Heat exchanger device with adiabatic air cooler

Abstract

The invention relates to a heat exchanger arrangement having at least one heat exchanger, at least one fan and at least one adiabatic air cooler for cooling air sucked by the fan, the air being first guided through the air cooler and then through the heat exchanger, the adiabatic air cooler has at least one humidifying device, which is arranged in the air cooler and consists of a hygroscopic material and a fluid delivery device, which delivers a fluid to the humidifying device. The purpose of the present invention is to enable a humidification device to be wetted as uniformly as possible and to have a higher heat exchange performance without impairing the stability and operability of the humidification device and without causing the humidification device to be oversaturated by a fluid. It is thus provided that the humidifying device comprises at least two cushions arranged one above the other and that the fluid delivery device has a dispenser device arranged above each cushion.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat exchanger device according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] A general heat exchanger device is known from DE 20 2017 102 138 U1, which can be used, for example, as a reflux cooler in a refrigeration system to cool a cooling fluid or in a condenser to liquefy a refrigerant. The heat exchanger device comprises a heat exchanger, which can be filled with a cooling fluid or a refrigerant, through which heat exchanger ambient air is guided to cool the cooling fluid circulating in the heat exchanger or to liquefy the refrigerant circulating therein. To this end, the heat exchanger comprises a pipe system, for example in the form of curved pipes, through which the cooling fluid or the refrigerant flows, and fins composed of a heat-conducting material are arranged on the pipes to improve the heat exchange by increasing the effective heat exchange area. In order to draw in ambient air, at least one fin is provided in the heat exchanger device, which draws in ambient air and guides it through the heat exchanger.

[0003] In order to ensure that the cooling fluid circulating in the heat exchanger is cooled sufficiently below its condensation temperature or the refrigerant circulating in the heat exchanger is cooled below its condensation temperature even at higher outside temperatures, the reflux coolers and condensers known from the prior art have a thermally insulated air cooler arranged upstream of the heat exchanger, in which the drawn-in air is first thermally pre-cooled and then guided through the heat exchanger to exchange heat with the fluid circulating therein. In the thermally insulated air cooler, the drawn-in air is guided through a device wetted with a liquid, in particular water, which is formed, for example, by a water-absorbing mat and is therefore cooled thermally. In the heat exchanger device of DE 20 2017 102 138 A1, for this purpose a thermally insulated air cooler is provided, which has interchangeable mats composed of a moisture-absorbing material and is wetted by means of a liquid feeder with a liquid, in particular water. The ambient air drawn in by a fan is first guided through the thermally insulated air cooler and thus pre-cooled by evaporative cooling, and then guided through the heat exchanger to exchange heat with the fluid carried in the heat exchanger.

[0004] In the known heat exchanger devices with a thermally insulated air cooler, two heat exchangers are often arranged, which are arranged, for example, vertically spaced apart from one another, opposite one another or in a V-shape. In this case, one thermally insulated air cooler is assigned to each heat exchanger and is arranged upstream of the assigned heat exchanger, wherein the mats of the thermally insulated air coolers can be laid parallel to or even at an angle to the inflow surface of the respective assigned heat exchanger.

[0005] According to the known construction principle of heat exchanger devices, it should be provided for a heat exchanger device with higher performance, then the inflow surfaces of the heat exchanger are arranged opposite to each other and accordingly the surface of the mat of the adiabatic air cooler can be increased. However, in the case of an increase in the extension of the mat of the adiabatic air cooler in the vertical direction, problems arise in terms of stability and manageability of the mat, since too high mats are not stable when completely wetted and will no longer be operable by one operator when replacing the mat. These problems related to instability and manageability when replacing the mat can arise, for example, due to the replacement of mats having a height of 2 m or more. Furthermore, in the case of too high mats, a strong oversaturation of the mat with the humidification liquid can occur in the upper mat region, since a larger mat has to be wetted with a large amount of liquid when it has to be ensured that the mat is completely wetted over its entire height. An oversaturation of the mat in its upper region with the humidification liquid can cause the humidification liquid to be drawn out of the mat in the form of droplets by the air drawn in by the fan. As a result, the wetting efficiency of the mat is reduced and, since the droplets escaping from the mat can adhere to the easily corroding components of the heat exchanger device, corrosion problems can occur in the heat exchanger device.

[0006] Starting from this, the object of the present application is to further develop a universal heat exchanger device in such a way that, without impairing the stability and manageability of the mat, and without the mat being oversaturated in its upper region with the humidification liquid, a most uniform possible wetting of the mat and a higher heat exchange performance are possible.

[0007] This object is achieved by a heat exchanger device having the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the heat exchanger device can be derived from the dependent claims.

[0008] A heat exchanger device according to the application comprises at least one heat exchanger through which a fluid flows, at least one fan and at least one adiabatic air cooler for cooling air drawn in from the surroundings by the fan, wherein the air drawn in is first guided through the air cooler and subsequently through the heat exchanger, and the adiabatic air cooler has at least one humidification device which is arranged in the air cooler and which consists of a hygroscopic material and a fluid delivery device which delivers fluid to the humidification device in order to keep the humidification device moist, wherein the humidification device comprises at least two mats which are arranged one above the other, and the fluid device has a distributor device which is arranged above each mat, the distributor device being connected to a delivery line through which it is fed with fluid, and the distributor device distributes the fluid uniformly onto the mat to which it is distributed.

[0009] In the heat exchanger arrangement according to the application, each heat exchanger is respectively assigned an air cooler which is thermally insulated, which air cooler has a moistening device which consists of at least two mats which are arranged one above the other, wherein a distributor device which is connected to the delivery line is assigned to each mat in order to distribute the fluid uniformly over the respective mat, and for this purpose the distributor device is arranged on the assigned mat. Since each mat is assigned its own distributor device, uniform moistening of each mat with the fluid over the entire thickness and the entire height of the mat is possible. In addition, the moistening device remains easier to manage, for example when replacing the mats, by dividing it into at least one mat which is arranged one above the other. As a result, a heat exchanger arrangement with higher performance can be achieved without having to accept any losses in connection with uniform moistening and ease of management of the moistening device.

[0010] In this case, the moistening device of the heat exchanger arrangement according to the application can be arranged vertically upright, so that the intermediate layer of the moistening device (or the inflow surface of the mat, through which the air to be drawn in flows) is laid along the vertical direction. The vertical arrangement of the moistening device is particularly advantageous in the case of a flat heat exchanger which is oriented vertically. In the case of a vertically arranged moistening device, the mats which make up the moistening device are arranged vertically one above the other and aligned with one another and extend along the mat plane (the intermediate layer of the mat). In contrast thereto, if the heat exchanger is inclined with respect to the vertical direction, for example in the case of a heat exchanger arrangement with two heat exchangers which are arranged V-shaped to one another, the moistening device assigned to the heat exchanger is advantageously inclined to the vertical direction, preferably at the same angle, and thus preferably laid parallel to the inflow surface of the heat exchanger which is arranged inclined. In this case, the (intermediate) plane of the mats of the moistening device is also laid inclined with respect to the vertical direction. However, it is also possible, for example, to arrange the lower mat inclined with respect to the vertical direction and to arrange the upper mat vertically upright thereabove.

[0011] In order to be able to distribute the fluid conveyed through the conveying line to the distributor device uniformly over the mat allocated to each distributor device, each distributor device has a distributor body which distributes the fluid uniformly over the upper side of the allocated mat. The distributor device can be formed, for example, as a fluid-permeable pipe or a fluid-carrying hose. The distributor device can in particular have the shape of a Perl hose or a porous hose made of a porous material. The distributor device can also have a porous pipe or a pipe with a plurality of openings or nozzles through which the fluid is sprayed or dripped onto the upper side of the allocated mat. Furthermore, the distributor device can also have other distributor bodies, for example, comprising a distributor plate which has openings distributed uniformly over the distributor plate through which the fluid can flow onto the upper side of the allocated mat.

[0012] In order to simplify the replacement of the mats, the mats are expediently arranged in the air cooler housing so as to be replaceable. In an advantageous embodiment of the application, the air cooler housing has a base formed as a collection tray or a channel, at least two side parts which stand perpendicularly to the base, and at least one first (middle) cross strut and a second (upper) cross strut. In this case, the base and the cross struts extend in the longitudinal direction of the heat exchanger device. In this case, a first mat is arranged between the base and the first (middle) cross strut, and a second mat is arranged between the first (middle) cross strut and the second (upper) cross strut. In this case, a first distributor device is arranged above the first mat, and a second distributor device is arranged above the second mat. Thus, a distributor device is allocated to each mat with which fluid can be conveyed onto the upper side of the respective allocated mat. In this case, the first distributor device allocated to the first mat is expediently accommodated in the first (middle) cross strut in order to achieve a simple construction, while the second distributor device allocated to the second mat is accommodated in the second (upper) cross strut. In this case, the cross struts expediently form a housing for the distributor devices and are, for this purpose, for example, configured as a square housing having a base, a cover and two side walls. In this case, the base of each cross strut preferably has a channel through which fluid can pass in order to reach the mat arranged thereunder, respectively. Expediently, the first (middle) cross strut also has a channel in the cover, so that excess fluid flowing from the (second) mat arranged thereabove can pass through the channel onto the first (mat) located thereunder. This prevents excess fluid flowing from above to below the upper mat from accumulating in the area of the cross strut.

[0013] The transverse struts, between which the mats extend, are advantageously provided with a receiving area in which the lower side and / or the upper side of the mats can be received. In this case, the receiving area of the transverse struts can be formed, for example, by a U-shaped profile in cross section. For example, when the transverse struts are formed as U-shaped plates, a simple and cost-effective production of the transverse struts can be achieved. The first (middle) transverse strut preferably has a double U-shaped profile, in which both the upper side of the first (lower) mat and the lower side of the second (upper) mat can be received.

[0014] The distributor device is advantageously laid in the plane of the respective distributed mat of the humidification device, in particular in the middle plane of the respective mat. However, the distributor device can also be arranged offset to the middle plane of the mat. However, by arranging the distributor device in the middle plane of the distributed mat, the mat can be uniformly moistened. In this case, the distributor device can also comprise a plurality of lines or hoses, which are laid at a distance and parallel to each other and to the middle plane of the mat. The arrangement of the plurality of lines or hoses above the mat ensures a uniform moistening of the mat over its entire thickness.

[0015] The distributor device is advantageously connected to a delivery line by a distributor for supplying the fluid. When a plurality of lines or hoses is used, a plurality of distributors is used, which distribute the fluid uniformly onto the individual lines or hoses. The delivery line is advantageously connected to a pump, which delivers the fluid, for example water, under pressure to the distributor device. The individual distributor devices can advantageously be selectively actuated independently of each other. This means that only individual mats of the humidification device are moistened with fluid. The selective moistening of only individual mats of the humidification device enables the heat exchanger device and the adiabatic air cooler to be operated at partial load, for example in the transitional periods of autumn and spring. By operating the adiabatic air cooler at partial load, it is possible to prevent the formation of deposits on the bottom of the mats by the selective actuation of the distributor devices, which only moisten individual mats. Furthermore, during the operation of the adiabatic air cooler at partial load, fluid for the humidification device can be saved when only individual mats of the humidification device are kept moist.

[0016] Each mat can consist of a plurality of mat sections, wherein each mat section is arranged in the midplane of the mat, either side by side next to each other in the longitudinal direction of the air cooler and / or arranged one above the other perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. In the case of a vertical orientation of the humidification device or the mat, the mats arranged one above the other vertically can accordingly consist either of mat sections arranged next to each other in the longitudinal direction of the air cooler or of mat sections arranged one above the other in the vertical direction. The mat sections forming the mat thereby are advantageously arranged in line with each other, either side by side next to each other or arranged one above the other. The composition of the mat from a plurality of mat sections simplifies the handling of the mat, for example when replacing a worn mat with a new mat or when removing the mat in the winter operation of the air cooler, which does not require thermal insulation.

[0017] According to the invention, by assigning a distributor device to each mat, it is ensured that each mat is sufficiently supplied with fluid to ensure that the mat is uniformly wetted with fluid. It is thus not necessary to oversaturate the upper regions of the mat or the mats located vertically above with fluid. This in turn can prevent the air flow generated by the fan and directed inward to the heat exchanger device from pulling out droplets of excess fluid from the upper regions of the mat and transporting them to the interior of the heat exchanger device, where they can cause problems in terms of corrosion.

[0018] According to the invention, the heat exchanger arranged in the heat exchanger device can be divided into a plurality of heat exchanger sections arranged one above the other vertically and corresponding to the number of mats by the at least two mats arranged one above the other according to the invention to form the humidification device, wherein each heat exchanger section has a duct system isolated from the other heat exchanger sections, through which the fluid that exchanges heat with the air directed through the heat exchanger flows. In the case of this preferred embodiment of the heat exchanger device according to the invention, the mats are assigned to each heat exchanger section in such a way that the air drawn in from the surroundings by the fan first flows through the respective mat and then through the heat exchanger section assigned to it. By this assignment of heat exchanger sections and associated mats, it is possible to operate the entire heat exchanger device with partial load, for example by operating only the lower heat exchanger sections and wetting the lower mats assigned to them with fluid and not operating the upper heat exchanger sections and the upper mats assigned to them. As a result, it is possible to increase the efficiency of the heat exchanger device during the transition period from autumn to spring.

[0019] These and other advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the embodiments described in detail below, reference being made to the drawings. The drawings show:

[0020] Figure 1Perspective view of a first embodiment of a heat exchanger device according to the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 Illustration of an embodiment of the heat exchanger device according to the present invention, in which the humidification device is removed, whereby the heat exchanger arranged in the heat exchanger device is visible; Figure 1

[0022] Figure 3a Detailed illustration of a part of the adiabatic air cooler of the heat exchanger device according to the present invention in Figure 1

[0023] Figure 3b : Figure 3a Detailed illustration of the adiabatic air cooler in the area of the distributor device which distributes the fluid onto the mat arranged thereunder;

[0024] Figure 4a : Figure 3a Detailed illustration of the upper distributor device of the adiabatic air cooler, in which the cover of the upper cross strut arranged thereabove is removed in order to show more clearly;

[0025] Figure 4b :Detailed illustration of the lower distributor device of the adiabatic air cooler; Figure 3a

[0026] Figure 4c :Cross-sectional view of the lower distributor device, in which the lines of the distributor device are not shown in order to show more clearly; Figure 4b

[0027] Figure 5 : Schematic illustration of the liquid feeder of the humidification device of the heat exchanger device according to the present invention; Figure 1

[0028] Figure 6 Perspective view of a second embodiment of a heat exchanger device according to the present invention.

[0029] In Figure 1 ​​​A heat exchanger arrangement according to the application is shown in a perspective view. The heat exchanger arrangement comprises a box-like heat exchanger housing 9 which is configured symmetrically with respect to its middle longitudinal height. Two heat exchangers 1 are arranged opposite to each other in the side walls of the heat exchanger housing 9. The two heat exchangers 1 can be, for example, finned tube heat exchangers (finned tube heat exchangers) or tube bundle heat exchangers. Each heat exchanger 1 comprises a tube system with a plurality of tubes which extend in the longitudinal direction L of the heat exchanger housing 9. In this case, the two heat exchangers 1 which are formed flat are arranged opposite to each other and stand vertically in the heat exchanger housing 9. However, it is also possible to arrange the heat exchangers 1 inclined with respect to the vertical and in a V-shape opposite to each other when viewed from the side.

[0030] Each heat exchanger 1 consists of two heat exchanger sections 1a, 1b which are arranged vertically one above the other, wherein the heat exchanger sections 1a, 1b have tube systems which are separate from each other through which a fluid as a cooling agent or refrigerant is conducted. To this end, each heat exchanger section 1a, 1b is connected to a distributor 8a, 8b which has an inlet 6a or 6b and an outlet 7a, 7b. The fluid is conducted into the heat exchanger section 1a, 1b through the inlet 6a, 6b and distributed into the tubes of the heat exchanger section 1a, 1b by the respective distributor 5a, 5b. The fluid circulates in the tubes of the heat exchanger section 1a, 1b and flows out on both sides through the respective outlet 7a, 7b of the distributor 5a or 5b. The inlet 6a, 6b and the outlet 7a, 7b are connected to feed lines and discharge lines, not shown here, through which the fluid is fed and discharged.

[0031] An adiabatic air cooler 2 is assigned to each heat exchanger 1 of the heat exchanger arrangement Figure 1 , wherein the air cooler 2 is arranged in a lateral air inlet of the heat exchanger housing 9. Each air cooler 2 comprises a humidification device 3 which extends along a plane and consists of a moisture-absorbing material and a fluid transport device 4 on which a liquid, in particular water, is transported to the humidification device 3 to keep the humidification device 3 moist. The pads 3a, 3b are each formed of a moisture-absorbing material, for example of corrugated cardboard or paper web, or of cellulose blocks or open-cell foam.

[0032] The plane of the humidification device 3 in which the pads 3a, 3a extend is here understood as the midplane of the pads which are formed flat or plate-like. In the embodiment shown, the plane in which the humidification device 3 extends is laid vertically and parallel to the inflow surface of the assigned heat exchanger 1.

[0033] The humidification device 3 consists of two mats 3a, 3b which are laid on the same plane and arranged in alignment with each other, one vertically above the other, wherein the lower mat 3a is assigned to the lower heat exchanger section la and the upper mat 3b is assigned to the upper heat exchanger section lb, in such a way that the lower mat 3a is arranged opposite the lower heat exchanger section la and the upper mat 3b is arranged opposite the upper heat exchanger section lb.

[0034] Figure 1 The mats 3a, 3b shown in Figure 2 are removed in

[0035] The liquid feed 4 has a distributor device 4a, 4b arranged on each mat 3a, 3b to distribute the fluid evenly over the mat 3a, 3b. Each distributor device 4a, 4b is connected to a feed line 5 through which the respective distributor device 4a, 4b is supplied with fluid, in particular water.

[0036] Two fans 11 are used in the openings of the heat exchanger housing 9 on the upper side of the heat exchanger housing 9, each fan 11 being placed between opposite heat exchangers 1. The fans 11 draw in the ambient air and first direct it through the air coolers 2 which are arranged transversely on the heat exchanger housing 9 and from there through the lateral air inlets in the heat exchanger housing 9 between the ducts of the heat exchangers 1. The air drawn in there is first adiabatically cooled in the adiabatic air coolers 2 and the cooled air absorbs heat from the fluid circulating therein when passing through the heat exchangers 1, thereby cooling or liquefying the fluid. The air heated by heat exchange with the fluid in the heat exchangers 1 is blown out of the heat exchanger housing 9 by the upper fans 11.

[0037] The two air coolers 2 which are arranged laterally on the heat exchanger housing 9 are each configured identically, wherein each air cooler has its own fluid feed 4 which is connected to a reservoir not shown here by a feed line 5. The fluid is pumped into the line 5 by a pump device not shown here. When the fluid has already been provided under pressure from the reservoir, for example in the case of the use of water in a domestic water pipe, the pump device can be dispensed with.

[0038] The fluid delivery device 4 includes separate distributor devices 4a and 4b for each pad 3a and 3b. Thus, each pad 3a and 3b is assigned its own distributor device 4a and 4b, each distributor device 4a and 4b comprising a distributor body that uniformly distributes liquid onto the upper side of the pad 3a and 3b assigned to the respective distributor device 4a and 4b. For example, the distributor device 4a and 4b can be formed as a fluid-permeable pipe or a fluid-carrying hose, particularly in the form of a Perl hose made of porous material or as a pipe with numerous openings or nozzles, thereby allowing fluid to reach the upper side of the pad 3a and 3b located below it. In this case, the liquid delivered by the fluid delivery device 4 escapes through the openings or nozzles of the distributor devices 4a and 4b onto the upper side of the correspondingly assigned pad 3a and 3b, and flows downwards into the absorbent material of the pad 3a and 3b under gravity, thereby wetting the pad. Therefore, furthermore, the distributor body (e.g., a distributor plate with an opening or channel therein) can be positioned between the pipe or hose of the distributor devices 4a, 4b and the upper side of the dispensed pads 3a, 3b.

[0039] In order to supply liquid uniformly over the entire thickness of the pads 3a, 3b, each dispenser device 4a, 4b preferably includes multiple conduits that extend horizontally along the longitudinal direction L and are arranged parallel to the transverse direction (i.e. perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L) over the thickness of the pads 3a, 3b at intervals from each other.

[0040] Each air cooler 2 includes an air cooler housing 10 laterally fixed to a heat exchanger housing 9. The air cooler housing 10 has a horizontally extending disc-shaped base 10a and two vertically erected side portions 10b opposite the base 10a. The pads 3a and 3b forming the humidification device 3 are arranged so that they are interchangeable within the air cooler housing 10. Figure 1 In the exemplary embodiment shown, the humidification device 3 consists of a lower pad 3a and an upper pad 3b. In this case, each pad 3a, 3b can be removed individually from the air cooler housing 10.

[0041] from Figure 1 and Figure 2 The comparison clearly shows that, relative to the respective flat heat exchanger portions 1a and 1b allocated to the heat exchanger 1, each pad 3a and 3b in the air cooler housing 10 is laid parallel and arranged in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L. When the pads 3a and 3b are inserted into the air cooler housing 10, the plane of the pads (the longitudinal center plane of the pads 3a and 3b) is laid parallel to the vertically oriented heat exchanger 1.

[0042] Excess liquid flowing through the mats 3a, 3b without being extracted from the mat material flows into the disc-shaped base 10a of the air cooler housing 10 and is collected there. Outlet nozzles are arranged on the disc-shaped base 10a through which the fluid collected in the disc-shaped base can be discharged.

[0043] From Figure 1 It can be seen that each mat 3a, 3b consists of two mat portions 3a', 3a" or 3b', 3b" arranged next to each other in the longitudinal direction L. In which the mat portions 3a', 3a" or 3b', 3b" next to each other are arranged edge to edge with respect to each other on their vertically standing side edges. In this case, as Figure 1 indicated, it is also possible to provide the vertical struts 10e of the air cooler housing between the butt joints of the mat portions 3a', 3a" or 3b', 3b" next to each other. However, it is also possible for the mat portions 3a', 3a" or 3b', 3b" to lie next to each other edge to edge on their side edges without an intermediate space.

[0044] The configuration of the air cooler housing 10 can be derived in detail from Figure 1 and 2 and Figure 3a and 3b It can be seen from Figure 1 and Figure 2 that in addition to the base 10a and the side walls 10b, the air cooler housing 10 comprises a first intermediate transverse strut 10c and a second upper transverse strut 10d, wherein the transverse struts 10c, 10d extend in the longitudinal direction L and lie parallel to the base 10a. Each transverse strut 10c, 10d forms a holder for a mat 3a or 3b. To this end, the transverse strut 10c, 10d has a profile on its upper side or lower side, which profile is U-shaped in cross section and can be formed, for example, from sheet metal. The lower side or upper side of the mat 3a, 3b can be inserted into the U-shaped profile of the transverse strut 10c, 10d. The intermediate transverse strut 10d comprises one U-shaped profile pointing upwards and one U-shaped profile pointing downwards in order to be able to accommodate the upper side of the lower mat 3a and the lower side of the upper mat 3b. The U-shaped profile of the transverse struts 10c, 10d enables, on the one hand, a secure fixing of the mats 3a, 3b in the air cooler housing 10 and, on the other hand, an easy removal of the mats 3a, 3b from the air cooler housing 10.

[0045] From Figure 4a , 4bFrom Figures 4a, 4b and 4c it can be inferred that the distributor devices 4a, 4b are accommodated in the transverse struts 10c, 10d. As a result, each distributor device 4a, 4b is arranged above the mat 3a, 3b assigned thereto. To this end, the transverse struts 10c, 10d are respectively formed as a box-shaped housing having a base and a cover laid at a distance from the base and parallel to the base, as well as two side walls standing perpendicularly to the base, between which the distributor device 4a, 4b is respectively arranged. Here, the base of the upper transverse strut 10d and the base of the middle transverse strut 10c have passages 13 through which fluid escaping from the lines of the respective distributor device 4a, 4b can pass. For example, the passages 13 can be formed in the base in a through-going manner. Fluid flowing from the distributor devices 4a, 4b can flow through these passages 13, through the transverse struts 10c, 10d and to the upper side of the mat 3a, 3b arranged thereunder. In the case of the middle transverse strut 10c, corresponding passages 13 are also provided in the cover, so that excess fluid flowing over the upper mat 3b can first flow through these passages 13 into the middle transverse strut 10c and from there in turn through the passages 13 in the base to the upper side of the lower mat 3a. Figure 4a and 4b ) of the respective distributor device 4a, 4b. Figure 4c

[0046] To supply fluid uniformly to the multiple lines of the distributor devices 4a, 4b, each distributor device 4a, 4b has a manifold 12 to which the lines of the distributor device 4a, 4b are connected ( Figure 4a , 4b and 4c). The supply lines of this manifold 12 are in turn connected to the feed line 5.

[0047] Figure 5 It is shown that fluid is supplied to the mats 3a, 3b by means of the respectively assigned distributor device 4a, 4b. In the case of the embodiment shown schematically in Figure 5 , two identically constructed air coolers 2 are arranged opposite one another in the heat exchanger device, wherein the heat exchangers 1 assigned to the individual air coolers 2 are not shown here for the sake of clarity. Each air cooler 2 comprises an air cooler housing 10 respectively having two mats 3a, 3b which are arranged vertically one above the other therein, wherein each mat 3a, 3b comprises a plurality of mat sections 3a', 3a", 3a"' or 3b', 3b", 3b"' arranged edge to edge with respect to one another in the longitudinal direction L. In order to show that the mat sections here can be removed individually from the air cooler housing 10, the two left-hand mat sections 3a' or 3b' of the right-hand air cooler 2 are shown as removed.

[0048] ​Each mat 3a, 3b is assigned a distributor device 4a, 4b which is arranged to be laid over the respective mat 3a, 3b in the lateral struts 10c, 10d of the air cooler housing 10. Each distributor device 4a, 4b is connected to a delivery line 5 which is connected to a reservoir of fluid via a pump 15. The pump 15 pumps fluid through the delivery line 5 into the distributor devices 4a, 4b which distribute the fluid uniformly to the upper side of the mat 3a, 3b assigned to it. Excess liquid which passes through the mat 3a, 3b without being absorbed by the material of the mat is collected in the disc-shaped base 10a of the air cooler housing 10 and is pumped back into the delivery line 5 by the pump 15 via a collection line 14. The fluid collected in the base 10a can also be delivered into a waste water channel via a drain line. In order to be able to drain the delivery line 5, for example in winter operation without use of the air cooler, a drain valve 16 is provided by means of which fluid can be drained.

[0049] The fluid delivered by means of the upper distributor device 4b of the upper mat 3a is distributed uniformly over the cross section of the mat 3a downwards by gravity and, by doing so, wets the material of the upper mat 3a. The upper mat 3a is here easily oversaturated with fluid, i.e. more fluid than is required for complete wetting of the upper mat 3a is delivered to the upper distributor device 4b. Excess liquid which is not absorbed by the material of the mat 3a flows from the lower side of the upper mat 3a and, via the channel 13 in the intermediate lateral strut 10c, to the upper side of the lower mat 3b and thus contributes to wetting the lower mat 3b.

[0050] In this case, the distributor devices 4a, 4b are preferably selectively actuatable. Thus, for example, the air cooler 2 can be operated at partial load in order to save fluid by supplying fluid only to the lower distributor device 4a and thus only the lower mat 3a is wetted. By selectively actuating the distributor devices 4a, 4b, it is also possible to prevent the formation of deposits in the bottom region of the lower mat 3a and to prevent contamination of excess fluid which is collected in the bottom 10a of the air cooler housing 10.

[0051] The selective actuation of the distributor devices 4a, 4b is also advantageous in combination with the selective operation of the heat exchanger sections 1a, 1b, since during operation of the device at partial load, in which only one of the two heat exchanger sections 1a or 1b is operated for heat exchange, only the specified region of the air cooler 2 has to be operated using the specified mat 3a or 3b.

[0052] In Figure 6In the middle, an embodiment is shown in which each mat 3a, 3b consists of a total of four mat sections 3a', 3a", 3a'", 3a"" or 3b', 3b", 3b'", 3b"" of which two are arranged next to each other in the longitudinal direction L and two are arranged vertically one above the other. In this case, the mat sections 3a', 3a" or 3b', 3b" that are next to each other are also arranged edge to edge relative to each other on their vertically standing side edges and are separated by vertical struts 10e. In this case, the mat sections 3a', 3a"' or 3b', 3b"' that are next to each other are also arranged edge to edge relative to each other on their horizontally lying edges and are separated by horizontal struts 10e. It is, however, also possible for the mat sections 3a', 3a", 3a'", 3a"" or 3b', 3b", 3b'", 3b"" to lie edge to edge relative to each other on their horizontal and / or their vertical side edges without an intermediate space.

[0053] The division of the humidification device 3 of the thermally insulated air cooler according to the application into at least two mats 3a, 3b, which are arranged one above the other, makes it possible to construct a high-performance heat exchanger device with a performance range of approximately 2 MW or more at a total height of the device of 4 m or more. By dividing the humidification device 3 into two or more mats 3a, 3b, which are arranged one above the other, and also by (optionally) dividing each mat 3a, 3b into a plurality of mat sections, which are arranged edge to edge relative to each other next to each other or one above the other, the manageability of the mats is thus ensured, for example, when the mats 3a, 3b are replaced for cleaning purposes, and the uniform wetting of the humidification device is ensured by the distributor device 4a, 4b of each mat 3a, 3b that is assigned by itself, which supplies fluid to each mat 3a, 3b. When the height of each individual mat 3a, 3b or of each mat section is not greater than 2.5 m and preferably less than 2 m, it is advantageous for the mats 3a, 3b to be easy to handle.

[0054] The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings. The arrangement of the heat exchanger 1 and the air coolers 2 assigned to it can thus have other geometrical shapes. It is particularly possible for the heat exchanger 1 and / or the air coolers 2 to be arranged inclined to the vertical. As with the number of fans 11, the number of heat exchangers 1 and heat exchanger sections 1a, 1b and the number of air coolers 2 and mats 3a, 3b assigned to them can also be adapted to the performance required of the device. The same applies to the number of mat sections making up the mats 3a, 3b, and the mat sections can be arranged next to one another or one above the other, edge to edge, relative to one another. Furthermore, the distributor devices 4a, 4b can be configured differently from the manner described here. Thus, for example, a sprinkling or spraying system or distributor device can be used with a different distributor body, for example such as a distribution plate or the like, in order to wet the mats 3a, 3b with fluid.

Claims

1. Heat exchanger arrangement having - at least two heat exchangers (1) through which a fluid flows, which are arranged spaced apart from one another with respect to a longitudinal centre plane of the heat exchanger housing (9) and essentially in a vertical direction or inclined with respect to the vertical direction, and - at least one fan (11) arranged on an upper side of the heat exchanger housing (9) between the opposite heat exchangers (1), at least one thermally insulated air cooler (2) is assigned to each heat exchanger (1) in order to cool the air drawn in from the surroundings by the at least one fan (11), wherein the drawn-in air is first guided through the air cooler (2) and subsequently through the heat exchanger (1) and then blown out of the heat exchanger housing (9) on the upper side by the fan (11), and each thermally insulated air cooler (2) is assigned at least one humidification device (3), which is arranged in the air cooler (2) and consists of a moisture-absorbing material and a fluid delivery device (4), which supplies fluid to the humidification device (3) in order to keep the humidification device (3) moist, characterized in that the humidification device (3) comprises at least two mats (3a, 3b) arranged one above the other, and in that the fluid delivery device (4) has distributor devices (4a, 4b) arranged above each mat (3a, 3b) in order to distribute the fluid uniformly over the mats (3a, 3b), which are connected to a delivery line (5) respectively, through which the distributor devices (4a, 4b) are charged with fluid. - wherein, 2. Heat exchanger arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the mats (3a, 3b) are arranged one above the other along a plane and lie aligned with one another in the plane. Each distributor device (4a, 4b) comprises a distributor body, which distributes the fluid uniformly over the upper side of the mats (3a, 3b) assigned to the respective distributor device (4a, 4b), wherein the distributor devices (4a, 4b) are preferably formed as fluid-permeable tubes or fluid-carrying hoses, in particular in the form of Perl hoses made of a porous material or in the form of a pipe with a plurality of openings or nozzles. The mats (3a, 3b) are interchangeably arranged in an air cooler housing (10).

3. Heat exchanger arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The air cooler housing (10) has a base (10a) formed as a collecting device and at least two side parts (10b) and at least two lateral struts (10c, 10d), wherein the lateral struts (10c, 10d) extend in the longitudinal direction (L) of the heat exchanger arrangement.

4. Heat exchanger device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that ​ 5. The heat exchanger device of claim 4, wherein ​ 6. Heat exchanger arrangement according to claim 5, wherein a first mat (3a) extends between the base (10a) and a first lateral strut (10c) and a second mat (3b) extends between the first lateral strut (10c) and a second lateral strut (10d).

7. The heat exchanger device according to any one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that a first distributor device (4a) is arranged in the first lateral strut (10c) to wet the first mat (3a) distributed to the first distributor device (4a) and / or in that a second distributor device (4b) is arranged in the second lateral strut (10d) to wet the second mat (3b) distributed to the second distributor device (4b).

8. The heat exchanger arrangement according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that The first lateral strut (10c) has a base and a cover laid at a distance from and parallel to the base, wherein the first distributor device (4a) is arranged between the base and the cover and a passage (13) through which fluid can pass is arranged in the base and the cover.

9. Heat exchanger device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that In the delivery line (5) at least one valve (16) is arranged, by means of which fluid remaining in the delivery line can be discharged.

10. Heat exchanger arrangement according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein each lateral strut (10c, 10d) has at least one accommodation region which is formed in cross section as a U to accommodate the lower side and / or the upper side of a mat (3a, 3b).

11. Heat exchanger arrangement according to any one of claims 5 to 10, wherein at least one and in particular each lateral strut (10c, 10d) has at least one passage, preferably a plurality of passages (13), through which fluid can reach a mat (3a) arranged thereunder.

12. Heat exchanger device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that Each distributor device (4a, 4b) is connected to the delivery line (5) via a manifold (12).

13. Heat exchanger arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the delivery line (5) is coupled to a pump (15) with which fluid under pressure is guided via the delivery line (5) to the distributor devices (4a, 4b).

14. Heat exchanger device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that At least one mat (3a, 3b) consists of a plurality of mat sections (3a', 3a", 3a"), wherein the mat sections (3a', 3a", 3a") are arranged to lie next to one another side by side in the plane along the longitudinal direction (L) of the air cooler (2) and / or are arranged one above the other perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L).

15. Heat exchanger arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, in particular claim 14, wherein each mat (3a, 3b) or each mat section (3', 3", 3"') is individually removable from the air cooler (2).

16. Heat exchanger device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that Each heat exchanger (1) is divided into at least two heat exchanger sections (1a, 1b) which are arranged vertically one above the other, wherein the heat exchanger sections (1a, 1b) have pipe systems separate from one another through which the fluid formed as cooling means or refrigerant flows, which fluid exchanges heat with the air guided through the heat exchanger (1).

17. Heat exchanger arrangement according to claim 16, wherein a mat (3a, 3b) is assigned to each heat exchanger section (1a, 1b) in such a way that the air drawn in from the surroundings by the fan (11) first flows through the respective mat (3a, 3b) and subsequently through the heat exchanger section (1a, 1b) assigned to the mat (3a, 3b).

Images