U.S. patent application number 13/920640 was filed with the patent office on 2014-01-02 for heat exchanger with accessible core.
The applicant listed for this patent is Tranter, Inc.. Invention is credited to Albrecht G. Gruneisen, Rhorn J. John, Martin H. Kolbe, Cesar M. Romero.
Application Number | 20140000842 13/920640 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49769287 |
Filed Date | 2014-01-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140000842 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gruneisen; Albrecht G. ; et
al. |
January 2, 2014 |
HEAT EXCHANGER WITH ACCESSIBLE CORE
Abstract
In at least some implementations, a heat exchanger includes a
core and a shell. The core may have a periphery and a plurality of
plates with a plurality of passages interleaved therebetween, a
portion of the passages extending and open to the periphery of the
core. The shell includes a plurality of panels releasably connected
together to define a pressure vessel in which the core is received
in assembly, and the shell is adapted to be at least partially
disassembled to provided access to the core and enable cleaning of
the passages and the plates, or to enable repair or replacement of
the core. The shell also is adapted to be reassembled into a
pressure vessel with the core inside for further use of the heat
exchanger.
Inventors: |
Gruneisen; Albrecht G.;
(Artern, DE) ; Kolbe; Martin H.; (Schonewerda,
DE) ; Romero; Cesar M.; (Wichita Falls, TX) ;
John; Rhorn J.; (Wichita Falls, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Tranter, Inc. |
Wichita Falls |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49769287 |
Appl. No.: |
13/920640 |
Filed: |
June 18, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61661156 |
Jun 18, 2012 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
165/76 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28D 9/0012 20130101;
F28D 9/0006 20130101; F28F 9/005 20130101; F28D 9/0031 20130101;
F28F 9/001 20130101; F28F 9/0075 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/76 |
International
Class: |
F28F 9/00 20060101
F28F009/00 |
Claims
1. A heat exchanger, comprising: a core having a periphery and a
plurality of plates with a plurality of passages interleaved
therebetween, a portion of the passages extending and open to the
periphery of the core; and a shell including a plurality of panels
releasably connected together to define a pressure vessel in which
the core is received in assembly, the shell being adapted to be at
least partially disassembled to provided access to the core and
enable cleaning of the passages and the plates, or to enable repair
or replacement of the core, and the shell being adapted to be
reassembled into a pressure vessel with the core inside for further
use of the heat exchanger.
2. The heat exchanger of claim 1 wherein the panels are connected
to another component by removable fasteners.
3. The heat exchanger of claim 1 wherein the shell also includes a
plurality of posts coupled to the core and at least some of the
panels of the shell are connected to the posts.
4. The heat exchanger of claim 3 wherein panels of the shell are
connected to the posts and to another panel.
5. The heat exchanger of claim 1 wherein the panels define a
generally cylindrical shell and the plates of the heat exchanger
are circular and arranged in a stack within the shell.
6. The heat exchanger of claim 1 wherein the panels include a
plurality of side panels and a pair of end panels.
7. The heat exchanger of claim 6 wherein each side panel is
connected to both end panels.
8. The heat exchanger of claim 4 wherein the panels include a
plurality of side panels and a pair of end panels and each side
panel is connected to at least one end panel and to a post.
9. The heat exchanger of claim 3 which also includes a liner
located between the core and the shell and sealed to the shell to
prevent cross flow of working and treatment fluids flowing through
the core, and wherein the liners are disposed at least partially
around each of the posts.
10. The heat exchanger of claim 9 which also includes a plurality
of post liners with a post liner provided adjacent to each the
post, and between the post and panels connected to the post.
11. The heat exchanger of claim 8 which also comprises at least one
flow diverter extending radially outwardly from the core to the
shell to inhibit fluid flow past said at least one flow diverter
and between the shell and core.
12. The heat exchanger of claim 2 wherein the fasteners are capable
of being removed without damaging the fasteners whereby the
fasteners can be reused when the heat exchanger is reassembled.
13. A heat exchanger, comprising: a core having a periphery and a
plurality of plates with a plurality of passages interleaved
therebetween, where some of the passages define at least part of a
working fluid circuit and different passages define at least part
of a treatment fluid circuit; and a shell including a plurality of
panels releasably connected to another component to define a
pressure vessel in which the core is received in assembly, the
shell being adapted to be at least partially disassembled to
provided access to the core and the shell being adapted to be
reassembled into a pressure vessel with the core inside for further
use of the heat exchanger.
14. The heat exchanger of claim 13 wherein the panels are
releasably connected together.
15. The heat exchanger of claim 13 wherein the shell also includes
a plurality of posts coupled to the core and at least some of the
panels of the shell are connected to the posts.
16. The heat exchanger of claim 14 wherein the panels are
releasably connected to another component by removable and
reuseable fasteners.
Description
REFERENCE TO COPENDING APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 61/661,156 filed Jun. 18, 2012, which
is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to a heat
exchanger.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Conventional heat exchangers are configured to transfer heat
from a treatment fluid flowing on one side of a barrier to a
working fluid flowing on another side of the barrier. For example,
stacked plate heat exchangers include a shell for housing a
plurality of corrugated heat transfer plates. The plates are
arranged face-to-face in a stack along a longitudinal direction.
Collectively, the adjacent plates in the stack define transversely
extending passages for the treatment fluid that are interleaved
with transversely extending passages for the working fluid.
SUMMARY
[0004] In at least some implementations, a heat exchanger includes
a core and a shell. The core may have a periphery and a plurality
of plates with a plurality of passages interleaved therebetween, a
portion of the passages extending and open to the periphery of the
core. The shell includes a plurality of panels releasably connected
together to define a pressure vessel in which the core is received
in assembly, and the shell is adapted to be at least partially
disassembled to provided access to the core and enable cleaning of
the passages and the plates, or to enable repair or replacement of
the core. The shell also is adapted to be reassembled into a
pressure vessel with the core inside for further use of the heat
exchanger.
[0005] In at least some implementations, a heat exchanger may
include a core and a shell. The core may have a periphery and a
plurality of plates with a plurality of passages interleaved
therebetween, where some of the passages define at least part of a
working fluid circuit and different passages define at least part
of a treatment fluid circuit. The shell may include a plurality of
panels releasably connected to another component to define a
pressure vessel in which the core is received in assembly. The
shell is adapted to be at least partially disassembled to provided
access to the core and the shell being adapted to be reassembled
into a pressure vessel with the core inside for further use of the
heat exchanger.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The following detailed description of preferred embodiments
and best mode will be set forth with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one implementation of a heat
exchanger;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a partially exploded view of the heat exchanger of
FIG. 1;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a front view of a plurality of a plate pack that
defines part of a core of the heat exchanger;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of a plate;
[0011] FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary view of a portion of a
couple of plates of the plate pack;
[0012] FIG. 6 is a view of a portion of a plate pack including a
seal before it is attached to the plates in assembly of the heat
exchanger;
[0013] FIG. 7 is a side view of a plate pack including a seal
welded to the plate pack;
[0014] FIG. 8 diagrammatic and fragmentary view of a portion of a
plate pack to illustrate fluid flow paths within the plate
pack;
[0015] FIG. 9 is an top view of an end panel liner of the heat
exchanger;
[0016] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a circumferential liner for
an end panel;
[0017] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a post of the core;
[0018] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the post of FIG. 11
taken generally along line 12-12;
[0019] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a post of the core
including attachment posts;
[0020] FIG. 14 is a front view of a liner for the plate pack;
[0021] FIG. 15 is an end view of a liner;
[0022] FIG. 16 is a top perspective view of a liner for a post of
the core; and
[0023] FIG. 17 is an end view of the liner of FIG. 16.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0024] Referring in more detail to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates
one implementation of a heat exchanger 10 for transferring heat
between different fluids, referred to herein as a working fluid and
a treatment fluid. The treatment fluid is fed to the heat exchanger
at a different temperature than the working fluid, and heat
transfer between the fluids and the heat exchanger components
either raises or lowers the temperature of the working fluid to a
desired level. In general, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the heat
exchanger 10 may include a shell 12 defining an interior volume 14,
and a core 16 disposed within the interior volume 14. The shell 12
may have one or more sections or panels that are connected together
and/or to the core 16 to define the interior volume. The core 16
may include a pack 19 of interconnected plates 20 defining separate
fluid circuits 22, 24 (see e.g. FIG. 8) through which the treatment
and working fluids flow, respectively, to exchange heat through the
plates 20 and between the fluids. In the implementation shown, the
core 16 has a longitudinal axis 26, a periphery 28 and at least a
portion of the fluid circuits 22, 24 may extend and be open to the
periphery 28 of the core.
[0025] As best shown in FIG. 1, the shell 12 may include a
plurality of side panels, with four side panels 30, 31, 32, 33
shown. In the example of a cylindrical heat exchanger, as shown,
the side panels 30-33 may comprise arcuate plates that define
partial cylinders, each spanning approximately 90 degrees
circumferentially so that the four side panels define a
substantially complete 360 degree sidewall of the heat exchanger.
The side panels 30-33 could be formed from sections of a pipe,
rolled metal sheets or flat metal panels, by way of non-limiting
examples. The shell 12 may also include end panels 34, 35 that span
and close the gaps between the open ends defined by the side panels
30-33. The end panels 34, 35 may be generally circular plates
adapted to be coupled to the side panels 30-33 to define at least
part of the outer shell (note that in FIG. 2 the lower end panel 35
is shown attached to the core 16). Each panel 30-35 may include a
plurality of holes 36 through which fasteners 38 may be received to
releasably couple the side panels 30-33 to the core 16 and to the
end panels 34, 35, as will be described in more detail herein.
[0026] Each of the side panels 30-33 of the shell 12 may carry or
be communicated with inlet and outlet fittings adapted to convey
treatment and working fluids into and out of the heat exchanger 10,
and any suitable quantity and arrangement of fittings may be used.
For example, the first side panel 30 in one form may carry a first
fitting 39 acting as an inlet or outlet for the working fluid and a
second fitting 40 acting as a drain for the working fluid circuit.
The second side panel 31 includes a third fitting 42 acting as an
inlet or outlet for the treatment fluid and a fourth fitting 44
through which gasses may be vented from the treatment fluid
circuit. An appropriate check valve may be included in the fitting
44 or elsewhere in the vent path to allow only one way flow out of
the heat exchanger through this fitting, and, if desired, that
check valve may only open above a threshold pressure. The third
side panel 32 includes a fifth fitting 46 acting as a working fluid
outlet or inlet and a sixth fitting 48 acting as a working fluid
circuit vent. The fourth side panel 33 includes a seventh fitting
50 acting as a treatment fluid outlet or inlet and an eighth
fitting 52 acting as a treatment fluid circuit drain. In the
orientation shown, the treatment fluid flows from either
top-to-bottom or bottom-to-top and the working fluid flows from
either bottom-to-top or top-to-bottom through the heat exchanger
providing a cross flow of fluids to improve heat exchange.
[0027] The core 16 can be any suitable heat exchanger core but, as
shown, is preferably a stacked plate type of heat exchanger core.
Referring to FIGS. 2-8, the core 16 may have a plurality of
corrugated plates 20 stacked along the longitudinal axis 26. Each
plate 20 may be formed without any sharp corners or the like, if
desired, and are shown as being circular. Rectangular (or
triangular or other polygon shapes) plates with rounded corners may
also be used. In particular, in one implementation the plates 20
are arranged in a pack or stack of cassettes 54 defining a cylinder
of connected plates, as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. As best shown
in FIG. 8, each cassette 54 may have an upper plate 56 and a lower
plate 58 welded to the upper plate 56 along the plate peripheries.
Further, each upper and lower plate 56, 58 may be corrugated,
somewhat flexible and resilient. Each plate 56, 58 of a cassette 54
may be the same shape and have a peripheral edge with a transition
region 62, as best shown in FIG. 5, connecting a lower edge portion
64 with a higher edge portion 66. When one plate of a cassette 54
is inverted relative to the other plate, the lower edge portions 64
lie flat against each other and the higher edge portions 66 diverge
away from each other defining a passage 68 between the plates of a
cassette. Each passage 68 is open to the periphery of the plate
pack 19 at two diametrically opposed locations. Adjacent cassettes
54 may be welded together and, as best shown in FIG. 8, the
cassettes 54 are alternated with the transition region 62 of each
cassette 54 being disposed in the same area to provide alternating
or interleaved fluid passages. The fluid passages 68 on one side of
the transition area 62 define part of the working fluid circuit 22
and the fluid passages 68 on the other side of the transition
region 62 define part of the treatment fluid circuit. Each fluid
passage 68 may be open to the periphery of the plate pack at two
diametrically opposed locations, each edge of such an opening
defining a transition area 62 so that there are four transition
areas 62 in this embodiment of the heat exchanger 10.
[0028] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the plates 20 may include two or
more location features which are shown as bumps 70 and
corresponding recesses 72. When the bumps 70 are formed, such as by
a punch or other forming tool or process, recesses 72 are formed on
the opposite sides of the plates as the bumps. The bumps 70 from
one plate 20 may be fitted into a recess 72 of another plate 20 to
facilitate accurate alignment of the plates prior to and during the
welding of the plates 20 and cassettes 54.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 2, in addition to the plate pack 19, the
core 16 may include one or more flow diverters 73 arranged to
prevent fluid from flowing only along the periphery of the plate
pack 19 and between the plates 20 and shell 12. The flow diverters
73 may extend radially outwardly from the plates 20 and have an
outer edge 75 adapted to engage (or nearly engage) an inside
surface of an adjacent side panel 30-33 of the shell 12. The flow
diverters 73 may be provided at any and various axial heights along
the plate pack 19. In use, fluid flowing axially along the plate
pack 19 will encounter the flow diverters 73 and be directed
radially inwardly into the fluid passages 68 defined by the plates
20.
[0030] As best shown in FIGS. 6, 7, 14 and 15, the core 16 may also
include transition liners 74 that may be disposed between the shell
12 and the plate pack and may extend axially along the periphery of
the plate pack. The transition liners 74 may extend along the axial
length of the plate pack 19 and be generally C-shaped in
cross-section. In the implementation shown, four liners 74 are
provided, each spaced from adjacent liners by about 90 degrees
around the periphery of the plate pack 19. Each liner 74 is sealed
to the plate pack 19 at a transition area 62 of the plates. The
free ends 76 of the "C" of each liner 74 may extend away from the
plate pack 19 and be of a length and orientation to engage a side
panel of the shell 12 in assembly. The closed side 78 of the "C"
may be received against the plate pack 19 and may be curved to be
generally complementary to the round peripheral edge of the plates
20. A plurality of slots 80 formed in the liners 74 may be provided
to enable an outer edge of the adjacent plates 20 to extend into
the slots 80. Then, the liners 74 may be welded to the edges of the
plates 20 to provide a seal between them and prevent cross flow of
the working and treatment fluids at the transition areas 62 of the
plate pack 19. While a particular liner 74 construction and
arrangement is shown, the heat exchanger 10 may have any suitable
liner, seal or obstruction or omit the same according to design
requirements.
[0031] FIGS. 11-13 illustrate a post 82 that may be received within
the C-shaped liners 74 of the core 16, with one post 82 provided
for each liner 74, as shown in FIG. 2. Each post 82 has a back
surface 84 received against the liner 74 in assembly, side surfaces
86 received against the free ends 76 of the liner 74, a front
surface 88 exposed in the open portion of the "C" of the liners 74
and upper and lower surfaces 90. A plurality of threaded blind
bores 92 may be provided open to the front surface 88 of each post
82, in two axially extending but circumferentially spaced apart
rows. Each bore 92 in one row aligns with the holes 36 formed
through one side panel 30-33 of the shell 12 and each bore 92 in
the other row of bores aligns with the holes 36 formed through a
different side panel of the shell. In this way, two side panels of
the shell are attached to each post 82 and each side panel 30-33 is
attached to two posts 82 by a plurality of fasteners 38 as shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0032] Blind bores 94 may also be provided in the upper and lower
surfaces 90 of each post 82, with each of these bores 94 adapted to
receive an attachment rod 96 that extends axially from the post 82
as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 13. In assembly, each attachment rod 96
extends through an adjacent end panel 34, 35 of the shell 12, and
each attachment rod 96 may be threaded to receive a nut 98 that
clamps the end panels 34, 35 to the posts 82. In this way, the side
panels 30-33 and end panels 34, 35 are connected to the posts 82.
Similarly, blind bores 100 (FIG. 2) may be provided about the side
surfaces of the end panels 34, 35, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. These
bores 100 align with holes 36 formed through the side panels 34, 35
to facilitate connecting the side panels 30-33 to the end panels
34, 35 with suitable fasteners 38. In this way, a pressure tight
vessel of interconnected components can be obtained.
[0033] The end panels 34, 35, side panels 30-33 and posts 82 may be
formed of carbon steel which may provide suitable strength for the
shell 12 at a reasonable cost. However, the carbon steel may
corrode when exposed to the fluids routed through the heat
exchanger 10. To prevent such corrosion, the carbon steel
components may be enclosed or covered with suitable liners, gaskets
or seals. These components could also be coated with an
anti-corrosion substance, if desired. In the implementation shown,
the liners 74 may be formed of a material resistant to corrosion
from contact with the working and treatment fluids, such as, for
example, stainless steel. As best shown in FIGS. 7, 9 and 10, end
panel liners 102 may also be provided to prevent or reduce
corrosion of the end panels 34, 35. FIGS. 7 and 9 illustrate a
generally planar liner 102 adapted to overlie and be sealed to
(such as by welding) an inner surface of each end panel (FIG. 7
shows only one plate liner 102 but a similar liner may be provided
at the opposite end of the plate pack 19). These liners 102 may
have cutouts 104 along their periphery into which the transition
liners 74 and posts 82 extend. A circular and ring-shaped sidewall
liner 105 (FIG. 10) may also be provided for the outer side surface
of each end panel 34, 35. These liners 105 are received between the
end panels 34, 35 and side panels 30-33 in assembly. Like the
transition liners 74, these liners 102, 105 may be formed from
stainless steel or some other material resistant to corrosion with
the fluids in use of the heat exchanger 10. Of course, the heat
exchanger components also could be formed from other materials
including, by way of non-limiting examples, nickel alloys like
stainless steel, with or without any liners.
[0034] Further, FIGS. 16 and 17 show a post liner 106 which, like
the transition liner 74, may be generally C-shaped. One post liner
106 is provided for each post 82 and the post liners 106 may be
oriented in opposing direction to the transition liners 74 to
define boxes or enclosures in which the posts 82 are received. The
post liners 106 have holes 108 aligned with the bores 92 formed in
the front surface 88 of each post 82. Of course, suitable seals
and/or gaskets may be provided between the liners 74, 106 and posts
82, and/or the liners 102, 105 and panels 30-35 of the shell 12, as
desired.
[0035] Accordingly, the shell 12 consists of a plurality of side
panels 30-33, posts 82 and end panels 34, 35 that are bolted
together to form a pressure vessel. Within the pressure vessel, a
core 16 of welded together plates 20 and appropriate fluid
separators liners, seals, etc., are arranged to provide alternating
and interleaved fluid flow circuits 22, 24 for the working and
treatment fluids that maintain the fluids separate from each other
but permit heat transfer between the fluids through the heat
exchanger components. In the arrangement shown, with other
arrangements being possible, the working fluid occupies opposite
quadrants of the heat exchanger (that is, fluid enters an inlet
fitting on one side panel and exits an outlet fitting in the
opposite side panel), as does the treatment fluid, which, in
addition to the top-to-bottom flow through the heat exchanger noted
previously, contributes to the cross-flow of fluids to improve heat
exchange. Of course, the fluids may enter and exit any desired
panel, including the same panel (e.g. a fluid could enter and exit
from the same panel) depending on the arrangement of the flow
paths, any flow diverters and the like provided in the heat
exchanger.
[0036] Further, the components of the shell 12 may be releasably
connected together. In the illustrated implementation, the shell
components are held together by threaded fasteners 38, the removal
of which provides access to the core 16 generally as shown in FIG.
2, so that the plate pack/core may be cleaned, repaired or replaced
as desired. The passages in the fluid circuits of both the
treatment and working fluids may be cleaned mechanically (e.g.
scraping, scrubbing, etc), chemically (e.g. use of various
cleaners, solvents, etc), by flushing or spraying with fluid under
pressure or in any other suitable manner. Thereafter, the shell 12
may be reassembled for further use of the heat exchanger 10, such
as by reuse of the fasteners 38 or otherwise. Of course, the panels
may be connected together by other releasable mechanism(s), such as
one or more clamps, hinges or the like, in addition to or instead
of the fasteners 38.
[0037] While the forms of the invention herein disclosed constitute
presently preferred embodiments, many others are possible. It is
not intended herein to mention all the possible equivalent forms or
ramifications of the invention. It is understood that the terms
used herein are merely descriptive, rather than limiting, and that
various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or
scope of the invention.
* * * * *