Heat exchange – With leakage collector
Patent
1991-09-26
1993-01-12
Rivell, John
Heat exchange
With leakage collector
165167, F28F 310, F28F 1100
Patent
active
051782073
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention concerns a plate heat exchanger for exchanging of heat from one fluid to another, comprising a stack of double-wall elements, which between themselves form flow passages for the two fluids and each one of which comprises two thin heat exchange plates, each having a central heat exchange portion and a sealing portion surrounding the same and abutting directly against corresponding portions of the other heat exchange plates. The plate heat exchanger further comprises a sealing member, which abuts sealingly against adjacent double-wall elements along the sealing portions of their respective heat exchange plates and delimits a flow passage between the double-wall elements and joining means arranged to press the double-wall elements directly against each other in the areas for the heat exchange portions of the respective plates, and indirectly against each other via the sealing members in the areas of the sealing portions of the heat exchange plates.
A plate heat exchanger of this kind is shown in WO 88/03253 and is useful for heat exchange between fluids, which must not be contaminated by each other. The stack of double-wall elements are joined together by means, which press the double-wall elements partly directly against each other in the areas for the heat exchange portions of the respective plates, partly indirectly against each other via the said sealing member in the areas of the sealing portions of the plates. As a result of this pressing of the double-wall elements together a large heat exchange contact surface is created between the heat exchange plates in each one of the double-wall elements, which means good heat. exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger. At the same time the system is rendered more secure against liquid leakage through one heat exchange plate immediately resulting in one heat exchange fluid mixing with the other.
Upon a possible leakage through a heat exchange plate in a plate heat exchanger of this kind the leaking fluid must have the opportunity to flow out of the plate heat exchanger in order to enable the leakage to be observed. In addition, a desire has been raised that a leakage has to be observed within a certain time period after the leakage has occurred.
In practice it has shown to be hard to satisfy the raised desires about a quick discovery of a leakage. The better contact there is achieved between the two heat exchange plates in each double-wall element the harder it seems to be to satisfy the said desires.
In order to facilitate for a leaking fluid to flow out to the surrounding of the heat exchanger it is possible, as shown in FR 2 454 075, to keep the heat exchange plates in each double-wall element at a distance from each other by means of a heat conducting metal wire net inserted between the heat exchange plates. However, this means that the heat conducting contact between the heat exchange plates is deteriorated and thus that the efficiency of the heat exchanger is getting lower.
The object of the present invention is to accomplish a plate heat exchanger of the kind initially described, which has a high efficiency at the same time as it makes it possible for a leakage through a heat exchange plate to be quickly observed.
This is accomplished according to the present invention in a plate heat exchanger of the kind initially described, which is characterized by at least one channel in each double-wall element between the two heat exchange plates thereof, which channel is formed between limited parts of the sealing portions of the heat exchange plates, said parts being located just opposite each other, and which extends across the sealing portions, connecting an area inside the sealing portions to the surrounding of the plate heat exchanger, remaining parts of the sealing parts abutting directly against each other.
By means of the invention it has shown to be possible to quickly observe a leakage also without keeping the heat exchange portions of the two heat exchange plates in each double-wall element at a distance from each other. It thus see
REFERENCES:
patent: 2221937 (1940-11-01), Astle
patent: 2582871 (1952-01-01), Kintner
patent: 3610331 (1971-10-01), Schreiber
patent: 4249597 (1981-02-01), Carey
patent: 4678027 (1987-07-01), Shirey et al.
Bergqvist Jan-Ove
Blomgren Ralf
Alfa-Laval Thermal AB
Leo L. R.
Rivell John
LandOfFree
Plate heat exchanger with leakage detector does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Plate heat exchanger with leakage detector, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Plate heat exchanger with leakage detector will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1214039