A wide-channel corrugated heat exchange structure and plate heat exchanger
By using a wide-channel corrugated heat exchange structure, the problems of small flow cross-section and easy clogging and corrosion of traditional heat exchangers are solved, achieving efficient and stable heat exchange, adapting to a variety of media, and reducing equipment maintenance and energy consumption.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- 充松峰
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-09
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-02
AI Technical Summary
Traditional heat exchangers have a small fluid flow cross-section in the heat exchange tubes, resulting in a low heat transfer coefficient. They are also prone to clogging in media containing particulate impurities, and traditional heat exchange plates are susceptible to corrosion, leading to leaks.
It adopts a wide-channel corrugated heat exchange structure, which includes two heat exchange plates welded together. The inner channel is a corrugated wide channel, and the surface is coated with an anti-corrosion coating. The weld point diameter is 8-12mm, and the arrangement is a staggered grid or a transverse equidistant grid. It is made of carbon steel or stainless steel and is designed with double-sided or single-sided protrusions to adapt to different media characteristics.
It improves heat exchange efficiency, reduces flow resistance, prevents clogging and corrosion, extends equipment life, reduces maintenance frequency, lowers equipment costs and energy consumption, adapts to various media characteristics, and improves equipment versatility.
Smart Images
Figure CN224316876U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field, and in particular to a wide-channel corrugated heat exchange structure and a plate heat exchanger. Background Technology
[0002] Heat exchangers are widely used devices in industrial production and daily life. In chemical, petroleum, power, food, and many other industrial production processes, temperature control of fluids is often required. For example, in chemical production, chemical reactions typically need to be carried out at specific temperatures. Heat exchangers can be used to heat or cool reactants to achieve ideal reaction conditions, thereby improving reaction efficiency and product quality. In petroleum refining, processes such as crude oil distillation and cracking require numerous heat exchange devices to transfer heat and separate materials to obtain petroleum products with different boiling point ranges. With the increasing prominence of energy issues, improving energy efficiency has become an important goal in industrial production. Heat exchangers can effectively recover and utilize waste heat generated during production, transferring the heat of high-temperature fluids to low-temperature fluids that require heating, thereby reducing energy consumption and lowering production costs. For example, in industries such as steel and metallurgy, large amounts of high-temperature waste gas and slag are generated during production. Heat exchangers can recover this waste heat for preheating air, coal gas, etc., improving the overall energy utilization rate. Advances in materials science have provided strong support for the development of heat exchangers. The new material has better corrosion resistance, high temperature resistance and thermal conductivity, enabling the heat exchanger to operate stably in harsher environments.
[0003] With the continuous development of industrial production, the requirements for the performance and efficiency of heat exchange equipment are increasing. Traditional heat exchange equipment, such as shell-and-tube heat exchangers, although widely used, has limitations in terms of heat transfer efficiency, size, and disassembly and cleaning. Plate heat exchangers are gradually gaining popularity due to their advantages such as high efficiency, compactness, and detachability. As the core component, the performance of the heat exchange plates directly affects the performance of the heat exchanger. Therefore, the research and improvement of heat exchange plates has become the key to improving the performance of heat exchangers.
[0004] Chinese patent document 201210323203.5 discloses a heat exchanger plate, including positioning holes, sealing grooves, medium inlet and outlet, flow guiding area, and heat exchanger plate edge. The flow guiding area has flow guiding protrusions, with the central protrusion arranged in a straight line and the protrusions on both sides arranged in a zigzag line. A flow guiding channel is formed between two adjacent protrusions. The heat exchanger plate edge has an upper boss surface and a lower groove surface, which are alternately arranged along each side of the heat exchanger plate edge. The flow guiding channels on both sides of the flow guiding area are arranged in a zigzag line shape, while the central channel is arranged in a straight line.
[0005] However, the above-mentioned solutions have at least the following technical problems during implementation: the fluid flow cross-section inside the heat exchange tubes of traditional heat exchangers is small, resulting in a low heat transfer coefficient. Furthermore, in media containing particulate impurities, the narrow flow channel structure of traditional heat exchangers is prone to blockage. Additionally, traditional heat exchange plates are susceptible to corrosion by the heat exchange medium, leading to leaks. Therefore, there is an urgent need to propose a wide-flow-channel corrugated heat exchange structure and a plate heat exchanger. Summary of the Invention
[0006] In view of the above technical problems, this disclosure provides a wide-channel corrugated heat exchange structure and a plate heat exchanger, which solves the problems of the small fluid flow cross section and low heat transfer coefficient in the heat exchange tubes of traditional heat exchangers in the prior art, and the narrow flow channel structure of traditional heat exchangers is prone to blockage in some media containing particulate impurities. Furthermore, it solves the technical problem that traditional heat exchange plates are easily corroded by the heat exchange medium, leading to leakage.
[0007] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a wide-channel corrugated heat exchange structure is provided, comprising at least two sets of heat exchange plate assemblies, with an outer channel adapted to the heat exchange medium formed between adjacent heat exchange plate assemblies; each heat exchange plate assembly includes two heat exchange plates, at least one side of which is provided with a protrusion to form an inner channel within the two heat exchange plates, the inner channel being a corrugated wide-channel adapted to the heat exchange medium; the heat exchange plates include a metal structure, the surface of which is coated with an anti-corrosion coating.
[0008] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the heat exchange plate assembly includes two heat exchange plates welded together by multiple solder joints.
[0009] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the diameter of the solder joint is 8-12 mm.
[0010] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the solder joints are arranged in an alternating grid or a transversely equidistant grid.
[0011] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the heat exchange plate assembly is a double-sided raised heat exchange plate assembly or a single-sided raised heat exchange plate assembly. The two heat exchange plates of the double-sided raised heat exchange plate assembly have the same thickness, while the two heat exchange plates of the single-sided raised heat exchange plate assembly have different thicknesses.
[0012] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the metal structure is a carbon steel or stainless steel metal structure.
[0013] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the heat exchange plate has a wall thickness of 0.5 to 1.2 mm.
[0014] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a plate heat exchanger is provided, comprising a plurality of parallel-arranged wide-channel corrugated heat exchange structures as described above.
[0015] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows:
[0016] The wide-channel corrugated heat exchanger structure employs fully automated laser welding without oxidation, preventing weld stress and stress cracking of the baffle plates during operation. This eliminates leakage risk and essentially eliminates maintenance. Each plate undergoes high-pressure liquid molding, equivalent to 100% overpressure testing, ensuring strong pressure resistance and eliminating any leakage potential. Hydraulic expansion creates internal corrugated wide channels, accommodating heat exchange media containing larger particles. The smooth inner and outer surfaces of the plates have no dead corners, resulting in low flow resistance. The design allows for easy integration of baffle and flushing structures, enabling high-pressure flushing of the plates under required conditions. Under mechanical and thermal shock from the media, the plate surface undergoes slight deformation, causing brittle shedding of the fouling layer, providing self-cleaning and anti-fouling capabilities. Because the heat exchanger plates have very smooth surfaces and inner walls with sufficient spacing, dust and grime do not easily adhere to or accumulate on the outside of the plates. The corrugations of the plates create static turbulence within the tubes, making it difficult for scale to form on the heat exchange surfaces. This significantly reduces the frequency of equipment maintenance and cleaning, ensuring long-term safe operation with a relatively stable heat transfer coefficient. The relatively thin wall thickness of the heat exchanger plates (0.5–1.2 mm) overcomes the disadvantage of the low thermal conductivity of stainless steel. The corrugated flow channels create static turbulence in the medium, enhancing heat exchange performance. It can efficiently exchange heat between the inner and outer surfaces of the plates at low flow rates. The plates themselves have excellent wear resistance, and the plate heat exchanger is designed with a reasonable medium flow rate to reduce wear while ensuring heat exchange efficiency, thus reducing wear on heat exchanger components. Various grades of stainless steel are used as the raw material for the folded plates, offering advantages such as good strength, strong corrosion resistance, good surface non-stick properties, a wide operating temperature range, and oxidation resistance. The stainless steel material has an allowable operating temperature of 700℃, and its processed plates can operate well under various working conditions with a medium temperature below 600℃. Due to the use of thin-walled plates, the heat exchanger under the same working conditions is much lighter than the traditional tube heat exchanger, and it is manufactured in a modular manner in the factory, which facilitates transportation and on-site installation.
[0017] The internal channels employ a corrugated wide flow channel adapted to the heat exchange medium. This corrugated structure significantly improves the heat transfer coefficient and enhances the heat exchange effect. The wide flow channel design also helps reduce fluid flow resistance, allowing for smoother fluid flow and further improving heat exchange efficiency. The two heat exchange plates in the double-sided raised heat exchange plate assembly are of the same thickness, ensuring structural strength while allowing for good fluid turbulence on both sides, thus improving heat exchange efficiency. The two heat exchange plates in the single-sided raised heat exchange plate assembly have different thicknesses, allowing for optimized thickness design based on the characteristics of different heat exchange media and heat exchange requirements, resulting in a more efficient heat exchange process. The heat exchange plate assembly consists of two heat exchange plates welded together by multiple weld points. The weld points have a diameter of 8-12mm and are arranged in an interlaced grid or transversely equidistant grid pattern. This welding method provides the heat exchange plate assembly with high structural strength and stability, ensuring that no leakage or deformation occurs between the heat exchange plates under complex operating conditions such as high temperature and high pressure, extending the service life of the heat exchanger. The heat exchange plates consist of a metal structure coated with an anti-corrosion coating. The metal structure can be made of materials such as carbon steel or stainless steel, possessing good mechanical properties and compressive strength, capable of withstanding pressure and temperature changes of the heat exchange medium. The anti-corrosion coating effectively prevents corrosion between the metal structure and the heat exchange medium, improving the corrosion resistance of the heat exchange plates and reducing equipment damage and maintenance costs caused by corrosion. The wide flow channel design not only reduces fluid resistance and improves heat exchange efficiency but also adapts to various heat exchange media with different characteristics, including media containing particles, impurities, or fibers, as well as high-viscosity fluids. This avoids the problem of blockage caused by excessively narrow flow channels, broadening the application range of the heat exchanger. The two heat exchange plates of the single-sided raised heat exchange plate assembly have different thicknesses, which can be adjusted according to different heat exchange requirements and operating conditions, meeting various complex heat exchange scenarios and improving the versatility and adaptability of the heat exchanger. The improved heat exchange efficiency allows for a reduction in heat exchanger area and equipment volume while meeting the same heat exchange requirements, thereby lowering manufacturing costs and operating energy consumption. Alternatively, it enables greater heat exchange capacity within the same equipment size, improving energy utilization efficiency and reducing energy waste. The use of anti-corrosion coatings not only extends the service life of heat exchange plates but also reduces problems such as metal ion leaching caused by corrosion, minimizing contamination of the heat exchange medium and ensuring material purity and quality. It also helps reduce material losses and environmental pollution risks caused by accidents such as equipment leaks. Attached Figure Description
[0018] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of a wide-channel corrugated heat exchanger structure;
[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a single heat exchanger plate assembly.
[0020] Figure 3 This is a structural diagram of Example 3;
[0021] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a double-sided raised heat exchanger plate assembly.
[0022] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a single-sided raised heat exchanger plate assembly.
[0023] The components in the diagram are named as follows: 1. Heat exchange plate assembly; 2. Outer channel; 3. Heat exchange plate; 4. Protrusion; 5. Inner channel; 6. Weld joint. Detailed Implementation
[0024] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the preferred embodiments described herein are for illustration and explanation only and are not intended to limit the present invention. Example 1
[0025] This example discloses a wide-channel corrugated heat transfer structure. See [link to relevant documentation]. Figures 1 to 5 ;
[0026] The device includes at least two sets of heat exchange plate assemblies 1, with an outer channel 2 formed between adjacent heat exchange plate assemblies 1 to accommodate the heat exchange medium. Each heat exchange plate assembly 1 includes two heat exchange plates 3, with a protrusion 4 on at least one side of each heat exchange plate 3 to form an inner channel 5 within the two heat exchange plates. The inner channel 5 is a corrugated wide flow channel adapted to the heat exchange medium. Each heat exchange plate 3 includes a metal structure, and the surface of the metal structure is coated with an anti-corrosion coating.
[0027] The heat exchange plate assembly 1 includes two heat exchange plates 3 welded together by multiple weld points 6.
[0028] The diameter of solder joint 6 is 8~12mm.
[0029] The arrangement of solder joint 6 is an interlaced grid.
[0030] Heat exchanger plate group 1 is a double-sided raised heat exchanger plate group, and the two heat exchanger plates of the double-sided raised heat exchanger plate group have the same thickness.
[0031] The metal structure is made of carbon steel or stainless steel.
[0032] The heat exchange plate wall thickness is 0.5~1.2mm.
[0033] During operation, the high-temperature fluid, the heat exchange medium, flows within the corrugated wide channels formed between two heat exchange plates. The corrugated protrusions create turbulence, enhancing heat exchange efficiency, while the wide channel design reduces flow resistance, making it particularly suitable for high-viscosity or particulate-containing media. The other heat exchange medium, cooling water or a low-temperature fluid, flows in the channels between adjacent heat exchange plate assemblies, exchanging heat with the inner channel medium through the metal plates. Heat is conducted from the high-temperature medium to the low-temperature medium via the metal plates. The corrugated structure disrupts the laminar boundary layer, increasing the convective heat transfer coefficient and improving heat transfer efficiency compared to a flat plate structure. The anti-corrosion coating on the metal plate surface prevents media corrosion, ensuring long-term stable operation. Large weld joints ensure a robust connection between the plates, preventing deformation or leakage under high pressure. The staggered grid arrangement of the weld joints optimizes stress distribution, avoiding localized overheating or fatigue cracking. Example 2
[0034] The principle of this example is the same as that of Example 1, the specific difference being that...
[0035] This example provides a plate heat exchanger comprising several parallel wide-channel corrugated heat exchange structures as described above. Example 3
[0036] The principle of this example is the same as that of Example 1, the specific difference being, see [link to example]. Figure 3
[0037] The arrangement of solder points 6 is a horizontally equidistant grid. Example 4
[0038] The principle of this example is the same as that of Example 1, the specific difference being, see [link to example]. Figure 5
[0039] Heat exchanger plate group 1 is a single-sided raised heat exchanger plate group, and the two heat exchanger plates of the single-sided raised heat exchanger plate group have different thicknesses.
[0040] Although some preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, those skilled in the art, upon learning the basic inventive concept, can make other changes and modifications to these embodiments. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to be interpreted as including the preferred embodiments as well as all changes and modifications falling within the scope of the present invention.
[0041] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this utility model without departing from its spirit and scope. Therefore, if these modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this utility model also intends to include these modifications and variations.
Claims
1. A wide-channel corrugated heat exchange structure, characterized in that: It includes at least two sets of heat exchange plate assemblies, with an outer channel formed between adjacent heat exchange plate assemblies to accommodate the heat exchange medium; each heat exchange plate assembly includes two heat exchange plates, with at least one side of each heat exchange plate having a protrusion to form an inner channel inside the two heat exchange plates, the inner channel being a corrugated wide flow channel to accommodate the heat exchange medium, and each heat exchange plate including a metal structure with an anti-corrosion coating on its surface.
2. The wide-channel corrugated heat exchange structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The heat exchange plate assembly comprises two heat exchange plates welded together by multiple weld points.
3. The wide-channel corrugated heat exchange structure as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The diameter of the weld point is 8~12mm.
4. The wide-channel corrugated heat exchange structure as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The welding points are arranged in an alternating grid or a horizontally equidistant grid.
5. The wide-channel corrugated heat exchange structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The heat exchange plate assembly is either a double-sided raised heat exchange plate assembly or a single-sided raised heat exchange plate assembly. The two heat exchange plates of the double-sided raised heat exchange plate assembly have the same thickness, while the two heat exchange plates of the single-sided raised heat exchange plate assembly have different thicknesses.
6. The wide-channel corrugated heat exchange structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The metal structure is a carbon steel or stainless steel metal structure.
7. The wide-channel corrugated heat exchange structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The heat exchange plate has a wall thickness of 0.5~1.2mm.
8. A plate heat exchanger, characterized in that, It includes several parallel wide-channel corrugated heat exchange structures as described in any one of claims 1 to 7.