Tube-on-sheet heat exchanger with topological structure

Abstract

The invention relates to a topological structure plate tube type heat exchanger which comprises a first tube plate and a second tube plate which are oppositely arranged in the left-right direction, a plurality of heat exchange plate tubes are arranged between the first tube plate and the second tube plate, and the heat exchange plate tubes arranged in the same row or the same column are further connected and communicated through at least one heat exchange node distributed in the left-right direction at intervals. The heat exchange node comprises a runner main body and four connecting parts, the runner main body is connected and communicated with one heat exchange plate tube through two connecting parts which are distributed in the left-right direction at intervals, and the runner main body is connected and communicated with the other heat exchange plate tube through the other two connecting parts which are distributed in the left-right direction at intervals. The heat exchange plate tubes in the heat exchanger are connected and communicated through the heat exchange nodes, the geometric limitation of traditional flow channel design is broken through, the effective heat transfer area is increased, fluid disturbance is improved, and therefore the heat transfer coefficient is increased; and the topological structure can distribute thermal load more uniformly, avoid local hot spots and reduce overall thermal resistance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the fields of oil refining, chemical industry, and more particularly to a topological structure plate and tube heat exchanger. Background Art

[0002] The performance of a heat exchanger has a direct impact on the efficiency and service life of the equipment. At the same time, the heat exchanger's heat transfer capacity and pressure loss, among other properties, are largely dependent on the flow path conditions within the heat exchanger. Designing a high-performance heat exchanger is a challenging task that requires consideration of various factors, such as efficiency, energy consumption, and fluid separation. Traditional heat exchangers with simple shapes, such as plates and tubes, have limitations that make them inadequate for effectively handling the increasing heat loads generated by modern equipment. It is necessary to introduce innovative structures for high-performance heat exchangers that offer better flow and heat transfer performance to cope with the increasing heat loads. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a topological plate-and-tube heat exchanger, which increases the flow path and flow range of the fluid by adding heat exchange nodes between adjacent heat exchange plate tubes, and realizes connection and conduction between adjacent heat exchange tubes at different positions in the fluid flow direction through the heat exchange nodes, thereby having better heat exchange performance.

[0004] The objectives of the present invention and the technical problems solved therein are achieved by adopting the following technical solutions. According to the present invention, a topological plate-and-tube heat exchanger comprises a first tube sheet and a second tube sheet arranged opposite each other in the left-right direction, with a plurality of heat exchange plate tubes disposed between the first tube sheet and the second tube sheet. The heat exchange plate tubes arranged in the same row or column are further connected and conducted via at least one heat exchange node spaced apart in the left-right direction. The heat exchange node comprises a flow channel body and four connecting portions disposed on one side of the flow channel body. The flow channel body is connected and conducted to one heat exchange plate tube via two of the connecting portions spaced apart in the left-right direction, and is connected and conducted to another heat exchange plate tube via the other two connecting portions spaced apart in the left-right direction.

[0005] The purpose of the present invention and the solution to its technical problems can be further achieved by adopting the following technical measures.

[0006] In the aforementioned topological plate-and-tube heat exchanger, adjacent heat exchange nodes are connected and conducted.

[0007] The plate-and-tube heat exchanger of the aforementioned topological structure realizes that the heat exchange nodes connecting the two heat exchange plates and tubes are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the two heat exchange plates and tubes.

[0008] The plate-and-tube heat exchanger of the aforementioned topological structure is fixedly connected between two heat exchange nodes symmetrically distributed on both sides of the two heat exchange plates and tubes via connectors.

[0009] In the aforementioned topological plate-and-tube heat exchanger, the main flow channel of the heat exchange node includes a first flow channel extending parallel to the heat exchange plate tube, one side of the first flow channel is connected to the two heat exchange plate tubes through a connecting portion, and the other side is connected to the second flow channel through two connecting portions, and the size of the second flow channel is smaller than that of the first flow channel.

[0010] In the aforementioned topological plate-and-tube heat exchanger, the connection portions on both sides of the first flow channel are spaced apart and distributed in the middle portion of the first flow channel extending in the left-right direction.

[0011] In the aforementioned topological plate-and-tube heat exchanger, the side of the second flow channel facing away from the first flow channel is further connected to the other two heat exchange plate tubes through four connecting portions.

[0012] In the aforementioned topological plate-and-tube heat exchanger, the flow channel body is parallel to the heat exchange plate tube, two connecting parts are connected to the left end of the flow channel body, and the other two connecting parts are connected to the right end of the flow channel body. The connecting parts are curved pipes that achieve smooth communication between the flow channel body and the heat exchange plate tube.

[0013] In the aforementioned topological plate-and-tube heat exchanger, the other side of the flow channel body is connected to two heat exchange plate tubes via another four connecting portions.

[0014] In the aforementioned topological plate-and-tube heat exchanger, the cross section of the heat exchange plate and tube is rectangular.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has obvious advantages and beneficial effects. By means of the above technical solution, the present invention can achieve considerable technological advancement and practicality, and has wide industrial application value. It has at least the following advantages:

[0016] The heat exchange plates and tubes of the present invention are connected through multiple heat exchange nodes, so that the first heat exchange medium can flow freely between different heat exchange plates and tubes, thereby making the heat exchanger have the following characteristics:

[0017] 1) Improved heat transfer efficiency, significantly improving heat transfer efficiency by optimizing flow channels and heat transfer: The flow channels adopt features such as fractal and multi-level branches to break the geometric limitations of traditional designs, increase the effective heat transfer area or improve fluid disturbance, thereby increasing the heat transfer coefficient; reducing thermal resistance, and the topological structure can more evenly distribute the heat load, avoid local hot spots, and reduce overall thermal resistance.

[0018] 2) Reduce pressure drop and energy consumption, minimizing flow resistance: Topology optimization can balance heat transfer and flow resistance, creating streamlined flow paths and reducing unnecessary flow separation, thereby reducing pressure drop and saving pump work. For the same heat transfer capacity, optimizing the topological heat exchanger plate and tube design can reduce fan / pump power consumption and improve overall system energy efficiency.

[0019] 3) High reliability and ease of use. The bus structure is simple, not prone to clogging, and highly reliable. If a new node needs to be added, simply connect it at any point in the heat exchanger plate and tube bus. Easy to install, with minimal technical requirements. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a plate and tube heat exchanger with a topological structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A partial enlarged view of

[0022] Figure 3 A top view of a heat exchange element according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a front view of a heat exchange element according to embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 5 Schematic cross-sectional view of a heat exchange element according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 6 This is a top view of a heat exchange element according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 7 This is a front view of a heat exchange element according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a heat exchange element according to embodiment 3 of the present invention.

[0028]

Main component symbol description

[0029] 1: First tube sheet

[0030] 2: Fluid inlet

[0031] 3: Heat exchange node

[0032] 4: Second tube sheet

[0033] 5: Heat exchange plate and tube

[0034] 6: Fluid outlet

[0035] 7: Connectors DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] To further illustrate the technical means and effects adopted by the present invention to achieve the predetermined purpose of the invention, the following, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments, describes in detail the specific implementation, structure, characteristics and effects of the topological plate and tube heat exchanger proposed in accordance with the present invention.

[0037] See also Figure 1 and Figure 2, which is a schematic diagram of the structure of a topological plate-and-tube heat exchanger of the present invention. The heat exchanger includes a shell, the right side panel of which is a first tube sheet 1, and the left side panel is a second tube sheet 4. A plurality of heat exchange plate tubes 5 are provided between the first tube sheet 1 and the second tube sheet 4. The inlet end of each heat exchange plate tube 5 is connected to the first tube sheet 1, and the first heat exchange medium input from the outside is transported to the heat exchange plate tube 5 through the first tube sheet 1; the outlet end of the heat exchange plate tube 5 is connected to the second heat exchange plate tube 4, and the first heat exchange medium after heat exchange is transported to the second heat exchange plate tube 4, and the first heat exchange medium after heat exchange is discharged through the second heat exchange plate tube 4. In this embodiment, the first heat exchange medium is cold air, which enters the first tube sheet 1 through the inlet of the first tube sheet 1, then enters each heat exchange plate tube 5 through the first tube sheet 1, then enters the second tube sheet 4 through the heat exchange plate tube 5, and finally flows out through the air outlet on the second tube sheet 4.

[0038] The upper end surface of the shell is further provided with a fluid inlet 2 for the entry of a second heat exchange medium, and the lower end surface is further provided with a fluid outlet 6 for the exit of the second heat exchange medium. In this embodiment, the second heat exchange medium is high-temperature flue gas, which enters the shell of the heat exchanger through the fluid inlet 2, and then flows toward the fluid outlet 6 through the gaps between the heat exchange plate tubes 5, and contacts and exchanges heat with the outer walls of the heat exchange plate tubes 5 during the flow process.

[0039] In the embodiment of the present invention, the direction of arrangement along the front-to-back direction in the shell 1 is defined as a row, and the direction of arrangement along the top-to-bottom direction of the shell (the flow direction of the second heat exchange medium) is defined as a column. The heat exchange plate tubes 5 distributed in the same row are also connected and conducted through at least one heat exchange node 3. The heat exchange node 3 includes a flow channel body 31 extending along the length direction of the heat exchange plate tube 5 and a connection portion 32 distributed on one side of the flow channel body. In the flow direction of the first heat exchange medium in the heat exchange plate tube 5, the rear end of the flow channel body 31 is connected and conducted to a heat exchange plate tube 5 through two connection portions 32, and the front end is also connected and conducted to a heat exchange plate tube 5 through two connection portions 32, so that the flow channels between the heat exchange plate tubes 5 can be connected. In this embodiment, each heat exchange node 3 has two inlets and two outlets.

[0040] See also Figure 3-Figure 5, which is a structural diagram of the connection between the heat exchange plate tube 5 and the heat exchange node 3 in an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, in the same row, adjacent heat exchange plate tubes 5 are connected and conducted through the heat exchange node 3, and the two ends of the same heat exchange node 3 are respectively connected and conducted with different positions in the length direction of the corresponding two heat exchange plate tubes 5, so that the first heat exchange medium in the adjacent heat exchange plate tubes 5 can enter the heat exchange node 3, and after flowing along the heat exchange node 3 for a set length, return to the heat exchange plate tube again. In this process, the first heat exchange medium in the two heat exchange plate tubes 5 will converge and return to the two heat exchange plate tubes 5 after flowing and exchanging heat for a certain length. The setting of the heat exchange node 3 of the present invention not only increases the heat exchange area, but also realizes the conduction of the flow channel between the heat exchange plate tubes 5, so that the fluid can flow freely under the impetus of the medium temperature difference, which can more evenly distribute the heat load, avoid local hot spots, reduce the overall thermal resistance, and avoid blockage of the flow channel.

[0041] In this embodiment, among the heat exchange plate tubes 5 distributed in the same row, adjacent heat exchange plate tubes 5 are connected and conducted in their extension direction through multiple heat exchange nodes 3. Preferably, at least one of the multiple heat exchange nodes 3 connecting two heat exchange plate tubes 5 is distributed above the two heat exchange plate tubes 5, and at least one is distributed below the two heat exchange nodes. The upper and lower sides of the same position of adjacent heat exchange plate tubes 5 in their extension direction are connected and conducted through two oppositely distributed heat exchange nodes 3. That is, the projections of the two heat exchange nodes 3 relatively distributed above and below the two heat exchange plate tubes 5 on the heat exchange plate tubes 5 in the vertical direction overlap. Preferably, the two oppositely distributed heat exchange nodes 3 are also connected by a connector 7, which is located between the two heat exchange plate tubes 5. The provision of the connector 7 can further enhance the stability of the connection between the heat exchange plate tubes.

[0042] In this embodiment, the heat exchange nodes 3 have a U-shaped cross-section, and multiple heat exchange nodes 3 are evenly spaced along the length (left-right direction) of the heat exchange plate tubes 5. Preferably, the heat exchange nodes 3 are connected to the center of two connecting plate tubes 5 via connecting portions 32 at both ends. Preferably, the connecting plate tubes 5 are rectangular plate tubes.

[0043] In this embodiment, the flow channel body 31 is a rectangular plate tube parallel to the connecting plate tube 5, and the connecting portion 32 is connected to the end of the rectangular plate tube. Preferably, the connecting portion 32 is a curved tube that can achieve smooth flow between the flow channel body 31 and the heat exchange plate tube 5.

[0044] See also Figure 6-Figure 8, which is a schematic diagram of the structure of the connection between the heat exchange plate tubes 5 and the heat exchange node 3 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the flow channel body 31 of the heat exchange node 3 is cross-shaped, comprising a first flow channel 311 arranged parallel to the heat exchange plate tubes 5 and a second flow channel 312 connected above the first flow channel 311. The overall size of the second flow channel 312 is smaller than the first flow channel 311, and the projection of the second flow channel 312 on the first flow channel 311 is located within the first flow channel 311 and has the same center as the first flow channel 311. The first flow channel 311 is also connected to the two groups of heat exchange plate tubes 5 through two sets of connecting components below it. Each set of connecting components includes two connecting portions 32. The two connecting portions 32 of one set of connecting components are connected to the rear centers of the two heat exchange plate tubes 5, and the two connecting portions 32 of the other set of connecting components are connected to the front centers of the two heat exchange plate tubes 5.

[0045] In other embodiments of the present invention, adjacent heat exchange plate tubes 5 arranged in the same row are also connected and conducted via heat exchange nodes 3. In this case, the heat exchange plate tubes 5 arranged in the same row are connected and conducted via two heat exchange nodes 3. That is, as in the first and second embodiments of the present invention, the heat exchange nodes 3 connected and conducted between adjacent heat exchange plate tubes 5 in the same row are mutually conducted. Because the heat exchange plate tubes 5 arranged in the same row are connected and conducted via heat exchange nodes 3 in the present invention, the locations of the heat exchange nodes 3 connected on heat exchange plate tubes 5 in different rows are the same. Therefore, when the heat exchange plate tubes 5 are arranged in rows, the heat exchange nodes 3 are also arranged in rows, and the heat exchange nodes 3 between adjacent rows are connected and conducted, thereby also connecting and conducting the heat exchange plate tubes 5 in adjacent rows.

[0046] In another embodiment of the present invention, the flow channel body 32 of the same heat exchange node 3 is connected to two adjacent heat exchange plate tubes 5 via four connecting portions 32 at the top, and is also connected to two other heat exchange plate tubes 5 at the bottom via four connecting portions 32. This allows multiple heat exchange nodes and heat exchange plate tubes to form a bus-type topology structure. The heat exchange medium in the tube can enter the heat exchange node, then enter another heat exchange plate tube through the heat exchange node, and complete heat exchange with the medium outside the heat exchange plate tube within the heat exchange node and the heat exchange plate tube. In this case, the flow channel body 32 is a flow channel cavity arranged in parallel with the heat exchange plate tubes, or a structure composed of one or more flow channel cavities arranged in parallel with the heat exchange plate tubes through connecting portions, such as the cross-shaped structure in Example 2.

[0047] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not constitute any form of limitation to the present invention. Although the present invention has been disclosed as a preferred embodiment as above, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any technician familiar with the present profession can make some changes or modifications to equivalent embodiments of equivalent changes using the technical contents disclosed above without departing from the scope of the technical solution of the present invention. However, any simple modifications, equivalent changes and modifications made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the content of the technical solution of the present invention are still within the scope of the technical solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. A topological plate-and-tube heat exchanger comprising a first tube sheet and a second tube sheet disposed opposite each other in a left-right direction, with a plurality of heat exchange plate tubes disposed between the first tube sheet and the second tube sheet, characterized in that: The heat exchange plate tubes arranged in the same row or column are also connected and conducted through at least one heat exchange node spaced apart in the left-right direction. The heat exchange node includes a flow channel body and four connection parts. The flow channel body is connected and conducted to one of the heat exchange plate tubes through two of the connection parts spaced apart in the left-right direction, and is connected and conducted to another heat exchange plate tube through the other two connection parts spaced apart in the left-right direction.

2. The topological plate-and-tube heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that: Adjacent heat exchange nodes are connected and conductive.

3. The topological plate-and-tube heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heat exchange nodes for connecting the two heat exchange plate tubes are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the two heat exchange plate tubes.

4. The topological plate-and-tube heat exchanger according to claim 3, characterized in that: Two heat exchange nodes symmetrically distributed on both sides of the two heat exchange plate tubes are connected and fixed via a connecting piece.

5. The topological plate-and-tube heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that: The main flow channel of the heat exchange node includes a first flow channel parallel to the heat exchange plate tubes. One side of the first flow channel is connected to the two heat exchange plate tubes through a connecting portion, and the other side is connected to the second flow channel through two connecting portions. The size of the second flow channel is smaller than that of the first flow channel.

6. The topological plate-and-tube heat exchanger according to claim 5, characterized in that: The side of the second flow channel facing away from the first flow channel is also connected to the other two heat exchange plate tubes through four connecting parts.

7. The topological plate-and-tube heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flow channel body is parallel to the heat exchange plate tube, wherein two connecting parts are connected to the left end of the flow channel body, and the other two connecting parts are connected to the right end of the flow channel body. The connecting parts are curved pipes that achieve smooth communication between the flow channel body and the heat exchange plate tube.

8. The topological plate-and-tube heat exchanger according to claim 7, characterized in that: The other side of the flow channel body is connected to two heat exchange plate tubes through another four connecting parts.

9. The topological plate-and-tube heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The cross section of the heat exchange plate tube is rectangular.

10. The topological structure plate and tube heat exchanger according to claim 9, characterized in that: It also includes a shell, the first tube sheet and the second tube sheet respectively constitute the left and right end surfaces of the shell, and the upper and lower end surfaces of the shell are also distributed with a fluid inlet for the second heat exchange medium to enter the shell and a fluid outlet for the second heat exchange medium to flow out of the shell.

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