WO2024115813A1 - Device for vaporizing and superheating a substance - Google Patents

Device for vaporizing and superheating a substance Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024115813A1
WO2024115813A1 PCT/FI2023/050651 FI2023050651W WO2024115813A1 WO 2024115813 A1 WO2024115813 A1 WO 2024115813A1 FI 2023050651 W FI2023050651 W FI 2023050651W WO 2024115813 A1 WO2024115813 A1 WO 2024115813A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
outer casing
functioning
heat exchanger
superheater
substance
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/FI2023/050651
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Valtteri Haavisto
John Ritmann
Reima VIINIKKALA
Lauri RANTASALO
Kalle VÄHÄTALO
Original Assignee
Vahterus Oy
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Vahterus Oy filed Critical Vahterus Oy
Publication of WO2024115813A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024115813A1/en

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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
    • 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
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B39/00—Evaporators; Condensers
    • F25B39/02—Evaporators
    • F25B39/022—Evaporators with plate-like or laminated elements
    • 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
    • F28D21/00—Heat-exchange apparatus not covered by any of the groups F28D1/00 - F28D20/00
    • F28D21/0017—Flooded core heat exchangers
    • 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
    • F28D9/0031—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 conduits for one heat-exchange medium being formed by paired plates touching each other
    • 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
    • F28D9/0031—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 conduits for one heat-exchange medium being formed by paired plates touching each other
    • F28D9/0043—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 conduits for one heat-exchange medium being formed by paired plates touching each other the plates having openings therein for circulation of at least one heat-exchange medium from one conduit to another
    • 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
    • F28D9/0093—Multi-circuit heat-exchangers, e.g. integrating different heat exchange sections in the same unit or heat-exchangers for more than two fluids
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2339/00—Details of evaporators; Details of condensers
    • F25B2339/02—Details of evaporators
    • F25B2339/024—Evaporators with refrigerant in a vessel in which is situated a heat exchanger
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2339/00—Details of evaporators; Details of condensers
    • F25B2339/02—Details of evaporators
    • F25B2339/024—Evaporators with refrigerant in a vessel in which is situated a heat exchanger
    • F25B2339/0241—Evaporators with refrigerant in a vessel in which is situated a heat exchanger having plate-like elements
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28C—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT WITHOUT CHEMICAL INTERACTION
    • F28C1/00—Direct-contact trickle coolers, e.g. cooling towers
    • F28C1/16—Arrangements for preventing condensation, precipitation or mist formation, outside the cooler
    • 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
    • F28D21/00—Heat-exchange apparatus not covered by any of the groups F28D1/00 - F28D20/00
    • F28D2021/0019—Other heat exchangers for particular applications; Heat exchange systems not otherwise provided for
    • F28D2021/0068—Other heat exchangers for particular applications; Heat exchange systems not otherwise provided for for refrigerant cycles
    • F28D2021/0071—Evaporators

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device for vaporizing and superheating a substance and use of the device in a refrigeration or heat pump system.
  • a common refrigeration system comprises a compressor, which delivers a compressed refrigerant to a condenser. From the condenser, the refrigerant passes through an expansion device to the evaporator and from the evaporator the refrigerant returns to the compressor.
  • These kind of vaporcompression refrigeration systems are closed systems, where the refrigerant circulates and undergoes phase changes.
  • a circulating refrigerant is compressed to a higher pressure, resulting a higher temperature as well.
  • the hot, compressed refrigerant gas is then at a temperature and pressure at which it can be condensed with cooling medium, such as cooling water or cooling air.
  • a heat pump system comprises same main components as the refrigeration system and so employs the same vapor-compression cycle as the refrigeration system but in the opposite direction.
  • a typical device according to the invention for vaporizing and superheating a substance which comprises at least
  • an outer casing which comprises a substantially horizontal shell and substantially vertical first and second end plates, which are arranged at the ends of the shell, - an inlet connection for leading a substance to be vaporized into the outer casing,
  • a heat exchanger functioning as a superheater which is arranged inside the outer casing, above the plate pack functioning as an evaporator, wherein the vaporised substance flows through the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater to an outlet connection for leading the vaporised substance out from the outer casing,
  • a device of the present invention is used as a component of a refrigeration or heat pump system, especially in vapor-compression based systems where a circulating refrigerant undergoes phase changes during circulation in the system.
  • a typical refrigeration or heat pump system according to the present invention comprises a device according to the present invention.
  • the present invention is based on the compact and tight structure of the device for vaporizing and superheating a substance, which can be used in a refrigeration or heat pump system.
  • a device according to the present invention comprises two units of the refrigeration or heat pump system inside the same common outer casing.
  • the units inside one common outer casing are an evaporator and a superheater.
  • An evaporator according to the present invention is a flooded evaporator.
  • an evaporator and a superheater comprise own heat exchangers, which heat exchangers are arranged superposition inside the common outer casing in the height direction of the horizontal shell.
  • the present invention provides a compact device for vaporizing and superheating a substance, such as a refrigerant.
  • the device according to the present invention requires less space and less piping for circulating a refrigerant from one unit to another.
  • a device according to the present invention is also easy to assemble to a part of machinery unit of the refrigeration or heat pump system.
  • a heat exchanger functioning as an evaporator evaporates a substance, such as a refrigerant in the lower part of the outer casing, and then the temperature of the vaporized substance is increased when it flows through the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater.
  • a heat exchanger functioning as a superheater is arranged inside the outer casing, above the plate pack functioning as an evaporator, whereby the vaporized substance flows through the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater to an outlet connection for leading the vaporised substance out from the outer casing.
  • Superheating of the vaporized substance ensures that the liquid refrigerant is boiled off from the vaporized substance before it leaves the device of the present invention and heads to the compressor, and thereby protecting the function of a compressor.
  • a device according to the invention is typically used in vapor-compression cycle in refrigerating machinery and heat pump systems.
  • the device according to the invention is used to ensure that no droplets are carried from the evaporator to a compressor used in a refrigerating machinery or heat pump systems.
  • a device according to the present invention may comprise a droplet separator, which is arranged underneath the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater, in a height direction of horizontal shell. A combination of the droplet separator and the superheater ensure that no droplets are carried from the evaporator to a compressor used in a refrigerating machinery or heat pump systems.
  • a device according to the present invention is typically used in a large-scale refrigeration or heat pump systems.
  • a device according to the present invention may be a part of the industrial scale refrigeration or heat pump system, but can also be used as e.g. a part of heating systems of the buildings.
  • the structure of the present invention is also economical because the components to be used can be standard parts or otherwise widely used.
  • Figure 1 shows a device according to an embodiment of the present invention for use in a refrigeration or heat pump system from outside
  • Figure 2 shows a device according to an embodiment of the present invention for use in a refrigeration or heat pump system with a partial seen to inside
  • Figure 3 shows a cross-section of a device according to an embodiment of the present invention for use in a refrigeration or heat pump system
  • Figure 4 shows a device according to another embodiment of the present invention for use in a refrigeration or heat pump system with a partial seen to inside.
  • a device comprises two separate heat exchangers inside the common outer casing.
  • One heat exchanger is a heat exchanger functioning as an evaporator and the other is a heat exchanger functioning as a superheater.
  • an evaporator and a superheater comprise own heat exchangers, which heat exchangers are arranged superposition inside the common outer casing.
  • An evaporator comprises a plate pack functioning as an evaporator, which is arranged inside the outer casing, in its lower part.
  • a superheater comprises a heat exchanger, which is arranged inside the outer casing, above the plate pack functioning as an evaporator.
  • a heat exchanger functioning as a superheater is arranged in the upper part of the outer casing.
  • a device comprises an outer casing that comprises a longitudinal horizontal shell and the vertical end plates arranged at both ends of the shell, namely a first vertical end plate and a second vertical end plate.
  • a device comprises a longitudinal cylindrical shell and the end plates arranged at both ends of the shell.
  • a cylindrical shell is usually horizontal cylindrical shell, and the end plates of the outer casing are the vertical end plates.
  • a longitudinal direction of the outer casing or cylindrical shell means the horizontal direction of the outer casing or cylindrical shell. For example, if the cylindrical shell of the outer casing is a straight circular cylinder, then its longitudinal direction is the same as the direction of the central axis of the cylinder in question.
  • a height direction of the outer casing is a height direction of the horizontal shell, which is perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the outer casing.
  • a heat exchanger functioning as a superheater is arranged above the evaporator in a height direction of the horizontal shell.
  • a device according to the invention provides two functional units of the refrigeration or heat pump system inside one pressure vessel.
  • an inlet connection for a substance to be vaporised is typically arranged through a cylindrical shell and/or an end plate of the outer casing.
  • an inlet connection for leading a substance to be vaporised into the outer casing is arranged to a shell in a lower part of the shell, whereby the inlet connection is situated below the plate pack functioning as an evaporator.
  • a device according to the invention may comprise one, two or more inlet connections for leading a substance to be vaporised into the outer casing.
  • a device comprises an inlet connection or inlet connections for a substance to be vaporised arranged on the end plate(s) of the outer casing.
  • inlet connections for a substance to be vaporised are arranged on the end plate(s) of the outer casing and a cylindrical shell.
  • an outlet connection for leading the vaporised substance out from the outer casing is arranged to the upper part of the outer casing, above the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater.
  • an outlet connection for leading the vaporised substance out from the outer casing is arranged to the upper part of the shell, above the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater.
  • an outlet connection for leading the vaporised substance out from the outer casing is arranged to an end plate of the outer casing.
  • the outlet must be arranged to the end plate such a manner that the vaporised substance flows to the outlet connection through the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater.
  • an outlet connection for leading the vaporised substance out from the outer casing is arranged to the end plate of the outer casing, above the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater.
  • an outlet connection for leading the vaporised substance out from the outer casing is arranged to an end plate of the outer casing and said outlet connection is connected to a suction duct arranged inside the outer casing in a longitudinal direction of the cylindrical shell and said suction duct comprises openings at the upper surface of the suction duct.
  • a suction duct is arranged above the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater.
  • a vaporised substance can be sucked out from the outer casing uniformly by a suction duct.
  • a device may comprise two outlet connections for leading the vaporised substance out from the outer casing, which outlet connections are arranged at both ends of the suction duct and so at both end plates of the outer casing.
  • a suction duct comprises openings at the upper surface of the suction duct through which a vaporised substance is sucked out from the interior of the outer casing.
  • a suction duct comprises openings at the upper surface of the suction duct substantially in the whole length of the suction duct.
  • the shape and size of the openings can vary, for example the openings may be circular or oval shaped or they may be longitudinal openings.
  • the upper surface of the suction duct may comprise longitudinal openings in the length direction of the suction duct.
  • an upper surface of the suction duct may be perforated.
  • a sum of the area of the openings arranged at the upper surface of the suction duct should be at least same as the area of the outlet connection(s) for leading the vaporised substance out from the evaporator for providing adequate suction.
  • the above disclosed suction duct may also be arranged in connection with an outlet connection arranged to the upper part of the shell, above the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater.
  • An evaporator in a device according to the invention is based on the structure of Plate and Shell -type heat exchanger.
  • a plate pack functioning as an evaporator is arranged inside the outer casing, in its lower part. In a typical embodiment according to the invention, the main part of the plate pack is below the central line of the outer casing.
  • a plate pack functioning as an evaporator is formed of the heat exchange plates by arranging plate pairs of the heat exchange plates on top of each other. Each plate pair is typically formed of two heat exchange plates that are attached, preferably welded together at least at their outer periphery. Each heat exchange plate has at least two openings for the flow of a heating substance. Adjacent plate pairs are attached to each other by attaching the openings of two adjacent plate pairs to each other.
  • a heating substance can flow from a plate pair to another via the openings.
  • the substance to be vaporised is arranged to flow inside the outer casing of the device according to the present invention in the spaces between the plate pairs.
  • An inlet connection and an outlet connection for a heating substance for leading a heating substance into the plate pack and out from it are arranged at an end plate of the outer casing.
  • the inlet and outlet connections for the heating substance are arranged in connection with the inner parts of the plate pack, i.e. inner parts of the plate pairs of the plate pack, whereby the primary circuit of the evaporator is formed between the inlet and outlet connection of the heating substance.
  • the inlet connection for the substance to be vaporised and the outlet connection for the vaporised substance are arranged through the outer casing of the device and in connection with the inner side of the outer casing.
  • the secondary circuit of the evaporator is formed inside the outer casing, in the spaces between the plate pairs.
  • the primary and secondary circuits of the plate pack functioning as an evaporator are separate from each other, i.e. the heating substance flowing in the inner part of the plate pack cannot get mixed with the substance to be vaporised flowing in the outer casing.
  • the heating substance flows in every other plate space and the substance to be vaporised flows in every other plate space of the plate pack.
  • a plate pack functioning as an evaporator is formed by heat exchange plates arranged one on top of each other and the plate pack is arranged inside the outer casing so that the longitudinal direction of the plate pack is the same as the longitudinal direction of the shell of the outer casing.
  • a longitudinal direction of the plate pack is the length direction of the plate pack comprising heat exchange plates arranged one on top of each other.
  • a plate pack functioning as an evaporator can be formed of circular or semi-circular heat exchange plates, i.e. a plate pack functioning as an evaporator is a circular or semi-circular plate pack.
  • a plate pack may be formed of oval shaped heat exchange plates.
  • the plate pack functioning as an evaporator is formed of circular heat exchange plates, wherein the plate pack is mainly circular cylinder in shape, which plate pack is arranged into the outer casing so that a longitudinal direction of the plate pack is same as the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical shell.
  • the plate pack is substantially a circular cylinder, whereby the outer diameter of the plate pack is about 30-70 % or about 40- 60 % of the inner diameter of the cylindrical shell.
  • the plate pack is typically situated to be acentric in relation to the cylindrical shell, in the lower part of the cylindrical shell.
  • a plate pack may also be formed of oval shaped or semi-circular heat exchange plates, whereby the plate pack is situated at the lower part of the outer casing.
  • a plate pack structure is a completely welded structure.
  • An evaporator according to an embodiment of the invention is a flooded evaporator.
  • a liquid level of a substance to be vaporised in a device is typically arranged so that the main part of heat exchange surface of the plate pack is below the liquid level for providing an efficient heat transfer and evaporation of a substance.
  • a plate pack functioning as an evaporator in a device according to the invention comprises an inlet connection and an outlet connection for a heating substance for leading a heating substance into the plate pack and out from it.
  • These inlet and outlet connections are arranged at an end plate of the outer casing.
  • the structure of a heat exchanger functioning as a superheater is not limited, but it can be selected on the basis of the operation conditions and their requirements.
  • the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater has a structure of a lamella heat exchanger or finned tube heat exchanger.
  • a lamella or finned tube heat exchanger comprise a set of the parallel tubes or other channels for a heating substance.
  • a flow of the vaporised substance is typically a single pass through the heat exchanger between the parallel tubes or other channels.
  • a heat exchanger functioning as a superheater has as a shape of rectangle having a length direction, width direction and a height direction.
  • a length direction of the heat exchanger is a direction in the longitudinal direction of the outer casing.
  • a lamella or finned tube heat exchanger is typically low in the height direction, whereby it can be easily arranged above the plate pack functioning as an evaporator inside the common outer casing.
  • a vaporised substance is typically arranged to flow through the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater in its height direction.
  • a heat exchanger functioning as a superheater is arranged inside the outer casing, above the plate pack functioning as an evaporator.
  • a superheater is arranged inside the outer casing, in its upper part, below the outlet connection for leading the vaporised substance out from the outer casing, which outlet connection is arranged to the upper part of the shell.
  • a heat exchanger functioning as a superheater is arranged inside the outer casing in a horizontal plane.
  • the heat exchanger When the heat exchanger is in a horizontal plane, it means that it is arranged in a direction of horizontal axis of the cross section of the outer casing. This means that a width direction of the heat exchanger is in a horizontal direction and hence the vaporised substance is flown through the heat exchanger, such as a lamella or finned tube heat exchanger in their height direction.
  • a heat exchanger functioning as a superheater is arranged inside the outer casing in a horizontal plane, below the outlet connection for leading the vaporised substance out from the outer casing.
  • a heat exchanger functioning as a superheater is arranged inside the outer casing in a diagonally in relation to a horizontal axis of the cross section of the outer casing.
  • a heat exchanger functioning as a superheater is formed of two parts, which each one of the parts are arranged diagonally downwards from the midpoint of the cylindrical shell toward the edges of the outer casing.
  • a suction duct may be arranged between the parts of the superheater.
  • An outlet connection for leading the vaporised substance out from the outer casing is arranged above the parts of the superheater.
  • a heat exchanger functioning as a superheater has a length substantially correspond with the length of the plate pack functioning as an evaporator and/or the length of the outer casing, but the length of the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater may vary depending on an application of the device.
  • a length of the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater is smaller as the length the plate pack functioning as an evaporator and/or the length of the outer casing.
  • a device comprises flow guiding plates which are arranged at least on both sides of the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater in a length direction of the heat exchanger and the outer casing of the device, which flow guiding plates close the space between the heat exchanger and the outer casing for preventing a side flow of the vaporised substance to the outlet connection.
  • the flow guiding plates are attached to the outer casing and to the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater by preventing a side flow to the outlet connection and thereby no droplets are carried from the evaporator to a compressor used in a refrigerating machinery or heat pump systems. The flow guiding plates improves the operation of the device.
  • the device of the present invention typically comprises flow guiding plates, which are arranged to all sides of the heat exchanger.
  • the flow guiding plates close the space between the heat exchanger and the outer casing for preventing a side flow to the outlet connection.
  • the flow guiding plates are attached to the outer casing and to the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater by preventing a side flow to the outlet connection.
  • a device further comprises a droplet separator, which is arranged underneath the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater, in a height direction of horizontal shell, wherein the vaporised substance flows through both the droplet separator and the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater to an outlet connection for leading the vaporised substance out from the outer casing.
  • a droplet separator is a perforated plate or other structure comprising metal mesh or steel wool for enhancing separation of droplets.
  • a droplet separator is arranged substantially in a horizontal plane, which means that it is arranged in a direction of horizontal axis of the cross section of the outer casing.
  • a droplet separator extends along the whole length of cross section of the cylindrical outer casing.
  • a droplet separator has a length that substantially correspond with the length of the plate pack functioning as an evaporator and the length of the outer casing.
  • a droplet separator is arranged and dimensioned so that a side flow can be eliminated.
  • a length of the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater is smaller as the length the plate pack functioning as an evaporator and/or the length of the outer casing.
  • a device further comprises an inlet connection and an outlet connection for a heating substance for leading a heating substance into the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater and out from it.
  • an inlet connection and an outlet connection of the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater are arranged at an end plate of the outer casing.
  • a heat exchanger functioning as a superheater comprises own heating substance circulation, which is separately from a circulation of the heating substance inside the plate pack functioning as an evaporator.
  • a heat exchanger functioning as a superheater and a plate pack functioning as evaporator have own inlet and outlet connections and own heat exchange medium circulations.
  • the separate circulations of the heating substances make possible to adjust temperature of the superheater separate from the evaporator.
  • the separate heating substance circulation in the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater makes also possible to cool the vaporised substance, if required, by the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater. This may be required e.g. in a case of emergency cooling of vaporised substance for avoiding a pressure increase in the device.
  • a heat exchanger functioning as a superheater and a plate pack functioning as evaporator have a common heating substance circulation.
  • a device includes three separate fluid circulations in one device: a substance to be vaporised inside the outer casing, a heating substance of the evaporator, and a heating substance of a superheater.
  • an inlet and outlet connections of the plate pack functioning as an evaporator and the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater are arranged in same end plate of the outer casing.
  • a device according to the present invention is used as a component of a refrigeration or heat pump system.
  • a typical refrigeration or heat pump system according to the present invention comprises a device according to the present invention.
  • a refrigeration system comprises all required components of said system, such as a compressor, an expansion device, piping for circulating refrigerant etc.
  • a vapor-compression refrigeration or heat pump system according to the present invention is a closed loop system, in which system a refrigerant circulates in the closed cycle and undergoes phase changes.
  • a refrigerant may be any suitable refrigerant.
  • Figure 1 shows a device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention for vaporizing and superheating a substance from outside
  • Figure 2 shows a device 1 with a partial seen to inside
  • a device 1 comprises an outer casing, which comprises a substantially horizontal cylindrical shell 2 and substantially vertical first and second end plates 3a, 3b, which are arranged at the ends of the shell 2.
  • a plate pack 4 functioning as an evaporator is arranged inside the outer casing, in its lower part.
  • An inlet connection 7 and an outlet connection 8 for a heating substance for leading a heating substance into the plate pack 4 functioning as an evaporator and out from it is arranged to the end plate 3a.
  • a heat exchanger 9 functioning as a superheater is arranged inside the outer casing, above the plate pack 4 functioning as an evaporator.
  • An inlet connection 11 and an outlet connection 12 for a heating substance for leading a heating substance into the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater and out from it is arranged to the end plate 3a.
  • a device 1 further comprises an inlet connection 5 for leading a substance to be vaporized into the outer casing, and an outlet connection 6 for leading the vaporised substance out from the outer casing.
  • an outlet connection 6 for the vaporised substance is arranged at the shell 2 above a heat exchanger functioning as a superheater 9, but the outlet connection may also locate at the end plate(s) 3a, 3b.
  • Outlet connection 6 is arranged so that the vaporised substance flows through the heat exchanger 9 functioning as a superheater to an outlet connection 6 for leading the vaporised substance out from the outer casing.
  • a device 1 further comprises flow guiding plates 13a, 13b, which are arranged at the ends of the heat exchanger 9 functioning as a superheater.
  • the flow guiding plates 13a, 13b prevent a side flow of a vaporised substance to the outlet connection 6.
  • FIG. 3 shows a cross-section of a device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • a plate pack 4 functioning as an evaporator and a heat exchanger 9 functioning as a superheater are arranged superposition inside the common outer casing in a height direction of the horizontal shell 2.
  • An evaporator comprises a plate pack 4 functioning as an evaporator, which is arranged inside the outer casing, in its lower part.
  • a heat exchanger 9 functioning a s a superheater is arranged inside the outer casing, above the plate pack 4 functioning as an evaporator.
  • a heat exchanger 9 functioning as a superheater is arranged in the upper part of the horizontal outer casing, below the outlet connection 6 for leading the vaporised substance out from the outer casing.
  • a heat exchanger 9 functioning as a superheater is arranged in a horizontal plane above the plate pack 4 functioning as an evaporator, wherein the vaporised substance is flown through the heat exchanger 9, such as a lamella or finned tube heat exchanger in its height direction.
  • a device 1 comprises flow guiding plates 12a, 12b, which are arranged at least on both sides of the heat exchanger 9 functioning as a superheater in a length direction of the heat exchanger and the outer casing of the device.
  • the flow guiding plates 12a, 12b close the space between the heat exchanger 9 and the shell 2 of the outer casing for preventing a side flow of a vaporised substance to the outlet connection 6.
  • a device 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention which device also comprises a droplet separator 14, which is arranged underneath heat exchanger 9 functioning as a superheater, in a height direction of the outer casing 2. Otherwise, the structure of a device presented in Figure 1 corresponds to a device presented in Figure 2.

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Abstract

A device (1) for vaporizing and superheating a substance, which comprises a plate pack (4) functioning as an evaporator and a heat exchanger (9) functioning as a superheater inside the same outer casing. A plate pack (4) functioning as an evaporator is arranged inside the outer casing, in its lower part. A heat exchanger (9) functioning as a superheater is arranged inside the outer casing, above the plate pack (4) functioning as an evaporator, wherein the vaporised substance flows through the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater. A device is used as a part of a refrigeration or heat pump system.

Description

DEVICE FOR VAPORIZING AND SUPERHEATING A SUBSTANCE
Field of the invention
The present invention relates to a device for vaporizing and superheating a substance and use of the device in a refrigeration or heat pump system.
Background of the invention
A common refrigeration system comprises a compressor, which delivers a compressed refrigerant to a condenser. From the condenser, the refrigerant passes through an expansion device to the evaporator and from the evaporator the refrigerant returns to the compressor. These kind of vaporcompression refrigeration systems are closed systems, where the refrigerant circulates and undergoes phase changes. A circulating refrigerant is compressed to a higher pressure, resulting a higher temperature as well. The hot, compressed refrigerant gas is then at a temperature and pressure at which it can be condensed with cooling medium, such as cooling water or cooling air. This is a phase of the vapor-compression refrigeration system, wherein the circulating refrigerant rejects heat from the system and the rejected heat is carried away. Further, a superheater can be used in refrigeration system. Superheating ensures that the liquid refrigerant is boiled off before it leaves the evaporator and heads to the compressor, since even small amounts of liquid can cause detrimental damage to a compressor. A heat pump system comprises same main components as the refrigeration system and so employs the same vapor-compression cycle as the refrigeration system but in the opposite direction.
Commonly, all components of the refrigeration or heat pump system are located separately, as own devices. These kinds of systems are typically complex. Therefore, the space required for the refrigeration or heat pump system is remarkable, both the area and the space in height direction. The units of the refrigeration or heat pump arrangement located separately from each other require also piping for circulating a refrigerant from one unit to another, which also increases a space required for the arrangement. Therefore, there is a need for simpler heat exchanger structures for decreasing the size of the refrigeration or heat pump systems.
Summary of the Invention
It is an object of the present invention to reduce or even eliminate the above- mentioned problems appearing in prior art.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for use in a refrigeration or heat pump system, especially in vapor-compression cycle, which device is functionally efficient, economical and small in size.
It is especially an object of the present invention to provide a compact and efficient device for use in a refrigeration or heat pump system, which decrease a number of the separate devices of the refrigeration or heat pump system.
Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device for use in a refrigeration or heat pump system, which can be easily manufactured using standard sized parts of heat exchangers.
In order to achieve among others the objects presented above, the invention is characterized by what is presented in the characterizing parts of the enclosed independent claims.
Some preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in the other claims.
The embodiments and advantages mentioned in this text relate, where applicable, both to the device and the use of the device according to the invention, even though it is not always specifically mentioned.
A typical device according to the invention for vaporizing and superheating a substance, which comprises at least
- an outer casing, which comprises a substantially horizontal shell and substantially vertical first and second end plates, which are arranged at the ends of the shell, - an inlet connection for leading a substance to be vaporized into the outer casing,
- an outlet connection for leading the vaporised substance out from the outer casing,
- a plate pack functioning as an evaporator, which is arranged inside the outer casing, in its lower part,
- an inlet connection and an outlet connection for a heating substance for leading a heating substance into the plate pack functioning as an evaporator and out from it, which inlet and outlet connections are arranged at an end plate of the outer casing,
- a heat exchanger functioning as a superheater, which is arranged inside the outer casing, above the plate pack functioning as an evaporator, wherein the vaporised substance flows through the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater to an outlet connection for leading the vaporised substance out from the outer casing,
- an inlet connection and an outlet connection for a heating substance for leading a heating substance into the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater and out from it, which inlet and outlet connections are arranged at an end plate of the outer casing, and
- flow guiding plates, which are arranged at least on both sides of the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater in a length direction of the heat exchanger and the outer casing of the device, which flow guiding plates close the space between the heat exchanger and the outer casing for preventing a side flow to the outlet connection.
A device of the present invention is used as a component of a refrigeration or heat pump system, especially in vapor-compression based systems where a circulating refrigerant undergoes phase changes during circulation in the system. A typical refrigeration or heat pump system according to the present invention comprises a device according to the present invention.
The present invention is based on the compact and tight structure of the device for vaporizing and superheating a substance, which can be used in a refrigeration or heat pump system. A device according to the present invention comprises two units of the refrigeration or heat pump system inside the same common outer casing. The units inside one common outer casing are an evaporator and a superheater. An evaporator according to the present invention is a flooded evaporator. In a device according to the present invention, an evaporator and a superheater comprise own heat exchangers, which heat exchangers are arranged superposition inside the common outer casing in the height direction of the horizontal shell. Hence, the present invention provides a compact device for vaporizing and superheating a substance, such as a refrigerant. The device according to the present invention requires less space and less piping for circulating a refrigerant from one unit to another. A device according to the present invention is also easy to assemble to a part of machinery unit of the refrigeration or heat pump system.
In a typical device according to the invention, a heat exchanger functioning as an evaporator evaporates a substance, such as a refrigerant in the lower part of the outer casing, and then the temperature of the vaporized substance is increased when it flows through the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater. A heat exchanger functioning as a superheater is arranged inside the outer casing, above the plate pack functioning as an evaporator, whereby the vaporized substance flows through the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater to an outlet connection for leading the vaporised substance out from the outer casing. Superheating of the vaporized substance ensures that the liquid refrigerant is boiled off from the vaporized substance before it leaves the device of the present invention and heads to the compressor, and thereby protecting the function of a compressor.
A device according to the invention is typically used in vapor-compression cycle in refrigerating machinery and heat pump systems. The device according to the invention is used to ensure that no droplets are carried from the evaporator to a compressor used in a refrigerating machinery or heat pump systems. Further, a device according to the present invention may comprise a droplet separator, which is arranged underneath the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater, in a height direction of horizontal shell. A combination of the droplet separator and the superheater ensure that no droplets are carried from the evaporator to a compressor used in a refrigerating machinery or heat pump systems.
A device according to the present invention is typically used in a large-scale refrigeration or heat pump systems. A device according to the present invention may be a part of the industrial scale refrigeration or heat pump system, but can also be used as e.g. a part of heating systems of the buildings.
The structure of the present invention is also economical because the components to be used can be standard parts or otherwise widely used.
Figure imgf000007_0001
The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the enclosed schematic drawing, in which
Figure 1 shows a device according to an embodiment of the present invention for use in a refrigeration or heat pump system from outside,
Figure 2 shows a device according to an embodiment of the present invention for use in a refrigeration or heat pump system with a partial seen to inside,
Figure 3 shows a cross-section of a device according to an embodiment of the present invention for use in a refrigeration or heat pump system, and
Figure 4 shows a device according to another embodiment of the present invention for use in a refrigeration or heat pump system with a partial seen to inside.
Detailed description of the invention
In a device according to the present invention, two units of a refrigeration or heat pump system are arranged inside the same common outer casing: an evaporator and a superheater. A device according to the present invention comprises two separate heat exchangers inside the common outer casing. One heat exchanger is a heat exchanger functioning as an evaporator and the other is a heat exchanger functioning as a superheater. In a device according to the present invention, an evaporator and a superheater comprise own heat exchangers, which heat exchangers are arranged superposition inside the common outer casing. An evaporator comprises a plate pack functioning as an evaporator, which is arranged inside the outer casing, in its lower part. A superheater comprises a heat exchanger, which is arranged inside the outer casing, above the plate pack functioning as an evaporator. In a typical embodiment of the present invention, a heat exchanger functioning as a superheater is arranged in the upper part of the outer casing.
A device according to the present invention comprises an outer casing that comprises a longitudinal horizontal shell and the vertical end plates arranged at both ends of the shell, namely a first vertical end plate and a second vertical end plate. In a preferred embodiment according to the present invention, a device comprises a longitudinal cylindrical shell and the end plates arranged at both ends of the shell. A cylindrical shell is usually horizontal cylindrical shell, and the end plates of the outer casing are the vertical end plates. A longitudinal direction of the outer casing or cylindrical shell means the horizontal direction of the outer casing or cylindrical shell. For example, if the cylindrical shell of the outer casing is a straight circular cylinder, then its longitudinal direction is the same as the direction of the central axis of the cylinder in question. A height direction of the outer casing is a height direction of the horizontal shell, which is perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the outer casing. A heat exchanger functioning as a superheater is arranged above the evaporator in a height direction of the horizontal shell.
In a device according to the invention, the outer casing functions as a pressure vessel. Hence, a device according to the present invention provides two functional units of the refrigeration or heat pump system inside one pressure vessel.
In a device according to the invention, an inlet connection for a substance to be vaporised is typically arranged through a cylindrical shell and/or an end plate of the outer casing. In an embodiment of the invention, an inlet connection for leading a substance to be vaporised into the outer casing is arranged to a shell in a lower part of the shell, whereby the inlet connection is situated below the plate pack functioning as an evaporator. A device according to the invention may comprise one, two or more inlet connections for leading a substance to be vaporised into the outer casing. According to an embodiment of the invention, a device comprises an inlet connection or inlet connections for a substance to be vaporised arranged on the end plate(s) of the outer casing. In an embodiment of the present invention inlet connections for a substance to be vaporised are arranged on the end plate(s) of the outer casing and a cylindrical shell.
According to an embodiment of the present invention an outlet connection for leading the vaporised substance out from the outer casing is arranged to the upper part of the outer casing, above the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, an outlet connection for leading the vaporised substance out from the outer casing is arranged to the upper part of the shell, above the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater. A vaporised substance, which is vaporized by the evaporator arranged at the lower part of the device, simply flows through the superheater and then out from the outer casing through the outlet connection above the superheater.
In another embodiment of the present invention, an outlet connection for leading the vaporised substance out from the outer casing is arranged to an end plate of the outer casing. The outlet must be arranged to the end plate such a manner that the vaporised substance flows to the outlet connection through the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater. In an embodiment according to the present invention, an outlet connection for leading the vaporised substance out from the outer casing is arranged to the end plate of the outer casing, above the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater.
In an embodiment according to the invention, an outlet connection for leading the vaporised substance out from the outer casing is arranged to an end plate of the outer casing and said outlet connection is connected to a suction duct arranged inside the outer casing in a longitudinal direction of the cylindrical shell and said suction duct comprises openings at the upper surface of the suction duct. A suction duct is arranged above the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater. A vaporised substance can be sucked out from the outer casing uniformly by a suction duct. In an embodiment according to the invention, a device may comprise two outlet connections for leading the vaporised substance out from the outer casing, which outlet connections are arranged at both ends of the suction duct and so at both end plates of the outer casing. The outlet connections at both ends of the suction duct may be advantageous when the length of the shell increases in a longitudinal direction and the efficient suction of the vaporised substance out from the outer casing should be guaranteed. A suction duct comprises openings at the upper surface of the suction duct through which a vaporised substance is sucked out from the interior of the outer casing. In a preferred embodiment according to the invention, a suction duct comprises openings at the upper surface of the suction duct substantially in the whole length of the suction duct. The shape and size of the openings can vary, for example the openings may be circular or oval shaped or they may be longitudinal openings. In an embodiment according to the invention, the upper surface of the suction duct may comprise longitudinal openings in the length direction of the suction duct. In another embodiment according to the invention, an upper surface of the suction duct may be perforated. In an embodiment according to the invention, a sum of the area of the openings arranged at the upper surface of the suction duct should be at least same as the area of the outlet connection(s) for leading the vaporised substance out from the evaporator for providing adequate suction. In an embodiment according to the present invention, the above disclosed suction duct may also be arranged in connection with an outlet connection arranged to the upper part of the shell, above the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater.
An evaporator in a device according to the invention is based on the structure of Plate and Shell -type heat exchanger. A plate pack functioning as an evaporator is arranged inside the outer casing, in its lower part. In a typical embodiment according to the invention, the main part of the plate pack is below the central line of the outer casing. A plate pack functioning as an evaporator is formed of the heat exchange plates by arranging plate pairs of the heat exchange plates on top of each other. Each plate pair is typically formed of two heat exchange plates that are attached, preferably welded together at least at their outer periphery. Each heat exchange plate has at least two openings for the flow of a heating substance. Adjacent plate pairs are attached to each other by attaching the openings of two adjacent plate pairs to each other. Thus, a heating substance can flow from a plate pair to another via the openings. The substance to be vaporised is arranged to flow inside the outer casing of the device according to the present invention in the spaces between the plate pairs. An inlet connection and an outlet connection for a heating substance for leading a heating substance into the plate pack and out from it are arranged at an end plate of the outer casing. The inlet and outlet connections for the heating substance are arranged in connection with the inner parts of the plate pack, i.e. inner parts of the plate pairs of the plate pack, whereby the primary circuit of the evaporator is formed between the inlet and outlet connection of the heating substance. The inlet connection for the substance to be vaporised and the outlet connection for the vaporised substance are arranged through the outer casing of the device and in connection with the inner side of the outer casing. The secondary circuit of the evaporator is formed inside the outer casing, in the spaces between the plate pairs. The primary and secondary circuits of the plate pack functioning as an evaporator are separate from each other, i.e. the heating substance flowing in the inner part of the plate pack cannot get mixed with the substance to be vaporised flowing in the outer casing. Thus, the heating substance flows in every other plate space and the substance to be vaporised flows in every other plate space of the plate pack.
In a typical embodiment according to the invention, a plate pack functioning as an evaporator is formed by heat exchange plates arranged one on top of each other and the plate pack is arranged inside the outer casing so that the longitudinal direction of the plate pack is the same as the longitudinal direction of the shell of the outer casing. A longitudinal direction of the plate pack is the length direction of the plate pack comprising heat exchange plates arranged one on top of each other. A plate pack functioning as an evaporator can be formed of circular or semi-circular heat exchange plates, i.e. a plate pack functioning as an evaporator is a circular or semi-circular plate pack. In an embodiment of the invention, a plate pack may be formed of oval shaped heat exchange plates. The aim is to provide a heat exchange surface for vaporising a substance, such as a refrigerant in an efficient manner. In an embodiment according to the invention, the plate pack functioning as an evaporator is formed of circular heat exchange plates, wherein the plate pack is mainly circular cylinder in shape, which plate pack is arranged into the outer casing so that a longitudinal direction of the plate pack is same as the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical shell. In an embodiment of the invention the plate pack is substantially a circular cylinder, whereby the outer diameter of the plate pack is about 30-70 % or about 40- 60 % of the inner diameter of the cylindrical shell. The plate pack is typically situated to be acentric in relation to the cylindrical shell, in the lower part of the cylindrical shell. Alternatively, a plate pack may also be formed of oval shaped or semi-circular heat exchange plates, whereby the plate pack is situated at the lower part of the outer casing. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention a plate pack structure is a completely welded structure.
An evaporator according to an embodiment of the invention is a flooded evaporator. A liquid level of a substance to be vaporised in a device is typically arranged so that the main part of heat exchange surface of the plate pack is below the liquid level for providing an efficient heat transfer and evaporation of a substance.
A plate pack functioning as an evaporator in a device according to the invention comprises an inlet connection and an outlet connection for a heating substance for leading a heating substance into the plate pack and out from it. These inlet and outlet connections are arranged at an end plate of the outer casing.
The structure of a heat exchanger functioning as a superheater is not limited, but it can be selected on the basis of the operation conditions and their requirements. In an embodiment of the invention, the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater has a structure of a lamella heat exchanger or finned tube heat exchanger. A lamella or finned tube heat exchanger comprise a set of the parallel tubes or other channels for a heating substance. A flow of the vaporised substance is typically a single pass through the heat exchanger between the parallel tubes or other channels. In an embodiment according to the present invention, a heat exchanger functioning as a superheater has as a shape of rectangle having a length direction, width direction and a height direction. A length direction of the heat exchanger is a direction in the longitudinal direction of the outer casing. A lamella or finned tube heat exchanger is typically low in the height direction, whereby it can be easily arranged above the plate pack functioning as an evaporator inside the common outer casing. A vaporised substance is typically arranged to flow through the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater in its height direction. In a device according to the present invention, a heat exchanger functioning as a superheater is arranged inside the outer casing, above the plate pack functioning as an evaporator. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a superheater is arranged inside the outer casing, in its upper part, below the outlet connection for leading the vaporised substance out from the outer casing, which outlet connection is arranged to the upper part of the shell. In an embodiment of the present invention, a heat exchanger functioning as a superheater is arranged inside the outer casing in a horizontal plane. When the heat exchanger is in a horizontal plane, it means that it is arranged in a direction of horizontal axis of the cross section of the outer casing. This means that a width direction of the heat exchanger is in a horizontal direction and hence the vaporised substance is flown through the heat exchanger, such as a lamella or finned tube heat exchanger in their height direction. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a heat exchanger functioning as a superheater is arranged inside the outer casing in a horizontal plane, below the outlet connection for leading the vaporised substance out from the outer casing. In other embodiment of the present invention, a heat exchanger functioning as a superheater is arranged inside the outer casing in a diagonally in relation to a horizontal axis of the cross section of the outer casing.
In an embodiment of the present invention, a heat exchanger functioning as a superheater is formed of two parts, which each one of the parts are arranged diagonally downwards from the midpoint of the cylindrical shell toward the edges of the outer casing. In an embodiment, a suction duct may be arranged between the parts of the superheater. An outlet connection for leading the vaporised substance out from the outer casing is arranged above the parts of the superheater.
According to an embodiment of the invention, a heat exchanger functioning as a superheater has a length substantially correspond with the length of the plate pack functioning as an evaporator and/or the length of the outer casing, but the length of the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater may vary depending on an application of the device. In an embodiment of the present invention, a length of the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater is smaller as the length the plate pack functioning as an evaporator and/or the length of the outer casing. In an embodiment, a device according to the present invention comprises flow guiding plates which are arranged at least on both sides of the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater in a length direction of the heat exchanger and the outer casing of the device, which flow guiding plates close the space between the heat exchanger and the outer casing for preventing a side flow of the vaporised substance to the outlet connection. In an embodiment of the invention, the flow guiding plates are attached to the outer casing and to the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater by preventing a side flow to the outlet connection and thereby no droplets are carried from the evaporator to a compressor used in a refrigerating machinery or heat pump systems. The flow guiding plates improves the operation of the device.
When the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater has a length that is smaller than a length of the outer casing of the device, the device of the present invention typically comprises flow guiding plates, which are arranged to all sides of the heat exchanger. The flow guiding plates close the space between the heat exchanger and the outer casing for preventing a side flow to the outlet connection. In an embodiment of the invention, the flow guiding plates are attached to the outer casing and to the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater by preventing a side flow to the outlet connection.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a device further comprises a droplet separator, which is arranged underneath the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater, in a height direction of horizontal shell, wherein the vaporised substance flows through both the droplet separator and the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater to an outlet connection for leading the vaporised substance out from the outer casing. In an embodiment, a droplet separator is a perforated plate or other structure comprising metal mesh or steel wool for enhancing separation of droplets. In an embodiment of the present invention, a droplet separator is arranged substantially in a horizontal plane, which means that it is arranged in a direction of horizontal axis of the cross section of the outer casing. In an embodiment of the present invention, a droplet separator extends along the whole length of cross section of the cylindrical outer casing. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a droplet separator has a length that substantially correspond with the length of the plate pack functioning as an evaporator and the length of the outer casing. Typically, a droplet separator is arranged and dimensioned so that a side flow can be eliminated. In an embodiment of the present invention, a length of the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater is smaller as the length the plate pack functioning as an evaporator and/or the length of the outer casing.
A device according to the invention further comprises an inlet connection and an outlet connection for a heating substance for leading a heating substance into the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater and out from it. In the present invention, an inlet connection and an outlet connection of the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater are arranged at an end plate of the outer casing. In a preferred embodiment according to the present invention, a heat exchanger functioning as a superheater comprises own heating substance circulation, which is separately from a circulation of the heating substance inside the plate pack functioning as an evaporator. Thereby, in a typical embodiment according to the present invention, a heat exchanger functioning as a superheater and a plate pack functioning as evaporator have own inlet and outlet connections and own heat exchange medium circulations. The separate circulations of the heating substances make possible to adjust temperature of the superheater separate from the evaporator. The separate heating substance circulation in the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater makes also possible to cool the vaporised substance, if required, by the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater. This may be required e.g. in a case of emergency cooling of vaporised substance for avoiding a pressure increase in the device. In an embodiment, a heat exchanger functioning as a superheater and a plate pack functioning as evaporator have a common heating substance circulation.
A device according to an embodiment of the invention includes three separate fluid circulations in one device: a substance to be vaporised inside the outer casing, a heating substance of the evaporator, and a heating substance of a superheater.
In a device according to an embodiment of the invention, an inlet and outlet connections of the plate pack functioning as an evaporator and the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater are arranged in same end plate of the outer casing. This provides more compact structure which makes assembly of the device easier and simplifies required piping in the system where the device is assembled.
A device according to the present invention is used as a component of a refrigeration or heat pump system. A typical refrigeration or heat pump system according to the present invention comprises a device according to the present invention. Further, a refrigeration system comprises all required components of said system, such as a compressor, an expansion device, piping for circulating refrigerant etc. A vapor-compression refrigeration or heat pump system according to the present invention is a closed loop system, in which system a refrigerant circulates in the closed cycle and undergoes phase changes.
In a vapor compression refrigeration or heat pump system according to the invention, a refrigerant may be any suitable refrigerant.
Detailed description of the examples of the figures
Figure 1 shows a device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention for vaporizing and superheating a substance from outside, and Figure 2 shows a device 1 with a partial seen to inside. A device 1 comprises an outer casing, which comprises a substantially horizontal cylindrical shell 2 and substantially vertical first and second end plates 3a, 3b, which are arranged at the ends of the shell 2. A plate pack 4 functioning as an evaporator is arranged inside the outer casing, in its lower part. An inlet connection 7 and an outlet connection 8 for a heating substance for leading a heating substance into the plate pack 4 functioning as an evaporator and out from it is arranged to the end plate 3a. A heat exchanger 9 functioning as a superheater is arranged inside the outer casing, above the plate pack 4 functioning as an evaporator. An inlet connection 11 and an outlet connection 12 for a heating substance for leading a heating substance into the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater and out from it is arranged to the end plate 3a.
A device 1 further comprises an inlet connection 5 for leading a substance to be vaporized into the outer casing, and an outlet connection 6 for leading the vaporised substance out from the outer casing. In an exemplary embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, an outlet connection 6 for the vaporised substance is arranged at the shell 2 above a heat exchanger functioning as a superheater 9, but the outlet connection may also locate at the end plate(s) 3a, 3b. Outlet connection 6 is arranged so that the vaporised substance flows through the heat exchanger 9 functioning as a superheater to an outlet connection 6 for leading the vaporised substance out from the outer casing. In Figure 1 , it can be seen that a device 1 further comprises flow guiding plates 13a, 13b, which are arranged at the ends of the heat exchanger 9 functioning as a superheater. The flow guiding plates 13a, 13b prevent a side flow of a vaporised substance to the outlet connection 6.
Figure 3 shows a cross-section of a device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In a device 1 according to the present invention, a plate pack 4 functioning as an evaporator and a heat exchanger 9 functioning as a superheater are arranged superposition inside the common outer casing in a height direction of the horizontal shell 2. An evaporator comprises a plate pack 4 functioning as an evaporator, which is arranged inside the outer casing, in its lower part. A heat exchanger 9 functioning a s a superheater is arranged inside the outer casing, above the plate pack 4 functioning as an evaporator. A heat exchanger 9 functioning as a superheater is arranged in the upper part of the horizontal outer casing, below the outlet connection 6 for leading the vaporised substance out from the outer casing. In an exemplary embodiment of Figures 2 and 3, a heat exchanger 9 functioning as a superheater is arranged in a horizontal plane above the plate pack 4 functioning as an evaporator, wherein the vaporised substance is flown through the heat exchanger 9, such as a lamella or finned tube heat exchanger in its height direction.
In Figure 3 is also shown that a device 1 comprises flow guiding plates 12a, 12b, which are arranged at least on both sides of the heat exchanger 9 functioning as a superheater in a length direction of the heat exchanger and the outer casing of the device. The flow guiding plates 12a, 12b close the space between the heat exchanger 9 and the shell 2 of the outer casing for preventing a side flow of a vaporised substance to the outlet connection 6. In Figure 4 is shown a device 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention, which device also comprises a droplet separator 14, which is arranged underneath heat exchanger 9 functioning as a superheater, in a height direction of the outer casing 2. Otherwise, the structure of a device presented in Figure 1 corresponds to a device presented in Figure 2.

Claims

Claims
1. A device (1 ) for vaporizing and superheating a substance, which comprises at least
- an outer casing, which comprises a substantially horizontal shell (2) and substantially vertical first and second end plates (3a, 3b), which are arranged at the ends of the shell,
- an inlet connection (5) for leading a substance to be vaporized into the outer casing,
- an outlet connection (6) for leading the vaporised substance out from the outer casing,
- a plate pack (4) functioning as an evaporator, which is arranged inside the outer casing, in its lower part,
- an inlet connection (7) and an outlet connection (8) for a heating substance for leading a heating substance into the plate pack functioning as an evaporator and out from it, which inlet and outlet connections are arranged at an end plate of the outer casing, and characterised in that the device (1) further comprises
- a heat exchanger (9) functioning as a superheater, which is arranged inside the outer casing, above the plate pack (4) functioning as an evaporator, wherein the vaporised substance flows through the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater to an outlet connection for leading the vaporised substance out from the outer casing,
- an inlet connection (11 ) and an outlet connection (12) for a heating substance for leading a heating substance into the heat exchanger (9) functioning as a superheater and out from it, which inlet and outlet connections are arranged at an end plate of the outer casing, and
- flow guiding plates (12a, 12b), which are arranged at least on both sides of the heat exchanger (9) functioning as a superheater in a length direction of the heat exchanger and the outer casing of the device, which flow guiding plates (12a, 12b) close the space between the heat exchanger and the outer casing for preventing a side flow to the outlet connection.
2. The device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the heat exchanger (9) functioning as a superheater has a structure of a lamella heat exchanger or finned tube heat exchanger.
3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater is arranged inside the outer casing in a horizontal plane, or in a diagonally in relation to a horizontal axis of the cross section of the outer casing.
4. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the heat exchanger (9) functioning as a superheater is formed of two parts, which each one of the parts are arranged diagonally downwards from the midpoint of the cylindrical shell toward the edges of the outer casing.
5. The device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heat exchanger (9) functioning as a superheater is arranged below the outlet connection (6) for leading the vaporised substance out from the outer casing.
6. The device according to any of the preceding claims 1 - 4, characterized in that the outlet connection (6) for leading the vaporised substance out from the outer casing is arranged to an end plate (3a, 3b) of the outer casing, wherein the said outlet connection (6) is above the heat exchanger (9) functioning as a superheater.
7. The device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heat exchanger (9) functioning as a superheater has a length that substantially correspond with the length of the plate pack (4) functioning as an evaporator and/or a length of the outer casing of the device.
8. The device according to any of the preceding claims 1-6, characterized in that the heat exchanger (9) functioning as a superheater has a length that is smaller than a length of the outer casing of the device, wherein the device comprises flow guiding plates (12a, 12b, 13a, 13b) arranged to all sides of the heat exchanger, which flow guiding plates (12a, 12b, 13a , 13b) close the space between the heat exchanger and the outer casing for preventing a side flow to the outlet connection.
9. The device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that plate pack (4) functioning as an evaporator is a circular or semi-circular plate pack.
10. The device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device further comprises a droplet separator (14), which is arranged underneath heat exchanger (9) functioning as a superheater.
11. The device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heat exchanger (9) functioning as a superheater comprises own heating substance circulation, which is separately from a circulation of the heating substance inside the plate pack (4) functioning as an evaporator.
12. The device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inlet and outlet connections (7, 8) of the plate pack functioning as an evaporator and the inlet and outlet connections (10, 11) of the heat exchanger (9) functioning as a superheater are arranged in the same end plate of the outer casing.
13. A refrigeration or heat pump system, which comprises a device according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 12.
PCT/FI2023/050651 2022-12-01 2023-11-28 Device for vaporizing and superheating a substance WO2024115813A1 (en)

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FI20226070A FI20226070A1 (en) 2022-12-01 2022-12-01 Device for vaporizing and superheating a substance

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Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2012107645A1 (en) * 2011-02-09 2012-08-16 Vahterus Oy Device for separating droplets
WO2013150175A1 (en) * 2012-04-04 2013-10-10 Vahterus Oy An apparatus for vapourising a medium and separating droplets as well as for condensing the medium
WO2018115579A1 (en) * 2016-12-19 2018-06-28 Vahterus Oy An evaporator and a method for vaporizing a substance in an evaporator
EP3637022A1 (en) * 2018-10-12 2020-04-15 Vahterus Oy An evaporator with improved droplet separation
EP4071432A1 (en) * 2020-01-14 2022-10-12 Daikin Industries, Ltd. Shell-and-plate type heat exchanger

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2012107645A1 (en) * 2011-02-09 2012-08-16 Vahterus Oy Device for separating droplets
WO2013150175A1 (en) * 2012-04-04 2013-10-10 Vahterus Oy An apparatus for vapourising a medium and separating droplets as well as for condensing the medium
WO2018115579A1 (en) * 2016-12-19 2018-06-28 Vahterus Oy An evaporator and a method for vaporizing a substance in an evaporator
EP3637022A1 (en) * 2018-10-12 2020-04-15 Vahterus Oy An evaporator with improved droplet separation
EP4071432A1 (en) * 2020-01-14 2022-10-12 Daikin Industries, Ltd. Shell-and-plate type heat exchanger

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