Plate for heat exchange and heat exchange unit

Abstract

A heat exchange plate having a pattern of irregularity is combined with the other plates to constitute a heat exchanger. The plate has main and intermediate protrusions. The main protrusions have a quadrangular pyramid shape with a top, first and second pairs of side surfaces. The first and second pairs of side surfaces face each other in the first and second directions. The main protrusions are aligned in these directions so that these pairs of surfaces of the main protrusion face the corresponding surfaces of adjacent protrusions. The intermediate protrusion is placed between adjacent main protrusions and has opposite foot portions and a head ridge placed between them. The foot portion is placed in a lowermost position at which ridgelines of the adjacent two main protrusions intersect. The head ridge is placed in a level higher than the foot portions, but lower than the top of the main protrusion.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a plate for heat exchange, which is formed from a metallic thin plate and combined with the other plates in an aligned state into a heat exchanger, and especially to the heat exchange plate, which enables, in use in combination with the other plates, heat exchange fluids to slow smoothly along the opposite surfaces of the heat exchange plate to make an effective heat exchange, irrespective of a flowing system such as a parallel flowing system in which the heat exchange fluids flow in parallel with each other, a counter-flowing system in which the heat exchange fluids flow in the opposite directions to each other, and a cross flowing system in which the heat exchange fluids flow in perpendicular directions to each other, and relates to a heat exchange unit in which such a heat exchange plate and the other plates are combined. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] If there is...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides a heat exchange plate with a pattern of irregularity that allows for flexibility in use in flowing systems and ensures a sufficient heat transfer performance relative to fluids. The plate has main protrusions and intermediate protrusions that create a bend roof shape, providing linear passages that cross each other at right angles. The plate can be combined with other plates to create a heat exchanger with the desired heat transfer properties. The heat exchange plate is formed of a metallic plate member with the pattern of irregularity, which includes the main protrusions and intermediate protrusions. The plate member can be combined with other plates in a perpendicular or parallel flowing system. The heat exchange plate is flexible, has a high heat transfer performance, and can be used in a variety of heat exchanger designs. The plate member also has a pattern of irregularity that allows for the heat exchange fluid to flow in an oblique direction, improving heat transfer and reducing pressure loss. The heat exchange plate is formed of a metallic plate member with the pattern of irregularity, which includes the main protrusions and intermediate protrusions. The plate member can be combined with other plates in a perpendicular or parallel flowing system. The technical effects of the invention include improved heat transfer performance, flexibility in use, and compatibility with different flowing systems."

Problems solved by technology

However, a high pressure of the heat exchange fluid flowing between the plates may cause deformation of the gasket member, thus disabling an appropriate separation of the fluids from being ensured or leading to an unfavorable variation in distance between the plates.

In such a case, an effective heat exchange may not be carried out, thus causing a problem.

In view of these facts, the conventional heat exchanger involves a problem that the heat exchange fluids can be utilized only in a pressure range in which the gasket member withstands.

When the plates having the pattern of irregularity, which has been optimized exclusively for the flowing system to be applied originally, are applied to the different flowing system, variation in flowing conditions may occur to deteriorate the heat transfer performance, thus leading to a lower heat exchange efficiency and increase in pressure loss.

However, the inflow divergent area and the outflow condensation area having patterns of irregularity, in which importance is placed generally on the guiding performance for the fluids, do not provide a sufficient heat transfer performance.

The excellent heat transfer performance cannot be provided by these areas, with the result that an effective area utilized for heat transfer is relatively small to the total area of the plate, thus causing waste in space of occupancy and cost.

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