Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
  • F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
  • F28D9/00—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary plate-like or laminated conduit assemblies for both heat-exchange media, the media being in contact with different sides of a conduit wall
  • F28D9/0006—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary plate-like or laminated conduit assemblies for both heat-exchange media, the media being in contact with different sides of a conduit wall the plate-like or laminated conduits being enclosed within a pressure vessel
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
  • F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
  • F28F9/00—Casings; Header boxes; Auxiliary supports for elements; Auxiliary members within casings
  • F28F9/001—Casings in the form of plate-like arrangements; Frames enclosing a heat exchange core
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
  • F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
  • F28F2225/00—Reinforcing means
  • F28F2225/02—Reinforcing means for casings

Definitions

• the present disclosure relates to a plate heat exchanger comprising a top head, a bottom head, four side panels, and four corner girders, wherein the side panels and the corner girders extend along a longitudinal direction from the bottom head to the top head.
• Each side panel is associated with two corner girders, wherein the top head, the bottom head, the four side panels and the four corner girders are bolted together to form a sealed enclosure for housing a pack of heat exchanging plates.
• plate heat exchangers Today several different types of plate heat exchangers exist and are employed in various applications depending on their type.
• One certain type of plate heat exchanger is assembled by bolting a top head, a bottom head and four side panels to a set of corner girders to form a box-like enclosure around a stack of heat transfer or heat exchanging plates.
• This certain type of plate heat exchanger is referred to as a block-type heat exchanger.
• One example of a commercially available block-type heat exchanger is the heat exchanger offered by Alfa Laval AB under the product name Compabloc.
• Other block- type plate heat exchangers are disclosed in patent documents EP165179 and EP639258.
• Block-type heat exchangers are commonly used in applications where the heat exchange fluids or one of the heat exchange fluids are provided at a high pressure, such as up to 40 bars. Moreover, the block-type heat exchangers are commonly used where relatively speaking large heat exchangers are desired. As an example, a side panel of a typical block-type heat exchanger may be several meters tall and several meters wide. The high pressure in combination with the size demands a high strength box-like enclosure to withstand the forces originating from the pressure of the heat transfer fluids. Also for smaller size block-type heat exchangers a high strength box-like enclosure is commonly needed.
• the box-like enclosure i.e. the parts forming the enclosure, of a block- type heat exchanger is commonly made of metal, such as steel.
• metal such as steel.
• the use of a metal case providing a sufficient mechanical strength brings about that the box-like enclosure commonly requires a significant amount of material in order to be fabricated, thus becoming heavy and costly in order to provide a required mechanical strength.
• a plate heat exchanger comprising a sealed enclosure for housing a pack of heat exchanging plates which is easier and less costly to fabricate, handle and maintain while exhibiting a desired mechanical strength.
• the plate heat exchanger comprising a top head, a bottom head, four side panels, and four corner girders, wherein the side panels and the corner girders extend along a longitudinal direction from the bottom head to the top head, wherein each side panel is associated with two corner girders, wherein the top head, the bottom head, the four side panels and the four corner girders are bolted together to form a sealed enclosure for housing a pack of heat exchanging plates, at least one of the side panels is divided into at least two separate plates arranged one after another along the longitudinal direction, wherein the at least two separate plates include a first separate plate being adapted to be bolted to the top head and a second separate plate being adapted to be bolted to the bottom head, wherein each of the two corner girders associated with the divided side panel is provided with a first, transversely protruding, shoulder portion adapted to interact with the first separate plate and a second, transversely protruding, shoulder
• the two abutment surfaces being configured to interact with the respective first abutment surface of the two associated corner girders
• the second separate plate comprises two abutment surfaces, each having an extension in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction and facing away from the first separate plate, the two abutment surfaces being
• the plate heat exchanger is advantageous in that it provides a sealed enclosure for housing a pack of heat exchanging plates, where at least one of the side panels forming part of the sealed enclosure is divided into at least two separate plates arranged one after another along the longitudinal direction and wherein forces acting to separate the top head form the bottom head along the longitudinal direction may be transferred through the corner girders via the abutment surfaces present on the corner girders, the first separate plate and the second separate plate respectively.
• the top head may become locked with respect to the bottom head in the longitudinal direction by the abutment surfaces present on the corner girders, the first separate plate and the second separate plate respectively while forces acting to separate the top head form the bottom head will be
• the handling of the at least two separate plates may become significantly simplified as compared to handling a side panel formed of a single part.
• the handling of separate plates may significantly lower the requirements on the equipment required during for instance transportation, installation and maintenance as each of the separate plates are smaller and lighter as compared to a side panel being formed in a single piece.
• the mechanical properties of the respective separate plates may be tailored to suit specific needs of a particular installation.
• one separate plate may be made thicker and thus stronger as compared to another separate plate or plates. It is thus possible to reduce material consumption, since the thickness of the respective separate plates may be chosen based on the forces a particular separate plate is subjected to.
• separate plates not exhibiting weakening structures or details such as openings may be made thinner as compared to separate plates not exhibiting weakening structures or details, which allows for a reduced material consumption.
• a modular system for forming the sealed enclosure for housing the pack of heat exchanging plates may be provided.
• the respective side panels of the sealed enclosure may be formed of a plurality of standard modules in form of separate plates having a standard height or standard heights.
• the modular system may include separate plates for instance including an opening or similar and flat separate plates without any opening or similar. If specific heights of the side panels, other than those that may be formed or achieved by available standard sized separate plates are needed, a single plate of a specific height may easily be formed to complement the standard sized separate plates so as to achieve any height of the side panels.
• the modular system may thus facilitate the fabrication of the sealed enclosure and reduce the fabrication cost.
• each of the two corner girders associated with the divided side panel with a first, transversely protruding, shoulder portion adapted to interact with the first separate plate and a second, transversely protruding, shoulder portion adapted to interact with the second separate plate
• the first shoulder portion comprises a first abutment surface having an extension in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction and facing the second shoulder portion
• the second shoulder portion comprises a second abutment surface having an extension in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction and facing the first shoulder portion
• the first separate plate comprises two abutment surfaces, each having an extension in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction and facing away from the second separate plate, the two abutment surfaces being configured to interact with the respective first abutment surface of the two associated corner girders
• the second separate plate comprises two abutment surfaces, each having an extension in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction and facing away from the first separate plate, the two abutment surfaces being configured to interact with the
• the side panels of the plate heat exchanger may be formed as separate plates, since the side panels need not transfer forces acting to separate the top head from the bottom head.
• the side panels may be made as a plurality of separate plates, where the separate palates need not interact with each other, while providing a mechanically strong sealed enclosure for housing a pack of heat exchanging plates.
• the first abutment surface of the first shoulder portion and the second abutment surface of the second shoulder portion may be planar in cross section and have respective normal directions being parallel to the
• the two abutment surfaces of the first separate plate and the two abutment surfaces of the second separate plate may be planar in cross section and have respective normal directions being parallel to the
• the top head and/or the bottom head may be provided with an elongated protrusion extending in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction and facing the first separate plate and the second separate plate, respectively, wherein the first separate plate and/or the second separate plate may be provided with a corresponding groove arranged to interact with the elongated protrusion of the top head and the bottom head, respectively, which is advantageous in that the first separate plate and/or the second separate plate may be counteracted form being displaced with respect to the top head and bottom head respectively.
• the elongated protrusion and the corresponding groove may act to guide the first separate plate and/or the second separate plate during mounting, so as to facilitate the mounting of the first separate plate and/or the second separate plate.
• Each of the two corner girders associated with the divided side panel may be provided with an elongated protrusion extending in the longitudinal direction and facing the first separate plate and the second separate plate, wherein the first separate plate and the second separate plate may be provided with a corresponding groove arranged to interact with the elongated protrusion of each of the two corner girders, which is advantageous in that the first separate plate and/or the second separate plate may be counteracted form being displaced with respect to the two corner girders associated with the divided side panel.
• corresponding groove may act to guide the first separate plate and/or the second separate plate during mounting, so as to facilitate the mounting of the first separate plate and/or the second separate plate.
• the first separate plate may be provided with an opening extending through the plate for providing a channel for a flow of heat transfer medium through the first plate
• the second separate plate may be provided with an opening extending through the plate for providing a channel for a flow of heat transfer medium through the second plate.
• At least one of the side panels may be divided into at least three separate plate modules arranged one after another along the longitudinal direction, which is advantageous in that a limited number of separate plate types may be used to form a large number of different types or heights of side panels. Further, the mechanical properties of the respective separate plate modules may vary so as to account for different requirements, such as different mechanical strengths or openings to give a few examples.
• a third separate plate module arranged between the first and the second plate modules in the longitudinal direction, may be adapted to be bolted to two associated corner girders without being bolted to the top head or bottom head, which is advantageous in that no additional details for forming the sealed enclosure for housing the pack of heat exchanging plates may be required.
• the third separate plate module may only be bolted to the two associated corner girders.
• the mounting of the of the mounting of the third separate plate module may be facilitated as a limited number of bolts may be used.
• a separate plate being provided with a channel for a flow of heat transfer medium through the plate may have a first thickness and wherein at the first side a separate plate not being provided with a channel for a flow of heat transfer medium through the plate may have a second thickness, wherein the first thickness may be greater than the second thickness, which is advantageous in that the reduced strength owing from the channel of flow may be compensated for in an efficient manner.
• the separate plate being provided with a channel for a flow of heat transfer medium through the plate may be made thicker so as to account for the channel for a flow without having to change or alter the separate plate not being provided with a channel for a flow. This arrangement may result in a reduced material consumption and hence a reduced cost while still
• the first thickness may be at least 1 10%, preferably at least 120% of the second thickness.
• At least the side panel or side panels being provided with an opening extending through the respective side panel for providing a channel for a flow of heat transfer medium through the side panel may be divided into two or more separate plates arranged one after another along the longitudinal direction, which is advantageous in that material consumption of the side panel may be reduced while maintaining a desired mechanical strength of the side panel.
• the plate heat exchanger may further comprise, at every divided side panel, a lining covering an internal surface area of the respective side panel thereby providing a closed internal surface area of the side panel being divided into two or more separate plates arranged one after another along the longitudinal direction.
• a lining covering an internal surface area of every divided side panel a closed internal surface area of the side panel being divided into two or more separate plates arranged one after another along the longitudinal direction may be achieved.
• the lining may thus seal the surface of the divided side panel thereby making the divided side panel liquid or fluid tight, such that leakage of heat exchange fluids or heat transfer mediums may be counteracted.
• the lining may be provided in form of a material capable of withstand e.g. corrosive heat exchange mediums or excessive heat, thereby increasing the lifetime of the divided side panel while increasing security.
• internal surface may refer to any surface area of the side panel facing the interior of the plate heat exchanger and not necessarily the complete surface area of the side panel concerned.
• the lining may have a thickness between 2 and 15 mm, preferably between 5 and 15 mm, more preferred between 8 and 12 mm, and preferably comprise stainless steel or titanium.
• the lining may efficiently withstand the pressure of the fluids in the plate heat exchanger.
• the lining may withstand irregularities, slots or gaps that may be present for instance at the interface between two separate plates. In other words, the fit between two adjacent separate plates need not be perfect as relatively speaking small gaps may be acceptable.
• a relatively speaking thick lining may also mitigate the need for fixing adjacent separate plates to each other e.g. by using fasteners such as bolts or keyed surfaces interacting with each other.
• Each of the two corner girders associated with the divided side panel may be provided with, at a first end facing the top head, a first protrusion extending towards the top head at an inner corner of the first end, and at a second end farcing the bottom head, a second protrusion extending towards the bottom head at an inner corner of the second end, wherein the top head may be provided with, at respective outer corners facing the respective first ends of the girders, a first protrusion extending towards the first end of the respective girder, wherein the bottom head may be provided with, at respective outer corners facing the respective second ends of the girders, a second protrusion extending towards the second end of the respective girder, wherein the respective first protrusions of each of the two associated corner girders being configured to interact with the respective first protrusions of the top head, and wherein the respective second protrusions of each of the two associated corner girders being configured to interact with the respective second protrusions of the bottom head.
• each of the two corner girders associated with the divided side panel may be locked in a direction normal to the longitudinal direction by the top head and bottom head respectively. This means that the each of the two corner girders associated with the divided side panel may be counteracted from moving outwards in a transverse direction of the plate heat exchanger when the interior of the plate heat exchanger is pressurized. Hence, a mechanically strong sealed enclosure for housing a pack of heat exchanging plates may be realized.
• Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a block-type plate heat exchanger having side panels divided into separate plates arranged one after another,
• Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the sealed enclosure of the block-type plate heat exchanger of Fig. 1 ,
• Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a bottom portion of the sealed enclosure of Fig. 2, and
• Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of a top portion sealed enclosure of Fig. 2, with the side panels removed and the top head opened up.
• the present inventive concept will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which a preferred embodiment of the present inventive concept is shown.
• This inventive concept may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiment set forth herein; rather, the embodiment is provided for thoroughness and completeness, and fully convey the scope of the inventive concept to the skilled person.
• a plate heat exchanger 100 is a block-type heat exchanger.
• the plate heat exchanger 100 includes a sealed enclosure 102 for housing a pack of heat exchanging plates, not shown.
• the sealed enclosure 102 for housing a pack of heat exchanging plates will now be described in greater detail with reference to Fig. 1 , 2, 3 and 4.
• the sealed enclosure 102 of the plate heat exchanger 100 includes a top head 104, a bottom head 106, four side panels 108a, 108b, 108c 108d, and four corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b, 1 10c, 1 10d.
• the side panels 108a, 108b, 108c 108d and the corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b, 1 10c, 1 10d extend along a longitudinal direction L from the bottom head 106 to the top head 104.
• Each side panel 108a, 108b, 108c 108d is associated with two corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b, 1 10c, 1 10d.
• side panel 108a is
• top head 104, the bottom head 106, the four side panels 108a, 108b, 108c 108d and the four corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b, 1 10c, 1 10d are bolted together to form the sealed enclosure 102.
• At least one of the side panels 108a, 108b, 108c 108d is divided into at least two separate plates arranged one after another along the longitudinal direction L.
• each of the side panels 108a, 108b, 108c 108d are divided into five separate plates or plate modules.
• Side panel 108a is divided into separate plates 1 12a, 1 12b, 1 12c, 1 12d, 1 12e arranged one after another along the longitudinal direction L so as to form the side panel 108a.
• the uppermost or first separate plate 1 12e is adapted to be bolted to the top head 104 and lowermost or second separate plate 1 12a is adapted to be bolted to the bottom head 106.
• the side panels 108a, 108b, 108c 108d are depicted as being divided into five separate plates 1 12a, 1 12b, 1 12c, 1 12d, 1 12e.
• the side panels 108a, 108b, 108c 108d may be divided into any number of separate plates. Not all side panels 108a, 108b, 108c 108d need to be divided into the same number of separate plates. Further not all side panels 108a, 108b, 108c 108d need to be divided at all, meaning that one, two or three of the side panels 108a, 108b, 108c 108d may be formed as a single panel formed of a single part or plate.
• the side panel 108a may be divided into two separate plates arranged one after another, where uppermost separate plate is adapted to be bolted to the top head 104 and lowermost separate plate is adapted to be bolted to the bottom head 106.
• the other side panels 108b, 108c 108d may be divided into any number of separate plates as discussed above.
• the side panel 108a may be divided into three separate plates arranged one after another, where uppermost separate plate is adapted to be bolted to the top head 104 and lowermost separate plate is adapted to be bolted to the bottom head 106.
• One, two, three or four of the side panels 108a, 108b, 108c 108d may be divided into any number of separate plates, including two, three, four, five, six, seven and ten to give a few non limiting examples.
• the uppermost separate plate 1 12e of side panel 108a is in the depicted embodiment provided with bolt holes 1 14 along first, second and third edges 1 16a, 1 16b, 1 16c and is adapted to be bolted to the top head 104 along a first edge 1 16a and adapted to be bolted to two associated corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b along second and third edges 1 16b, 1 16c of the uppermost separate plate 1 12e.
• the fourth edge 1 16d of the uppermost separate 1 12e plate is free from bolt holes.
• the lowermost separate plate 1 12a is provided with bolt holes 1 14 along first, second and third edges 1 16a, 1 16b, 1 16c and is adapted to be bolted to the bottom head 106 along a first edge 1 16a and adapted to be bolted to the two associated corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b along second and third edges 1 16b, 1 16c of the lowermost separate plate 1 12a.
• the fourth edge 1 16d of the lowermost separate plate 1 12a is free from bolt holes.
• bolt holes 1 14 may be used for mounting the separate plates 1 12e, 1 12a. Rivets or pins may for example be used.
• the bolt holes 1 14 are thus optional and may be omitted.
• 108b, 108c 108d may be divided into at least three separate plates or plate modules 1 12a, 1 12b, 1 12c, 1 12d, 1 12e arranged one after another along the longitudinal direction L.
• Side panel 108a is depicted as being divided into five separate plates 1 12a, 1 12b, 1 12c, 1 12d, 1 12e.
• the separate plates 1 12b, 1 12c, 1 12d are arranged between the uppermost and the lowermost plate modules 1 12a, 1 12b in the longitudinal direction L in the depicted embodiment.
• the separate plates 1 12b, 1 12c, 1 12d are adapted to be bolted to the two associated corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b without being bolted to the top head 104 or bottom head 106. In other words, the separate plates 1 12b, 1 12c, 1 12d may only bolted to the corner girders 1 10a, 1 1 Ob.
• the uppermost separate plate 1 12e of the side panel 108a may be provided with an opening 1 18.
• the opening 1 18 may extend through the plate 1 12e, thereby providing a channel for a flow of heat transfer medium through the plate 1 12e.
• the opening 1 18 is depicted as being provided with a flange 120 on the outside of the enclosure 102.
• the flange may be used to connect the heat exchanger 100 to e.g. a pipe for feeding a flow of heat transfer medium through the plate 1 12e and into the heat exchanger 100.
• the opening 1 18 may correspondingly be used to allow heat transfer medium to leave the heat exchanger 100 through the plate 1 12e.
• openings 1 18 may be provided on the respective side panels 108a, 108b, 108c 108d.
• the lowermost separate plate of side panel 108c is provided with an opening 1 18 extending through the plate for providing a channel for a flow of heat transfer medium through the plate.
• Any number of openings may be provided in any locations of the enclosure 102.
• At least the side panel or side panels 108a, 108b, 108c 108d being provided with an opening 1 18 extending through the respective side panel 108a, 108b, 108c 108d for providing a channel for a flow of heat transfer medium through the side panel 108a, 108b, 108c 108d may divided into two or more separate plates 1 12a, 1 12b, 1 12c, 1 12d, 1 12e arranged one after another along the longitudinal direction L.
• the uppermost separate plate 1 12e of side panel 108a being provided with a channel for a flow of heat transfer medium through the plate 1 12e may have a first thickness
• the separate plates 1 12a, 1 12b, 1 12c, 1 12d not being provided with a channel for a flow of heat transfer medium through the plates 1 12a, 1 12b, 1 12c, 1 12d may have a second thickness.
• the first thickness, i.e. the thickness of the separate plate 1 12e is depicted as being greater than the second thickness, i.e. the thickness of the separate plates 1 12a, 1 12b, 1 12c, 1 12d.
• Separate plate 1 12e may be of greater thickness than separate plates 1 12a, 1 12b, 1 12c, 1 12d, so as to compensate for the reduced strength introduced by the opening 1 18 provided through the plate 1 12e.
• the first thickness may be at least 1 10%, preferably at least 120% of the second thickness. Other relations between the first and second thickness may of course be used. Moreover, when more than two separate plates 1 12a, 1 12b, 1 12c, 1 12d, 1 12e are used, more different thicknesses may be used. Each separate plate separate plates 1 12a, 1 12b, 1 12c, 1 12d, 1 12e may for instance have a specific thickness. The thickness may also vary within a separate plate 1 12a, 1 12b, 1 12c, 1 12d, 1 12e. For instance, a single separate plate 1 12a, 1 12b, 1 12c, 1 12d, 1 12e may be made ticker at locations where material stresses are greater than in other locations.
• different effective thicknesses of the separate plates 1 12a, 1 12b, 1 12c, 1 12d, 1 12e may as an alternative be realized by stacking elements forming the separate plates 1 12a, 1 12b, 1 12c, 1 12d, 1 12e on top of each other. It is for example possible to double the thickness by stacking to elements of a certain thickness on top of each other so as to form a separate plate 1 12a, 1 12b, 1 12c, 1 12d, 1 12e. More elements such as three, four, five or ten may be stacked on top of each other so as to form a separate plate 1 12a, 1 12b, 1 12c, 1 12d, 1 12e, to give a few non limiting examples.
• the separate plates 1 12a, 1 12b, 1 12c, 1 12d, 1 12e may be made stronger by being provided by impressions, corrugations or similar stiffening the separate plates 1 12a, 1 12b, 1 12c, 1 12d, 1 12e
• a modular system for forming the sealed enclosure 102 may be provided. More specifically, the respective side panels 1 12a, 1 12b, 1 12c, 1 12d, 1 12e of the sealed enclosure 102 may be formed of a plurality of standard modules 1 12a, 1 12b, 1 12c, 1 12d, 1 12e having standard heights.
• the modular system may include separate plates 1 12e including an opening 1 18 flat separate plates 1 12a, 1 12b, 1 12c, 1 12d without any opening.
• a lining 122 may be provided at an inside of the side panel 108a, i.e. at side of the side panel 108a facing the interior of the enclosure 102.
• the lining 122 is shown separately from the side panel 108a in order to clearly illustrate how the lining is provided with respect to the side panel 108a and the rest of the enclosure 102.
• the depicted lining 122 covers the internal surface area of the divided side panel 108a thereby providing a closed internal surface area of the side panel 108a.
• the lining 122 covers the internal surface of the side panel 108a in the sense that the internal surface of the side panel 108a otherwise being exposed to the interior of the enclosure 102 is covered.
• the entire internal surface of the side panel 108a is typically not covered by the lining.
• the lining 122 may as an alternative cover the entire internal surface of the side panel 108a.
• the lining 122 may thus provide a closed internal surface area of the side panel 108a in the sense that the divided side panel 108a is made fluid tight. Should the lining 122 not be present, the side panel may risk leaking fluid medium for instance at an interface between the separate plates 1 12a, 1 12b, 1 12c, 1 12d, 1 12e.
• the lining 122 typically has a thickness between 2 and 15 mm, such as between 5 and 15 mm, so as to be able to handle the pressure which it is subjected to.
• the lining 122 is typically 10 mm and preferably between 8 and 12 mm. Further, the lining 122, typically comprises a material selected from the group consisting of: stainless steel, titanium and HastelloyTM. By selecting different material for the lining 122, the material of the interior of the heat exchanger being exposed to the heat transfer fluids may be tailored.
• the lining 122 is typically made of a metal material or a metal comprising material. In this way, the same type of separate plates 1 12a, 1 12b, 1 12c, 1 12d, 1 12e may be used with linings of different materials so as to account for example corrosive heat transfer fluids or excessive heat.
• the other side panels 108b, 108c, 108d of the depicted enclosure 102 are typically also provided by a corresponding lining, not shown.
• the lining of the other side panels 108b, 108c, 108d is hence omitted in Fig. 2 in order to make Fig. 2 more clear.
• the lining may be omitted at the non-divided side panel or side panels.
• the lining 122 may even be omitted at the divided side panel or side panels.
• the lining 122 is thus optional and may be omitted.
• the depicted lining 122 of the side panel 108a is clamped between the side panel 108a and the two associated corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b, the top head 104 and the bottom head 106 respectively.
• the clamping of the lining 122 will be described in more detail below with reference to Figs. 2, 3 and 4.
• Each of the two depicted corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b associated with the divided side panel 108a is provided with a longitudinally extending notch 123.
• the notch 123 as seen in a cross-section across the longitudinal direction L, is positioned at a corner of the two corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b formed by the surface of the respective corner girder 1 10a, 1 10b facing the side panel 108a and the surface of the respective corner girder 1 10a, 1 10b facing the other corner girder 1 10a, 1 10b.
• the notch 123 extends along the longitudinal direction L from an interface between the top head 104 and the corner girder 1 10a, 1 10b to an interface between the bottom head 106 and the corner girder 1 10a, 1 10b. In other words, the notch 123 extends along the entire length of the two corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b associated with the divided side panel 108a.
• the longitudinally extending notch 123 together with the separate plates 1 12a, 1 12b, 1 12c, 1 12d, 1 12e of the side panel 108a forms a groove when the separate plates 1 12a, 1 12b, 1 12c, 1 12d, 1 12e of the side panel 108a are mounted to the two corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b.
• the groove so formed at each of the two corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b extends along the longitudinal direction L of the heat exchanger 100 and enclosure 102.
• the groove is configured to receive and clamp an edge portion of the lining 122 in the sense that the lining 122 is clamed or pressed between the corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b and the separate plates 1 12a, 1 12b, 1 12c, 1 12d, 1 12e of the side panel 108a, such that the lining 122 is fixed with respect to the corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b and the separate plates 1 12a, 1 12b, 1 12c, 1 12d, 1 12e of the side panel 108a.
• the notch 123 is optional and may be omitted.
• the bottom head 106 is in the depicted embodiment, on an edge surface facing the divided side panel 108a, provided with a notch 124 extending in a transverse direction along the edge surface.
• the notch 124 as seen in a cross-section across the transverse direction, is positioned at a corner formed by the edge surface and an internally facing major surface of the bottom head 106.
• the notch 124 extends from an interface between the lowermost separate plate 1 12a and a first 1 10a of the two associated corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b and an interface between the lowermost separate plate 1 12a and a second one 1 10b of the two associated corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b.
• the notch 124 extends along the entire upper edge of the bottom head 106.
• the notch 124 forms together with the lowermost separate plate 1 12a a groove when the plate 1 12a is mounted to the bottom head 106 and the two corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b.
• the groove so formed extends along the transverse direction and is configured to receive and clamp an edge portion of the lining 122 in the sense that the lining 122 is clamed or pressed between the bottom head 106 and the separate plate 1 12a of the side panel 108a, such that the lining 122 is fixed with respect to the bottom head 106 and the separate plate 1 12a of the side panel 108a.
• the notch 124 is optional and may be omitted.
• a corresponding notch 125 is provided at the top head 104 in the depicted embodiment.
• the notch 125 forms a together with the uppermost separate plate 1 12e a corresponding groove when the plate 1 12e is mounted to the top head 104 and the two corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b.
• the groove so formed extends along the transverse direction and is configured to receive and clamp an edge portion of the lining 122 in the sense that the lining 122 is clamed or pressed between the top head 104 and the separate plate 1 12e of the side panel 108a, such that the lining 122 is fixed with respect to the top head 104 and the separate plate 1 12e of the side panel 108a.
• the notch 125 is optional and may be omitted.
• the lining 122 may be fixed to the side panel 108a and the enclosure by the respective grooves formed by the respective notches 123, 124, 125, when the separate plates 1 12a, 1 12b, 1 12c, 1 12d, 1 12e of the side panel 108a are mounted to the two corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b, the top head 104 and the bottom head 106.
• the lining 122 may thus form a fluid tight joint between the separate plates 1 12a, 1 12b, 1 12c, 1 12d, 1 12e of the side panel 108a, the two corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b, the top head 104 and the bottom head 106.
• a gasket may be provided in the respective grooves formed by the respective notches 123, 124, 125.
• the 102 is formed of the top head 104, the bottom head 106, the four side panels 108a, 108b, 108c, 108d and the four corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b, 1 10c, 1 10d, and how the respective parts are designed such that the enclosure 102 exhibits a desired mechanical strength to e.g. withstand the pressure of the heat exchanging fluids.
• Each of the two corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b of the depicted embodiment associated with the divided side panel 108a is provided with a first,
• the first shoulder portion 128 of the respective two corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b is adapted to interact with the uppermost or first separate plate 1 12e of the divided side panel 108a.
• each of the two corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b of the depicted embodiment associated with the divided side panel 108a is provided with a second, transversely protruding, shoulder portion 130.
• the second shoulder portion 130 of the respective two corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b is adapted to interact with the second or lowermost separate plate 1 12a of the divided side panel 108a.
• the first shoulder portion 128 includes a first abutment surface 128a.
• the first abutment surface 128a extends in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction L and faces the second shoulder portion 130. In other words, the first abutment surface 128a faces downwards in Fig. 4.
• the second shoulder portion 130 includes a second abutment surface 130a.
• the second abutment surface 130a extends in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction L and faces the first shoulder portion 128. In other words, the second abutment surface 130a faces upwards in Fig. 3.
• the uppermost separate plate 1 12e of the depicted embodiment comprises two abutment surfaces 129a, as depicted in Fig. 2.
• Each of the two abutment surfaces 129a extends in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction L and faces away from the uppermost separate plate 1 12e.
• the two abutment surfaces 129a are configured to interact with the respective first abutment surface 128a of the two associated corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b.
• the respective first abutment surface 128a of the two associated corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b will thus contact the two abutment surfaces 129a of the uppermost separate plate 1 12e when the uppermost separate plate 1 12e is mounted to the two associated corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b.
• This arrangement will consequently counteract movement of the uppermost separate plate 1 12e in an upward direction along the longitudinal direction L when the uppermost separate plate 1 12e is pushed upwards along the longitudinal direction L owing from e.g. pressure in the enclosure 102.
• the interaction between the abutment surfaces 128a, 129a will consequently result in a mechanical stress along the two corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b associated with the divided side panel 108a.
• the lowermost separate plate 1 12a of the depicted embodiment comprises two abutment surfaces 131 a, as depicted in Fig. 3.
• Each of the two abutment surfaces 131 a extends in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction L and faces away from the lowermost separate plate 1 12a.
• the two abutment surfaces 131 a are configured to interact with the respective second abutment surface 130a of the two associated corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b.
• the respective second abutment surface 130a of the two associated corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b will thus contact the two abutment surfaces 131 a of the lowermost separate plate 1 12a when the lowermost separate plate 1 12a is mounted to the two associated corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b.
• This arrangement will consequently correspondingly counteract movement of the lowermost separate plate 1 12a in a downward direction along the longitudinal direction L when the lowermost separate plate 1 12a is pushed downwards along the longitudinal direction L owing from e.g.
• the first abutment surface 128a of the first shoulder portion 128 and the second abutment surface 130a of the second shoulder portion 130 are in the depicted embodiment planar in cross section. Further, the abutment surfaces 128a, 130a both have normal directions being parallel to the longitudinal direction L. The normal direction of abutment surfaces 128a points downwards in Fig. 4, whereas the normal direction of abutment surfaces 130a points upwards in Fig. 3.
• the two abutment surfaces 129a of the uppermost or first separate plate 1 12e and the two abutment surfaces 131 a of the lowermost or second separate plate 1 12a are in the depicted embodiment planar in cross section, like the abutment surfaces 128a, 130a of the two corner girders 1 10a, 1 1 Ob. Further, the abutment surfaces 129a, 131 a both have normal directions being parallel to the longitudinal direction L. The normal direction of abutment surfaces 129a points downwards in Fig. 2, whereas the normal direction of abutment surfaces 131 a points upwards in Fig. 3.
• planar abutment surfaces 128a, 129a, 130a, 131 a By providing planar abutment surfaces 128a, 129a, 130a, 131 a an efficient interaction of transfer of forces may be realized between the respective abutment surfaces 128a, 129a, 130a, 131 a. It is however to be noted that inclined, wavy, keyed or toothed abutment surfaces may be used to give a few non-limiting examples. In other words, any type of abutment surfaces may be used as long as the abutment surfaces are capable of interacting so as to transfer forces between them.
• Each of the first and second shoulder portions 128, 130 of the two corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b may be formed as a key or tongue arranged in a recess or groove of the two corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b, respectively. This saves material and costs since the corner girders may be machined from a smaller piece of starting material.
• each of the two corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b is identical to each of the two corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b.
• associated with the divided side panel 108a may be provided with first and second, shoulder portions in form of internal surfaces of a recess or cut, not shown, provided on each of the two corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b.
• the abutment surfaces of the two corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b may be provided as internal surfaces of a recess or cut provided on each of the two corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b.
• the abutment surfaces of the two corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b are provided as internal surfaces of a recess or cut provided on each of the two corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b
• the abutment surfaces of the uppermost separate plate 1 12e and the lowermost separate plate 1 12a may advantageously be provided as external surfaces of a respective protrusion, not shown, provided on each of the uppermost separate plate 1 12e and the lowermost separate plate 1 12a.
• the external surface of the respective protrusion may thus interact with the internal surface of the respective recesses so as to transfer forces. Consequently, this arrangement of the abutment surfaces, also allows for efficient transfer of forces although being slightly differently crafted.
• each of the two corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b associated with the divided side panel 108a may be provided with first and second, shoulder portions in form of internal surfaces of a respective recess, not shown, provided on each of the two corner girders 1 10a, 1 1 Ob.
• the abutment surfaces of the two corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b may be provided as internal surfaces of a recess or groove provided on each of the two corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b.
• the abutment surfaces of the two corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b are provided as an internal surface of a respective recess provided on each of the two corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b
• the abutment surfaces of the uppermost separate plate 1 12e and the lowermost separate plate 1 12a may advantageously be provided as an external surface of a respective key or tongue, not shown, arranged in a recess or groove, not shown, provided on each of the uppermost separate plate 1 12e and the lowermost separate plate 1 12a.
• the two corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b, the uppermost separate plate 1 12e and the lowermost separate plate 1 12a may be provided with transversal grooves or recesses in which a key or tongue may be provided.
• this alternative arrangement of the abutment surfaces allows for efficient transfer of forces although being slightly differently crafted.
• An arrangement with a recess or groove provided on each of the two corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b and a key or tongue corresponds to that the first and second shoulder portions of the corner girders are devised as a key or tongue arranged in a recess or groove provided on each of the two corner girders, where the key or tongue interacts with the abutment surfaces of the first and second separate plates.
• the top head 104 may be provided with an elongated protrusion 132 extending in a direction transverse to the
• the depicted elongated protrusion 132 faces the uppermost or first separate plate 1 12e.
• the uppermost separate plate 1 12e may be provided with a corresponding groove 133 as depicted in Fig. 2.
• the depicted groove 133 is formed so as to interact with the elongated protrusion 132.
• the interaction between the elongated protrusion 132 and the groove 133 will, thus counteract movement of the plate 1 12e in the longitudinal direction L.
• the enclosure 102 will thus become stronger, and at the same time mounting of the plate 1 12e will be facilitated as the plate 1 12e will be counteracted from moving during mounting, e.g. when being bolted to the top head 104 and the two corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b.
• the elongated protrusion 132 may be formed as a key or tongue arranged in a recess or groove of the top head 104. This saves material and costs since the top head may be machined from a smaller piece of starting material. As depicted in Fig. 3, the bottom head 106 may be provided with an elongated protrusion 134 extending in a direction transverse to the
• the depicted elongated protrusion 134 faces the lowermost or second separate plate 1 12a.
• the lowermost separate plate 1 12a may be provided with a corresponding groove 135 as depicted in Fig. 3.
• the groove 135 is formed so as to interact with the elongated protrusion 134.
• the interaction between the elongated protrusion 134 and the groove 135 will, thus counteract movement of the plate 1 12a in the longitudinal direction L.
• the enclosure 102 may thus become stronger, and at the same time mounting of the plate 1 12a may be facilitated as the plate 1 12a may be counteracted from moving during mounting, e.g. when being bolted to the top head 104 and the two corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b.
• the elongated protrusion 134 may be formed as a key or tongue arranged in a recess or groove of the bottom head 106. This saves material and costs since the bottom head may be machined from a smaller piece of starting material.
• each of the two corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b associated with the divided side panel 108a may be provided with an elongated protrusion 136.
• the depicted protrusions 136 extends in the longitudinal direction L and faces the uppermost separate plate 1 12e and the lowermost separate plate 1 12a.
• the uppermost or first separate plate 1 12e and the lowermost or second separate plate 1 12a may be provided with corresponding grooves 137.
• the grooves 137 of the plates 1 12a, 1 12e may be arranged to interact with the elongated protrusion 136 of each of the two corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b.
• the separate plates 1 12b, 1 12c, 1 12d may be provided with corresponding grooves 137.
• the depicted grooves 137 of the plates 1 12b, 1 12c, 1 12d may also be arranged to interact with the elongated protrusion 136 of each of the two corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b.
• the enclosure 102 may thus become stronger, and at the same time mounting of the separate plates 1 12a, 1 12b, 1 12c, 1 12d, 1 12e may be facilitated as the plates 1 12a, 1 12b, 1 12c, 1 12d, 1 12e may be counteracted from moving during mounting, e.g.
• the elongated protrusions 136 may each be formed as a key or tongue arranged in a recess or groove of the two corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b. This saves material and costs since the corner girders may be machined from a smaller piece of starting material.
• Each of the two corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b associated with the divided side panel 108a may be provided with, at a first end facing the top head 104, a first protrusion 140 extending towards the top head 104 as depicted in Fig. 4.
• the first depicted protrusion 140 is provided at an inner corner of the first end of the two corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b.
• the top head 104 may be provided with, at respective outer corners facing the respective first ends of the girders 1 10a, 1 10b, a first protrusion 142 extending towards the first end of the respective girder 1 10a, 1 10b.
• the respective first protrusions 140 of each of the two associated corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b may be configured to interact with the respective first protrusions 142 of the top head.
• movement of the corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b in an outward direction may be counteracted.
• the enclosure 102 may thus be made stronger and capable of handling higher pressures.
• each of the two corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b associated with the divided side panel 108a may be provided with, at a second end facing the bottom head 106, a second protrusion, not shown, extending towards the bottom head 106.
• the second protrusion may then
• the bottom head 106 may then advantageously be provided with, at respective outer corners facing the respective second ends of the girders 1 10a, 1 10b, a second protrusion, not shown, extending towards the second end of the respective girder 1 10a, 1 10b.
• the respective second protrusions of each of the two associated corner girders 1 10a, 1 10b may thus correspondingly be configured to interact with the respective second protrusions of the bottom head 106.
• the enclosure 102 may thus be made stronger and capable of handling higher pressures.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Thermal Sciences (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Heat-Exchange Devices With Radiators And Conduit Assemblies (AREA)

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Citations (10)

• 2017
  • 2017-06-20 EP EP17176751.0A patent/EP3418665A1/de not_active Withdrawn
• 2018
  • 2018-06-07 WO PCT/EP2018/064975 patent/WO2018234048A1/en active Application Filing

Patent Citations (10)

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