Plate heat exchangers

Abstract

Plate heat exchanger (1) with a plate pack (5) consisting of several adjacent heat exchanger plates (4) and a frame (2), wherein the plate pack (5) is clamped between frame end plates (3) of the frame (2), wherein the heat exchanger plates (4) each have non-planar, structured areas (4a) with alternating protrusions (6a) and depressions (6b), wherein protrusions (6a) and depressions (6b) of adjacent heat exchanger plates (4) of the plate pack (5) are pressed against each other and / or lie against each other in such a way that at least two fluid channels (7) for the passage of at least two heat exchanger fluids are formed between the heat exchanger plates (4), wherein the respective heat exchanger fluid is introduced into and discharged from the respective fluid channel (7) via inlet passages (11) and outlet passages (13) in the plate pack (5), which are formed by mutually aligned openings (4b) in the superimposed heat exchanger plates (4), wherein seals (4d) run between the individual heat exchanger plates (4) in order to seal the respective fluid channels (7) and the openings (4b) at the edges and against each other, characterized by the fact that a support mask (16) is held between at least one of the outer heat exchanger plates (15) of the plate pack (5) and the respective frame end plate (3) in a partial area (17) which at least partially covers the non-planar, structured area (4a) of the respective outer heat exchanger plate.

Description

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

[0002] Plate heat exchangers typically comprise a plate package or stack of multiple heat exchanger plates arranged one above the other. Each heat exchanger plate has a non-planar, structured, e.g., corrugated contour with elevations and depressions. The elevations and depressions of adjacent heat exchanger plates are positioned adjacent to each other to form fluid channels for a heat exchange fluid between the heat exchanger plates. The heat exchange fluid is introduced into the fluid channels and discharged again via passages formed by aligned openings in the heat exchanger plates.

[0003] To securely hold the heat exchanger plates together even at high fluid pressures and thus ensure fluid-tight flow of the heat exchanger fluid through the fluid channels during operation, the plate pack is clamped or clamped between two frame end plates of a frame. This clamping holds the elevations and depressions of the non-planar, structured heat exchanger plates together even at high fluid pressures in the fluid channels. Seals located in molded, elongated sealing channels or sealing grooves in the heat exchanger plates can also be securely pressed into the sealing grooves by clamping them between the heat exchanger plates, thus ensuring a secure seal, particularly in the edge areas of the heat exchanger plates and / or adjacent to leakage chambers located next to the openings in the heat exchanger plates.

[0004] This is described by way of example in EP 1 001 240 A1, wherein it is additionally provided that cuboid-shaped spacers are arranged in the region of the openings in the heat exchanger plates, which form the inlet and outlet passages for the heat exchanger fluid. The spacers are located in a gap between the frame end plate and the respective outer heat exchanger plate. The gap is formed by the outer heat exchanger plate being flat in the edge region below or adjacent to the openings. The wavy contour is therefore not continued to the edge next to or below the openings in the respective outer heat exchanger plate.

[0005] This means that the outer heat exchanger plates do not directly contact the frame end plates in this edge area. Therefore, without a spacer, a compressive force can only be exerted on the plate pack in the corrugated area of ​​the heat exchanger plates, in order to hold the elevations and depressions together and keep the fluid channels sealed even at high pressures. In EP 1 001 240 A1, the spacers are provided to ensure that the seals in the flat, unstructured, or uncorrugated edge areas of the heat exchanger plates in the area of ​​the inlet and outlet passages are compressed by up to 25%, for example.

[0006] DE 699 19 540 T2 further provides for the heat exchanger plates to be brazed to a base plate in their corrugated area, and for an additional reinforcement plate to be brazed to the base plate below the inlet and outlet passages, bridging a gap. This reinforcement plate is intended to prevent the fluid from deforming the freestanding sheet metal below the respective passage at high fluid pressures, thereby damaging or cracking adjacent brazed joints.

[0007] A disadvantage of known plate heat exchangers is that the outer heat exchanger plates in the non-planar, structured area rest against a frame end plate with a high strength. The compliance of the frame end plate is therefore different from the compliance of the heat exchanger plates adjacent to the outer heat exchanger plate. At high pressures, the outer heat exchanger plate therefore receives different support outwards (towards the frame end plate) than inwards (towards the adjacent heat exchanger plate). This leads to asymmetric support, which in turn means that the elevations and depressions are not held together securely at high pressures and the seals adjacent to the non-planar, structured areas to the leakage chambers do not necessarily form a secure seal in the sealing channels or sealing grooves.There is therefore a risk of unwanted leaks and / or impaired operation of the plate heat exchanger at very high fluid pressures.

[0008] Further plate heat exchangers are described in DD 1 43 654 A5, DE 195 40 271 C1, DE 10 2012 105 115 A1 and DE 20 2008 004 655 U1.

[0009] The object of the invention is therefore to provide a plate heat exchanger which is easy to manufacture and can be operated safely even at high pressures.

[0010] This object is achieved by a plate heat exchanger according to the independent claim. The subclaims specify preferred developments.

[0011] According to the invention, a plate heat exchanger is provided with a plate pack composed of a plurality of adjacent heat exchanger plates and a frame, in which a support mask is held, preferably in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner, between at least one of the outer heat exchanger plates of the plate pack and the respective frame end plate of the frame in a partial region that at least partially covers a non-planar, structured region of the respective outer heat exchanger plate. The partial region with the support mask covers, as a non-planar, structured region of the respective outer heat exchanger plate, for example, a corrugated heat transfer region and / or a grooved distribution region and / or a grooved leakage region within a leakage space located adjacent to the openings.

[0012] The additional support mask, which covers at least the non-planar or structured area of ​​the external heat exchanger plate, provides additional support compared to the frame end plate, which has the following advantage: Normally, the external heat exchanger plate in the structured area is supported only at the apex adjacent to the frame end plate, i.e., in the elevations or depressions, depending on the viewing direction. The adjacent heat exchanger plate is also supported via the elevations or depressions. The flexibility of the frame end plate differs from that of the adjacent heat exchanger plate, so that at high fluid pressures in fluid channels formed by the elevations and depressions between the heat exchanger plates, asymmetric deformation or stress can occur within the external heat exchanger plate.

[0013] This can be prevented by the additional support mask, as this preferably also supports the part of the external heat exchanger plate that is not in contact with the frame end plate. This ensures that the elevations and depressions of the respective external heat exchanger plate are optimally pressed against the depressions or elevations of the adjacent heat exchanger plate, even at high fluid pressures, or that these lie against one another to form sealed fluid channels. The dimensions of the support mask can be specifically adapted to the respective requirements, i.e. the support mask can cover only part of the non-planar, structured area of ​​the respective external heat exchanger plate, e.g. the part that is exposed to particularly high pressure loads, or the entire non-planar, structured area.

[0014] Preferably, the support mask is held in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner by being immovably received (in the plane of this external heat exchanger plate) in the non-planar, structured region of the respective external heat exchanger plate. The support mask is thus oriented along the contour of the non-planar, structured region and is inserted from above into the non-planar, structured region with such a precise fit that the support mask fits into the non-planar, structured region and, in the selected sub-region, preferably results in a planar surface or a surface adapted to the frame end plate, which in this case is formed by the vertices of the non-planar, structured region and an outer side of the support mask facing the respective frame end plate.

[0015] Preferably, the outer side of the support mask extends, within a manufacturing-related tolerance, in a plane spanned by those vertices facing the respective frame end plate within the partial region. This means, in particular, that the outer side of the support mask does not protrude beyond vertices of the non-planar, structured region facing the respective frame end plate and located in the partial region, or that the outer side of the support mask is not closer to the frame end plate than the vertices of the non-planar, structured region facing the respective frame end plate and located in the partial region, or that the vertices of the non-planar, structured region facing the respective frame end plate and located in the partial region can touch the frame end plate.

[0016] This ensures that both the support structure and the external heat exchanger plate can rest equally against the frame end plate to achieve optimal support. Depending on the design, an intermediate layer or adhesive may also be placed between the frame end plate and the outer surface of the support mask. For example, the support mask can be bonded or adhesively bonded to the respective frame end plate within the partial area to ensure a secure connection.

[0017] The same applies to the inside of the support mask, which can be directly attached to the external heat exchanger plate or via an additional intermediate layer or adhesive. The support mask can therefore also be firmly bonded to the external heat exchanger plate.

[0018] To ensure a precise fit of the support mask, the inner side of the support mask is preferably adapted to a contour of the respective external heat exchanger plate present within the partial area. For this purpose, the inner side can, for example, have a contour complementary to the contour of the respective external heat exchanger plate, i.e., have a complementary structure, e.g., grooved or corrugated. Furthermore, this contour can also be approximated by the inner side having a rectangular or polygonal cross-section that fits the contour. Therefore, the contour does not necessarily have to be reproduced identically to achieve an additional, satisfactory supporting effect.

[0019] In this case, it can be provided, for example, that the support mask extends between the vertices of the non-planar, structured region that face the respective frame end plate within the partial region and has a plurality of interconnected webs that lie between the vertices or fit (precisely) into the non-planar, structured regions.

[0020] The production of the support mask is simplified because the contour of the support mask can be based on the structure of the stamping tool, which is also used to produce the external heat exchanger plate. It can preferably be provided that the support mask is manufactured using a subtractive or additive manufacturing process, in particular a 3D printing process and / or by milling, preferably from a dimensionally stable material that can be metallic and / or non-metallic and that is resistant to pressure and temperature influences.

[0021] Preferably, it can be additionally provided that the partial area in which the support mask is located or which is formed by the support mask, in addition to the non-planar, structured area, also covers a sealing area above the seals, in particular the seals adjacent to a leakage space of the external heat exchanger plates, and / or a closing area above the inlet or outlet ports. The support structure can therefore fulfill additional support functions in addition to the non-planar, structured area, for example, under high pressure loads, ensuring that seals that seal the fluid channels or openings or the leakage areas adjacent to the non-planar, structured area at the edges or against each other are held in their sealing grooves.

[0022] The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments. They show: Fig. 1A, Fig. 1B views of a plate heat exchanger with several heat exchanger plates or a plate pack within a frame; Fig. 1C Top view of a heat exchanger plate of the plate heat exchanger according to the Fig. 1A, Fig. 1B; Fig. 2 a sectional view of an external heat exchanger plate of a plate package in the area of ​​a frame end plate of the frame in Fig. 1; Fig. 3A, Fig. 3B, Fig. 3C Top view of the external heat exchanger plates in different designs; and Fig. 4A, Fig. 4B, Fig. 4C detailed sectional views of the support mask in a non-planar, structured area of ​​the external heat exchanger plate in different designs.

[0023] In Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B shows a plate heat exchanger 1 which has a plurality of heat exchanger plates 4 within a frame 2 between two frame end plates 3, which in the finished plate heat exchanger 1 according to Fig. 1B form a plate pack 5. In the plate pack 5, the individual heat exchanger plates 4 are stacked on top of each other and touch each other. The heat exchanger plates 4 each have non-planar, structured areas 4a and openings 4b, wherein the structured areas 4a are as in Fig. 1C shown in detail, in particular by a corrugated heat transfer area 4a1, a corrugated distribution area 4a2 and a corrugated leakage area 4a3 adjacent to the openings 4b and to the corrugated distribution area 4a2.

[0024] Furthermore, seals 4d are provided, which extend along the edges of the respective heat exchanger plates 4, as well as around the leakage areas 4a3 to form leakage chambers 4c, and also around the openings 4b as sealing eyes. To hold the seals 4d in their desired position, sealing grooves 4e are formed in the respective heat exchanger plates 4, in which the seals 4d are located.

[0025] As from Fig. 2 for the heat transfer area 4a1 and the corrugated distribution area 4a2, the non-planar, structured areas 4a (4a1, 4a2, analogously also 4a3) of the heat exchanger plates 4 are each formed by elevations 6a and depressions 6b, for example by embossing, wherein, in the stacked state, an elevation 6a of one heat exchanger plate 4 rests in the usual way against a depression 6b of the immediately adjacent heat exchanger plate 4. As a result, fluid channels 7 are formed between adjacent heat exchanger plates 4, through which a heat exchanger fluid can flow.

[0026] The heat exchanger fluid is supplied via inlet nozzle 10 (see Fig. 1A) in one of the frame end plates 3 into underlying inlet passages 11, also called inlet ports, in the plate pack 5, wherein the inlet passages 11 are formed by those superimposed openings 4b in the heat exchanger plates 4 that are located directly below the inlet nozzles 10. The inlet passages 11 are fluidly connected to the fluid channels 7 by a corresponding design of the non-planar, structured regions 4a, in particular the distributor regions 4a2, and the openings 4b, in order to enable the introduction of the heat exchanger fluid. The distributor regions 4a2 serve to distribute the admitted heat exchanger fluid to the corrugated heat transfer region 4a1.

[0027] In a similar manner, superimposed openings 4b in the heat exchanger plates 4, located below outlet nozzles 12 in the respective frame end plate 3, form outlet passages 13, also called outlet ports, which are fluidly connected to the outlet nozzles 12. The outlet passages 13 are fluidly connected to the fluid channels 7 by a corresponding design of the non-planar, structured regions 4a, in particular the distributor regions 4a2 (also called collection regions at this position), and the openings 4b. The distributor regions 4a2 or collection regions serve to collect the heat exchanger fluid coming from the corrugated heat transfer region 4a1. The heat exchanger fluid can be drained through these openings, enabling a continuous flow of the heat exchanger fluid during operation.

[0028] As in Fig. 2, a support mask 16 is arranged between the heat exchanger plates 15 located on the outside in a plate package 5 and the adjacent frame end plates 3, which Fig. 2 is represented by the hatched areas. The support mask 16 is located in a specific partial area 17 of the external heat exchanger plate 15, which is available in different designs in the Fig. 3A, Fig. 3B and Fig. 3C is shown in a plan view. In the embodiment according to Fig. 3A, the partial area 17 with the support mask 16 lies exclusively within the non-planar, structured area 4a of the outer heat exchanger plate 15, specifically within the distribution area 4a2, without also covering the corrugated heat transfer area 4a1 (solid line). As indicated by the dotted line in Fig. 3A and also in Fig. 2, the support mask 16 can also at least partially cover the corrugated heat transfer area 4a1.

[0029] According to the execution in Fig. 3B, the partial area 17 covers both the distribution area 4a2 and the leakage area 4a3 of the external heat exchanger plate 15, at least partially. The support mask 16 therefore also extends over a sealing area 4g with the seals 4d or the sealing grooves 4e, which run in the leakage area 4a3 and between the leakage area 4a3 and the distribution area 4a2 of the external heat exchanger plate 15. The embodiments of the Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B can also be combined with each other, ie one or more support masks 16 can cover a large part of the distribution area 4a2 and also the leakage area 4a3.

[0030] In Fig. 3C shows two partial regions 17, each for a support mask 16. The respective partial region 17 with the respective support mask 16 is located not only in the distribution region 4a2 and the leakage region 4a3 of the external heat exchanger plate 15, but additionally also in a closing region 4h, which is provided in this external heat exchanger plate 15 instead of the opening 4b. The closing region 4h is formed, for example, by the respective opening 4b being subsequently closed in a fluid-tight manner by a cover. This external heat exchanger plate 15 therefore does not form the respective passage 11, 13, but closes it off, for example, at the top or bottom. The support mask 16 then also extends over the sealing region 4g with the seals 4d and 4e.the sealing grooves 4e, which run in the leakage area 4a3, between the leakage area 4a3 and the distribution area 4a2 and between the leakage area 4a3 and the end area 4h of the external heat exchanger plate 15.

[0031] In the illustrated embodiments, the support mask 16 is planar on the outer side 16a facing the respective frame end plate 3, i.e., adapted to the surface of the frame end plate 3, and is adapted to the contour of the respective structured area 4a (4a1, 4a2, 4a3) of this outer heat exchanger plate 15 on the other inner side 16b facing the outer heat exchanger plate 15. The area of ​​the support mask 16 that covers the respective structured area 4a (4a1, 4a2, 4a3) is formed by individual webs 16c that lie in the formed recesses 6b between the adjacent elevations 6a and also extend in the direction of extension of the respective recess 6b. As a result, the support mask 16, in the assembled state, lies in the outer heat exchanger plate 15 in a form-fitting or force-fitting manner.

[0032] Depending on the viewing direction, an elevation 6a can also be viewed as a depression 6b and vice versa, whereby in this case, elevations 6a and depressions 6b of adjacent heat exchanger plates 4 also touch each other. In such a view, the support mask 16 for one outer heat exchanger plate 15 of the plate pack 5 lies in a depression 6b between two elevations 6a and - with the viewing direction remaining the same - for the other outer heat exchanger plate 15 of the plate pack 5 in an elevation 6a between two depressions 6b.

[0033] Additionally, the support mask 16 may also be integrally connected to the external heat exchanger plate 15. A materially bonded connection to the frame end plate 3 may also be provided.

[0034] As in Fig. 2, the webs 16c of the support mask 16 are formed in that the support mask 16 is recessed in the region of an elevation 6a in the respective non-planar, structured region 4a, in particular in the region of an apex SP of the elevation 6a. This ensures that the external heat exchanger plate 15 can continue to bear directly against the respective frame end plate 3 at the apex SP of its elevations 6a. The entire external heat exchanger plate 15, with all of its elevations 6a, therefore bears virtually continuously against the frame end plate 3, both in the partial region 17 with the support mask 16 and next to the support mask 16. The individual webs 16c are then connected to one another via cross connections 16d, so that a single body is formed. The cross connections 16d run, for example, in a groove running in the outer heat exchanger plate 15, for example in an unused sealing groove 4e.

[0035] Between the elevations 6a and the vertices SP, the support mask 16 and the webs 16c rest on the frame end plate 3, with the outer side 16a of the support mask 16 lying approximately at the height of the vertices SP of the elevations 6a, i.e. the outer side 16a and the vertices SP lie, within a manufacturing tolerance, on a line or in a plane spanned by the vertices SP of the elevations 6a. Between the elevations 6a and vertices SP, the support mask 16 is adapted to the respective non-planar, structured shape of the depressions 6b. This ensures that the outer heat exchanger plate 15 is also supported between the elevations 6a via the support mask 16 on the frame end plate 3 and is not exposed.In the event of increased fluid pressures within the fluid channels 7, asymmetric support toward the frame end plate 3 and toward the adjacent heat exchanger plate(s) 4 can be absorbed or compensated. The elevations 6a and depressions 6b of adjacent heat exchanger plates 15, 4 thus remain in contact, and seals 4d supported in this way continue to be securely held in the seal grooves 4e.

[0036] During the production of the support mask 16, the non-planar, structured contour of the outer heat exchanger plate 15 in the selected partial area 17 is to be reproduced in a complementary form on the inner side 16b of the support mask 16 in such a way that the areas that are not normally adjacent to the frame end plate 3 are “filled” in the selected partial area 17 of the outer heat exchanger plate 15, as shown in Fig. 4A. Consequently, the inner side 16b of the support mask 16 is adapted to the embossing and geometry of the outer heat exchanger plate 15, e.g., to the corrugated shape of the distribution area 4a2 or the leakage area 4a3 and / or to the corrugated shape of the heat transfer area 4a1 and / or to the shape of the closure area 4h in the area of ​​the concealed opening(s) 4b.

[0037] The exact contour of the selected partial area 17 does not necessarily have to be shown on the inner side 16b of the support mask 16, as shown in the comparison sections in the Fig. 4B, Fig. 4C. For example, it can also be provided that the non-planar structure of the outer heat exchanger plate 15 is approximated by an angular or polygonal inner side 16b of the support mask 16, as shown by way of example in Fig. 4B. In the simplest case, a rectangular cross-sectional shape of the webs 16c can also be used, as shown for example in Fig. 4C, which can also provide a certain amount of support.

[0038] The support mask 16 is preferably manufactured using a subtractive or additive manufacturing process, in particular using a 3D printing process and / or milling. The support mask 16 is made of a pressure-resistant and temperature-resistant metallic or non-metallic material. The material of the support mask 16 does not have to match the material of the external heat exchanger plate 15.

[0039] Such manufacturing processes allow the desired contour to be reproduced very precisely on or through the inner side 16b of the support mask 16. Since the shape of the contour of the outer heat exchanger plate 15 follows, for example, from the shape of the corresponding tool for producing the outer heat exchanger plate 15, e.g., a stamping tool, this can also be easily used for producing the support mask 16 in the respective manufacturing process, so that the surface of the outer heat exchanger plate 15 does not require a complex pre-scan and replication process. This can prevent errors during replication. List of reference symbols 1 plate heat exchanger 2 frames 3 Frame end plate 4 heat exchanger plate 4a structured area of ​​the heat exchanger plate 4 4a1 corrugated heat transfer area 4a2 ribbed distribution area 4a3 ribbed leakage area 4b Openings in the heat exchanger plate 4 4c Leakage chamber in the heat exchanger plate 4 4d Seals between the heat exchanger plates 4 4e Sealing grooves in the heat exchanger plate 4 4g Sealing area of ​​the heat exchanger plate 4 4h final area 5 record pack 6a Survey in the respective structured area 4a 6b Deepening in the respective structured area 4a 7 fluid channels 10 inlet nozzles 11 Inlet passage, inlet passage 12 outlet nozzles 13 exhaust passage, exhaust passage 15 external heat exchanger plate 16 Support mask 16a outside 16b Inside 16c bridge 16d Cross connections 17 sub-area SP vertex

Claims

[1] Plate heat exchanger (1) with a plate pack (5) consisting of several adjacent heat exchanger plates (4) and a frame (2), wherein the plate pack (5) is clamped between frame end plates (3) of the frame (2), wherein the heat exchanger plates (4) each have non-planar, structured areas (4a) with alternating elevations (6a) and depressions (6b), wherein elevations (6a) and depressions (6b) of adjacent heat exchanger plates (4) of the plate pack (5) are pressed against each other and / or lie against each other in such a way that at least two fluid channels (7) for the passage of at least two heat exchanger fluids are formed between the heat exchanger plates (4), wherein the respective heat exchanger fluid is introduced into and discharged from the respective fluid channel (7) via inlet passages (11) and outlet passages (13) in the plate pack (5), which are formed by aligned openings (4b) in the superimposed heat exchanger plates (4), wherein seals (4d) run between the individual heat exchanger plates (4) in order to seal the respective fluid channels (7) and the openings (4b) at the edges and against each other, characterized by , that a support mask (16) is held between at least one of the outer heat exchanger plates (15) of the plate pack (5) and the respective frame end plate (3) in a partial area (17) which at least partially covers the non-planar, structured area (4a) of the respective outer heat exchanger plate. [2] Plate heat exchanger (1) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the support mask (16) is held in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner, preferably in that the support mask (16) is immovably received in the non-planar, structured region (4a) of the respective external heat exchanger plate (15) and / or is inserted with a precise fit into the non-planar, structured region (4a) of the respective external heat exchanger plate (15) and is captured by the frame end plate (3). [3] Plate heat exchanger (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that an outer side (16a) of the support mask (16) faces the respective frame end plate (3) and preferably rests thereon and an inner side (16b) of the support mask (16) at least partially also faces the non-planar, structured region (4a) of the respective outer heat exchanger plate (15) and preferably rests thereon. [4] Plate heat exchanger (1) according to claim 3 characterized by , that - the outer side (16a) of the support mask (16) does not protrude beyond vertices (SP) of the non-planar, structured region (4a) which face the respective frame end plate (3) and which lie in the partial region (17), and / or - the outer side (16a) of the support mask (16) is not closer to the frame end plate (3) than the vertices (SP) of the non-planar, structured region (4a) which face the respective frame end plate (3) and which lie in the partial region (17), and / or - the vertices (SP) of the non-planar, structured region (4a) which face the respective frame end plate (3) and which lie in the partial region (17) touch the frame end plate (3). [5] Plate heat exchanger (1) according to claim 4, characterized byin that the support mask (16) extends between the vertices (SP) of the non-planar, structured region (4a) which face the respective frame end plate (3) within the partial region (17), the support mask (16) having a plurality of webs (16c) which are connected to one another via transverse connections (16d) and which lie between the vertices (SP). [6] Plate heat exchanger (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized by that the vertices (SP) facing the respective frame end plate (3) within the partial area (17), - are assigned to the elevations (6a) of one of the outer heat exchanger plates (15) of the plate pack (5) and - are assigned to the recesses (6b) of the other outer heat exchanger plate (15) of the plate pack (5). [7] Plate heat exchanger (1) according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized bythat the outer side (16a) of the support mask (16) extends within a manufacturing tolerance in a plane which is spanned by the vertices (SP) facing the respective frame end plate (3) within the partial area (17). [8] Plate heat exchanger (1) according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized by that the inner side (16b) of the support mask (16) is adapted to a contour of the respective outer heat exchanger plate (15) present within the partial region (17), preferably has a contour complementary thereto and / or has a rectangular or polygonal cross-section fitting into the contour. [9] Plate heat exchanger (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the partial area (17) with the support mask (16) at least partially covers at least one non-planar, structured area (4a) of the outer heat exchanger plate (15), which is selected from the group consisting of: - a corrugated heat transfer area (4a1) of the outer heat exchanger plate (15) and / or - a ribbed distribution area (4a2) of the external heat exchanger plate (15) and / or - a ribbed leakage area (4a3) within a leakage space (4c) adjacent to the openings (4b). [10] Plate heat exchanger (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the support mask (16) is produced in a subtractive or additive manufacturing process, in particular in a 3D printing process and / or by milling. [11] Plate heat exchanger (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the support mask (16) within the partial area (17) is materially connected to the external heat exchanger plate (15) and / or to the respective frame end plate (3).

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