Plate heat exchanger

Abstract

The utility model relates to a plate heat exchanger, and belongs to the technical field of energy recovery equipment. A plate heat exchanger comprises a first inlet variable diameter, a heat exchange core body, a second inlet variable diameter, a first outlet variable diameter and a second outlet variable diameter, the first inlet variable diameter and the first outlet variable diameter serve as an inlet and an outlet of a first stream, and the second inlet variable diameter and the second outlet variable diameter serve as an inlet and an outlet of a second stream. The flowing modes of the first stream and the second stream in the heat exchange core body are vertical, and the flowing directions of the first stream and the second stream in the heat exchange core body are opposite; the heat exchange core body forms a floating and sinking structure with an inlet flow guide area, a middle main heat exchange area and an outlet flow guide area through compression. The heat exchanger has the advantages of high heat exchange efficiency, high compactness, low resistance, low cost, easiness in processing and manufacturing and the like.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to a plate heat exchanger, belonging to the technical field of energy recovery equipment. Background Art

[0002] Energy recovery equipment is being widely used to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and conserve energy. Improving the efficiency of energy recovery equipment is particularly important. For industries like power, steel, and refining, legacy equipment and high-energy-consuming equipment need to be upgraded. Limited on-site space demands a high degree of compactness in these new equipment.

[0003] The airflow entering the heat exchanger is generally input from a pipeline. Due to the large airflow volume and high velocity within the pipeline, the high inertia causes the airflow to flow along the pipeline after entering the heat exchanger. When it encounters an obstacle, it changes direction, generating a large pressure drop, noise, vibration, and ineffective turbulence. This situation creates heat exchange dead zones and short-circuit flow in the heat exchanger, reducing the utilization rate of the heat exchange area and increasing CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion. The large pressure drop increases the power consumption of moving parts such as fans, increasing electricity consumption. The high noise and vibration reduce the reliability and lifespan of the equipment, posing a production risk. Adding guide vanes to plates or reducers has low applicability. Secondly, guide vanes added to plates are generally spot-welded to the plates, which has disadvantages such as low processing efficiency, easy detachment, rust at the spot welds, high cost, and high pressure drop. Adding guide vanes to reducers has low adjustability. Due to cost constraints, the coupling method of adding guides to the plate and reducer is generally not adopted. Even if the cost is not considered, the existing spot welding guide plate method is generally optimized and has low applicability.

[0004] For example, Chinese patent publication number "CN111238265A" discloses a pulsating water-cooled tube-plate heat exchanger, which adds flow guides to the plates or reducers. It includes a base plate, a cover plate, a fluid inlet, and a fluid outlet. A baffle is provided on the substrate, comprising a first baffle located at the center of the substrate, a second baffle surrounding the first baffle, and a third baffle surrounding the second baffle. The first baffle comprises four pieces, with spaces provided between adjacent first baffles, adjacent first baffles being perpendicular to each other, and extensions of the four first baffles forming a first square. The second baffle comprises four pieces, with spaces provided between adjacent second baffles, adjacent second baffles being perpendicular to each other, and extensions of the four second baffles forming a second square, with the extension line of each first baffle passing through the midpoint of two second baffles. The third baffle comprises four pieces, with spaces provided between adjacent third baffles, adjacent third baffles being perpendicular to each other, and extensions of the four third baffles forming a third square, with the extension line of each second baffle passing through the midpoint of two third baffles. A plurality of cylindrical fins are provided between the second baffle and the third baffle. The substrate further comprises a fourth baffle provided outside the third baffle, the fourth baffle comprising two parallel pieces, and the extension lines of the two third baffles passing through the midpoint of one fourth baffle. The refrigerant flows from the center of the cover. When it first enters the cold plate, its temperature is still low, creating a large temperature difference with the heat exchange area. This provides strong cooling capacity and more effective temperature control in the heat exchange area. A flow guide structure within the cold plate effectively reduces dead zones in the refrigerant flow and further improves temperature uniformity across the heat flow surface. Utility Model Content

[0005] The main purpose of the utility model is to provide a plate heat exchanger with the advantages of high heat exchange efficiency, high compactness, low resistance, low cost, easy processing and manufacturing, etc.

[0006] In order to achieve the above purpose, the technical solution adopted by the utility model is:

[0007] A plate heat exchanger includes a first inlet reducer, a heat exchange core, a second inlet reducer, a first outlet reducer, and a second outlet reducer. The first inlet reducer and the first outlet reducer serve as the inlet and outlet of a first stream, and the second inlet reducer and the second outlet reducer serve as the inlet and outlet of a second stream. The first stream and the second stream flow vertically in the heat exchange core, and the first stream and the second stream flow in opposite directions in the heat exchange core. The heat exchange core is formed into a floating and sinking structure of three areas: inlet diversion, intermediate main heat exchange, and outlet diversion through pressing.

[0008] The first and second streams both flow vertically in the heat exchanger, with opposite flow directions. If the first stream enters from the top and exits from the bottom, the second stream enters from the bottom and exits from the top. The second and first streams can flow in or out from the top, bottom, left, or right sides of the plate. When the pipeline connected to the first stream is vertical, the direction of the airflow into the heat exchanger does not change, and the first inlet diameter change can ensure uniform distribution in the heat exchange core. When the pipeline connected to the first stream is horizontal, the direction of the airflow into the heat exchange gas changes by 90°, and the first inlet diameter change and the connected 90° elbow can also ensure uniform distribution in the heat exchange core. The overall flow guide structure can be used over a wide range of flow fluctuations and is not affected by the position and angle of the pipeline, ensuring uniform distribution of airflow in the heat exchanger and avoiding dead zones and short-circuits. The spacing between the first and second streams is adjusted according to their respective flow rates, medium type, etc.

[0009] Preferably, the second inlet reducer includes an inlet reducer frame, a guide plate and a rectifier module. The rectifier module is located at the airflow inlet of the inlet reducer frame and adopts a partition plate for rectification. The partition plate is dense in the middle and sparse around. The guide plate is located at the airflow outlet of the inlet reducer frame and is tilted downward.

[0010] When the pipeline connecting the second stream is horizontal, the direction of the airflow entering the heat exchanger changes by 90°. The asymmetric second inlet reducer and the specially shaped plates in the heat exchange core ensure uniform distribution of the airflow within the heat exchange core. If the pipeline connecting the second stream is vertical, the airflow flows through the 90° elbow into the second inlet reducer and the heat exchange core, flowing into the heat exchanger in the opposite direction relative to the pipeline. The second inlet reducer and the heat exchange core also ensure uniform distribution of the airflow within the heat exchange core. The position of the second outlet reducer can be flexibly adjusted according to process requirements and can be on the same or opposite side as the second inlet reducer without affecting the uniform distribution effect. Both are achieved through the self-guiding flow of the second inlet reducer and the heat exchange core.

[0011] The second inlet reducer features an asymmetric structure with adjustable shape and angle. It uses a rectifier module for rectification and a guide plate for flow diversion. The density, length, thickness, and material of the plates in the rectifier module are adjustable through design. The length, thickness, material, and tilt angle of the plates in the guide plate are also adjustable through design.

[0012] Preferably, the heat exchange core includes several plate pairs, which are formed by mirror-image stacking of plates with guide shapes, forming a first flow channel between the plate pairs, and a second flow channel within the plate pairs, the first flow channel serves as the flow channel for the first stream, and the second flow channel serves as the flow channel for the second stream.

[0013] Plates with flow-guiding shapes are stacked in a mirrored manner to form plate pairs and flow channels for the primary and secondary streams. Long and short edge welds are then applied to prevent mixing of the primary and secondary streams. This welding significantly improves the pressure-bearing performance and reliability of the heat exchange core, achieving zero leakage. The primary and secondary streams exchange heat indirectly, coupling convection, conduction, and radiation.

[0014] Preferably, the plate includes an inlet area, a middle area and an outlet area. The inlet area realizes the diversion of the second flow and its uniform distribution in the plate through the self-guiding bulge shape; the middle area transfers heat through a sinking and floating structure, and the outlet area completes the guidance through the bulge shape.

[0015] The plates for the secondary stream are hydraulically formed using a die. Their inherent flow-guiding design prevents detachment and offers a wide adjustable flow range. They are divided into three zones: the inlet zone, which serves as the secondary stream's inlet guide, the middle zone, which serves as the intermediate main heat exchange zone, and the outlet zone, which serves as the secondary stream's outlet guide. The inlet zone utilizes a self-guiding bulge to divert the secondary stream, avoid significant pressure drop, vibration, and noise, and ensure uniform distribution throughout the plate. The middle zone utilizes a floating and sinking design to enhance heat transfer, increase turbulence within the secondary stream, and avoid ineffective turbulent disturbances, thereby reducing drag drop. The outlet zone utilizes a self-guiding bulge to guide the secondary stream out of the heat exchange plate, minimizing ineffective turbulent disturbances. The floating and sinking structures of the inlet guide, intermediate main heat exchange, and outlet guide zones are formed through profiling. The floating and sinking structures of the intermediate main heat exchange zone can be any shape that enhances heat transfer and minimizes ineffective disturbances. The floating and sinking structures of the inlet and outlet guides can be symmetrical or asymmetrical. The density and angle of the floating and sinking structure can be adjusted according to the requirements of the allowable resistance drop.

[0016] Preferably, the self-guiding bulge shape includes several mirror-arranged convex streamline structures, human-shaped convex convex structures and convex convex structures. The convex streamline structure is located on one side of the middle area of ​​the inlet area, the convex structure is located between the convex streamline structures and on both sides of the other side, and the human-shaped convex structure is located in the middle of the other side; the convex streamline structure is a structure with low sides and high middle, and the convex streamline structure is in a broken line shape.

[0017] The convex streamline structure is a streamlined convex structure, which mainly pulls and guides the airflow relatively to the upper part; the human-shaped convex structure and the convex structure are streamlined convex structures, which mainly guide the airflow relatively to the middle and lower parts, and then complete the traction of the airflow through the convex streamline structure.

[0018] Preferably, one end of the broken line is vertical, the middle of the other end faces the middle of the other side, and the two side parts of the other end face the two sides of the other side; the convex floating structure close to the convex floating streamline structure has the same orientation as the other end of the convex floating streamline structure, and the convex floating structure away from the convex floating streamline structure has a perpendicular orientation to the other end of the convex floating streamline structure.

[0019] Preferably, the bulge shape includes several mirror-arranged human-shaped convex-convex structures and convex-convex structures, the convex-convex structures are located between the sinking and floating structures and on both sides of the outlet side of the outlet area, and the human-shaped convex-convex structure is located in the middle of the outlet side of the outlet area.

[0020] Preferably, the other ends of the convex embossed structure and the convex embossed streamline structure close to the middle area are perpendicular to each other, and the other ends of the convex embossed structure and the convex embossed streamline structure away from the middle area are in the same direction.

[0021] Preferably, the plates are connected by welding. The height of the plate inlet and outlet guides can be adjusted according to the flow rate, heat exchange area, medium type, etc., and the height, length, and thickness of the plate can also be relatively adjusted. The plate guide improves the uniformity of one stream without affecting the uniformity of another stream. The guide structure can reduce ineffective disturbances, reduce noise and plate vibration, and improve equipment reliability. The guide structure can improve the uniformity of airflow and improve area utilization.

[0022] Preferably, the plate is integrally pressed by a mold.

[0023] The beneficial effects of the utility model are as follows:

[0024] The plate heat exchanger described in the utility model is applicable to a wide range of flow fluctuations and is not affected by the position and angle of the pipeline; the welding method can ensure the high pressure resistance and reliability of the heat exchanger; the self-guiding structure can ensure the uniform distribution of air flow in the heat exchanger, avoid the generation of dead zones and short flows, improve the utilization rate and heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchange area, generate a low friction factor, a small overall heat exchange area, compact equipment, small footprint, and low operating and investment costs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of a plate heat exchanger of the utility model;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a schematic structural diagram of a second inlet diameter change of a plate heat exchanger according to the present invention;

[0027] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a fully welded plate pair and flow channel of a plate heat exchanger of the utility model;

[0028] Figure 4The utility model is a schematic diagram of the structure of a plate heat exchanger with self-guiding plates.

[0029] In the figure: 1. First inlet reducer; 2. Heat exchange core; 3. Second inlet reducer; 4. First outlet reducer; 5. Second outlet reducer; 6. Inlet reducer frame; 7. Guide plate; 8. Rectifier module; 9. First flow channel; 10. Second flow channel; 11. Inlet area; 12. Outlet area; 13. Convex streamline structure; 14. Human-shaped convex structure; 15. Convex structure; 16. Middle area. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] In order to make the technical means, creative features, objectives and effects achieved by the present invention easier to understand, the present invention is further described below in conjunction with specific implementation methods.

[0031] Example 1

[0032] like Figure 1-Figure 4 As shown, this embodiment discloses a plate heat exchanger, including a first inlet reducer 1, a heat exchange core 2, a second inlet reducer 3, a first outlet reducer 4 and a second outlet reducer 5. The first inlet reducer 1 and the first outlet reducer 4 serve as the inlet and outlet of the first stream, and the second inlet reducer 3 and the second outlet reducer 5 serve as the inlet and outlet of the second stream. The flow modes of the first stream and the second stream in the heat exchange core 2 are both vertical, and the flow directions of the first stream and the second stream in the heat exchange core 2 are opposite; the heat exchange core 2 is formed by pressing to form a floating and sinking structure of three areas: inlet diversion, intermediate main heat exchange, and outlet diversion.

[0033] Figure 1 In the figure, the first flow stream can enter from the first inlet reducer 1 and exit from the first outlet reducer 4, or enter from the first outlet reducer 4 and exit from the first inlet reducer 1, and the second flow stream can enter from the second inlet reducer 3 and exit from the second outlet reducer 5, or enter from the second outlet reducer 5 and exit from the second inlet reducer 3, and the position of the second outlet reducer 5 can be kept on the same side or on the opposite side as the second inlet reducer 3.

[0034] Figure 2In the example, the second inlet reducer 3 adopts an asymmetric structure, not a symmetrical one. The airflow ultimately flows vertically in the heat exchanger. A symmetrical structure would cause the airflow to flow downward along the inclined surface of the reducer, resulting in ineffective flow in the heat exchanger. An asymmetric structure saves material and effectively guides the airflow. The airflow in the pipeline is affected by boundary viscosity, resulting in higher velocity in the center than in the surrounding areas. Rectification by the rectifier module 8 evens out the velocity and momentum of the airflow. The rectifier module 8 consists of partitions, with densely packed partitions separating the high velocity in the center. The boundary layer created by the partitions reduces the velocity and momentum of the airflow, stabilizing the airflow and ensuring overall balance and uniform velocity and momentum. Below the guide plate 7, some airflow flows into the heat exchange plates at an angle, not horizontally, causing a sharp turn in the plate flow channel (small space), generating noise and vibration.

[0035] Figure 3 The flow channels for the first and second streams are supported by a concave and convex floating and sinking structure, which effectively ensures support strength. The integrated mold forming prevents detachment, which could cause channel collapse and heat exchanger performance failure. This structure increases airflow disturbance. Compared to gases, which have lower viscosity and lower heat transfer capacity, increasing airflow disturbance enhances heat transfer and avoids ineffective localized disturbances, where a single airflow is uniformly disturbed in a specific area, wasting heat transfer area, increasing resistance drop, and increasing fan power consumption. The long and short edges of the plates are welded to prevent mixing of the first and second streams.

[0036] Figure 4The plate is self-guiding and includes an inlet area 11 for the second stream, an intermediate area 16 for heat exchange of the second stream, and an outlet area 12 for the second stream. The inlet area 11 can support the stream entering from the left or right side, without adjusting the position and direction of the diversion due to the inlet position of the stream. The mirror structure can achieve coupling between manufacturability and diversion. When the second stream enters at the lower left corner, the airflow is guided by the second inlet reducer 3, and the plate flows in at a relative angle. It no longer flows to the rightmost side of the plate to bounce against the wall and is pulled upward by the right wall. Under the guidance of the convex floating streamline structure 13, the upper airflow begins to flow upward from the left. The convex floating streamline structure 13 is in the shape of a convex floating streamline, which can avoid ineffective disturbance of the airflow in one area. The convex floating streamline structure 13 is a structure with low sides and high middle, gradually guiding the airflow on the left. The airflow in the middle and lower sections cannot be guided by the convex floating streamline structure 13 because the second stream enters from a single side. If it continues to be guided by the convex floating streamline structure 13, there will be no airflow in the heat exchange area on the right side, resulting in a dead zone. The airflow in the middle and lower sections is guided by the human-shaped convex floating structures 14 and 15, directing the airflow into the heat exchange plates on the right side. The human-shaped convex floating structure 14 at the bottom can guide the bottommost airflow into the plates in advance, halving the friction work distance and reducing resistance drop. When the second stream enters from the lower right corner, the same process occurs. When the airflow flows into the middle area 16, the main heat exchange portion is completed. The main sinking and floating structure enhances heat transfer and avoids ineffective disturbances. When it continues to flow into the outlet area 12, it is guided by the human-shaped convex floating structures 14 and 15, ensuring that it flows out from the left or right side. Furthermore, the convex floating structure does not affect the flow of the first stream, causing ineffective deflection and disturbance in the first inlet reducer 1.

[0037] The present invention provides a plate heat exchanger with self-guiding plates and reducers, which together with a frame, a self-supporting structure, and other components form a heat exchanger. Existing plate preheaters lack self-guiding accessories. Airflow enters the plate preheater from a pipeline, and due to inertia, the airflow generally flows along the pipeline, resulting in severe uneven distribution of air within the plate heat exchanger. This uneven airflow distribution reduces the effective heat exchange area and reduces area utilization. Furthermore, the uneven airflow causes local temperatures to be too low or too high, leading to condensation of acid in corrosive gases, which in turn causes corrosion and reduces the service life and reliability of the equipment. This new plate preheater utilizes self-guiding plates and variable diameters. The plates are fully welded and sealed, eliminating sealing strips that can age and leak, improving the plates' pressure resistance and reliability. The plates' self-guiding function is achieved through a special shape (a concave and convex floating structure) hydraulically formed into the plates, eliminating the need for spot welding to create the guiding shape, thus reducing the risk of detachment and rusting. The variable diameter self-guiding function is constructed using rectifiers and guide plates, which initially distribute the airflow entering the heat exchanger, further improving its uniformity within the heat exchanger. The asymmetry of the intake variable diameter enhances the directionality of the intake air, saving the volume and weight of the variable diameter. The special shape of the plates also increases the turbulence of the airflow, while the unique angle reduces friction and ineffective turbulence, thereby reducing resistance drop and fan operating power consumption. This new plate heat exchanger offers the advantages of high heat transfer efficiency, high compactness, low resistance, and low cost. It has significant advantages in achieving energy recovery rate, floor space, investment recovery period, carbon reduction, etc. The material can be metal or non-metal, and is used in the power, steel, refining and other industries.

[0038] The above shows and describes the basic principles, main features and advantages of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The above embodiments and descriptions are merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention. Various changes and improvements may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Such changes and improvements are intended to fall within the scope of the present invention. The scope of protection claimed in this invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A plate heat exchanger, characterized in that: The heat exchange core (2) comprises a first inlet reducer (1), a heat exchange core (2), a second inlet reducer (3), a first outlet reducer (4) and a second outlet reducer (5), wherein the first inlet reducer (1) and the first outlet reducer (4) serve as the inlet and outlet of the first stream, and the second inlet reducer (3) and the second outlet reducer (5) serve as the inlet and outlet of the second stream, and the first stream and the second stream flow vertically in the heat exchange core (2), and the first stream and the second stream flow in opposite directions in the heat exchange core (2); the heat exchange core (2) forms a floating and sinking structure of the three regions of inlet diversion, intermediate main heat exchange and outlet diversion through pressing.

2. A plate heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second inlet reducer (3) comprises an inlet reducer frame (6), a guide plate (7) and a rectifier module (8). The rectifier module (8) is located at the airflow inlet of the inlet reducer frame (6) and adopts a partition plate for rectification. The partition plate is dense in the middle and sparse around. The guide plate (7) is located at the airflow outlet of the inlet reducer frame (6) and is tilted downward.

3. The plate heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heat exchange core (2) comprises a plurality of plate pairs, wherein the plate pairs are formed by mirror-image stacking of plates with flow-guiding shapes, a first flow channel (9) is formed between the plate pairs, and a second flow channel (10) is formed within the plate pairs, the first flow channel (9) serving as a flow channel for a first stream, and the second flow channel (10) serving as a flow channel for a second stream.

4. The plate heat exchanger according to claim 3, characterized in that: The plate comprises an inlet area (11), an intermediate area (16) and an outlet area (12). The inlet area (11) realizes the diversion of the second flow stream and its uniform distribution in the plate through the self-guiding bulge shape; the intermediate area (16) transfers heat through a floating and sinking structure, and the outlet area (12) completes the guidance through the bulge shape.

5. The plate heat exchanger according to claim 4, characterized in that: The self-guiding bulge shape includes a plurality of mirror-arranged convex streamline structures (13), a human-shaped convex structure (14) and a convex structure (15), wherein the convex streamline structure (13) is located on one side of the middle area (16) of the inlet area (11), the convex structure (15) is located between the convex streamline structures (13) and on both sides of the other side, and the human-shaped convex structure (14) is located in the middle of the other side; the convex streamline structure (13) is a structure with low sides and high middle, and the convex streamline structure (13) is in a broken line shape.

6. The plate heat exchanger according to claim 5, characterized in that: The convex embossed structure (15) and the other end of the convex embossed streamline structure (13) close to the middle area (16) are oriented perpendicularly, and the convex embossed structure (15) and the other end of the convex embossed streamline structure (13) away from the middle area (16) are oriented in the same direction.

7. The plate heat exchanger according to claim 5, characterized in that: One end of the broken line is vertical, the middle of the other end faces the middle of the other side, and both sides of the other end face the two sides of the other side; the convex structure (15) close to the convex streamline structure (13) has the same orientation as the other end of the convex streamline structure (13), and the convex structure (15) away from the convex streamline structure (13) has a perpendicular orientation to the other end of the convex streamline structure (13).

8. The plate heat exchanger according to claim 4, characterized in that: The bulge shape includes a plurality of mirror-arranged human-shaped convex structures (14) and convex structures (15), wherein the convex structures (15) are located between the sinking and floating structures and on both sides of the outlet side of the outlet area (12), and the human-shaped convex structure (14) is located in the middle of the outlet side of the outlet area (12).

9. The plate heat exchanger according to claim 3, characterized in that: The plates are connected by welding.

10. The plate heat exchanger according to claim 3, characterized in that: The plate is integrally pressed by a mold.

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