Plate heat exchanger

Abstract

The invention relates to a plate heat exchanger having a plate group consisting of a plurality of heat exchanger plates (4) lying against one another and a carrier, the plate group being clamped between carrier end plates (3) of the carrier, the heat exchanger plates (4) each having a non-planar structured region with alternating elevations (6a) and depressions (6b), the heat exchanger plates (4) are arranged in the plate group so as to form at least two fluid channels (7) for the passage of at least two heat exchanger fluids, the respective heat exchanger fluids can be introduced into and discharged from the respective fluid channels (7) via the inlet and outlet channels in the plate group, and wherein a seal extends between the individual heat exchanger plates (4), in order to seal the respective fluid channels (7) and openings on the edge side and from one another, a support mask (16) is held between at least one of the external heat exchanger plates (15) of the plate pack and the respective carrier end plate (3) in a partial region (17) which at least partially covers the non-planar structured region of the respective external heat exchanger plate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a plate heat exchanger according to the preamble of claim 1 . Background Art

[0002] Plate heat exchangers usually have a plate package or plate stack consisting of a plurality of superposed heat exchanger plates. Each heat exchanger plate has a non-planar, structured, for example corrugated, profile with elevations and depressions, wherein the elevations and depressions of adjacent heat exchanger plates abut against one another, so that fluid channels for the heat exchanger fluid are formed between the heat exchanger plates. In this case, the heat exchange fluid is introduced into the fluid channels or discharged again via passages, wherein the passages are formed by openings in the heat exchanger plates that are aligned with one another.

[0003] In order to hold the heat exchanger plates together reliably even at high fluid pressures and thus ensure a fluid-tight flow of the heat exchanger fluid through the fluid channels during operation, the plate package is clamped or clamped between two support end plates of the support. By clamping, the elevations and recesses of the non-planar structured heat exchanger plates are held together even at high fluid pressures in the fluid channels. The seals in the profiled elongated sealing channels or sealing grooves in the heat exchanger plates can also be reliably pressed in the sealing grooves by clamping between the heat exchanger plates, and thus ensure a reliable seal, in particular in the edge regions of the heat exchanger plates and / or adjacent to leakage spaces next to openings in the heat exchanger plates.

[0004] This is described by way of example in EP 1 001 240 A1, in which it is additionally provided that parallelepiped-shaped spacers are arranged in the region of openings in the heat exchanger plates, the openings forming inlet and outlet passages for the heat exchanger fluid. The spacers are located in the intermediate space between the support end plate and the corresponding external heat exchanger plate. Here, the intermediate space is formed in such a way that the corresponding external heat exchanger plate is designed to be flat in the edge region below the opening or adjacent to the opening. Therefore, the corrugated profile does not continue to lead to the edge next to or below the opening in the corresponding external heat exchanger plate.

[0005] This means that the external heat exchanger plate does not rest directly against the support end plate in this edge region. As a result, pressure can be applied to the plate package only in the region of the corrugation of the heat exchanger plate without spacers, so that the elevations and recesses are held together and the fluid channels remain sealed even under high pressure. In EP 1 001 240 A1, in order to ensure that the seals in the planar, unstructured or non-corrugated edge regions of the heat exchanger plates are compressed, for example, by up to 25% in the region of the inlet and outlet passages, spacers are provided, via which pressure from the support end plate can also be transferred to the planar edge regions.

[0006] DE 699 19 540 T2 further provides that the heat exchanger plates are brazed to the base plate in the region of their corrugations and that additional reinforcing plates are brazed to the base plate below the inlet and outlet passages, which bridge the intermediate spaces. The reinforcing plates are intended to prevent the fluid from deforming the exposed plate below the respective passages under high fluid pressure and thereby damaging or destroying adjacent brazed locations.

[0007] In known plate heat exchangers, it is disadvantageous that the external heat exchanger plates are pressed against the support end plates with high strength in the non-planar structured areas. As a result, the flexibility of the support end plates is different from the flexibility of those heat exchanger plates adjacent to the external heat exchanger plates. For the external heat exchanger plates, a different support is generated under high pressure outwards (towards the support end plates) than inwards (towards the adjacent heat exchanger plates). This leads to asymmetric support, which in turn leads to the fact that the protuberances and recesses are not reliably held together under high pressure and the seals adjacent to the non-planar structured areas are not necessarily reliably sealed in the sealing channels or sealing grooves relative to the leakage space. There is therefore a risk of unwanted leakage and / or impaired operation of the plate heat exchanger under very high fluid pressures.

[0008] Further plate heat exchangers are described in the documents DD 1 43 654 A5, DE 195 40 271 C1, DE 10 2012 105 115 A1 and DE 20 2008 004 655 U1. Summary of the invention

[0009] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a plate heat exchanger which can be produced simply and which can also be operated reliably at high pressures.

[0010] This object is achieved by a plate heat exchanger according to the independent claim. The dependent claims provide preferred developments.

[0011] Therefore, according to the invention, a plate heat exchanger is provided, which has a plate package consisting of a plurality of heat exchanger plates lying against one another and a support, wherein, preferably in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner, between at least one of the external heat exchanger plates of the plate package and the corresponding support end plate of the support, a support mask is held in a partial region which at least partially covers a non-planar structured region of the corresponding external heat exchanger plate. Here, the partial region with the support mask as a non-planar structured region of the corresponding external heat exchanger plate covers, for example, a corrugated heat transfer region and / or a textured distribution region and / or a textured leakage region in a leakage space adjacent to an opening.

[0012] By means of an additional support mask, which covers at least non-planar or structured regions of the external heat exchanger plate, additional support relative to the support end plate is achieved, which has the following advantages.

[0013] Typically, the external heat exchanger plates are supported in the structured region only at the vertices that rest against the support end plates, i.e., in the elevations or recesses, depending on the viewing direction. The elevations or recesses also support the adjacent heat exchanger plates. The flexibility of the support end plates differs from the flexibility of the adjacent heat exchanger plates, so that in the case of high fluid pressures in the fluid channels formed by the elevations and recesses between the heat exchanger plates, asymmetrical deformations or tensioning can occur in the external heat exchanger plates.

[0014] This can be prevented by an additional support mask, since the support mask preferably also supports the parts of the external heat exchanger plate that do not rest on the support end plate. This ensures that the protuberances and recesses of the corresponding external heat exchanger plate are optimally pressed against the recesses or protuberances of the adjacent heat exchanger plate even in the case of high fluid pressure, or that they rest against each other in order to form a sealed fluid channel. In this case, the size of the support mask can be specifically matched to the corresponding requirements, that is, the support mask can cover only a part of the non-planar structured area of ​​the corresponding external heat exchanger plate, for example a part that is subjected to particularly high pressure loads, or can also cover the entire non-planar structured area.

[0015] Preferably, the support mask is held in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner in such a way that the support mask is immovably accommodated (in the plane of the external heat exchanger plate) in the non-planar structured region of the corresponding external heat exchanger plate. The support mask is thus oriented on the contour of the non-planar structured region and inserted into the non-planar structured region with a precise fit, so that the support mask is embedded in the non-planar structured region and preferably produces a planar surface or a surface matching the support end plate in the selected partial region, which surface is formed in this case by the apex of the non-planar structured region and the outer side of the support mask facing the corresponding support end plate.

[0016] Preferably, within manufacturing-related tolerances, the outer side of the support mask extends in a plane consisting of those vertices which face the corresponding support end plate in the partial region. This means in particular that the outer side of the support mask does not protrude beyond the vertices of the non-planar structured region which face the corresponding support end plate and are located in the partial region, or that the outer side of the support mask is not closer to the support end plate than the vertices of the non-planar structured region which face the corresponding support end plate and are located in the partial region, or that the vertices of the non-planar structured region which face the corresponding support end plate and are located in the partial region can touch the support end plate.

[0017] This ensures that both the support structure and the external heat exchanger plate can lie evenly against the support end plate in order to achieve an optimal support effect. Depending on the design, an intermediate layer or adhesive can also be located between the support end plate and the outer side of the support mask. Accordingly, it can also be provided, for example, that the support mask is connected to the corresponding support end plate in the partial region by material bonding or adhesive bonding in order to ensure a reliable connection.

[0018] This also applies to the inner side of the support mask, which can be directly placed on the external heat exchanger plate or placed via an additional intermediate layer or adhesive. Therefore, the support mask can also be connected to the external heat exchanger plate in a material-bonded manner.

[0019] In order to achieve a matching insertion of the support mask, the inner side of the support mask is preferably matched to the contour of the corresponding external heat exchanger plate located in the partial area. For this purpose, the inner side can, for example, have a contour that is complementary to the contour of the corresponding external heat exchanger plate, that is, it is structured in a complementary manner, for example, corrugated or corrugated. In addition, the contour can also be approximated, that is, the inner side has a rectangular or polygonal cross-section that matches the contour. In other words, the contour does not have to be copied identically in order to achieve an additional satisfactory support effect.

[0020] For example, it can be provided that the support mask extends between the vertices of the non-planar structured area, which face the corresponding support end plates in the partial area and has a plurality of interconnected webs, which are located between the vertices or are embedded (with a precise fit) in the non-planar structured area.

[0021] In this case, the production of the support mask is simplified, since the contour of the support mask can be oriented on the structure of the embossing tool, with which the external heat exchanger plate can also be produced. It can preferably be provided that the support mask is produced by a subtractive or additive manufacturing method, in particular by a 3D printing method and / or by milling, preferably from a dimensionally stable material, which can be metallic and / or non-metallic and is stable under the action of pressure and temperature.

[0022] In addition, preferably, the partial area in which the support mask is located or is constructed by the support mask also covers, in addition to the non-planar structured area, a sealing area above the seal, in particular a sealing area above the seal adjacent to the leakage space of the external heat exchanger plate, and / or covers a closed area above the inlet passage or outlet passage. The support structure can thus also fulfill additional supporting functions in addition to the non-planar, structured area, such as for holding the seal in its sealing groove under high pressure loads, which seals the fluid channel or the opening or the leakage area adjacent to the non-planar structured area on the edge side or relative to each other. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The present invention is further explained below with the aid of examples. It is shown that:

[0024] Figure 1A , 1B A view showing a plate heat exchanger having a plurality of heat exchanger plates or plate packages within a support;

[0025] Figure 1C Shown according to Figure 1A , 1B A top view of a heat exchanger plate of a plate heat exchanger;

[0026] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of an external heat exchanger plate showing a plate package in the region of a support end plate of the support in FIG. 1 ;

[0027] Figure 3A , 3B 3C shows a top view of a different embodiment of an external heat exchanger plate; and

[0028] Figure 4A , 4B 4C shows cross-sectional views of different embodiments of a support mask in a non-planar structured area of ​​an external heat exchanger plate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Figure 1A and 1B A plate heat exchanger 1 is shown, which has a plurality of heat exchanger plates 4 in a support 2 between two support end plates 3. Figure 1B In the finished plate heat exchanger 1 shown, these heat exchanger plates form a plate group 5. In the plate group 5, the individual heat exchanger plates 4 are stacked on top of each other and in contact with each other. The heat exchanger plates 4 each have a non-planar structured area 4a and an opening 4b, wherein the structured area 4a is as shown in FIG. Figure 1C As shown partially in FIG. 4 , it is formed in particular by a corrugated heat transfer region 4 a 1 , a textured distribution region 4 a 2 and a textured leakage region 4 a 3 adjoining the opening 4 b and the textured distribution region 4 a 2 .

[0030] Furthermore, a seal 4d is provided, which extends around the opening 4b as a sealing boss on the edge side of the corresponding heat exchanger plate 4 and around the leakage area 4a2 for forming the leakage space 4c. In order to keep the seal 4d in its desired position, a sealing groove 4e is formed in the corresponding heat exchanger plate 4, in which the seal 4d is located.

[0031] As from Figure 2As can be seen from the heat transfer area 4a1 and the textured distribution area 4a2, the non-planar structured areas 4a (4a1, 4a2 and similarly also 4a3) of the heat exchanger plates 4 are formed by elevations 6a and recesses 6b, for example by punching, wherein, in the normal stacked state, the elevations 6a of one heat exchanger plate 4 rest on the recesses 6b of the directly adjacent heat exchanger plate 4. As a result, fluid channels 7 are formed between adjacent heat exchanger plates 4, through which the heat exchanger fluid can flow.

[0032] Here, the heat exchange fluid is passed through an inlet connection 10 (eg Figure 1A ) is introduced into the inlet passage 11 located below in the plate package 5, wherein the inlet passage 11 is formed by stacked openings 4b in the heat exchanger plate 4 directly below the inlet nozzle 10. By means of the non-planar structured area 4a, in particular the distribution area 4a2 and the corresponding configuration of the opening 4b, the inlet passage 11 is in fluid communication with the fluid channel 7 to allow the introduction of the heat exchange fluid. The distribution area 4a2 serves to distribute the incoming heat exchange fluid to the corrugated heat transfer area 4a1.

[0033] In a similar manner, the opening 4b stacked in the heat exchanger plate 4 and located below the outlet pipe 12 in the corresponding support end plate 3 forms an outlet passage 13, which is in fluid communication with the outlet pipe 12. The outlet passage 13 is in fluid communication with the fluid channel 7 through the corresponding configuration of the non-planar structured area 4a, in particular the distribution area 4a2 (also referred to as the collection area at this location) and the opening 4b, wherein the distribution area 4a2 or the collection area is used to collect the heat exchange fluid from the corrugated heat transfer area 4a1. In addition, the heat exchange fluid can be discharged, so that a continuous flow of the heat exchange fluid can be achieved during operation.

[0034] like Figure 2 As shown, a support mask 16 is arranged between the outer heat exchanger plate 15 in the plate group 5 and the adjacent support end plate 3. Figure 2 In this case, the support mask 16 is located in a specific sub-region 17 of the external heat exchanger plate 15, which is located in the Figure 3A , 3B and 3C are shown in top view in different embodiments. Figure 3A In the embodiment of FIG. 1 , the partial area 17 with the support mask 16 is only in the non-planar structured area 4a of the external heat exchanger plate 15, i.e. in the distribution area 4a2, without covering the corrugated heat transfer area 4a1 (solid line). Figure 3A As indicated by the dotted line in Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the support mask 16 can also at least partially cover the corrugated heat exchanger region 4 a 1 .

[0035] according to Figure 3B In the embodiment of FIG. 1 , the partial area 17 at least partially covers the distribution area 4a2 and the leakage area 4a3 of the external heat exchanger plate 15. Therefore, the support mask 16 also extends over the sealing area 4g with the seal 4d or the sealing groove 4e, which extends in the leakage area 4a3 and between the leakage area 4a3 and the distribution area 4a2 of the external heat exchanger plate 15. Figure 3A and Figure 3B The embodiments can also be combined with one another, that is to say one or more support masks 16 can cover a large part of the allocation area 4a2 and also the leakage area 4a3.

[0036] exist Figure 3C 1 shows two partial regions 17 for each support mask 16. Here, the corresponding partial region 17 with the corresponding support mask 16 is not only located in the distribution area 4a2 and the leakage area 4a3 of the external heat exchanger plate 15, but also in the closed area 4h, which is arranged in the external heat exchanger plate 15 to replace the opening 4b. The closed area 4h is constructed, for example, in the following way, that is, the corresponding opening 4b is then closed by the cover fluid-tight. Therefore, the external heat exchanger plate 15 does not constitute the corresponding passages 11, 13 together, but closes the passages 11, 13 upward or downward, for example. The support mask 16 then also extends over the sealing area 4g with a seal 4d or a sealing groove 4e, which extends in the leakage area 4a3, between the leakage area 4a3 and the distribution area 4a2, and between the leakage area 4a3 and the closed area 4h of the external heat exchanger plate 15.

[0037] In the illustrated embodiment, the support mask 16 is flat or matches the surface of the support end plate 3 on the outer side 16a facing the corresponding support end plate 3, and matches the contour of the corresponding structured area 4a (4a1, 4a2, 4a3) of the external heat exchanger plate 15 on the other inner side 16b facing the external heat exchanger plate 15. The area of ​​the support mask 16 covering the corresponding structured area 4a (4a1, 4a2, 4a3) is formed by each tab 16c, which is located between the adjacent protrusions 6a in the formed recess 6b and also extends along the extension direction of the corresponding recess 6b. As a result, the support mask 16 is located in the external heat exchanger plate 15 in a form-fitting or force-fitting manner in the assembled state.

[0038] Depending on the viewing direction, the ridges 6a can also be considered as recesses 6b and can be viewed in reverse, in which case the ridges 6a and recesses 6b of adjacent heat exchanger plates 4 also touch. When viewed in this way, the support mask 16 for one external heat exchanger plate 15 of the plate group 5 is located in the recess 6b between the two ridges 6a, and the support mask 16 for the other external heat exchanger plate 15 of the plate group 5 is located in the ridge 6a between the two recesses 6b, while the viewing direction remains unchanged.

[0039] Furthermore, the support mask 16 is also connected in a materially bonded manner to the external heat exchanger plate 15. A materially bonded connection to the support end plate 3 can also be provided.

[0040] As in Figure 2 As shown in , the tabs 16c of the support mask 16 are constructed in the following manner, that is, the support mask 16 is emptied in the region of the protrusion 6a in the corresponding non-planar structured region 4a, especially in the region of the vertex SP of the protrusion 6a. It can be ensured that the external heat exchanger plate 15 can also continue to directly abut on the corresponding bracket end plate 3 at the vertex SP of its protrusion 6a. Therefore, the entire external heat exchanger plate 15 with all its protrusions 6a is almost steplessly abutted on the bracket end plate 3 not only in the partial area 17 with the support mask 16 but also next to the support mask 16. The individual tabs 16c are then connected to each other via a transverse connector 16d to form a single body. The transverse connector 16d extends, for example, in a groove extending in the external heat exchanger plate 15, for example, in an unused sealing groove 4e.

[0041] Between the ridges 6a or vertices SP, the support mask 16 or the tab 16c rests on the support end plate 3, wherein the outer side 16a of the support mask 16 is approximately at the height of the vertices SP of the ridges 6a, i.e., the outer side 16a and the vertices SP are located within manufacturing-related tolerances on a line or in a plane defined by the vertices SP of the ridges 6a. Between the ridges 6a or vertices SP, the support mask 16 matches the corresponding non-planar structured shape of the recess 6b. This ensures that the external heat exchanger plate 15 is also supported on the support end plate 3 via the support mask 16 between the ridges 6a and is not exposed. As a result, when the fluid pressure in the fluid channel 7 increases, asymmetric support in the direction of the support end plate 3 and in the direction of one or more adjacent heat exchanger plates 4 can be prevented or compensated. The ridges 6a and recesses 6b of the adjacent heat exchanger plates 15, 4 are thus kept in contact, and the seal 4d supported in this way also continues to be reliably retained in the sealing groove 4e.

[0042] Thus, when manufacturing the support mask 16, the non-planar, structured contour of the external heat exchanger plate 15 is reproduced in a complementary manner in the selected partial area 17 on the inner side 16b of the support mask 16, so that the areas that usually do not rest on the support end plate 3 are "filled" in the selected partial area 17 of the external heat exchanger plate 15, such as in Figure 4A Thus, the inner side 16b of the support mask 16 is matched to the embossing and geometry of the external heat exchanger plate 15, for example to the shape of the texture of the distribution area 4a2 or of the leakage area 4a3, and / or to the shape of the wave of the heat transfer area 4a1, and / or to the shape of the closed area 4h in the area of ​​the covered opening 4b.

[0043] It is not necessary to reproduce the exact contour of the selected partial region 17 on the inner side 16 b of the support mask 16, as in Figure 4B , 4C Thus, for example, it can also be provided that the non-planar structure of the external heat exchanger plate 15 is approximated by an angled or polygonal inner side 16b of the support mask 16, as in Figure 4B In the simplest case, a rectangular cross-sectional shape of the tab 16c can also be provided, as in Figure 4C As shown by way of example in FIG. , it can also provide a certain support.

[0044] The support mask 16 is preferably manufactured by a subtractive or additive manufacturing method, in particular by a 3D printing method and / or by milling. Here, the support mask 16 is made of a pressure-resistant and temperature-resistant metal or non-metal material. The material of the support mask 16 does not have to correspond to the material of the external heat exchanger plate 15.

[0045] This manufacturing method can be used to very accurately reproduce the desired contour on or through the inner side 16b of the support mask 16. Since the shape of the contour of the external heat exchanger plate 15 is formed, for example, by the shape of a corresponding tool (e.g., a pressing tool) used to manufacture the external heat exchanger plate 15, this shape can also be used in a simple manner to manufacture the support mask 16 in a corresponding manufacturing method, so that there is no need to acquire and reproduce the surface of the external heat exchanger plate 15 in a complicated manner in advance. This can avoid errors in reproduction.

[0046] Reference numerals list

[0047] 1 Plate heat exchanger

[0048] 2 Bracket

[0049] 3 Bracket end plate

[0050] 4 Heat exchanger plates

[0051] 4a Structured area of ​​the heat exchanger plate 4

[0052] Heat transfer area of ​​4a1 waveform

[0053] 4a2 Distribution area for texture

[0054] 4a3 Ripped leak area

[0055] 4b Opening in heat exchanger plate 4

[0056] 4c Leakage space in heat exchanger plate 4

[0057] 4d Seals between heat exchanger plates 4

[0058] 4e Sealing groove in heat exchanger plate 4

[0059] 4g Sealing area of ​​heat exchanger plate 4

[0060] 4h closed area

[0061] 5 Plate Group

[0062] 6a The elevation in the corresponding structured region 4a

[0063] 6b Recesses in the corresponding structured regions 4a

[0064] 7 Fluid Channel

[0065] 10 Entrance pipe

[0066] 11 Entrance Path

[0067] 12 Export control

[0068] 13 Exit Passage

[0069] 15 External heat exchanger plate

[0070] 16 Support Mask

[0071] 16a Outer side

[0072] 16b Inside

[0073] 16c splice

[0074] 16d Transverse connector

[0075] 17 Partial area

[0076] SP Vertex

Claims

1. A plate heat exchanger (1) comprising a plate package (5) consisting of a plurality of heat exchanger plates (4) lying against one another and a support (2), wherein: The plate group (5) is clamped between the support end plates (3) of the support (2), The heat exchanger plates (4) each have a non-planar structured area (4a) having alternating elevations (6a) and depressions (6b), wherein the elevations (6a) and depressions (6b) of adjacent heat exchanger plates (4) of the plate package (5) are pressed against each other and / or bear against each other, so that at least two fluid channels (7) for the passage of at least two heat exchanger fluids are formed between the heat exchanger plates (4), wherein the respective heat exchange fluid can be introduced into and discharged from the respective fluid channels (7) via inlet passages (11) and outlet passages (13) in the plate package (5), the inlet passages and outlet passages being formed by openings (4b) aligned with one another in the stacked heat exchanger plates (4), wherein seals (4d) extend between the individual heat exchanger plates (4) in order to seal the corresponding fluid channels (7) and openings (4b) on the edge sides and to one another, Features A support mask (16) is held between at least one of the external heat exchanger plates (15) of the plate package (5) and the corresponding support end plate (3) in a partial region (17) which at least partially covers the non-planar structured region (4a) of the corresponding external heat exchanger plate.

2. The plate heat exchanger (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The support mask (16) is held in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner, preferably in such a way that the support mask (16) is immovably accommodated in a non-planar structured area (4a) of a corresponding external heat exchanger plate (15) and / or is precisely inserted into a non-planar structured area (4a) of a corresponding external heat exchanger plate (15) and is surrounded by the support end plate (3).

3. The plate heat exchanger (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The outer side (16a) of the support mask (16) faces the corresponding bracket end plate (3) and preferably abuts against the corresponding bracket end plate (3), and the inner side (16b) of the support mask (16) at least partially also faces the non-planar structured area (4a) of the corresponding external heat exchanger plate (15) and preferably abuts against the non-planar structured area (4a) of the corresponding external heat exchanger plate (15).

4. The plate heat exchanger (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that: - the outer side (16a) of the support mask (16) does not protrude beyond the vertex (SP) of the non-planar structured region (4a), which vertex faces the corresponding support end plate (3) and is located in the partial region (17), and / or - the outer side (16a) of the support mask (16) is no closer to the support end plate (3) than the vertex (SP) of the non-planar structured region (4a), which vertex faces the corresponding support end plate (3) and is located in the partial region (17), and / or The apex (SP) of the non-planar structured region (4a) contacts the stent end plate (3), said apex facing the respective stent end plate (3) and being located in said partial region (17).

5. The plate heat exchanger (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that: The support mask (16) extends between the vertices (SP) of the non-planar structured area (4a), the vertices facing the corresponding support end plates (3) in the partial area (17), wherein the support mask (16) has a plurality of webs (16c), which are connected to each other by transverse connectors (16d) and are located between the vertices (SP).

6. The plate heat exchanger (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that: Towards the vertex (SP) of the corresponding support end plate (3) located in the partial area (17): a raised portion (6a) of one of the external heat exchanger plates (15) assigned to the plate package (5), and - a recess (6b) in a corresponding further external heat exchanger plate (15) assigned to the plate package (5).

7. The plate heat exchanger (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that: The outer side (16a) of the support mask (16) extends within production-related tolerances in a plane which passes through a vertex (SP) which faces the corresponding support end plate (3) in the partial region (17).

8. The plate heat exchanger (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that: The inner side (16b) of the support mask (16) matches the contour of the corresponding external heat exchanger plate (15) present in the partial area (17), preferably has a contour complementary to the partial area and / or has a rectangular or polygonal cross-section matching the contour.

9. A plate heat exchanger (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that A partial area (17) having a support mask (16) at least partially covers at least one non-planar structured area (4a) of the external heat exchanger plate (15), the non-planar structured area being selected from the group consisting of: - a corrugated heat transfer area (4a1) of an external heat exchanger plate (15), and / or - a textured distribution area (4a2) of the external heat exchanger plate (15), and / or - A textured leakage area (4a3) situated in the leakage space (4c) adjacent to the opening (4b).

10. A plate heat exchanger (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The support mask (16) is produced using a subtractive or additive manufacturing method, in particular a 3D printing method and / or by milling.

11. A plate heat exchanger (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The support mask (16) is connected in the partial region (17) to the external heat exchanger plate (15) and / or to the corresponding support end plate (3) in a materially bonded manner.

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