A multi-section plate heat exchanger

Abstract

This invention discloses a multi-stage plate heat exchanger, relating to the field of heat exchange equipment technology. It includes a body, the interior of which comprises a heat absorption zone, a heating zone, and a cooling zone. A temperature control mechanism is provided on the outer side of the heat absorption zone. The control mechanism includes several rows of heat-conducting copper tubes installed through the heat absorption zone. A partition is fixedly installed on each side of the heat absorption zone, with the outer side of each partition bordering the heating zone and the cooling zone, respectively. The ends of the heat-conducting copper tubes extend into the interior of the partitions. Several rows of tightly fitted temperature-insulating components are installed inside each partition, and these components are pressed together to form a sealed layer along the interior of the partition. This multi-stage plate heat exchanger disclosed in this invention offers high operating efficiency and operational reliability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of heat exchange equipment technology, and more particularly to a multi-section plate heat exchanger. Background Technology

[0002] Multi-stage plate heat exchangers combine multiple plate heat exchange units or processes in series into a single device. They are mainly used to address situations where the flow rates of the media on both sides are mismatched or require zoned treatment, in order to achieve more efficient deep heat exchange and precise temperature control. Their core functions include: deep heat recovery under large flow rate differences; precise temperature control in different zones such as preheating, sterilization, and cooling; and simultaneous processing of multiple media heat exchange within a single device. Their applications cover integrated heat treatment of fruit juice and milk in the food and beverage industry; segmented temperature control of viscous or heat-sensitive materials in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries; district heating in large heating stations with large differences in supply and return water flow rates; and wastewater waste heat recovery from wastewater containing impurities.

[0003] In multi-stage plate heat exchangers, the heating zone, heat recovery zone, and cooling zone are physically separated by intermediate partitions. However, in actual operation, due to sudden changes in upstream operating conditions (such as material flow rate and inlet temperature), the heat recovery zone may become too cold (insufficient preheating, leading to a surge in energy consumption in the heating zone) or too hot (excessive preheating, leading to excessive load on the subsequent cooling zone). In this case, the internal components of traditional equipment cannot actively intervene and can only rely on the downstream heating or cooling section for secondary adjustment, which will lead to energy waste, response lag, and temperature fluctuations, thus resulting in operational drawbacks. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention discloses a multi-stage plate heat exchanger, which aims to solve the technical problem that existing multi-stage heat exchangers cannot effectively control the heat surplus of materials in the heat recovery range, resulting in functional shortcomings.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: A multi-stage plate heat exchanger includes a body, the interior of which is composed of a heat absorption zone, a heating zone, and a cooling zone. The heating zone and the cooling zone are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the heat absorption zone. Meanwhile, a temperature control mechanism is provided on the outside of the heat absorption zone. The control mechanism is interspersed with the heat absorption zone, the heating zone, and the cooling zone. The control mechanism includes several rows of heat-conducting copper tubes installed through the heat absorption zone. A partition is fixedly installed on each side of the heat absorption zone. The outer side of the partition is in contact with the heating zone and the cooling zone, respectively. The end of the heat-conducting copper tube extends into the interior of the partition. Several rows of tightly fitted heat-insulating components are installed inside each partition. The heat-insulating components are pressed together in pairs and form a sealed layer along the interior of the partition.

[0006] Based on existing multi-stage heat exchanger internal zone insulation technology, a control mechanism is set along the outer side of the heat absorption zone. First, the solid structure of the traditional partition is replaced by a partition with a built-in insulation component. The internal structure of the partition is adjusted in real time by the thermal deformation of the active metal sheet. The thermal deformation of the active metal sheet causes the aerogel pads to deform synchronously, causing the aerogel pads to change from tightly packed to loosely distributed. This allows for switching between the "insulation wall" and the temperature conduction channel, achieving adaptive pre-adjustment of the temperature in the heat recovery zone, reducing the downstream heating / cooling load, and providing a fast temperature response. The changes in the partition shape directly control the local heat transfer intensity. The structure is also compact and suitable for phase change or high-viscosity fluids. The additional temperature conduction copper tube installed inside the heat absorption zone has good thermal conductivity and can work in conjunction with the insulation component. While the insulation component increases the temperature conductivity coefficient, it also transfers the temperature conduction to the entire interior of the heat absorption zone, thereby significantly improving the uniformity of temperature conduction in the heat absorption zone.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the thermal insulation component includes a base plate fixedly installed inside the partition, an active metal sheet fixedly installed at one end of the base plate, and an aerogel pad adhered to the back of the active metal sheet, with several aerogel pads pressing against each other in pairs.

[0008] By setting the heat insulation component to consist of three parts: a base plate, an active metal sheet, and an aerogel pad, the base plate connected to the partition provides support. The thermal deformation of the active metal sheet drives the aerogel pad to deform synchronously, causing the aerogel pads to change from being tightly packed together to being loosely distributed. This allows the aerogel pads to switch back and forth between the "thermal insulation wall" and the thermal conduction channel, achieving adaptive pre-regulation of the temperature in the heat recovery zone, reducing the downstream heating / cooling load, and providing a fast temperature response. The changes in the partition shape directly regulate the local heat exchange intensity.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the heat absorption zone, the heating zone, and the cooling zone are each composed of several tightly fitted heat exchange plates. The heat exchange plates located within the heat absorption zone, the heating zone, and the cooling zone are connected by conduits to form three channels for independently conveying the hot medium, the cold medium, and the material to be processed. The side wall of the back plate is connected to a discharge port. The material, hot medium, and cold medium located within the heat absorption zone, the heating zone, and the cooling zone are respectively circulated through a set of independently existing conduits, while the hot medium and cold medium located within the heating zone and the cooling zone are discharged through the discharge port.

[0010] By setting up a heat absorption zone, a heating zone, and a cooling zone composed of heat exchange plates, and using three independent conduit passages to independently transport the hot medium, the cold medium, and the material to be processed, the heating zone and the cooling zone operate simultaneously while the material to be processed is subjected to temperature conduction processing. Furthermore, the hot medium, the cold medium, and the material to be processed do not come into contact with each other, maintaining the basic conditions for the operation of this equipment and ensuring its operational integrity.

[0011] As can be seen from the above, the multi-section plate heat exchanger provided by the present invention has the following technical effects.

[0012] Firstly, the solid structure of the traditional partition is replaced by a partition with a built-in thermal insulation component. The internal structure of the partition is controlled in real time by the thermal deformation of the active metal sheet. The thermal deformation of the active metal sheet causes the aerogel pads to deform synchronously, so that the aerogel pads change from being tightly attached to each other to being loosely distributed. This allows the partition to switch back and forth between the "thermal insulation wall" and the thermal conduction channel, thereby achieving adaptive pre-adjustment of the temperature in the heat recovery zone and reducing the downstream heating / cooling load.

[0013] Secondly, it utilizes the operating principle of automatic deformation of active metal sheets, which has a fast temperature response speed and the change of baffle shape can directly regulate the local heat transfer intensity. At the same time, it has a compact structure and is suitable for phase change or high viscosity fluids.

[0014] Thirdly, the additional thermal conductivity copper tube installed inside the heat absorption zone has good thermal conductivity and can work in conjunction with the thermal insulation component. While the thermal insulation component increases the thermal conductivity coefficient, it transfers the thermal conductivity to the entire interior of the heat absorption zone, thereby greatly improving the uniformity of thermal conductivity in the heat absorption zone. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure proposed in this invention.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a side view of the overall structure proposed in this invention.

[0017] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the structure of the heat absorption zone, heating zone, and cooling zone proposed in this invention.

[0018] Figure 4 This is an exploded view of the overall structure proposed in this invention.

[0019] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the surrounding structure of the heat absorption zone proposed in this invention.

[0020] Figure 6 This is an exploded view of the control mechanism structure proposed in this invention.

[0021] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of the partition structure proposed in this invention.

[0022] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating the operating status of the thermal insulation component proposed in this invention.

[0023] In the diagram: 1. Body; 2. Heat absorption zone; 3. Heating zone; 4. Cooling zone; 5. Control mechanism; 501. Thermal conductive copper tube; 502. Partition plate; 503. Thermal insulation layer; 504. Thermal insulation component; 5041. Base plate; 5042. Activated metal sheet; 5043. Aerogel pad; 505. Edge sealing; 506. Insert; 507. Slot; 6. Heat exchange plate; 7. Guide tube; 8. Back plate; 9. Discharge port. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments.

[0025] The multi-segment plate heat exchanger disclosed in this invention is mainly used in integrated heat treatment scenarios in the food and beverage and pharmaceutical industries.

[0026] Reference Figures 1 to 8 A multi-section plate heat exchanger includes a body 1. The interior of the body 1 is composed of a heat absorption zone 2, a heating zone 3 and a cooling zone 4. The heating zone 3 and the cooling zone 4 are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the heat absorption zone 2. Meanwhile, a temperature control mechanism 5 is provided on the outside of the heat absorption zone 2. The control mechanism 5 and the heat absorption zone 2, heating zone 3 and cooling zone 4 are interspersed. The control mechanism 5 includes several rows of heat-conducting copper pipes 501 that are installed inside the heat absorption zone 2. A partition 502 is fixedly installed on each side of the heat absorption zone 2. The outer side of the partition 502 is adjacent to the heating zone 3 and the cooling zone 4, respectively. The end of the heat-conducting copper pipe 501 extends into the interior of the partition 502. Several rows of tightly fitted heat insulation components 504 are installed inside each partition 502. The heat insulation components 504 are pressed together in pairs and form a sealed partition layer along the interior of the partition 502.

[0027] In this embodiment: During operation, a heat transfer medium is circulated inside the heating zone 3, causing the heating zone 3 to be at a high temperature. A cold transfer medium is circulated inside the cooling zone 4, causing the cooling zone 4 to be at a low temperature. At this time, the worker introduces the material to be processed from the side of the heat absorption zone 2. The material flows through the heating zone 3 for heating, flows back to the heat absorption zone 2 to transfer residual heat and preheat subsequent materials, and then flows through the cooling zone 4 to cool down. During this process, when the residual heat inside the heat absorption zone 2 is greater than a set value, the heat insulation component 5 located inside the partition 502 will activate. 04 will simultaneously open the air passage (the partition 502 close to the outside of the cooling zone 4), causing the cold air around the cooling zone 4 to be conducted to the heat absorption zone 2 and uniformly cooled through the temperature-conducting copper pipe 501; when the residual heat inside the heat absorption zone 2 is less than the set value, the worker will adjust the heating zone 3 to increase the temperature slightly, causing the heat insulation component 504 located inside the partition 502 to simultaneously open the air passage (the partition 502 close to the outside of the heating zone 3), allowing the hot air around the heating zone 3 to be conducted to the heat absorption zone 2 and uniformly heated through the temperature-conducting copper pipe 501.

[0028] Reference Figures 4 to 8 In a preferred embodiment, the thermal insulation component 504 includes a base plate 5041 fixedly installed inside the partition plate 502. An active metal sheet 5042 is fixedly installed at the end of the base plate 5041, and an aerogel pad 5043 is attached to the back of the active metal sheet 5042. Several aerogel pads 5043 are pressed and contacted with each other in pairs.

[0029] Under normal conditions, when the active metal sheet 5042 is in a straightened state, several aerogel pads 5043 are pressed and contacted against each other, thus forming a heat insulation wall along the interior of the partition 502. This significantly reduces the thermal conductivity of the heating zone 3 to the heat absorption zone 2 and the thermal conductivity of the cooling zone 4 to the heat absorption zone 2. When the temperature inside the heat absorption zone 2 rises or falls, the active metal sheet 5042 undergoes active deformation under the influence of high temperature, causing the aerogel pads 5043 to deform and bend synchronously. This causes the several aerogel pads 5043 to release their contact relationship and leave gaps. The specific state is shown in the attached figure. Figure 8As shown; this significantly increases the temperature conductivity of the heating zone 3 to the heat absorption zone 2 and the temperature conductivity of the cooling zone 4 to the heat absorption zone 2, thereby achieving temperature regulation of the heat absorption zone 2.

[0030] Each partition 502 has a heat insulation layer 503 extending through its interior, and heat insulation components 504 are distributed inside the heat insulation layer 503. At the same time, the end of the heat-conducting copper pipe 501 extends into the interior of the heat insulation layer 503. The side wall of the partition 502 has a drain plug 506 extending through its interior, and the end of the heat-conducting copper pipe 501 extends into the interior of the plug 506.

[0031] Specifically, each partition 502 has a sealing edge 505 on its outer side, and the sealing edge 505 maintains the airtightness of the interface between the heat absorption zone 2, the heating zone 3 and the cooling zone 4.

[0032] Reference Figures 1 to 7 In a preferred embodiment, the heat absorption zone 2, heating zone 3, and cooling zone 4 are each composed of several tightly fitted heat exchange plates 6. The heat exchange plates 6 located inside the heat absorption zone 2, heating zone 3, and cooling zone 4 are connected by conduits 7 to form three channels for independent conveying of the hot medium, cold medium, and material to be processed. A back plate 8 is fixedly installed at the end of the heating zone 3 and the cooling zone 4, and a discharge port 9 is connected through the side wall of the back plate 8. The material, hot medium, and cold medium located inside the heat absorption zone 2, heating zone 3, and cooling zone 4 are circulated through a set of independently existing conduits 7, while the hot medium and cold medium located inside the heating zone 3 and cooling zone 4 are discharged through the discharge port 9.

[0033] The three sets of independently existing conduits 7 provide the pathways for the hot medium, cold medium, and materials, and the specific working principle of the heat exchange plate 6 are existing technologies, so they will not be elaborated on here.

[0034] Specifically, the upper and lower ends of the partition 502 are respectively provided with slots 507, and the conduit 7 is distributed inside the slots 507 to provide space for the installation of the conduit 7.

[0035] Working principle: During use, a heat medium is circulated inside the heating zone 3, causing it to be at a high temperature. A cold medium is circulated inside the cooling zone 4, causing it to be at a low temperature. The worker then introduces the material to be processed from the side of the heat absorption zone 2. The material flows sequentially through the heating zone 3 for heating, flows back to the heat absorption zone 2 to transfer residual heat and preheat subsequent materials, and then flows through the cooling zone 4 to cool down. During this process, when the residual heat inside the heat absorption zone 2 exceeds a set value, the active metal sheet 5042 inside the partition 502 undergoes active deformation due to the high temperature, causing the aerogel pads 5043 to deform and bend synchronously (close to the partition 502 outside the cooling zone 4). This causes several aerogel pads 5043 to release their contact with each other, leaving gaps. The specific state is shown in the attached figure. Figure 8 As shown, the air passage is opened simultaneously, causing the cold air around the cooling zone 4 to be conducted to the heat absorption zone 2 and uniformly cooled through the temperature-conducting copper pipe 501. When the residual heat inside the heat absorption zone 2 is less than the set value, the worker adjusts the heating zone 3 to increase the temperature slightly, causing the heat insulation component 504 located inside the partition 502 to open the air passage simultaneously (close to the partition 502 on the outside of the heating zone 3). The working principle is as above, allowing the hot air around the heating zone 3 to be conducted to the heat absorption zone 2 and uniformly heated through the temperature-conducting copper pipe 501, thereby completing the pre-interference adjustment of the temperature inside the heat absorption zone 2. The processed material will eventually be discharged from the discharge port 9 on the outside of the back plate 8.

[0036] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or modifications made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention, based on the technical solution and inventive concept of the present invention, should be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A multi-stage plate heat exchanger, comprising a body (1), characterized in that, The interior of the body (1) is composed of a heat absorption zone (2), a heating zone (3) and a cooling zone (4). The heating zone (3) and the cooling zone (4) are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the heat absorption zone (2). At the same time, a temperature control mechanism (5) is provided on the outside of the heat absorption zone (2). The control mechanism (5) and the heat absorption zone (2), the heating zone (3) and the cooling zone (4) are interspersed. The control mechanism (5) includes several rows of heat-conducting copper tubes (501) installed inside the heat absorption zone (2). A partition (502) is fixedly installed on each side of the heat absorption zone (2). The outer side of the partition (502) is adjacent to the heating zone (3) and the cooling zone (4) respectively. The end of the heat-conducting copper tube (501) extends into the interior of the partition (502). Several rows of tightly fitted heat insulation components (504) are installed inside each partition (502). The heat insulation components (504) are pressed together in pairs and form a sealed partition layer along the interior of the partition (502).

2. The multi-stage plate heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thermal insulation component (504) includes a base plate (5041) fixedly installed inside the partition plate (502). An active metal sheet (5042) is fixedly installed at the end of the base plate (5041), and an aerogel pad (5043) is attached to the back of the active metal sheet (5042). Several aerogel pads (5043) are pressed and contacted with each other in pairs.

3. A multi-stage plate heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the partitions (502) has a heat insulation layer (503) extending through its interior. The heat insulation components (504) are distributed inside the heat insulation layer (503), and the end of the thermally conductive copper tube (501) also extends through the interior of the heat insulation layer (503).

4. A multi-stage plate heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the partitions (502) has a sealing edge (505) on its outer side, and the sealing edge (505) maintains the airtightness of the interface with the heat absorption zone (2), the heating zone (3) and the cooling zone (4).

5. A multi-stage plate heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that, The side wall of the partition (502) is provided with a through-hole socket (506), and the end of the thermally conductive copper tube (501) extends into the interior of the socket (506).

6. A multi-stage plate heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heat absorption zone (2), the heating zone (3), and the cooling zone (4) are all composed of several tightly fitted heat exchange plates (6).

7. A multi-stage plate heat exchanger according to claim 6, characterized in that, Several heat exchange plates (6) located inside the heat absorption zone (2), the heating zone (3) and the cooling zone (4) are connected by conduits (7) to form three channels for independent transport of the hot medium, the cold medium and the material to be processed.

8. A multi-stage plate heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that, A back plate (8) is fixedly installed at the ends of the heating zone (3) and the cooling zone (4).

9. A multi-stage plate heat exchanger according to claim 8, characterized in that, The back plate (8) has a through-connected discharge port (9) on its side wall. The materials, hot media and cold media located in the heat absorption zone (2), the heating zone (3) and the cooling zone (4) are respectively circulated through a set of independent conduits (7), while the hot media and cold media located in the heating zone (3) and the cooling zone (4) are discharged through the discharge port (9).

10. A multi-stage plate heat exchanger according to claim 7, characterized in that, The upper and lower ends of the partition (502) are respectively provided with slots (507), and the conduit (7) is distributed inside the slots (507).

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