U.S. patent application number 11/619435 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-03 for plate heat exchanger with auxiliary fluid circuit.
This patent application is currently assigned to Alfa Laval Corporate AB. Invention is credited to Gregory L. Schmelz.
Application Number | 20080156466 11/619435 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39582250 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080156466 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schmelz; Gregory L. |
July 3, 2008 |
Plate Heat Exchanger With Auxiliary Fluid Circuit
Abstract
A plate heat exchanger comprising a first fluid (cooling media)
supply channel and a first fluid discharge channel arranged though
a heat plate package; with at least one second fluid (hot media)
supply channel and at least one second fluid discharge channel also
arranged through the heat plate package. The plate heat exchanger
further comprises the addition of one or more auxiliary fluid heat
exchange circuits including a conduit heat exchanger adapted to fit
inside either the first fluid supply or discharge channels when
acting as an after cooler, or the second fluid supply or discharge
channel when acting as a pre-heater.
Inventors: |
Schmelz; Gregory L.;
(Freetown, IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FISH & RICHARDSON P.C.
P.O. BOX 1022
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55440-1022
US
|
Assignee: |
Alfa Laval Corporate AB
|
Family ID: |
39582250 |
Appl. No.: |
11/619435 |
Filed: |
January 3, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
165/41 ; 165/140;
165/167 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28D 9/0093 20130101;
F28D 7/06 20130101; F28F 3/083 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/141 ;
165/140 |
International
Class: |
F28D 7/10 20060101
F28D007/10; F28D 7/00 20060101 F28D007/00 |
Claims
1. A plate heat exchanger comprising a plurality of heat exchange
plates including two end plates; a first liquid supply port through
one of the end plates and in communication with a first liquid
supply channel through the plurality of heat exchange plates; a
first liquid discharge port connected through one of the end plates
and in communication with a first liquid discharge channel through
the plurality of plates; at least one second liquid supply port
connected through one of the end plates and in communication with a
second liquid supply channel through the plurality of plates; at
least one second liquid discharge port connected through one of the
end plates and in communication with a second liquid discharge
channel through the plurality of plates; and a conduit heat
exchanger fixedly connected to one of the end plates and in
communication with either the first fluid supply channel, the first
fluid discharge channel, the second fluid supply channel, or the
second fluid discharge channel, the conduit heat exchanger further
comprising; a conduit having a supply and return; a flange for
fixedly connecting to a port on the end plate; a supply connection
extending outwardly from the flange and in communication through
the flange with the supply of the conduit; and a return connection
extending outwardly from the flange and in communication through
the flange with the return of the conduit.
2. The plate heat exchanger of claim 1 wherein the conduit extends
from the flange into the first liquid discharge channel, the first
liquid supply channel, the second liquid discharge channel, or the
second liquid supply channel.
3. The plate heat exchanger of claim 1 wherein the conduit heat
exchanger cools a fluid flowing through the conduit.
4. The plate heat exchanger of claim 1 wherein the conduit heat
exchanger warms a fluid flowing through the conduit.
5. The plate heat exchanger of claim 1 further comprising a pipe
connected to either the first liquid discharge port, the first
liquid supply port, the second liquid discharge port, or the second
liquid supply port, wherein the conduit heat exchanger is connected
to the pipe.
6. The plate heat exchanger of claim 5 further comprising a
strainer connected to the pipe, wherein the conduit heat exchanger
is connected to the strainer.
7. The plate heat exchanger of claim 5 wherein the conduit extends
through the pipe but not into either the first liquid discharge
channel, the first liquid supply channel, the second liquid
discharge channel, or the second liquid supply channel.
8. The plate heat exchanger of claim 5 wherein the conduit heat
exchange cools a fluid flowing through the conduit.
9. The plate heat exchanger of claim 5 wherein the conduit heat
exchange warms a fluid flowing through the conduit.
10. A plate heat exchanger comprising a plurality of heat exchange
plates including two end plates; a first liquid supply port through
one of the end plates and in communication with a first liquid
supply channel through the plurality of heat exchange plates; a
first liquid discharge port connected through one of the end plates
and in communication with a first liquid discharge channel through
the plurality of plates; at least one second liquid supply port
connected through one of the end plates and in communication with a
second liquid supply channel through the plurality of plates; at
least one second liquid discharge port connected through one of the
end plates and in communication with a second liquid discharge
channel through the plurality of plates; an end plate port through
one of the end plates, the end plate port being in communication
with either the first liquid discharge channel, the first liquid
supply channel, the second liquid discharge channel, or the second
liquid supply channel; and a conduit heat exchanger fixedly
connected to the end plate port, the conduit heat exchanger further
comprising; a conduit having a supply and return; a flange for
fixedly connecting to a port on the end plate; a supply connection
extending outwardly from the flange and in communication through
the flange with the supply of the conduit; and a return connection
extending outwardly from the flange and in communication through
the flange with the return of the conduit.
11. The plate heat exchanger of claim 10 wherein the conduit heat
exchange cools a fluid flowing through the conduit.
12. The plate heat exchanger of claim 10 wherein the conduit heat
exchange warms a fluid flowing through the conduit.
13. The plate heat exchanger of claims 10 wherein the conduit heat
exchanger further comprises a sacrificial anode.
14. The plate heat exchanger of claim 10 wherein the conduit and
flange are comprised of titanium, copper-nickel alloy, stainless
steel, bronze, or alloy C-276.
15. The plate heat exchanger of either claim 10 wherein a fluid
flows through the conduit, the fluid servicing a ship's propulsion
equipment.
16. The plate heat exchanger of either claim 10 wherein a fluid
flows through the conduit, the fluid servicing a ship's maneuvering
equipment.
17. The plate heat exchanger of either claim 10 wherein a fluid
flows through the conduit, the fluid servicing a ship's auxiliary
equipment.
18. The plate heat exchanger of either claim 10 wherein a fluid
flows through the conduit, the fluid being diesel oil, fuel oil,
machinery lubrication oil, hydraulic fluid, oil purification supply
or return oil, fresh water, sea water, black water, grey water,
potable water, or waste water.
19. A plate heat exchanger comprising a plurality of heat exchange
plates including two end plates; a first liquid supply port through
one of the end plates and in communication with a first liquid
supply channel through the plurality of heat exchange plates; a
first liquid discharge port connected through one of the end plates
and in communication with a first liquid discharge channel through
the plurality of plates; a second liquid supply port connected
through one of the end plates and in communication with a second
liquid supply channel through the plurality of plates; at second
liquid discharge port connected through one of the end plates and
in communication with a second liquid discharge channel through the
plurality of plates; a third liquid supply port connected through
one of the end plates and in communication with a third liquid
supply channel through the plurality of plates; at third liquid
discharge port connected through one of the end plates and in
communication with a third liquid discharge channel through the
plurality of plates; an end plate port through one of the end
plates, the end plate port being in communication with either the
first liquid discharge channel, the first liquid supply channel,
the second liquid discharge channel, the second liquid supply
channel; the third liquid discharge channel or the third liquid
supply channel; and a conduit heat exchanger fixedly connected to
the end plate port, the conduit heat exchanger further comprising;
a conduit having a supply and return; a flange for fixedly
connecting to a port on the end plate; a supply connection
extending outwardly from the flange and in communication through
the flange with the supply of the conduit; and a return connection
extending outwardly from the flange and in communication through
the flange with the return of the conduit.
20. The plate heat exchanger of claim 19 wherein the conduit
extends from the flange into any of the first liquid discharge
channel, the first liquid supply channel, the second liquid
discharge channel, the second liquid supply channel, the third
liquid discharge channel, or the third liquid supply channel.
21. The plate heat exchanger of claim 19 further comprising two or
more conduit heat exchangers.
22. The plate heat exchanger of claim 21 wherein at least one of
the two or more conduit heat exchangers cools a fluid.
23. The plate heat exchanger of claim 21 wherein at least one of
the two or more conduit heat exchangers warms a fluid.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to heat exchangers and more
specifically concerns a plate heat exchanger comprising a plurality
of heat exchange plates including various fluid supply channels and
discharge channels arranged through the plurality of heat exchange
plates. At least one conduit heat exchanger is connected to extend
at least partially through one or more of the fluid discharge
channels or the supply channels.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Typical plate heat exchangers may accommodate a first fluid
acting as a cooling media and multiple second fluids acting as a
hot media. Plate heat exchangers are commonly used to cool
machinery lubricating oil, engine jacket cooling water, and other
fluids. Currently, in order to add an additional fluid circuit to
an existing plate heat exchanger, one must add a series of blocking
plates and appropriately configured heat exchange plates to the
existing plate heat exchanger unit, adding both space and weight to
the unit. This can be detrimental to engine mounted units, and may
be cost prohibitive. There exists a need to add a fluid circuit to
a plate heat exchanger without reconfiguring the plate package or
significantly adding to the size or weight of the plate heat
exchanger.
PRIOR ART
[0003] WO 2005/054758 A1 discloses a heat exchange device including
a plate heat exchanger, wherein the plate heat exchanger includes a
plate package of heat transfer plates, which are arranged to form
between the plates first passages for a heat transfer medium to be
cooled and second passages for a cooling agent. The heat exchanger
device includes a fixed conduit extending into an inlet channel for
the cooling agent. The conduit forms part of the evaporator circuit
of a refrigeration system.
SUMMARY
[0004] A plate heat exchanger is provided having an auxiliary fluid
circuit. The auxiliary fluid circuit is particularly suitable for
after cooling or pre-heating fluids used in a machinery
arrangement. A plate heat exchanger of the type typically known in
the art has a first fluid (cooling media) supply channel and a
first fluid discharge channel running through the heat plate
package. The plate heat exchanger also has at least one second
fluid (hot media) supply channel and at least one second fluid
discharge channel running through the heat plate package. The
invention further comprises the addition of one or more auxiliary
fluid heat exchange circuits including a conduit heat exchanger
adapted to fit inside either the first fluid supply or discharge
channels when acting as an after cooler, or the second fluid supply
or discharge channel when acting as a pre-heater.
[0005] Plate heat exchangers having a conduit heat exchanger
servicing an auxiliary fluid, circuit, as further disclosed below,
provide for cost, space and weight savings over current solutions
for adding a fluid circuit to a plate heat exchanger. The plate
heat exchanger contemplated herein presents advantages over the
prior art by utilizing the previously unused space in either the
first fluid flow channels or the second fluid flow channels,
similar to placing a shell-and-tube heat exchanger within the fluid
flow channels of a traditional plate-type heat exchanger.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 discloses a schematic exploded view of an embodiment
of a plate heat exchanger device according to the invention.
[0007] FIG. 2 discloses a side view of an embodiment of a conduit
heat exchanger of the plate heat exchanger device according to the
invention.
[0008] FIG. 3 discloses a side view of an embodiment of a conduit
portion of the heat exchanger device according to the
invention.
[0009] FIG. 4 discloses a side view of another embodiment of a
conduit portion of the heat exchanger device according to the
invention.
[0010] FIG. 5 discloses a top view of an embodiment of a plate heat
exchanger device according to the invention.
[0011] FIG. 6 discloses a schematic exploded view of an embodiment
of a multi-circuit plate heat exchanger device according to the
invention.
[0012] FIG. 7 discloses a top view of an embodiment of a
multi-circuit plate heat exchanger of the device according to the
invention.
[0013] FIG. 8 discloses a schematic exploded view of another
embodiment of a plate heat exchanger device according to the
invention.
[0014] FIG. 9 discloses a schematic exploded view of an
after-cooler embodiment of a plate heat exchanger device according
to the invention.
[0015] FIG. 10 discloses a schematic exploded view of a pre-cooler
embodiment of a plate heat exchanger device according to the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] Plate heat exchangers are commonly used as lubricating-oil
coolers and engine jacket water coolers, though they may also
commonly be used to cool a variety of other fluids. As shown in
FIG. 1, a plate heat exchanger 10 consists of the front end plate
13, the heat transfer plates 12 forming heat plate package 11, the
back end plate 14, one or more tie bolts 15, and the carrier rail
16. The inlet and the outlet for the cooling fluid, such as
seawater or cooling tower water, and the heat exchange medium, such
as lubricating oil or engine jacket water, may be on the same end
plate of the plate heat exchanger, for example, front end plate 13.
Alternatively, the cooling fluid and heat exchange media (hot
fluid) may enter and discharge from opposite ends of the heat
exchanger unit, for example, fluid supply entering the unit through
front end plate 13 and discharging through back end plate 14.
Various other combinations and arrangements of supply and discharge
are known in the art.
[0017] The cooling media is separated from one or more hot fluids
by the heat exchange plates 12. Each plate 12 contains a gasket
(not shown) that fits into grooves pressed in the plate and in the
nozzle ports. The gasket prevents the two fluids from mixing. The
gasket may be vented to the atmosphere to permit leaks to be
readily detected. The heat exchange plates 12 are sandwiched
between the front end plate 13 and the back end plate 14 by tie
bolts 15. The plurality of heat exchanger plates together form
plate package 11. The tie-bolts 15 may include screw-threads and
the plate package 11 may, therefore, be compressed by nuts 17
threaded on to the tie-bolts 15. The number of tie-bolts 15
employed typically varies depending on the specific design and
application of the plate heat exchanger 10, as is known in the art.
Alternatively, the plates 12 together with the end plates 13 and 14
may be brazed to a plate package where the braze joints keep the
plate package together and maintain the required pressure needed
for the assembly.
[0018] Plate heat exchangers involve at least two fluids, a first
fluid acting as a cold or cooling media, and a second fluid as the
hot media. Additional fluids may also be served by the plate heat
exchanger depending on the heat load and heat transfer requirements
of the fluids involved. For example, a plate heat exchanger may use
a cooling agent, such as raw water, to service two separate hot
media, such as one circuit of lube oil, and a second circuit of
engine jacket water.
[0019] The heat transfer in a plate heat exchanger is primarily
accomplished with heat exchange plates 12. Heat exchange plates 12
may vary in design, as is commonly known in the art, and typically
include a thin sheet of metal precision pressed into corrugated
patterns or chevrons. The corrugation pattern, depth, shape and
angle are specific to individual manufacturers.
[0020] Each heat exchange plate 12 also includes a first liquid
supply port 26, a first liquid discharge port 27, and at least a
second liquid supply port 28 and a second liquid discharge port 29.
As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 5, when heat exchange plates 12 are
arranged together to form heat plate package 11, the first liquid
supply ports 26 of each plate form a first liquid supply channel 36
through the heat plate package 11. Similarly, first liquid
discharge channel 37, second liquid supply channel 38, and second
liquid discharge channel 39 are formed through heat plate package
11.
[0021] The flow paths of the first liquid and second liquid may
vary according to the design of the plate heat exchanger. In an
implementation, the supply and discharge of the first and second
liquids may flow through the front end plate 13. As such, front end
plate 13 includes first liquid supply port 46, first liquid
discharge port 47, second liquid supply port 48, and second liquid
discharge port 49. Additionally, an inspection or access port may
be provided on back end plate 14. FIG. 1 illustrates back end port
57 arranged to provide access to first liquid discharge channel 37
through back end plate 14. Alternatively, an inspection or access
port similar to back end port 57 may be arranged to provide access
to any of the supply or discharge channels running through heat
plate pack 11, such as first liquid supply channel 36, second
liquid supply channel 38 or second liquid discharge channel 39.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that an access port may be
arranged on either front end plate 13 or back end plate 14
depending on the supply and discharge arrangements of the fluids
involved.
[0022] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that any number of
fluid channels may be formed in heat plate package 11. Additional
fluid channels may be added to existing heat plate exchangers by
adding a partition plate and the appropriate number of properly
configured heat exchange plates 12 as are required for the
additional heat load as well as properly configured end plates.
This process, however, requires reconfiguration of the plate
package, adds additional weight and bulk to the plate heat
exchanger, and may be cost prohibitive.
[0023] In one implementation, a conduit heat exchanger 100 is
configured to fit into, for example, either first liquid supply
channel 36, first liquid discharge channel 37, second liquid supply
channel 38, or second liquid discharge channel 39, thereby allowing
for the inclusion of an additional heat exchange fluid circuit
without the aforementioned additional heat exchange plates to the
plate heat exchanger unit. By utilizing the previously unused space
in the fluid flow channels of the plate heat exchanger unit, the
current invention provides an economical and space saving solution
for cooling or heating particular fluids as described in more
detail below.
[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, conduit heat exchanger 100 includes
U-tube conduit 110 having a conduit supply portion 114, conduit
bend 116, and conduit return portion 118. U-tube conduit 110
secures to connecting flange 102 by fixing supply portion 114
through flange supply port 104 and return portion 118 to flange
return port 108. Extending outwardly from supply port 104 is supply
connection 124. Supply connection 124 is configured to be connected
to an auxiliary fluid supply source line 134. Also extending
outwardly from flange return port 108 is return connection 128.
Return connection 128 is configured to be connected to an auxiliary
fluid return service line 138. Connections 124 and 128 to auxiliary
fluid lines 134 and 138 may be by any conventional means including
brazing, welding, flexible connection, quick-release connection,
threaded connection, or the like.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 3, U-tube conduit 110 may alternatively
include surface-enlarging features, for instance in the forms of
extensions 111, which are provided on the conduit supply portion
114 and conduit return portion 118. Extensions 111 extend
substantially radially outwardly from U-tube conduit 110.
Variations of extensions 111 are commonly known in the art and
contemplated herein. It is also possible to achieve a surface
enlarging effect on U-tube conduit 110 in other ways, for instance
through embossing of the surface of the conduit portions 114, 116,
and 118. Such surface enlarging features allow for more efficient
heat transfer between the liquid surrounding the U-tube conduit 110
and the fluid flowing through U-tube conduit 110. Alternatively,
FIG. 4 depicts conduit portion 110 constructed with an extended
path which is significantly longer than double the distance between
connecting flange 102 and conduit bend portion 116.
[0026] Conduit heat exchanger connecting flange 102 is further
configured to secure over a port on front end plate 13 or back end
plate 14. For example, connecting flange 102 may be secured to
first liquid discharge port 47, or back end port 57. Securing
connecting flange 102 to a port on front end plate 13 or back end
plate 14 may be by any conventional means including welding,
brazing, bolting, or the like. Flange 102 may also be secured to a
port on front end plate 13 or back end plate 14 by threading flange
102 and receivable threading the port on front end plate 13 or back
end plate 14. A gasket may be included between flange 102 and
around the port on front end plate 13 or back end plate 14 to
ensure the first or second liquid of heat exchanger 10 does not
leak through the connection between flange 102 and end plate 13 or
14.
[0027] In an implementation to provide cooling to the auxiliary
fluid flowing through conduit heat exchanger 100, conduit heat
exchanger 100 is connected to end plate port 57 so as to be in
communication with either first fluid discharge channel 37 or first
fluid supply channel 36, such that U-tube conduit 110 extends
substantially into either first fluid discharge channel 37 (as
shown in FIG. 5) or first fluid supply channel 36 (not shown). The
first fluid typically serves as the cold or cooling media in the
plate heat exchanger. The first fluid is often fresh water, sea
water, raw water, or cooling tower water, but may be any other
fluid suitable for the requirement of the machinery arrangement
involved.
[0028] In operation of an embodiment utilizing an auxiliary fluid
cooling circuit, an auxiliary fluid flows from the auxiliary fluid
supply line 134 through supply connection 124 into conduit supply
portion 114 and returns through conduit return portion 118 through
return connection 128 and into auxiliary fluid return line 138.
U-tube 110, being located in first fluid discharge channel 37, is
surrounded by the cooling media of the first fluid and heat
transfer occurs between the warmer auxiliary fluid and the cooler
first fluid. The auxiliary fluid may be any fluid suitable for the
typical machinery arrangement involved including but not limited
to; diesel oil, fuel oil, machinery lubrication oil, hydraulic
fluid, purification system supply or return oil, cargo oil, cargo
fluid, fresh water, sea water, black water, grey water, potable
water, waste water, or any other liquid servicing a particular
machinery arrangement.
[0029] In an alternate arrangement (not shown) to provide warming
to the auxiliary fluid flowing through conduit heat exchanger 100,
conduit heat exchanger 100 is connected to end plate port 57 so as
to be in communication with either second fluid discharge channel
39 or second fluid supply channel 38, such that U-tube conduit 110
extends substantially into either second fluid discharge channel 39
or second fluid supply channel 38. The second fluid typically
serves as the hot media in the plate heat exchanger. The second
fluid may be any fluid suitable for the requirement of the
machinery arrangement involved, including, but not limited to
machinery lube oil, jacket cooling water, other fresh water,
hydraulic fluid, cargo fluid, or any other heated fluid.
[0030] In operation of such an alternative arrangement utilizing an
auxiliary fluid warming circuit, an auxiliary fluid flows from the
auxiliary fluid supply line 134 through supply connection 124 into
conduit supply portion 114 and returns through conduit return
portion 118 through return connection 128 and into auxiliary fluid
return line 138. U-tube 110, being located in second fluid
discharge channel 39 or second fluid supply channel 38, is
surrounded by the hot media of the second fluid and heat transfer
occurs between the warmer second fluid and the cooler auxiliary
fluid. The auxiliary fluid may be any fluid suitable for the
typical machinery arrangement involved including but not limited
to; diesel oil, fuel oil, machinery lubrication oil, hydraulic
fluid, purification system supply or return oil, cargo oil, cargo
fluid, fresh water, sea water, black water, grey water, potable
water, waste water, or other liquid.
[0031] Because U-tube conduit 110 and parts of connection flange
102 of conduit heat exchanger 100 are immersed and surrounded by
either the first fluid or second fluid of a typical heat exchanger,
U-tube conduit 110 may include a sacrificial anode such as zinc.
Additionally, U-tube conduit 110 and connection flange 102 are made
of any material suitable for immersion in either fresh or salt
water, or other liquids such as lube oil, cargo oil, fuel oil,
black, grey or waste water, cargo fluid, or hydraulic fluid.
Materials suitable for the manufacture of U-tube conduit 110 and
connection flange 102 include materials comprising titanium,
titanium alloys, copper-nickel alloys, bronze and bronze alloys,
stainless steal, or nickel-molybdenum-chromium alloys, such as
C-276.
[0032] In another implementation, depicted in FIGS. 6 and 7,
multi-circuit plate heat exchanger 600, accommodates a first fluid
cooling media, a second fluid hot media, and a third fluid hot
media. The arrangement of multi-circuit plate heat exchanger 600 is
similar to the plate heat exchangers described above, but includes
an additional hot fluid circuit and illustrates the supply and
discharge of the third fluid through the back end plate.
[0033] Multi-circuit plate heat exchanger 600 includes front end
plate 613, two or more heat exchange plates 612, partition plate
609 and back end plate 614. Front end plate 613 includes first
fluid supply port 646, first fluid discharge port 647, second fluid
supply port 648 and second fluid discharge port 649. Back end plate
614 includes third fluid supply port 650 and third fluid discharge
port 651. Partition plate 609 is configured to allow the first
fluid cooling media to flow through the partition plate to the
remaining plate heat exchangers as is commonly known in the
art.
[0034] Heat exchanger plates 612 are configured to receive the
first fluid through first fluid supply port 636 and discharge the
first fluid through first fluid discharge port 637. The second
fluid flows into heat exchanger plates 612 through second fluid
supply port 638 and discharges through second fluid discharge port
639. The third fluid flows into heat exchanger plate 612 through
third fluid supply port 640 and discharges through third fluid
discharge port 641 (not shown).
[0035] When heat exchanger plates 612 are assembled into heat plate
package 611, first fluid supply ports 636 form first fluid supply
channel 626 in plate package 611 and are aligned with first fluid
supply port 646 on front end plate 613. Similarly; first fluid
discharge ports 637 form first fluid discharge channel 627 and are
aligned with first fluid discharge port 647 on front end plate 613;
second fluid supply ports 638 form second fluid supply channel 628
and are aligned with second fluid supply port 648 on front end
plate 613; second fluid discharge ports 639 form second fluid
discharge channel 629 and are aligned with second fluid discharge
port 649 on front end plate 613; third fluid supply ports 640 form
third fluid supply channel 630 and are aligned with third fluid
supply port 650 on back end plate 614; and third fluid discharge
ports 641 (not shown) form third fluid discharge channel 631 and
are aligned with third fluid discharge port 651 on back end plate
614. One or more tie bolts 615 may be used to compress the end
plates and heat plate package, as previously described and known in
the art.
[0036] Back end plate 614 may be fitted with a first fluid access
port 687 configured to align with and be in communication, for
example, with first fluid discharge channel 627. In an arrangement
to provide after cooling to an auxiliary fluid, conduit heat
exchanger 680, similar to the conduit heat exchanger previously
described, is connected to fit in and through first fluid access
port 687 and extend at least partially into first fluid discharge
channel 627. In operation, as the relatively warm auxiliary fluid
flows through conduit heat exchanger 680, heat is transferred to
the relatively cool first fluid discharging through first fluid
discharge channel 627 and flowing around conduit heat exchanger
680. Alternatively, first fluid access port may be positioned on
back end plate 614 to align with first fluid supply channel 626.
Back end plate 614 may also be configured with multiple access
ports, for example, one access port aligned with first fluid
discharge channel 627 and a second access port aligned with first
fluid supply channel 626.
[0037] In another implementation, plate heat exchanger 10 includes
supply and discharge pipes for the first fluid (cooling media) and
the second fluid (hot media). As depicted in FIG. 8, first fluid
discharge pipe 767 is connected by known means to first fluid
discharge port 47 on front end plate 13. Conduit heat exchanger 100
may be connected to first fluid discharge pipe 767 via a flange,
end plate, or strainer 768 as is known in the art. After conduit
heat exchanger 100 is connected to first fluid supply pipe 767,
U-tube conduit 110 may extend through first fluid discharge pipe
767, through first fluid discharge port 47 and into first fluid
discharge channel 27. Alternatively U-tube conduit 110 may extend
into first fluid discharge pipe 767 without extending into first
fluid discharge channel 27. Similarly, conduit heat exchanger 100
may be connected to supply and discharge pipes associated with
first fluid supply and second fluid supply and discharge ports.
[0038] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more
conduit heat exchangers may be fitted to a plate heat exchanger in
order to provide one or more cooling or heating circuits to a plate
heat exchanger without reconfiguration of the plate pack. For
example, a conduit heat exchanger may be fitted to the cooling
media discharge circuit and a conduit heat exchanger may be fitted
to the hot media supply circuit, as discussed above, thereby
resulting in an implementation with both an after-cooling and
pre-heating arrangement.
EXAMPLE 1
[0039] In a practical example of an implementation, and referring
to FIG. 9, a plate heat exchanger is used to cool engine lube oil
and after-cool engine diesel oil. Seawater is used as the first
fluid cooling medium. Cold seawater enters heat plate heat
exchanger 200 through seawater supply port 246 and flows through
sea water supply channel 226, which is in communication with heat
plates 212. After flowing through heat plates 212, the relatively
warm seawater flows through seawater discharge channel 227, and
exits plate heat exchanger 200 through seawater discharge port 247.
Hot engine lube oil lube enters plate heat exchanger 200 through
lube oil supply port 248 and flows through lube oil supply channel
228, which is in communication with heat plates 212. As hot lube
oil flows through heat plates 212 heat flows from the hot lube oil
to the cold seawater. The now relatively cooler engine lube oil
flows out of heat plates 212, through the lube oil discharge
channel and exits plate heat exchanger 200 through lube oil
discharge port 249.
[0040] Conduit heat exchanger 300 is fixedly connected through back
end port 257 and is in communication with seawater discharge
channel 227. Diesel oil coming from the diesel engine fuel
injectors is preferably cooled before returning to the diesel
service tank or holding tank. In accordance with one preferred
embodiment of the present invention, hot diesel fuel oil flows
through diesel return line 270 and into conduit heat exchanger 300
through conduit heat exchanger supply connection 324. As the hot
diesel oil flows through U-tube conduit 310 heat is released from
the relatively cool sea water flowing around and past U-tube
conduit 310 in sea water discharge channel 227. The cooler diesel
oil then flows out of U-tube conduit 310 through conduit heat
exchanger discharge connection 328 and into diesel oil return line
271 for return to the diesel oil service tank or holding tank.
[0041] In similar implementations, other fluids may be cooled
through conduit heat exchanger 300 of plate heat exchanger 200,
including: fluids from a ship's propulsion machinery such as main
and auxiliary propulsion diesels; maneuvering machinery such as
hydraulic thrusters, steering gear, and windlass equipment; and a
ship's auxiliary equipment such as ship's service and emergency
diesel generators, service and auxiliary boilers, evaporators, oil
purifiers, cargo transfer equipment, and the like. Specific fluids
that may be after cooled in accordance with the present invention
include: diesel oil, fuel oil, machinery lubrication oil, hydraulic
fluid, purification system supply or return oil, cargo oil, cargo
fluid, fresh water, sea water, black water, grey water, potable
water, waste water, or any other liquid servicing a particular
machinery arrangement.
EXAMPLE 2
[0042] In a practical example of an implementation, and referring
to FIG. 10, a plate heat exchanger is used to cool engine lube oil
and pre-heat evaporator feed water. Seawater is used as the first
fluid cooling medium. Cold seawater enters heat plate heat
exchanger 200 through seawater supply port 246 and flows through
seawater supply channel 226, which is in communication with heat
plates 212. After flowing through heat plates 212, the relatively
warm seawater flows through seawater discharge channel 227, and
exits plate heat exchanger 200 through seawater discharge port 247.
Hot engine lube oil lube enters plate heat exchanger 200 through
lube oil supply port 248 and flows through the lube oil supply
channel, which is in communication with heat plates 212. As hot
lube oil flows through heat plates 212 heat flows from the hot lube
oil to the cold sea water. The now relatively cooler but still warm
engine lube oil flows out of heat plates 212, through lube oil
discharge channel 229 and exits plate heat exchanger 200 through
lube oil discharge port 249.
[0043] Conduit heat exchanger 400 is fixedly connected through back
end port 257 and is in communication with lube oil discharge
channel 229. Evaporator feed water is preferably pre-heated before
it flows into the evaporator. In accordance with one aspect of the
present invention, cold evaporator feed water flows through
evaporator feed water supply line 470 and into conduit heat
exchanger 400 through conduit heat exchanger supply connection 424.
As the cold evaporator feed water flows through U-tube conduit 410,
heat is released from the relatively hot lube oil flowing around
and past U-tube conduit 410 in lube oil discharge channel 229. The
warmed evaporator feed water then flows out of U-tube conduit 410
through conduit heat exchanger discharge connection 428 and into
evaporator feed water supply line 271, and ultimately into the
ship's evaporator.
[0044] In similar implementations, other fluids may be pre-heated
through conduit heat exchanger 400 of plate heat exchanger 200,
including: fluids used in a ship's propulsion machinery such as
main and auxiliary propulsion diesels; maneuvering machinery such
as hydraulic thrusters, steering gear, and windlass equipment; and
a ship's auxiliary equipment such as ship's service and emergency
diesel generators, service and auxiliary boilers, evaporators, oil
purifiers, cargo transfer equipment, and the like. Specific fluids
that may be pre-heated in accordance with the present invention
include: diesel oil, fuel oil, machinery lubrication oil, hydraulic
fluid, purification system supply or return oil, cargo oil, cargo
fluid, fresh water, seawater, black water, grey water, potable
water, waste water, or any other liquid servicing a particular
machinery arrangement.
[0045] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various
aspects of the present invention may be applied to any number of
engineering arrangements, are not limited to the marine or
shipboard environment, and may be applied, for example, to power
generation applications utilizing cooling tower water as the
cooling medium. Other applications may include, without limitation,
pasteurization and food preparation processes, chemical and
petroleum manufacturing and processing, pharmaceutical processing,
and other industrial or engineering applications requiring an
efficient, low cost addition of a fluid circuit to a plate heat
exchanger.
[0046] The foregoing description is intended to illustrate various
aspects of the present invention. It is not intended that the
examples presented herein limit the scope of the present invention.
The invention now being fully described, it will be apparent to one
of ordinary skill in the art that many changes and modifications
can be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of
the appended claims.
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