WO2012093189A1

WO2012093189A1 - Improved modular element for heat exchange machine

Info

Publication number: WO2012093189A1
Application number: PCT/ES2011/070913
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jesús Pagan Duran
Original assignee: Aurum Foods, S.L.
Priority date: 2011-01-05
Filing date: 2011-12-29
Publication date: 2012-07-12
Also published as: ES2385798A1; ES2385798B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a modular element (2) for a machine (1) used to cool or heat a product, such as food, said machine (1) being of the type described in patent application ES-200800796. The modular element (2) comprises a solid metal discoid body (17) in which are formed peripheral passages (11,12,13,14) for the intake, discharge and distribution of heat transfer fluid or coolant, which passages are preferably machined inside the discoid body. The passages (11,12,13,14) form an internal fluid circulation circuit extending from and to inlet and outlet holes (9, 10) located in the central part of the element (2), allowing heat to be exchanged with the product in an efficient manner.

Description

PERFECTED MODULAR ELEMENT

FOR HEAT EXCHANGE MACHINE

D E S C R I P C I Ó N

OBJECT AND TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention aims to provide an element for a heat exchange machine with a product. This machine, to which the invention relates and in which the element is implemented, is preferably of the type described in patent application ES-200800796.

The heat exchange machine and therefore the element object of the invention, which is part of it, finds application for treatment of products in heating, cooling, evaporation, crystallization and drying processes. The products to be treated preferably include food and any other product that requires a heating or cooling treatment, such as sludge from sewage stations. It is especially suitable for products that have a tendency to form deposits on the heat exchange surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The treatment of products in heat exchange machines presents the risk of adhesion of deposits on the heat exchange surface. When this occurs, it is necessary to empty and clean said surface, with the consequent loss of productivity of the machine. A known solution to this problem is based on providing irregularities in the heat exchange surface, so that this creates a turbulence that causes the deposits to detach. However, these types of solutions have been found not to be sufficiently effective.

The invention ES-291930-U is known. This invention relates to a heat exchange machine that proposes a solution to the aforementioned problem. The machine comprises an external cylindrical vessel, with a horizontal axis and a hollow wall (for the circulation of heat transfer fluid or refrigerant in inside said wall), closed by its two bases and provided inside with two hollow wall cylindrical vessels (for the circulation of the fluid), coaxial with the first. The machine additionally includes a rotating structure around the axis common to the three vessels that is provided with a plurality of scraper blades, which scratch the walls of the containers while stirring or removing the product.

On the other hand, the patent document ES-2323918 collects a heat exchange machine with an external container that includes at least two hollow walls (for the circulation of the fluid) arranged perpendicularly to an axis of the container and a rotating structure around said axis which is provided with a plurality of scraper blades. This invention introduces some advantages over the prior invention in the state of the art. A first advantage follows from the configuration of this machine itself, which provides a greater heat exchange surface in relation to the volume of product to be treated contained in the container. This feature allows maximizing the calorific efficiency of the machine, defined as the heat output exchanged with the product per unit volume of deposit (in general and for the purposes of this specification, calorific efficiency of a heat exchanger element is defined as the power heat exchanged with the product per unit volume of product). Increasing the calorific efficiency of the machine allows to increase the capacity of the container, tank or vat as well as to reduce the processing time of the product, with the consequent gain in its productivity. A second advantage is that the aforementioned invention allows maintaining the proper relationship between the volume of deposit and surface area of heat exchange to emulate the cooking or heat treatment of traditional foods. A third advantage is that it allows compartmentalizing the container in equal volumes. This feature makes it possible to standardize the heating or cooling of the product, avoiding temperature gradients during the treatment, which facilitates the process as well as its calculation and therefore improves process controllability.

On the other hand, the invention patent ES-2333572 is known. This invention relates to a heat exchange machine with a product comprising a container that includes at least one modular element inside, through which the fluid circulates. Modular elements are arranged perpendicularly to an axis of the container. The invention is characterized in that it additionally comprises a plurality of separators arranged between adjacent elements and coupled in the shaft, so that the fluid circulates in the axis through a first conduit connected with the elements, after circulating inside the element, the fluid leaves this one towards a second conduction in the axis. The heat exchange machine further comprises a rotating structure around said axis which is provided with a plurality of scraper blades, which allow the removal of existing deposits on the inner surface of the container as well as on the surface of the modular and separating elements. This machine introduces improvements in the state of the art in relation to the heat exchange machine collected in ES-2323918. A first improvement is that it allows the scratching of possible deposits can be made over the entire interior surface of the container. A second improvement is that the invention makes it possible for the machine to be manufactured or assembled modularly from different parts of the machine such as separators and modular elements.

However, this machine has the disadvantage that the modular elements, by means of the simple circulation of the fluid in its interior as described in its respective patent document, do not allow an efficient heat exchange across its surface contact.

The present invention seeks to introduce improvements in the modular element of the heat exchange machine mentioned to increase the heat efficiency of said modular element. The heat efficiency of the modular element is defined as the heat power exchanged across the surface of the element per unit area of said surface.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In order to solve the aforementioned technical problem and achieve improvements with respect to the modular elements and heat exchange machines known in the state of the art, the proposed invention provides the technical characteristics and effects described below.

As indicated above, the invention relates to a modular element for preferred implementation in a heat exchange machine as described in the invention patent ES-2333572 or similar machine. It is a machine for heat exchange with a product comprising: a tank, tank or container, to contain the product; an axis; a rotating structure around said axis that is provided with at least one scraper blade; at least one modular element; and a plurality of separators configured to be coupled on the shaft, placing at least one separator between two adjacent modular elements. The separators have a first and a second conduit connected to a circuit for heating or cooling a heat transfer fluid or coolant, depending on the machine for heating or cooling the product respectively. Said first and second separator ducts are connected to a fluid inlet conduit in the modular element, through an inlet port, and to a fluid outlet conduit of the modular element, through an outlet port respectively. In this way a circulation of the fluid is created inside the modular element that produces its heating or cooling and therefore allows the product to be heated or cooled.

The modular element object of the present invention is formed from a solid metallic discoidal body. The modular element incorporates: a perimeter duct emptied into the discoidal body; at least one straight inlet duct, emptied into the discoidal body and connecting the inlet opening with the perimeter duct; at least one straight outlet duct, emptied into the discoidal body and connecting the outlet orifice with the perimeter duct; at least one straight distribution duct, emptied into the discoidal body and secant with the perimeter duct. Preferably, the inlet, outlet and distribution ducts extend according to the same radial direction of the discoidal body.

In this way, the fluid circulates inside the element from the axis through the inlet hole located in a central part of the modular element towards the perimeter conduit, passing, before said perimetral conduit, the inlet conduits and, after said perimeter duct, the distribution ducts, to exit again through the central part through the exit orifice, passing through the exit ducts. This configuration allows maximizing the contact area of the modular element with the fluid with respect to the contact area of the modular element with the product and consequently maximizing the heat efficiency of the modular element. The heat transfer fluid can be both a liquid and a gas. The same applies to the cooling fluid. Examples of heat transfer fluid that can be used are liquid water, steam, saturated steam, and any other heat transfer fluid. Examples of coolants are water, ammonia or any other.

Additionally, it is contemplated that the two outer base surfaces that delimit the discoidal body, thus defined by analogy with the base surfaces of a cylindrical body, can be smooth or striated. By "striated" outer surface it is understood that the surface incorporates reliefs in the form of undulations according to any radial direction of the discoidal body, that is to say that it incorporates a plurality of grooves on said surface; the grooves are preferably concentric. This grooved surface configuration allows to increase the heat efficiency of the modular element for a given similar heat efficiency of the modular element, because it provides a contact surface of the product with the larger modular element. As indicated above, the increase in calorific efficiency allows to increase the capacity of the tank, vat or container as well as reduce the processing time of the product, with the consequent gain in its productivity. The grooves or reliefs on the outer surfaces of the modular element provide the added advantage that they favor the appearance of turbulence that facilitates the non-adhesion of deposits as well as improves thermal transfer. In addition, the characteristic that the surface incorporates, introduces the design variables of: shape of the grooves, number of grooves, their depth and distance between them. These variables can be selected according to the application. It is contemplated that the concentric grooves have a sinusoidal shape, it being understood that said shape is according to a radial cross section to the discoidal body. But there is no limitation on the shape of the grooves, for example they can also have a triangular waveform, square wave, etc. The grooves extend from a central area of the discoidal body to a radial length preferably greater than 50% of the radius.

Optionally, the inlet, outlet and distribution ducts extend in the same plane perpendicular to the axis. In a preferred option of this configuration, the inlet and outlet ducts extend diametrically facing two to two, the inlet and outlet holes being symmetrical with respect to a plane perpendicular to the radial direction and containing the axis. This configuration Symmetric has the utility of providing a more uniform internal circulation of the fluid as well as facilitating the manufacture of the element itself.

Preferably, the particular case is contemplated that the perimeter conduit is peripheral and that the discoidal body is a disk, that is to say the outer base surfaces of the circular shaped discoidal body. Also, in the event that any of the base outer surfaces have a striated shape, the concentric grooves thereof may be circumferential.

On the other hand, the section of the inlet, outlet and distribution ducts can be of any shape. Optionally, the ducts are tubular, that is to say of circular cross-section, easily obtainable by machining with drill bits. It is also contemplated that the ducts have the shape of a trefoil section, which provides an improvement in the heat efficiency of the element since it allows to maximize the contact area of the modular element with the fluid with respect to the contact area of the modular element with the product. Additionally, it is contemplated that the inner surface of the ducts can also be smooth or grooved, preferably threaded, so that in this way it is possible to maximize the contact area of the modular element with the heat transfer or cooling fluid, as the case may be, with respect to the area of contact of the modular element with the product and consequently maximize the heat efficiency of the modular element. Additionally, the striated surface inside the ducts of the modular element favors the appearance of turbulence, which improves thermal transfer.

Regarding the number of ducts, anyone can be chosen. Logically, it should be borne in mind that a larger number of compactly grouped ducts can further contribute to increasing heat efficiency.

In addition, the number of ducts can also influence the flow characteristics of the fluid inside the element. In particular, an improvement of the flow characteristics can be expected if the number of inlet ducts plus the number of outlet ducts is smaller than the number of distribution ducts since this allows an expansion of the fluid in the distribution ducts.

The fact that the modular elements of this invention have the advantage that they are easily obtainable by a machining manufacturing process starting from a metal block or billet with a discoidal shape is to be highlighted. Additionally, machining provides the great advantage of allowing Obtain the modular element by conforming it from a single main piece, giving it adequate strength and robustness.

In relation to the union between modular elements and separators, the modular element incorporates at least one fixing hole in the discoidal body; so that the coupling of the separators and the tank to the element is carried out by means of through fixing rods through the at least one fixing hole. The joining means between modular elements and separators can be complemented by the incorporation of a sinking joint at the base of the discoidal body as well as with gaskets, so that the connection of the element to adjacent separators is facilitated. The invention also contemplates the incorporation of a coupling hole in a leak detector; said hole is made in the modular element, preferably in the area of the sinking joint.

Another aspect of the invention is related to obtaining the perimeter duct of the modular element. For this, in a preferred embodiment, the discoidal body comprises a lateral recess that forms a perimeter channel. On the other hand, the modular element additionally includes an annular body that laterally encloses the perimeter channel, such that said perimeter channel forms the perimetral duct between the discoidal body and the annular body. The outer surface of the annular body determines the lateral outer surface of the modular element, thus defined by analogy with the lateral surface of a cylindrical body. The annular body may consist of a strap or several sections of strap attached to each other and to the central part of the discoid body.

The union between the annular body and the discoidal body is carried out by means of union such as adhesive, welding, screwing or pressure.

For the welding joint, which is applied in the event that the annular body is also metallic, the welding is optionally of the "friction" type, being able to be carried out by any other suitable welding method according to the type of metallic material of the bodies discoidal and annular. For example, in the case of aluminum such as MIG or TIG welding. To facilitate welding, the perimeter channel may include a lateral step on which the annular body can fit and / or rest on the discoidal body.

For pressure bonding, in the event that the annular body is also metallic, the use of the thermal expansion effect is contemplated to facilitate the ring of the annular body in the discoidal body, raising its temperature with respect to its temperature, prior to fitting. Particularly, the modular element may incorporate o-rings disposed at respective edges of the perimeter channel between the discoidal body and the annular body, for which the discoidal body may be provided with peripheral housings for said o-rings. These o-rings facilitate pressure bonding and provide adequate sealing and sealing to the ducts of the modular element. Preferably, the material of the o-rings is rubber or the like (for example NBR or FKM). Likewise, the design option is also contemplated, consisting of the annular body and the o-rings being integral, being able to obtain, for example, the same or similar rubber material.

With reference to the materials of the invention, the metallic material to be used for the manufacture of the discoidal body must have good thermal conductivity, such as aluminum, copper or even bronze material (including alloys). Preferably aluminum material is used. In the selection of the material it is taken into account that an improvement in the thermal conductivity of the material provides an improvement in the heat efficiency of the modular element. The similarly annular body can also be metallic, preferably of aluminum material. It is also contemplated that the annular body may be of any other material, preferably of rubber or the like (for example of NBR or FKM), as well as the o-rings.

For the selection of the aluminum alloy to be used in the discoidal body, it must be taken into account that it must have good machinability, thermal conductivity and mechanical resistance properties. Also, other weldability and corrosion resistance properties must be taken into account, depending on other factors such as the material used in the annular body or if the modular element receives some surface treatment. For example, the aluminum of the 3XXX range (AISI code) can be taken into account for the discoidal body due to its good machinability properties. Preferably, the selected aluminum material corresponds to 6XXX and 7XXXX series alloys, particularly 6082 and 7075 alloys, which have high mechanical strength and superior thermal conductivity (their thermal conductivity is approximately eleven times higher than that of the stainless steel). The modular element can incorporate surface treatments, which have the function of increasing the hardness, corrosion resistance and non-stickiness of the product in the modular element. Surface treatments can be applied to both the base exterior surfaces and the lateral surface. In any case, it is considered that the surface treatment should not significantly impair the required thermal conductivity. The surface hardness property may be useful considering the wear and tear on which the outer surface of the element is subjected due to the effect of the scraper blades. On the other hand, the non-stick property is not only advantageous from the point of view of eliminating product deposits in the modular element and the maintenance that this entails but also allows eliminating the unwanted effect of the decrease in calorific efficiency as a consequence of the accumulation of a layer of product on the surface over time.

A surface treatment that has been provided for exterior surfaces that are made of aluminum is the incorporation of an anodizing coating.

Another family of surface treatments capable of being applied in the present invention and in the general case that the modular element (discoidal body and annular body) is metallic, not necessarily aluminum, consists of the inclusion of a PTFE coating or the like, in general of a fluorinated polymer, on the outer surfaces of the modular heat exchanger element. These surface coatings provide the desired technical effect of a substantial improvement of the non-stick product on the treated exterior surfaces. The following patent documents are representative documents in which this surface treatment technique applied to external surfaces of heat exchangers can be explained: US-4705101, US-4776391, US-4557202, US-4479359, US-4461347. However, these surface coatings have the disadvantage that the material used (fluorinated polymer) has a low thermal conductivity, to the detriment of the heat efficiency of the modular element.

Another surface treatment technique that overcomes the drawback of the prior art consists in the inclusion of a coating with a porous metal composite structure and PTFE or the like as a fluorinated polymer. This technique can be found described in patent document GB-1042387. He surface coating provides an improvement in the hardness, corrosion resistance and non-stickiness of the product in the modular element, maintaining the calorific performance and efficiency levels of the modular element of the invention, also contributing to improve the nutritional quality of the food obtained with the use of it. The improvement of the nutritional quality of food products is partly due to the fact that, as indicated above, the modular element allows emulating the cooking or heat treatment of traditional foods.

Ultimately, the present invention provides an improved modular element for a heat exchange machine that, due to its technical characteristics, provides optimum heat efficiency and efficiency and therefore greater productivity as well as an improvement in the nutritional quality of the food obtained. In addition, the invention offers improvements over the state of the art known as described above. All this therefore solving the technical problem raised.

On the other hand, the present invention also includes a process for manufacturing the described modular element. The process comprises the manufacturing stages of the discoidal body, and the process of joining between the discoidal body and the annular body to constitute the modular element. As noted above, the fabrication of a discoid body preferably takes place by a machining process. The inlet, outlet and distribution ducts are obtained by machining by drilling them from one side of the discoidal body. The perimeter channel is obtained by machining devastating material on the side of the discoidal body. The grooves of the outer base surfaces, as well as the joint holes, the sinking of the joint, lateral steps, O-ring housings, etc. They can also be obtained by machining. Additionally, all machining operations can be carried out with a numerical control machine tool, which allows you to obtain the part quickly and reliably. Finally, the manufacturing process, before receiving surface coating treatments, can include a finishing stage with operations such as polishing or grinding, in which the parts are given a final surface finish.

Finally, the invention also relates to a heat exchange machine for modular elements described above. Particularly a heat exchange machine for modular elements of the invention with concentric grooves in the outer base surfaces. This machine is characterized in that it incorporates scraper blades that have a scratching surface with an inverse shape to the concentric grooves of the outer surfaces of modular element bases. The scraper surface of the scraper blade means a surface of the scraper blade that remains close to the corresponding outer surface of the modular element. In this way, the scraper surface of the scraper blade cooperates with the corresponding outer base surface of the modular element adapting thereto. The scraper blades have the double function of scratching the outer surfaces of the modular elements to prevent the accumulation of deposits and stir the product to favor the uniformity of the temperature in the volume of the tank, tank or container.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the explanation of the invention and in order to help a better understanding of its technical characteristics, reference is made in the rest of this specification to the accompanying drawings, in which it has been represented, as a practical example non-limiting, an embodiment of the invention.

In these drawings:

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a vertical section of a heat exchange machine comprising the modular elements object of the invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of an embodiment of a modular element according to the invention. Also, the figure illustrates the movement of the fluid inside the modular element.

Figure 3, in an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a modular element according to the invention in which the different parts constituting it are shown. Thus, the discoidal body, the annular body and the o-rings can be observed.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the modular element of Figure 3 with the different parts once assembled. Figure 5 shows different configurations of an embodiment of the discoidal body of the invention according to a radial cross section thereof.

Figure 6 shows a view of the inner section of the discoidal body indicated in Figure 5 as VI-VI.

Figure 7 shows a part of the heat exchange machine according to the invention, where the assembly of a scraper blade and a modular element according to an embodiment of the invention is appreciated.

The references used in the figures are the following:

1: Heat exchange machine

2: Modular element

3: Cuba

4: Axis

5: Scraper blade

6: Separator

7: First driving

8: Second driving

9: Entry hole

10: Exit hole

1 1: Perimeter duct

12: Inlet duct

13: Exit duct

14: Distribution conduit

15: Fixing hole

16: Overheating or re-cooling circuit

17: Discoidal body

18: Annular body

19: O-ring

20: Sinking of union

21: Leak detector hole

22: Modular element base outer surface

23: Side outer surface of modular element

24: Concentric grooves of base outer surface

25: Radial direction of the discoidal body

26: Perimeter Channel 27: Scraper blade scraper surface

28: Scraper blade frame

DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

With reference to Figure 1, the exemplary embodiment of a modular element according to the invention is implemented in a machine (1) for heating or cooling a product comprising a tank (3) for containing the product, an axis (4). ), at least one scraper blade (5), at least one modular element (2) and a plurality of spacers (6) configured to be coupled to the shaft (4). The separators comprise a first (7) line and a second (8) line for the circulation of a heat transfer fluid or coolant. The fluid is conducted inside the modular elements (2) from the first (7) conduit, so that a circulation of the fluid is created inside the modular element (2) that produces its heating or cooling and therefore allowing heat or cool the product. The fluid is conducted outside the modular element (2) towards the second (8) conduit. The first (7) and second (8) pipes are connected to a circuit (16) for reheating or re-cooling the fluid.

In Figure 2, a plan view of the modular element (2) is shown. The modular element (2) of the embodiment and according to the invention is constituted from a solid metal body with a disk shape. As can be seen in the same Figure 2, the element (2) incorporates a peripheral perimeter conduit (1 1), inlet ducts (12), outlet ducts (13) and distribution ducts (14). The ducts (1 1, 12,13,14) are emptied into the discoidal body. In the described embodiment, the ducts (11, 12, 13, 14) are in the same plane, there are three inlet ducts (12), three outlet ducts (13) and eight (14) distribution ducts. The inlet ducts (12) connect with an inlet port (9) and the outlet ducts (10) with an outlet port (10). Figure 2 also illustrates the movement of the heat transfer fluid or coolant inside the modular element (2). Thus, the fluid enters the element through the inlet port (9) and is directed through the inlet ducts (12) to the perimeter duct (1 1). From the perimeter duct (1 1) the fluid is distributed through the distribution ducts (12) after returning to the Perimeter duct (1 1) passes through the outlet ducts (13) to the outlet orifice (10) where the modular element (2) leaves.

An exploded perspective view of the modular element (2) according to the described embodiment is shown in Figure 3. In this figure the different parts that constitute the modular element (2) of the embodiment can be seen: the discoidal body (17), the annular body (18), which is constituted by a strap, and the O-rings (19). In the same figure you can see the perimeter channel (26) practiced on the side of the discoidal body. The discoidal body (17) contains the inlet, outlet and distribution ducts (12,13,14), while the annular body (18) perimetrically encloses the discoidal body (17) which allows the duct (1 1) to be formed ) perimeter between the discoidal body (17) and the annular body (18). These bodies are obtained separately and then joined together. The metal selected for both the discoidal body (17) and the annular body (18) is aluminum (7075 or 6082), which has excellent properties due to its high thermal conductivity and high strength. The O-rings (19) on the other hand are made of rubber or similar; The NBR rubber material (synthetic rubber). The connection between the bodies (17,18) is carried out under pressure by preheating the annular body (18) and subsequently fitting it into the discoidal body (17) once the O-rings (19) are located.

Figure 4 shows the modular element (2) once assembled. The modular element (2) of the embodiment is disk-shaped and is delimited by outer surfaces (22,23) bases and sides. In this Figure 4, the entrance hole (9) and the exit hole (10) can also be seen, as well as other construction details of the embodiment such as: sinking (20), fixing holes (15), grooves (24) ) concentric circumferential and hole (21) for leak detection.

With reference to Figure 5, in this Figure a radial cross-section of the discoidal body (17) of the embodiment has been shown. As can be seen, the inlet, outlet and distribution ducts (12,13,14) can be tubular, that is to say circular cross-section, or cross-section in clover. In the same Figure 5 a detail of the concentric grooves (24), with sinusoidal form, of the outer surfaces (23) bases of modular element is observed. The section of the perimeter channel (26) can also be observed, where the annular body (18) is coupled through the O-rings 819). Figure 6 corresponds to a section of the modular element (2) along the middle plane perpendicular to the axis (4), it can be seen peripheral, inlet, outlet and distribution conduits (1, 12,13,14) as well as the inlet and outlet holes (9,19) from which the inlet and outlet ducts (12,13) depart respectively. The inlet ducts (12) extend along a radial direction (25) of the discoidal body, the outlet ducts (13) and distribution ducts (14) also extend parallel to said radial direction (25), the ducts (12) , 13,14) input, output and distribution extend in the same plane perpendicular to the axis (4). In the embodiment, the inlet and outlet ducts (12,13) extend diametrically facing two to two, the inlet and outlet holes (9,10) being symmetrical with respect to a plane perpendicular to the radial direction (25) and containing the shaft (4).

For the coupling of the modular elements (2) with each other and with the spacers (6) and the tank (3), the modular element (2) incorporates fixing holes (15) that cooperate with interlocking (not shown) connecting rods through the holes and through corresponding holes in spacers and tank. For this, the holes (15) are arranged located near the axis, as illustrated in the Figures. The described embodiment incorporates six holes (15), logically the number of holes as well as their diameter may vary depending on the strength of the required fixing.

The discoidal body (17) is obtained by machining, as described below. Starting from an aluminum block or billet with a disk shape, a peripheral recess is made laterally in the discoidal and channel-shaped body, corresponding to the perimeter channel (26), as well as central recesses, corresponding to holes (9,10) of entry and exit. Subsequently, the inlet, outlet and distribution ducts (12,13,14) are machined by machining, drilling by means of a drill from the side of the discoidal body into the same. The machining of the distribution ducts (14) can be done in two steps: from a side face and then from the opposite side. Finally, the machining of concentric grooves (24) and other elements such as joint holes (15), joint subsidence (20), hole (21) for leak detection, housing for O-rings (19), is performed, etc. All referred machining operations can be carried out with numerical control machine tool (CNC). Finally, the outer surfaces of the modular element (2) can be subjected to an anodizing process.

Finally, Figure 7 shows a view of an embodiment of heat exchange machine incorporating modular elements (2) with concentric circumferential grooves (24), as described above and characterized in that the scraper blades (5) it has a scraping surface (27) with inverse shape to the concentric grooves (24) of the corresponding outer surface (22) of the modular element base, so that the scraping surface (27) of the scraper blade cooperates with said surface (22 ) exterior base adapting to it.

Claims

1 .- Modular element perfected for heat exchange machine, said machine (1) for heat exchange with a product comprising: a tank (3) for containing the product; an axis (4); at least one scraper blade (5); at least one modular element (2); and a plurality of separators (6) configured to be coupled on the shaft (4), being located between two adjacent modular elements (2) at least one separator (6); the separators (6) comprising a first (7) conduction and a second (8) conduction connected to a circuit (16) for heating or cooling a heat transfer fluid or refrigerant respectively; said separator ducts (7,8) respectively connected to a fluid inlet conduit in the modular element, through an inlet port (9), and to a fluid outlet conduit of the modular element, through a hole (10) outbound; so that a circulation of the fluid is created inside the modular element (2) that produces its heating or cooling allowing the product to be heated or cooled;

the modular element (2) characterized in that it comprises:

a metallic solid discoidal body (17), which includes a first and a second outer surface (22) modular element bases;

a perimeter conduit (1 1) emptied into the discoidal body (17);

at least one straight inlet duct (12) and emptied into the discoidal body (17), which connects the inlet hole (9) with the perimeter duct (1 1); at least one straight outlet duct (13) and emptied into the discoidal body (17), which connects the outlet orifice (10) with the perimeter duct (1 1);

at least one conduit (14) of straight distribution, emptied into the body (17), discoidal and secant with the perimeter conduit (1 1);

so that the fluid circulates inside the element (2) from the axis (4) through the inlet hole (9) located in the central part of the modular element (2) towards the perimeter conduit (1 1) crossing, before said perimeter conduit (1 1) the at least one inlet conduit (12) and, after said perimeter conduit (1 1) the at least one distribution conduit (14), to exit again through the central part through of the outlet opening (10) passing through the at least one outlet duct (13); so that it maximizes the area of contact of the element (2) with the fluid with respect to the area of contact of the element (2) with the product and consequently maximizes the heat efficiency of the element.

2. Modular element perfected for heat exchange machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer surfaces (22) bases of modular element have a shape selected within the group consisting of: smooth and ribbed; so that the grooved surface incorporates a plurality of concentric grooves (24) on said surface.

3. - Improved modular element for heat exchange machine, according to any of claims 1 -2, characterized in that:

the at least one inlet conduit (12) extends along a radial direction (25) of the discoidal body;

the at least one outlet duct (13) and the at least one distribution duct (14) extend parallel to said radial direction (25);

the inlet, outlet and distribution ducts (12,13,14) extend in the same plane perpendicular to the axis (4); Y

the inlet and outlet ducts (12,13) extend diametrically facing two to two, the inlet and outlet holes (9,10) being symmetrical with respect to a plane perpendicular to the radial direction (25) and containing the axis ( 4).

4. - Improved modular element for heat exchange machine, according to any of claims 1 -3, characterized in that the inlet, outlet and distribution ducts (12,13,14) are selected in the group consisting of : Tubular section and clover section.

5. - Modular element perfected for heat exchange machine, according to any of claims 1 -4, characterized in that the modular element (2) incorporates at least one fixing hole (15) in the discoidal body (17); so that the coupling of the spacers (6) and the tank (3) to the modular element (2) is carried out by means of through fixing rods through the at least one fixing hole (15).

6. - Modular element perfected for heat exchange machine, according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that: the discoidal body (17) is a disk; the perimeter duct (1 1) is peripheral; and, if the at least one outer surface (22) base is grooved, the concentric grooves (24) are circumferential.

7. - Improved modular element for heat exchange machine, according to claim 6, characterized in that:

the discoidal body (17) comprises a lateral recess that forms a perimeter channel (26);

The modular element (2) additionally comprises an annular body (18) that laterally encloses the perimeter channel (26) and such that said perimeter channel (26) forms the perimeter conduit (1 1) between the discoidal body (17) and the annular body (18); the annular body (18) includes a lateral outer surface (23) of modular element; Y

The annular body (18) is fixed to the discoidal body (17) by means of joining selected within the group consisting of: pressure and welding.

8. - Improved modular element for heat exchange machine, according to claim 7, wherein the annular body (18) is fixed to the discoidal body (17) by means of pressure connection; characterized in that the modular element (2) additionally comprises a first and a second O-ring (19) arranged at respective perimeter channel edges (26) between the discoidal body (17) and the annular body (18); the discoidal body (17) being provided with peripheral housings for said O-rings (19); the material of the O-rings (19) being of rubber or the like; the rubber or similar material selected within the group consisting of: NBR and FKM.

9. - Improved modular element for heat exchange machine according to any of claims 7-8, characterized in that the discoidal body (2) is made of aluminum material; the aluminum material selected within the group consisting of type 7075 and 6082 alloys.

10. - Modular element perfected for heat exchange machine, according to any of claims 7-9, characterized in that the annular body (18) is of material selected from the group consisting of: aluminum and rubber or the like; the aluminum material selected within the group consisting of type 7075 and 6082 alloys; the rubber or similar material selected within the group consisting of: NBR and FKM.

eleven . - Modular element perfected for heat exchange machine, according to any of claims 9-10, characterized in that the modular element (2) incorporates an anodized coating on the exterior surfaces (22,23).

12. - Improved modular element for heat exchange machine, according to any of claims 7-10, characterized in that the modular element incorporates in the outer surfaces (22,23) that are metallic a coating with a porous metal composite structure. and PTFE or similar.

13. - Procedure for the manufacture of an improved modular element for heat exchange machine, defined in any of claims 7-12 comprising the steps of: manufacturing the discoid body (17), and joining process between the body ( 17) discoidal and the annular body (18); the procedure characterized by:

the inlet, outlet and distribution ducts (12,13,14) are obtained by machining by drilling them from one side of the discoidal body (17); and the perimeter channel (26) is obtained by machining devastating material on the lateral side of the discoidal body (17).

14. - Heat exchange machine, for heat exchange with a product comprising: a tank (3) for containing the product; an axis (4); at least one scraper blade (5); at least one modular element (2); and a plurality of separators (6) configured to be coupled on the shaft (4), being located between two adjacent modular elements (2) at least one separator (6); the spacers (6) comprising a first (7) conduction and a second (8) conduction connected to a circuit (16) for heating or cooling a heat transfer fluid or refrigerant respectively; said separator ducts (7,8) respectively connected to a fluid inlet conduit in the modular element, through an inlet port (9), and to a fluid outlet conduit of the modular element, through a hole (10) outbound; so that a circulation of the fluid is created inside the modular element (2) that produces its heating or cooling allowing the product to be heated or cooled;

the machine characterized by:

the at least one modular element (2) is defined according to any one of claims 1-13.

15. Heat exchange machine according to claim 14 and wherein the at least one modular element (2) has at least one base outer surface (22) with a plurality of concentric grooves (24);

the machine characterized in that the at least one scraper blade (5) has a scraping surface (27) with inverse shape to the concentric grooves (24) of the at least one outer surface (22) base of modular element, so that the scraper surface (27) of scraper blade cooperates with said at least one outer surface (22) base adapting thereto.