Heat-exchanger module with improved heat exchange and compactness, use with liquid metal and gas

Abstract

The invention relates to a heat-exchanger module with a longitudinal axis (X) comprising at least two fluid circuits, the first of which comprises at least one pair of channels (1, 2) for fluid circulation, each extending parallel to the longitudinal axis (X), wherein the two channels of a single pair are stacked on top of one another and are in communication with one another in a plurality of crossing areas (3) each defining an area for mixing the fluid with itself inside the first circuit.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present invention concerns a heat-exchanger module with at least one integrated fluid circuit.[0002]The invention relates more particularly to the production of a new type of heat-exchanger module for improving the compactness and the thermal power exchanged at equivalent head losses.[0003]Known heat exchangers comprise or at least two circuits with internal fluid circulation channels. In exchangers with a single circuit, heat is exchanged between the circuit and a surrounding fluid in which it is immersed. In heat exchangers with at least two fluid circuits, heat is exchanged between the two fluid circuits.[0004]Chemical reactors are known that employ a continuous process in which a small quantity of co-reagents is injected simultaneously at the inlet of a first fluid circuit, preferably equipped with a mixer, and the chemical product obtained is recovered at the outlet of said first circuit. Some of these known chemical reactors comprise a second, so-calle...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is a heat-exchanger module that improves heat exchange performance and increases robustness compared to previous designs. It uses a circular or oval section, which simplifies the manufacture of channels and allows for the use of an electrochemical erosion machining process. Overall, the technical effects of the invention include improved heat exchange performance and increased robustness.

Problems solved by technology

These shell and tube heat exchangers have a large volume and their compactness is therefore low.

They have reached the following main conclusions:plate heat exchangers with integrated fins are a design that is difficult to make compatible with a nuclear component;pressed plate heat exchangers, although having a high compactness and a high unit thermal power, are not compatible with a pressure difference between gas and liquid metal in the context of the nuclear reactor cooled with the latter and therefore are not robust;plate heat exchangers with machined grooves are robust and make it possible to satisfy both the thermohydraulic and thermomechanical performance requirements but for an equivalent head loss are less compact than pressed plate exchangers.

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