collecting and conveying the mixed first and second fluids out of the first passage; and) 1. After the third fluid traverses at least a portion of the heat exchanger in a heat transfer relationship with the mixing box 1 and the second fluid, the third fluid is collected and conveyed out of the second passage. A plate heat exchanger consisting of a device that 4) A plate heat exchanger comprising: a first, second and third of similar length and width disposed in spaced apart parallel relationship along a common longitudinal axis;
a generally flat metal plate; b) a sealing connection of the metal plate along the periphery of the facing surfaces of the metal plate; first passageway 11) a second passageway separated from the first metal plate by a second metal plate between other adjacent facing surfaces of the second and third metal plates and in heat exchange relationship with the first metal plate; a rod device defining a passage; C a device for introducing and distributing a first fluid into the first passage and including a first header; d a rod device downstream of the device for introducing and distributing a first fluid into the first passage; two substantially parallel surfaces disposed across the first passageway, a length extending laterally across the heat exchanger between the rod arrangements, and a second surface disposed abutting the rod; having a thickness extending between opposing surfaces of the first and second metal plates, at least one surface including a plurality of spaced apart channels formed therein adjacent to the metal plates; an extruded hollow metal rod including a plurality of spaced apart orifices to provide fluid communication between the interior and the first passage; e a second fluid flowing through the orifices to mix with the first fluid; an inlet device for introducing a third fluid into the interior of the hollow rod and including a second header; f a device for introducing a third fluid and distributing it into a second passage and including a third header; g after the third fluid has traversed the heat exchanger; an apparatus for collecting and transporting a third fluid out of the second passageway and comprising a first manifold; h) mixing at least a portion of the heat exchanger in a heat transfer relationship with the third fluid; A plate heat exchanger comprising a device for collecting and transporting both fluids after traversal out of the first passageway and including a second manifold. 5) According to claim 1), claim 3), or claim 4), wherein grooves are formed on both surfaces of a hollow rod that abuts and supports adjacent surfaces of the metal plate. Plate heat exchanger as described. 6) The orifice is arranged in the hollow rod intermediate the surface of the hollow rod that abuts the metal plate and is oriented downstream relative to the flow of the first fluid through the first passage. The plate heat exchanger according to item 1), item 3) or item 4). 7) A plate heat exchanger according to claim 6, wherein a portion of the orifice is also oriented upstream relative to the flow of the first fluid through the second passage. 8) Claim 1) wherein the hollow rod includes two generally rUJ-shaped extrusions whose openings are brazed in place in opposing relationship. , the plate heat exchanger according to item 3 or 4). 9) such that the surface of the hollow rod facing the second flow side and the downstream side "generally relative to the flow of the first fluid" includes spacer ribs present along the length of the rod. Plate heat exchanger described in section ). 10) A plate-type heat exchanger according to claim 8, wherein the surface of the hollow rod facing the second flow side and the downstream side is generally concave relative to the flow of the first fluid. exchanger. 11) Claims 1), 3) or 4) in which the hollow rod includes a longitudinally extending groove inside the hollow rod adjacent to one of the surfaces that abuts the metal plate. Plate heat exchanger described in . 2) Some of the channels on the surface of the hollow rod are deeper than the other channels, and the orifice is formed at the point where the groove on the inside of the hollow rod intersects with these deep channels. A plate-type heat exchanger according to claim 11). 13) The hollow rod further includes a plurality of channels extending partially across the surface abutting the metal plate adjacent to the grooves, the channels intersecting the inner grooves of the hollow rod to form the grooves within the hollow rod. 12. A plate heat exchanger according to claim 11, which is sufficiently deep to form an orifice. 14) Claims 1), 3) or 4), wherein the cross-sectional area of the channel and the orifice control the relative flow rates of the first and second fluids flowing through the channel. plate type heat exchanger. 15) The plate heat exchanger according to claim 14, wherein the first fluid is a gas and the second fluid is a liquid. 16) Claims 1), 3), or 4) further comprising a plurality of hollow rods stacked in parallel alignment and extending laterally across the first passageway. Plate heat exchanger as described.