Heat exchanger

Abstract

A heat exchanger (100) comprises a shell element (102) and an insert element (103), wherein the shell element (102) forms a fluid channel for a fluid to be heated. The insert element (103) is arranged in the fluid channel. The insert element (103) contains a plurality of web elements (109, 110) which are connected to the shell element (102) at different locations.At least part of the web elements (109, 110) contains web element channels (111, 112) which are in fluid-conducting communication with the shell element (102), so that in the operating state a heat transfer fluid which is supplied to the shell element (102) can flow through the web elements (109, 110), wherein the shell element (102) contains a plurality of chambers for a heat transfer fluid, wherein the chambers contain at least one inlet opening and one outlet opening for the heat transfer fluid, wherein the inlet opening and the outlet opening of the chamber are connected to the web element channels of each pair of web elements belonging to the same web element series.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a heat exchanger for controlling the temperature of a fluid. The heat exchanger comprises a jacket element and an insert element. The jacket element of the heat exchanger is designed to accommodate a heat transfer fluid. The jacket element forms a circumferentially closed fluid channel for a fluid, which, in use, flows through the heat exchanger and is heated or cooled by heat exchange with the jacket element. To improve heat transfer, such a jacket element is often designed as a double jacket. The double jacket represents a chamber through which a heat transfer fluid can flow. State of the art

[0002] For example, document EP3444097 A2 shows a cooling element and a mixing element for a plastic melt. The plastic melt is mixed by means of the previously known mixing element, and cooled by means of the cooling element. The cooling element has a double jacket to cool the wall flow, i.e., the plastic melt flowing near the inner wall of the jacket element. When the plastic melt hits the mixing element, which projects into the core flow and has a corresponding guide element for this purpose, the wall flow and the core flow can be mixed. The plastic melt flowing along the wall is deflected by the guide element in such a way that it is introduced into the core flow, thereby enabling heat exchange between the cooled wall flow and the core flow.

[0003] EP 2851118 A1 discloses a heat exchanger according to the preamble of patent claim 1. If the heat transfer via the double jacket is insufficient for controlling the temperature of the fluid, as shown in EP 2851118 A1, webs can be provided through which the heat transfer fluid contained in the double jacket can flow. The webs are arranged such that they traverse the fluid channel. The webs contain channels for the heat transfer fluid, which are in fluid communication with the chamber formed by the double jacket. It has been found that these webs can improve the heat transfer between the fluid and the heat transfer fluid.In addition, a mixing effect can be achieved by means of the webs, i.e., for example, a fluid consisting of several components can be additionally mixed by the webs designed as a mixer insert, which improves the mixing effect compared to conventional tube bundle heat exchangers, see, for example, DE 199 53 612 A1. Such web elements are also used in EP3 489 603 A1. For the cooling of bulk materials, cooling channels can also be provided in the form of tubes with a circular cross-section according to WO2018 / 023101 A1 or EP 1 123730 A2 or in the form of tubes with a square cross-section according to DE 296 18 460 U1 or in the form of cooling channels with a zigzag cross-sectional shape according to EP 0 004 081 A2. It is also known from EP 3 431 911 A1 to arrange multiply branched hollow structures consisting of pipe sections in a pipe.The hollow structures are flowed through by a heat transfer fluid, for example oil, and the hollow structures are flowed around by a compressible fluid, for example air.

[0004] In all previously known solutions that show web elements or pipes through which fluid flows, the heat transfer fluid is distributed to the web elements or pipes via a distribution channel and from the web elements or pipes into a collecting channel. The distribution channel therefore only contains a single inlet and the inlet openings for the web elements, while the collecting channel contains all the outlet openings of the web elements and a single outlet. However, it has been shown that the heat transfer fluid flowing through the web elements or pipes flows through the webs at very different speeds. Due to the design, the inlet openings of the web elements are arranged at different distances from the inlet in the distribution channel. The outlet openings of the web elements are arranged at different distances from the outlet in the collector channel. Due to the design arrangement of the inlet openings in the distribution channel orThe outlet openings in the collector channel thus result in different flow velocities for the heat transfer fluid. Therefore, increasing the number of web elements, as shown, for example, in EP 1 123 730 A2, or increasing the cross-section of the web elements through which fluid flows, as disclosed in EP 0 004 081 A2, does not necessarily result in a further improvement in heat transfer, because the design-related different spacings and thus the different flow velocities remain even with an increase in the number of web elements or an increase in the cross-section of the web elements through which fluid flows. Object of the invention

[0005] Therefore, the object of the invention is to ensure that the heat transfer fluid flows evenly through as many chambers as possible, as well as through the web element channels. Furthermore, the object of the invention is to keep the pressure loss of the heat transfer fluid flowing through the web elements as low as possible, or to reduce it to the lowest possible value, in order to reduce energy costs for conveying and / or pressure boosting media, for example, for pumps. Description of the invention

[0006] The object of the invention is achieved by a heat exchanger according to claim 1. Advantageous variants of the heat exchanger are the subject of claims 2 to 11. A method for controlling the temperature of a fluid by means of a heat exchanger having the features of claim 1 is the subject of claim 12. Advantageous method variants are the subject of claims 13 to 15.

[0007] When the term "for example" is used in the following description, this term refers to exemplary embodiments and / or embodiments, which is not necessarily to be understood as a more preferred application of the teachings of the invention. Similarly, the terms "preferably" and "preferably" are to be understood as referring to one example from a set of exemplary embodiments and / or embodiments, which is not necessarily to be understood as a preferred application of the teachings of the invention. Accordingly, the terms "for example," "preferably," or "preferably" can refer to a plurality of exemplary embodiments and / or embodiments.

[0008] The following detailed description contains various embodiments of a heat exchanger. The description of a specific heat exchanger is to be considered exemplary only. In the description and claims, the terms "include," "comprise," and "have" are interpreted as "including, but not limited to."

[0009] When the term “fluid” is used in the following description, this term also refers to “flowable medium” or “fluid mixture”.

[0010] The object of the invention is achieved by a heat exchanger comprising a shell element and an insert element, wherein the shell element forms a fluid channel for a fluid to be tempered. The insert element is arranged in the fluid channel. The insert element contains a plurality of web elements that are connected to the shell element at different locations. The web elements are arranged in at least a first web element row and a second web element row. The web elements of each of the first and second web element rows are arranged substantially parallel to one another. The angles that the web elements of different web element rows form with the longitudinal axis of the shell element differ.At least some of the web elements contain web element channels that are in fluid-conducting connection with the casing element, so that in the operating state, a heat transfer fluid that is supplied to the casing element can flow through the web element channels of the web elements. The casing element contains a plurality of chambers for the heat transfer fluid, wherein each of the chambers contains at least one inlet opening and at least one outlet opening for the heat transfer fluid or is designed as a distribution chamber or as a collection chamber. The inlet opening and the outlet opening of the chamber are each connected to the web element channels of two web elements that belong to the same row of web elements if the chamber is not designed as a distribution chamber or collection chamber. In particular, the web element channels of the web elements of a row of web elements that are adjacent to one another are fluid-conductingly connected via the corresponding chamber.

[0011] The web elements can be arranged in at least two web element groups, wherein the web elements of each web element group are arranged essentially parallel to one another. The angles which the web elements of different web element groups form with the longitudinal axis of the heat exchanger differ at least partially. At least some of the web elements contain the web element channels, which are in fluid-conducting connection with the shell element, so that in the operating state, a heat transfer fluid supplied to the shell element can flow through the web element channels of the web elements. At least one of the chambers can contain a plurality of inlet openings and at least two outlet openings or a plurality of outlet openings and at least two inlet openings for the heat transfer fluid. Thus, at least some of the chambers can contain a plurality of inlet openings and outlet openings.According to one embodiment, at least one of the chambers contains a single inlet and a single outlet for the heat transfer fluid. Thus, at least some of the chambers may contain a plurality of inlet and outlet openings, and some of the chambers may contain a single inlet and a single outlet opening.

[0012] In particular, at least a first and a second set of web elements can be provided. The first set of web elements contains the web elements of the first rows of web elements, the center axes of which span a common first web element plane. The second set of web elements contains the web elements of the second rows of web elements, the center axes of which span a common second web element plane. The first web element plane is arranged in particular at a first set angle of -30 degrees to -75 degrees to the longitudinal axis. The second web element plane is arranged in particular at a second set angle of 30 degrees to 75 degrees to the longitudinal axis. The web elements of the first set of web elements are aligned parallel to one another, i.e. the web elements of the first set of web elements have the same alignment to one another.The web elements of the second web element set are aligned parallel to each other, meaning that the web elements of the second web element set have the same orientation. The orientation of the web elements of the first web element set differs from the orientation of the web elements of the second web element set. According to the method described in the . Fig. 1 to Fig. 3 In the exemplary embodiments shown, eight first web element sets and eight second web element sets are shown.

[0013] Of course, any number of first web element sets and second web element sets can be provided. Each of the first and second web element sets can contain a different number of web elements. The number of web elements in each web element set can, in particular, be at least two. Of course, more than two web element sets can be provided, with the web elements of each of the web element sets having the same orientation among themselves, but having a different orientation relative to the web elements of each other web element set. For example, the web elements of three web element sets can be aligned as shown in Fig. 10 of EP 1 123 730 A2.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the inlet and outlet openings located in the same chamber belong to web elements of different web element sets. The distance traveled by the fluid between the inlet and the nearest outlet opening in the same chamber corresponds to the distance between two inlet openings of adjacent, unidirectional web element sets. Inlet and outlet openings of different web element sets can be combined in a common chamber if they belong to rows of web elements whose web elements are aligned parallel to each other.

[0015] In particular, the casing element can contain an inlet for the heat transfer fluid. In particular, the casing element can contain an outlet for the heat transfer fluid. According to one embodiment, at least some of the chambers can be at least partially separated from one another by partition walls.

[0016] According to one embodiment, each of the chambers is in fluid communication with at least one other chamber via the web element channels. In particular, the inlet openings and / or outlet openings of different chambers can be at least partially connected to one another via web elements that extend through the fluid channel. According to this embodiment, at least a portion of the heat transfer fluid thus flows sequentially through several mixing chambers. The heat transfer fluid can be remixed and distributed in each of the chambers, which have several inlet openings and several outlet openings. In particular, it is possible for the heat transfer fluid to flow transversely to the flow direction of the fluid in the distribution chamber and the collection chamber.

[0017] According to one embodiment, each of the chambers can extend over part of the circumference of the casing element. Thus, several chambers can be arranged next to one another on the circumference of the casing element. In particular, the length of the chamber can be greater than its width. According to one embodiment, the width of the chamber can be a maximum of half the length of the chamber. According to this embodiment, the length of the chamber is measured parallel to the longitudinal axis of the heat exchanger. The width of the chamber is measured in a plane normal to the longitudinal axis of the heat exchanger. A normal plane is referred to as a plane that is arranged at a right angle, i.e., at an angle of 90 degrees, to the longitudinal axis of the heat exchanger. The width can extend along a straight line if the heat exchanger is rectangular.The width of the chamber can also extend along a curved line, for example, be formed as a circular segment if the heat exchanger is designed as a cylinder.

[0018] According to one embodiment, at least some of the web elements are oriented at an angle other than 90 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the heat exchanger. The longitudinal axis of the heat exchanger corresponds to the main flow direction of the fluid. In particular, the angle of the web elements can differ from one another; in particular, at least a first web element can be arranged crosswise to a second web element.

[0019] Each of the chambers can have a length, a width, and a height. The length of the chamber is its dimension parallel to the flow direction of the fluid, i.e., parallel to the longitudinal axis of the heat exchanger. The width of the chamber corresponds to the dimension transverse to the flow direction of the fluid, i.e., the dimension of the chamber measured in a normal plane to the longitudinal axis of the heat exchanger. In other words, the normal plane is arranged at a right angle to the longitudinal axis of the heat exchanger. The height of the chamber corresponds to the distance between the outer wall of the casing element and the inner wall of the casing element. The ratio of the width of a chamber to the length of the chamber can, in particular, be in the range of 0.1 to 0.5. This means that, according to this exemplary embodiment, the length of the chamber is twice to 10 times its width. The chambers can, for example, be designed as recesses in the casing element. The chambers can also be designed as superstructures of the casing element.The chambers can be made by metal casting.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the inlet openings and outlet openings, which are located in the same chamber, belong to web elements of different web element sets. According to one embodiment, at least four first rows of web elements and four second rows of web elements are arranged next to one another. For example, the at least four first rows of web elements and the at least four second rows of web elements can be arranged in the fluid channel so that fluid can flow around them in the operating state. In particular, the same number of first rows of web elements as second rows of web elements can be provided.

[0021] According to one embodiment, at least one of the first or second rows of web elements contains at least ten web elements. The web elements of each of the first or second rows of web elements are connected to the chambers in particular in such a way that, in the operating state, the heat transfer fluid can flow through the chambers and the web element channels of the associated first or second row of web elements sequentially, i.e., one after the other. The chambers and the web element channels of the associated first or second row of web elements are thus flowed through serially.

[0022] A method for tempering a fluid comprises tempering the fluid by means of a heat exchanger, wherein the heat exchanger comprises a jacket element and an insert element, wherein the fluid flows in a fluid channel enclosed by a jacket element. The insert element is arranged in the fluid channel, wherein the insert element contains a plurality of web elements that are connected to the jacket element at different locations. The web elements are arranged in at least a first web element row and a second web element row, wherein the web elements of each of the first web element rows and the second web element rows are arranged substantially parallel to one another. The angles which the web elements of different web element rows form with the longitudinal axis of the heat exchanger differ at least partially.At least some of the web elements contain web element channels that are in fluid communication with the casing element, so that, in the operating state, a heat transfer fluid supplied to the casing element can flow through the web element channels of the web elements. The casing element contains a plurality of chambers for a heat transfer fluid, each of the chambers containing at least one inlet opening and at least one outlet opening for the heat transfer fluid, so that the heat transfer fluid flows through each of the chambers and the web element channels.

[0023] In particular, the inlet openings and / or outlet openings of different chambers can be connected to one another via web elements that run through the fluid channel, so that heat transfer between the heat transfer fluid and the fluid occurs via the inner wall of the casing element and the web elements when the heat transfer fluid flows through the chambers and the web element channels of the web elements. According to various variants of the method, the heat transfer fluid flows through the chambers and / or the web element channels in the flow direction of the fluid and / or counter to the flow direction of the fluid. If necessary, a distribution chamber, a collection chamber, or a deflection chamber can be provided, in which the heat transfer fluid can flow transversely to the flow direction of the fluid.According to one method variant, the heat transfer fluid flows from an outlet opening of one of the chambers to an inlet opening in the respective subsequent chamber through one of the web element channels, which is arranged in one of the web elements, which is arranged in the fluid channel, so that the heat transfer fluid flows through the chambers sequentially, i.e. one chamber after the other chamber.

[0024] According to one method variant, the heat transfer fluid flows from an outlet opening of one of the chambers to an inlet opening in the respective subsequent chamber through one of the web element channels, which is arranged in one of the web elements, which is arranged in the fluid channel, so that the heat transfer fluid flows sequentially through the web element channels of the web elements of the web element row.

[0025] According to one process variant, the heat transfer fluid can flow in the chamber essentially along the connecting line between the centers of the inlet openings leading into the chamber and the outlet openings leading out of the chamber, wherein the connecting line is arranged at an angle to the center axis of the web element channel, the angle being in the range of 30 degrees up to and including 160 degrees. In particular, the heat transfer fluid can flow in the web element channels in the flow direction or counter to the flow direction of the fluid.

[0026] The invention thus relates to a cost-effective heat exchanger that can also be used as a static mixer, or to a static mixer that can also be designed as a heat exchanger or can include the function of a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is particularly suitable for cooling or heating fluids, wherein the fluids can include, for example, viscous or highly viscous fluids, in particular polymers. If such a device is used for processing highly viscous fluids, for example, polymer melts, the static mixers used there must typically withstand nominal pressures of 50 to 400 bar and temperatures of 50 to 300 degrees Celsius.

[0027] Heat exchangers are used in many areas of the manufacturing industry. According to one embodiment, a fluid can be moved over at least one stationary insert element. The insert element typically contains built-in elements that deflect the fluid flow, which is guided through the interior of the insert element, which is defined by an insert shell element. A heat transfer fluid flows through the built-in elements. The fluid flows through the insert element by creating a pressure gradient. The pressure gradient can be generated, for example, by the use of pumps. Brief description of the drawings

[0028] The heat exchanger according to the invention is presented below using some exemplary embodiments.

[0029] It shows Fig. 1a a view of a heat exchanger according to a first embodiment, Fig. 1b a variant of the heat exchanger according to Fig. 1ain a sectional view, Fig. 2 a view of a heat exchanger according to a second embodiment, Fig. 3 a view of a heat exchanger according to a third embodiment. Detailed description of the drawings

[0030] Fig. 1a shows a view of a heat exchanger 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The heat exchanger according to Fig. 1 comprises a shell element 2 and an insert element 3. The insert element 3 and the shell element 2 are shown separately from each other; in the assembled state, the insert element 3 is located inside the shell element 2. In this illustration, the shell element 2 is shown as a transparent component, so that all shell element channels located in the shell element 2 are visible. The heat exchanger 1 for static mixing and heat exchange according to Fig. 1athus contains a casing element 2 and an insert element 3, wherein the insert element 3 is arranged inside the casing element 2 in the installed state. The casing element 2 is designed as a hollow body. The insert element 3 is received in the casing element, i.e. in the hollow body. The casing element 2 has a longitudinal axis 4 which extends essentially in the main flow direction of the fluid which flows through the casing element 2 in the operating state. One possible flow direction of the fluid is shown by arrows which run in the direction of the longitudinal axis 4. The longitudinal axis 4 runs through the center of the opening cross-section of the casing element. According to the present illustration, the casing element 2 has a rectangular opening cross-section. The longitudinal axis 4 thus runs through the intersection point of the diagonals of the rectangle.

[0031] The insert element 3 contains a plurality of web elements 9, 10. According to the present embodiment, the web elements 9 and the web elements 10 have a different angle of inclination with respect to the longitudinal axis 4. According to the present embodiment, a plurality of web elements 9 are arranged one behind the other in the flow direction of the fluid and form a first web element row 41. A plurality of web elements 10 are arranged one behind the other in the flow direction of the fluid and form a second web element row 42. For the sake of simplicity, the reference numerals 9, 10 each designate only one of the web elements of the corresponding first or second web element row 41, 42. An insert element 3 can comprise a plurality of first and / or second web element rows 41, 42. The illustrated insert element 3 contains two first web element rows 41, 43 and two second web element rows 42, 44.According to an embodiment not shown, a single first and second row of web elements can be provided. The number of first and second rows of web elements can also be greater than one or two. According to the present embodiment, the first row of web elements 41 is arranged next to the second row of web elements 42. The first row of web elements 43 is arranged next to the second row of web elements 44. The orientation of the web elements 9 of each first row of web elements 41, 43 thus changes with respect to the orientation of the web elements 10 of the respectively adjacent second row of web elements 42, 44.

[0032] Each of the web elements 9 has a first end 13 and a second end 14, wherein the first end 13 and the second end 14 of the web element 9 are connected to the casing element 2 at different locations. The web element 9 contains a web element channel 11. The web element channel 11 is only partially shown in the present illustration. Each of the web elements 10 has a first end 15 and a second end 16, wherein the first end 15 and the second end 16 of the web element 10 are connected to the casing element 2 at different locations. The web element 10 contains a web element channel 12. The web element channel 12 is only partially shown in the present illustration. Such web element channels 11, 12 are already known from EP 2851118 A1 and EP 3489603 A1 or the unpublished EP 20207057.9. The webs disclosed in these documents are to be regarded as examples of a multitude of other possible web shapes.The casing element according to the invention can be used for any number, arrangement, or shape of the web elements. The web element channel 11 extends from the first end 13 of the web element 9 to the second end 14 of the web element 9. The web element channel 12 extends from the first end 15 of the web element 10 to the second end 16 of the web element 10. The web elements 9 can be arranged crosswise to the web elements 10. The web elements 9 can have a first angle of inclination with respect to the longitudinal axis 4. The web elements 10 can have a second angle of inclination with respect to the longitudinal axis 4.

[0033] The casing element 2 contains at least one inlet 6 and one outlet 7 for a heat transfer fluid, which flows through the heat exchanger in the operating state. The casing element 2 is at least partially designed as a hollow body, for example as a double casing. A plurality of chambers 20 are located in the interior of the casing element 2. These chambers 20 are flowed through by the heat transfer fluid in the operating state. The flow path of the heat transfer fluid through the casing element 2 and the insert element 3 within the web element channels 11, 12 is shown in the present illustration by dash-dotted lines with two dots each between two adjacent dashes, as well as by dashed lines. The double casing can be formed by an outer shell and an inner shell. The chambers 20 can be formed by partition walls extending between the outer shell and the inner shell.The chambers 20 can also be formed as recesses in the casing element 2. Alternatively, or in combination with the aforementioned embodiments, the chambers 20 can be formed as superstructures of the casing element 2.

[0034] At least one of the chambers 20 can be designed as a distribution chamber 21 for distributing the heat transfer fluid. At least one of the chambers 20 can be designed as a collection chamber 22 for discharging the heat transfer fluid. The distribution chamber 21 can be connected to an inlet 6, and the collection chamber 22 can be connected to an outlet 7. According to the present exemplary embodiment, the inlet 6 opens into the distribution chamber 21. The inlet 6 contains a tubular element containing an inlet channel for the heat transfer fluid. According to the present exemplary embodiment, the heat transfer fluid leaves the heat exchanger 1 via the outlet 7, which connects to the collection chamber 22. The outlet 7 contains a tubular element containing an outlet channel for the heat transfer fluid.

[0035] According to Fig. 1athe chamber 20 extends from the inlet opening 5 to the outlet opening 8 for the heat transfer fluid, which flows through the casing element 2 in the operating state. According to this exemplary embodiment, a plurality of such chambers 20 extend in a row over at least part of the length of the casing element 2. The outermost chambers 20 are formed by the distribution chamber 21 and the collection chamber 22. According to this exemplary embodiment, the chambers 20 are arranged on the base surface and the top surface of the casing element 2. A partition wall 30 is located between adjacent chambers 20 so that the heat transfer fluid cannot flow into adjacent chambers. The chambers 20 contain at least one inlet opening 5 and one outlet opening 8 for the heat transfer fluid, which flows through the casing element 2 in the operating state.

[0036] According to this embodiment, the heat transfer fluid flows in the web element row 42 and in the web element row 44, initially in cross-countercurrent and then in cross-cocurrent to the fluid. The heat transfer fluid flows in the web element row 41 and in the web element row 43, initially in cross-cocurrent and then in cross-countercurrent to the fluid. According to an embodiment not shown, the flow direction of the heat transfer fluid is reversed, i.e., the positions of the inlet 6 and the outlet 7 are interchanged. According to an embodiment not shown, the flow direction of the fluid is reversed, i.e., the flow direction of the fluid is opposite to the direction of the arrow.

[0037] Fig. 1b shows a variant of the heat exchanger according to Fig. 1a in a sectional view. According to Fig. 1bonly a first row of web elements 41 and a second row of web elements 42 are shown, which form the insert element 3. The first row of web elements 41 contains two web elements 9, only one of which is provided with a reference numeral. The second row of web elements 42 contains two web elements 10, only one of which is provided with a reference numeral. Each of the web elements 9 contains a web element channel 11, which extends from a first end 13 to a second end 14 of the corresponding web element 9. Each of the web elements 10 contains a web element channel 12, which extends from a first end 15 to a second end 16 of the corresponding web element 10.

[0038] The casing element 2 contains a plurality of chambers 20, of which only a single chamber 20 is provided with a reference symbol. One of these chambers 20 is shown cut open in the sectional view. Two web element channels 11 of two adjacent web elements 9 of the first web element row 41 are connected to one another via the chamber 20. A further chamber 20 is shown behind the chamber 20 shown in section. Two web element channels 12 of two adjacent web elements 10 of the second web element row 42 are connected to one another via the further chamber 20. In addition, Fig. 1b an inlet 6 and an outlet 7 for a heat transfer fluid 17 are shown. The flow direction of the heat transfer fluid 17 through the chambers 20 and the web element channels 11, 12 of the web elements 9, 10 is shown in Fig. 1bmarked by arrows. The flow direction of a fluid 18 flowing in the fluid channel formed by the casing element 2 is also marked by arrows.

[0039] Also shown are a distribution chamber 21 and a collection chamber 22. In the distribution chamber 21, which is shown partially in section, the heat transfer fluid 17 supplied through the inlet 6 is introduced into the web element channels 11 of the web elements 9 of a first web element group and into the web element channels 12 of the web elements 10 of a second web element group. The web element channel 11 opens into the chamber 20. The heat transfer fluid 17 flows through the chamber 20 and is introduced into the web element channel 11 of the web element 9 of a further web element group parallel to the first web element group.

[0040] According to Fig. 1bA first and a second web element set are provided. The first web element set contains the web elements 9 of the first web element row 41, whose center axes each span a common first web element plane. The second web element set contains the web elements of the second web element rows, whose center axes span a common second web element plane. One of the first web element planes is in Fig. 1b The first web element plane contains the web element center axis 23 of the first web element channel 11 of the web element 9. The first web element plane is arranged, in particular, at a first array angle 25 of -30 degrees to -75 degrees to the longitudinal axis 4. The web elements of the first web element array are aligned parallel to one another, i.e., the web elements of the first web element array have the same orientation to one another.

[0041] One of the second web element levels is in Fig. 1bThe second web element plane contains the web element center axis 24 of the second web element channel 12 of the web element 10. The second web element plane is arranged, in particular, at a second array angle 26 of 30 degrees to 75 degrees to the longitudinal axis 4. The web elements of the second web element array are aligned parallel to one another, i.e., the web elements of the second web element array have the same orientation to one another.

[0042] The orientation of the web elements of the first web element set differs from the orientation of the web elements of the second web element set. Fig. 1bTwo first web element sets and two second web element sets are shown. Of course, any number of first web element sets and second web element sets can be provided. Each of the first and second web element sets can contain a different number of web elements. The number of web elements in each web element set can in particular be at least two. Of course, more than two web element sets can be provided, wherein the web elements of each of the web element sets have the same orientation among themselves, but have a different orientation to the web elements of each other web element set. For example, the web elements of three web element sets can be aligned according to Fig. 10 of EP 1 123 730 A2.

[0043] According to the Fig. 1a , Fig. 2 and Fig. 3In the exemplary embodiments shown, eight first web element sets and eight second web element sets are shown.

[0044] Fig. 2 shows a view of a heat exchanger 100 according to a second embodiment of the invention. The heat exchanger 100 according to Fig. 2 comprises a casing element 102 and an insert element 103. The insert element 103 and the casing element 102 are shown separately from each other; in the assembled state, the insert element 103 is located inside the casing element 102. In the illustration according to Fig. 2 The shell element 102 is shown as a transparent component, so that all the shell element channels located in the shell element 102 are visible. The heat exchanger 100 for static mixing and heat exchange according to Fig. 2thus contains a casing element 102 and an insert element 103, wherein the insert element 103 is arranged inside the casing element 102 in the installed state. The casing element 102 is partially designed as a hollow body. The insert element 103 is received in the casing element, i.e. in the hollow body formed by the casing element 102. The casing element 102 has a longitudinal axis 104 that extends essentially in the main flow direction of the fluid that flows through the casing element 102 in the operating state. One possible flow direction of the fluid is shown by arrows that run in the direction of the longitudinal axis 104. The longitudinal axis 104 runs through the center of the opening cross-section of the casing element. According to the present illustration, the casing element 102 has a rectangular opening cross-section. The longitudinal axis 104 thus runs through the intersection point of the diagonals of the rectangle.

[0045] According to the present embodiment, the insert element 103 contains a plurality of web elements 109, 110. The web elements 109 and the web elements 110 have a different angle of inclination with respect to the longitudinal axis 104. A plurality of web elements 109 are arranged one behind the other in the flow direction of the fluid and form a first web element row 141. A plurality of web elements 110 are arranged one behind the other in the flow direction of the fluid and form a second web element row 142. For the sake of simplicity, the reference numerals 109, 110 each designate only one of the web elements of the corresponding first or second web element row 141, 142. An insert element 103 can comprise a plurality of first and / or second web element rows 141, 142. The illustrated insert element 103 contains two first rows of web elements 141, 143 and two second rows of web elements 142, 144.According to an embodiment not shown, a single first and second row of web elements can be provided. The number of first and second rows of web elements can also be greater than one or two. According to the present embodiment, the first rows of web elements 141, 143 are arranged adjacent to one another. The second rows of web elements 142, 144 are also arranged adjacent to one another.

[0046] Each of the web elements 109 has a first end 113 and a second end 114, wherein the first end 113 and the second end 114 of the web element 109 are connected to the casing element 102 at different locations. The web element 109 contains a web element channel 111. Each of the web elements 110 has a first end 115 and a second end 116, wherein the first end 115 and the second end 116 of the web element 110 are connected to the casing element 102 at different locations. The web element 110 contains a web element channel 112. The web element channels 111, 112 are only partially shown in the present illustration. Such web element channels are already known from EP 2851118 A1 and EP 3489603 A1 or the unpublished EP 20207057.9. The web elements disclosed in these documents are to be regarded as examples of a multitude of other possible web shapes.The casing element 102 according to the invention can be used for any number, arrangement, or shape of the web elements. The web element channel 111 extends from the first end 113 of the web element 109 to the second end 114 of the web element 109. The web element channel 112 extends from the first end 115 of the web element 110 to the second end 116 of the web element 110. The web elements 109 can be arranged crosswise to the web elements 110. The web elements 109 can have a first angle of inclination with respect to the longitudinal axis 104. The web elements 110 can have a second angle of inclination with respect to the longitudinal axis 104.

[0047] The casing element 102 contains at least one inlet 106 and one outlet 107 for a heat transfer fluid, which flows through the heat exchanger in the operating state. The casing element 102 is at least partially designed as a hollow body, for example as a double casing. A plurality of chambers 120 are located in the interior of the casing element 102. These chambers 120 are flowed through by the heat transfer fluid in the operating state. The flow path of the heat transfer fluid through the casing element 102 and the insert element 103 within the web element channels 111, 112 is represented in the present illustration by dash-dotted lines with two dots between two adjacent dashes, as well as by dashed lines. Fig. 2An exploded view was chosen here to show the chambers 120 in the casing element. The casing element 102 can be designed as a double casing. The double casing can be formed by an outer shell and an inner shell. The chambers 120 can be formed by partition walls extending between the outer shell and the inner shell. The chambers 120 can also be formed as recesses in the casing element 102. Alternatively, or in combination with the aforementioned embodiments, the chambers 120 can be formed as superstructures of the casing element 102.

[0048] At least one of the chambers 120 can be designed as a distribution chamber 121 for distributing the heat transfer fluid. At least one of the chambers 120 can be designed as a collection chamber 122 for discharging the heat transfer fluid. The distribution chamber 121 is connectable to an inlet 106, and the collection chamber 122 is connectable to an outlet 107. According to the present embodiment, the inlet 106 opens into the distribution chamber 121. The inlet 106 contains a tubular element containing an inlet channel for the heat transfer fluid. According to the present embodiment, the heat transfer fluid leaves the heat exchanger 100 via the outlet 107, which connects to the collection chamber 122. The outlet 107 contains a tubular element containing an outlet channel for the heat transfer fluid.

[0049] According to Fig. 2The chamber 120 extends from the inlet opening 105 to the outlet opening 108 for the heat transfer fluid, which flows through the casing element 102 in the operating state. A plurality of such chambers 120 extend in a row over at least part of the length of the casing element 102. The outermost chambers 120 are formed by the distribution chamber 121 and the collection chamber 122. According to this exemplary embodiment, the chambers 120 are arranged on the base surface and the top surface of the casing element 102. A partition wall 130 is located between adjacent chambers 120 so that the heat transfer fluid cannot flow into adjacent chambers. The chambers 120 contain at least one inlet opening 105 and one outlet opening 108 for the heat transfer fluid, which flows through the casing element 102 in the operating state.

[0050] In Fig. 2Two chambers 120 are also shown, each containing two inlet openings 105 and two outlet openings 108. According to this embodiment, the heat transfer fluid flows in cross-cocurrent to the fluid. The fluid could also flow in cross-countercurrent to the heat transfer fluid, as in Fig. 1shown. According to this exemplary embodiment, the heat transfer fluid flows in the web element row 142 and in the web element row 144, first in cross-countercurrent and then in cross-cocurrent to the fluid. The heat transfer fluid flows in the web element row 141 and in the web element row 143, first in cross-cocurrent and then in cross-countercurrent to the fluid. According to an exemplary embodiment not shown, the flow direction of the heat transfer fluid is reversed, i.e., the positions of the inlet and outlet are interchanged. According to an exemplary embodiment not shown, the flow direction of the fluid is reversed, i.e., the flow direction of the fluid is opposite to the direction of the arrow.

[0051] Fig. 3 shows a view of a heat exchanger 200 according to a third embodiment of the invention. The heat exchanger 200 according to Fig. 3comprises a shell element 202 and an insert element 203. The insert element 203 and the shell element 202 are shown separately from each other; in the assembled state, the insert element 203 is located inside the shell element 202. In this illustration, the shell element 202 is shown as a transparent component, so that all shell element channels located in the shell element 202 are visible. The heat exchanger 200 for static mixing and heat exchange according to Fig. 3thus contains a casing element 202 and an insert element 203, wherein the insert element 203 is arranged inside the casing element 202 in the installed state. The casing element 202 is partially designed as a hollow body. The insert element 203 is received in the casing element, i.e., in the hollow body. The casing element 202 has a longitudinal axis 204 that extends essentially in the main flow direction of the fluid that flows through the casing element 202 in the operating state. One possible flow direction of the fluid is shown by arrows that run in the direction of the longitudinal axis 204. The longitudinal axis 204 runs through the center of the opening cross-section of the casing element. According to the present illustration, the casing element 202 has a rectangular opening cross-section. The longitudinal axis 204 thus runs through the intersection point of the diagonals of the rectangle.

[0052] According to the present embodiment, the insert element 203 contains a plurality of web elements 209, 210. The web elements 209 and the web elements 210 have a different angle of inclination with respect to the longitudinal axis 204. A plurality of web elements 209 are arranged one behind the other in the flow direction of the fluid and form a first web element row 241. A plurality of web elements 210 are arranged one behind the other in the flow direction of the fluid and form a second web element row 242. For the sake of simplicity, the reference numerals 209, 210 each designate only one of the web elements of the corresponding first or second web element row 241, 242. The insert element 203 can comprise a plurality of first and / or second web element rows 241, 242. The illustrated insert element 203 contains two first rows of web elements 241, 243 and two second rows of web elements 242, 244.According to an embodiment not shown, a single first and second row of web elements can be provided. The number of first and second rows of web elements can also be greater than one or two. According to the present embodiment, the first rows of web elements 241, 243 are arranged adjacent to one another. The second rows of web elements 242, 244 are also arranged adjacent to one another.

[0053] Each of the web elements 209 has a first end 213 and a second end 214, wherein the first end 213 and the second end 214 of the web element 209 are connected to the casing element 202 at different locations. The web element 209 contains a web element channel 211. Of the web element channel 211, only the inlet opening is shown in the present illustration. Each of the web elements 210 has a first end 215 and a second end 216, wherein the first end 215 and the second end 216 of the web element 210 are connected to the casing element 202 at different locations. The web element 210 contains a web element channel 212. Of the web element channel 212, only the outlet opening is shown in the present illustration. Such web element channels are already known from EP 2851118 A1 as well as EP 3489603 A1 or the unpublished EP 20207057.9.The web elements disclosed in these documents are to be considered exemplary of a multitude of other possible web shapes. The casing element 202 according to the invention can be used for any number, arrangement, or shape of the web elements. The web element channel 211 extends from the first end 213 of the web element 209 to the second end 214 of the web element 209. The web element channel 212 extends from the first end 215 of the web element 210 to the second end 216 of the web element 210.

[0054] The web elements 209 can be arranged crosswise to the web elements 210. The web elements 209 can have a first angle of inclination with respect to the longitudinal axis 204. The web elements 210 can have a second angle of inclination with respect to the longitudinal axis 204.

[0055] The casing element 202 contains at least one inlet 206 and one outlet 207 for a heat transfer fluid, which flows through the heat exchanger in the operating state. The casing element 202 is at least partially designed as a hollow body, for example as a double casing, i.e., a plurality of chambers 220 are located inside the casing element 202. These chambers 220 are flowed through by the heat transfer fluid in the operating state. The flow path of the heat transfer fluid through the casing element 202 and the insert element 203 within the web element channels 211, 212 is represented in the present illustration by dash-dotted lines with two dots each between two adjacent lines for the flow through the web element rows 243 and 244, and by dashed lines for the flow through the web element rows 241 and 242. In Fig. 3An exploded view was chosen here, according to which the insert element 203 is arranged outside the casing element 202 in order to show the chambers 220 in the casing element. The casing element 202 can be designed as a double casing. The double casing can be formed by an outer shell and an inner shell. The chambers 220 can be formed by partition walls extending between the outer shell and the inner shell. The chambers 220 can also be formed as recesses in the casing element 202. Alternatively, or in combination with the aforementioned embodiments, the chambers 220 can be formed as superstructures of the casing element 202.

[0056] At least one of the chambers 220 can be designed as a distribution chamber 221 for distributing the heat transfer fluid. At least one of the chambers 220 can be designed as a collection chamber 222 for discharging the heat transfer fluid. The distribution chamber 221 is connectable to an inlet 206, and the collection chamber 222 is connectable to an outlet 207. According to the present embodiment, the inlet 206 opens into the distribution chamber 221. The inlet 206 contains a tubular element containing an inlet channel for the heat transfer fluid. According to the present embodiment, the heat transfer fluid leaves the heat exchanger 200 via the outlet 207, which connects to the collection chamber 222. The outlet 207 contains a tubular element containing an outlet channel for the heat transfer fluid.

[0057] According to Fig. 3The chamber 220 extends from the inlet opening 205 to the outlet opening 208 for the heat transfer fluid, which flows through the casing element 202 in the operating state. According to this embodiment, a plurality of such chambers 220 extend in a row over at least part of the length of the casing element 202. The outermost chambers 220 are formed at one end of the casing element, in Fig. 3 The outlet end for the fluid is formed by the distribution chamber 221 and the collection chamber 222. According to this exemplary embodiment, the chambers 220 are arranged on the base surface and the top surface of the casing element 202. A partition wall 230 is located between adjacent chambers 220 so that the heat transfer fluid cannot flow into adjacent chambers. The chambers 220 contain at least one inlet opening 205 and one outlet opening 208 for the heat transfer fluid, which flows through the casing element 202 in the operating state.

[0058] In Fig. 3 Also shown is a chamber 220, which contains two inlet openings 205 and two outlet openings 208. In the present illustration, this chamber 220 is arranged at the inlet end of the casing element 202. This chamber 220 is designed as a deflection chamber 223. According to this exemplary embodiment, the heat transfer fluid initially flows in cross-countercurrent and then in cross-cocurrent with the fluid. The heat transfer fluid could also initially flow in cross-cocurrent and then in cross-countercurrent with the fluid if either the flow direction of the heat transfer fluid or the flow direction of the fluid were reversed.

[0059] According to each of the preceding embodiments, the web elements can be connected to the casing element by gluing, soldering, casting, an additive manufacturing process, welding, clamping, shrink-fitting, or combinations thereof. The gluing, soldering, or welding can be performed from the inside and / or outside. In particular, the casing element and the web elements can be formed as a single piece. According to one embodiment, the web element channel can extend without kinks. According to one embodiment, the web element channel can transition into the chamber without kinks.

[0060] The web element channels in the web elements extend from the first end to the second end of the web element, which directly adjoins the inner wall of the casing element. According to one embodiment, an opening is located in the casing element, which can be designed as an inlet or outlet opening. The opening has at least the same cross-sectional area as the cross-sectional area of ​​the web element channel that adjoins the opening.

[0061] At least some of the web elements thus extend over the entire width dimension or height dimension or the mean diameter of the casing element. The mean diameter corresponds to the inner diameter of the casing element if the casing element is designed as a circular tube. The mean diameter for a square casing element is defined as its circumference / n (pi), and is therefore an equivalent diameter. The length of the web element channel can in particular be at least 10% above the mean diameter if the web element channel crosses the center axis. The length of this web element channel can in particular be at least 20% above the mean diameter, particularly preferably at least 30% above the mean diameter.

[0062] The dimensions of a web element are determined by its length, width, and thickness. The length of the web element is measured from the first end of the web element to the second end of the web element. The length of the web element channel essentially corresponds to the length of the web element.

[0063] The width of the web element is measured essentially perpendicular to the flow direction. This means that the width extends essentially in a plane that is normal to the length of the web element and shows the cross-section of the web element. The cross-section of the web element is characterized by its width and thickness. The length of at least the longest web element is at least 5 times its width.

[0064] The width of the web element is 0.5 to 5 times its thickness, advantageously 0.75 to 3 times its thickness. If the width of the web element is 1 to 2 times its thickness, a particularly preferred range results in which particularly good transverse mixing can be achieved. The width of the web element is defined as the standard distance extending from the first edge and the second edge of the web element on the upstream side. The width of the web element on the upstream side can differ from the width measured on the downstream side of the web element.

[0065] The term "edge" refers to the edge of the web element against which the fluid flows and around which it flows, extending essentially parallel to the length of the web element. The thickness of the web element can be variable. The minimum thickness is less than 75% and advantageously less than 50% less than the maximum thickness. Variations can be caused, for example, by ribs, indentations, nubs, wedge-shaped webs, or other shapes or unevenness.

[0066] The web element can be characterized by flat, convex, or concave surfaces in the flow direction, providing a contact surface for the flowing fluid. These surfaces, aligned in the flow direction, result in increased outflow resistance, especially compared to a tubular element, which can result in improved heat transfer.

[0067] The web element channel, which runs inside the web element, preferably has an inner diameter corresponding to a maximum of 75% of the thickness of the web element. In principle, several web element channels, in particular those running essentially parallel, can be contained in one web element.

[0068] The transition from at least one of the first and second ends of the web element to the casing element is advantageously gap-free. According to one exemplary embodiment, the web elements and the casing element therefore consist of a single component, which is preferably produced by a casting process. Characteristic of the gap-free transition is a smooth transition from the web element to the casing element. In particular, rounded edges can be provided in the transition area from the web element to the casing element so that the flow of the castable material is not impaired during the manufacturing process. The web element channels run inside the web elements so that there is no connection between the channels inside the web elements and the space surrounding the web elements.

[0069] In a casting process, a monolithic structure consisting of sets of web elements arranged at a non-zero angle to the main flow direction and a casing element, which can be designed as a casing tube and is rigidly connected to at least some of the web elements, is produced at least segmentally in a casting process. Instead of a casting process, an additive manufacturing process can also be used.

[0070] Alternatively, it is also possible for the openings in the casing element to coincide with the outer contour of the web element. According to this embodiment, the web element can be pushed through the opening in the casing element and thus positioned within the interior of the casing element. According to this embodiment, the web element can be connected to the casing element by gluing, soldering, welding, clamping, pressing, or shrinking.

[0071] The web element channels for the heat transfer fluid in the web elements can be manufactured using the previously described casting process or an additive manufacturing process. However, the web element channels can also be manufactured by subsequent machining such as EDM or drilling. A heat transfer fluid can be any liquid, such as water or oil, or even a gas, such as air.

[0072] The web elements can be arranged at an angle of approximately 25 to 75 degrees, in particular at an angle of approximately 30 to 60 degrees, to the main flow direction. The web elements can form groups of web elements, wherein the group of web elements contains web elements arranged parallel to one another, the center axes of which lie in a common plane. The center axes of the web elements form the straight line of intersection of the common plane of the group of web elements with the common plane of the corresponding row of web elements. The web elements of a group of web elements can be located in a common group plane. According to one embodiment, the first and second group planes intersect. According to a further embodiment, a web element of the first group of web elements adjoins a web element of the second group of web elements.According to this embodiment, adjacent web elements therefore have a different orientation because they belong to different web element groups, which corresponds to the arrangement of the web elements according to . Fig. 1 According to the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 In the embodiments shown, adjacent web elements of the web element rows 141, 241 and 143, 243 or adjacent web elements of the web element rows 142, 242 and 144, 244 have the same orientation, since they each belong to the same web element family.

[0073] According to one embodiment, web elements from different web element groups intersect, as this allows for improved heat exchange. The angle between two intersecting web elements is advantageously 25 to 75 degrees. Any number of web elements can be arranged one behind the other in each of the web element rows. The maximum number of web element rows lying next to one another in the casing element is determined by the width dimension of the casing element. The web element row is characterized in that the center axes of all web elements lie in essentially the same row plane. In particular, 6 to 40 web elements, for example 6 to 30 web elements, are arranged parallel to one another in a web element row. According to the present embodiment, 8 web elements are arranged in each web element row, by way of example.According to the exemplary embodiments, two web elements are arranged in each of the 8 web element sets.

[0074] Any number of web elements can be arranged one behind the other in the web element row, viewed in the main flow direction. The web elements arranged one behind the other are advantageously arranged such that they overlap in order to accommodate as much active heat exchange surface as possible in a small apparatus volume. Overlapping is understood to mean that at least some of the web elements of a first web element group and some of the web elements of a subsequent web element group and / or a preceding web element group are arranged in the same pipe section, viewed in the main flow direction. The projection of the length of the web element onto the longitudinal axis results in a length L1, and the projection of the overlapping part of the web elements of the adjacent web element group onto the longitudinal axis results in a length L2, where L2 is less than L1 and L2 is greater than 0.The pipe section under consideration is defined such that it has the length L1, i.e. it extends from a centrally arranged web element from its first end to its second end in the projection onto the longitudinal axis.

[0075] Since the mixing effect in equally aligned sets of web elements arranged one behind the other only occurs in one plane, after a certain number of web element sets, the alignment can be changed so that the web element sets are advantageously offset from one another. In particular, two to 20 sets of web elements are provided, particularly preferably four to eight sets of web elements. The offset between the equally aligned sets of web elements is advantageously at an angle of 80 to 100 degrees. This means that the second set of web elements is aligned around its longitudinal axis at an angle of 80 to 100 degrees relative to the first set of web elements.

[0076] In addition to the previously described web element sets of intersecting web elements, web element sets can also be arranged, especially in the end area of ​​similarly aligned parallel web element sets, which contain web elements that extend only from the inner wall of the shell element to the intersection line with the other web element set. These web element sets are referred to below as half intersecting web element sets. These web element sets lead to an additional increase in mixing performance. The improved mixing effect and the additional thermal conduction effects of the web element material also further increase heat exchange.

[0077] According to one embodiment, the web elements can form a first and a second web element group. Each of the first and second web element groups can span a first and second group plane, respectively. In particular, the first group plane of the first web element group can intersect with the second group plane of the second web element group in such a way that a common crossing line is formed, which has an intersection point with the longitudinal axis or runs essentially transversely to the longitudinal axis and / or has a minimal distance from the longitudinal axis in a normal plane to the crossing line, which contains the longitudinal axis. According to one embodiment, at least one web element group can be provided, which extends essentially to the crossing line.

[0078] The web elements in a first and second set of web elements can touch each other or have gaps between them. It is also possible to connect the gaps with connecting webs arranged transversely to the fluid flow direction.

[0079] Different sections or segments of the heat exchanger can also be flowed through by heat transfer fluid through separate shell channels, so that the heat exchanger contains different sections or segments through which heat transfer fluids of different temperatures can flow. This allows for different temperature control in the individual segments. It has been shown that for high heat transfer in a small device volume with shell element diameters of 60 mm and more, at least half of all web elements should be flowed through by the heat transfer fluid.

[0080] It has been shown that a casting process, an additive manufacturing process, a soldering process, an adhesive process, a shrink-fit process, a clamping process, and a welding process can all be cost-effective manufacturing processes for web elements and a shell element that is monolithically connected to the web elements without gaps. The insert element, comprising the web element sets with the corresponding web elements, can be manufactured in one piece. Alternatively, the insert element can consist of individual segments that are subsequently connected, for example, by welding or screwed flange connections or by clamping. Furthermore, the external geometry of the web elements and the web element geometry, as well as the geometry of the web element channels for the heat transfer fluid, can be easily decoupled for both a welding process and a casting process.For example, rectangular profiles can advantageously be used for the outer geometry of the web elements, and the web element channel geometry can advantageously be selected as a round cross-section, i.e., in particular, a circular or oval cross-section. This allows web elements to be manufactured with an ideal profile for cross-mixing and / or high inherent strength for high maximum fluid pressures. It has been shown that the web element channels for the heat transfer fluid in the web elements are advantageously produced after the casting process by erosion and even more advantageously by drilling, allowing web element channels with small diameters to be manufactured.

[0081] It has further been shown that very good heat transfer and / or high mixing performance can be achieved with the web element sets according to the invention, and especially with web element sets in which adjacent web elements intersect, and / or especially with overlapping groups of web elements. In particular, the arrangement of a second web element set offset by 80 to 100 degrees from the first web element set can promote good heat transfer. Surprisingly, it has also been shown that the addition of additional chambers, especially for viscous fluids, can further improve heat transfer and / or mixing performance.

[0082] The heat transfer and / or mixing performance near the inner wall of the shell element is also significantly improved by the direct transition of the web elements into the shell element, since boundary layers of the fluid located on the inner wall also contribute to achieving optimal heat transfer or homogeneous mixing. In particular, optimal renewal of the boundary layers can be achieved not only between the fluid and the shell element, but also between the fluid and the web element surface. Optimal boundary layer renewal therefore leads to optimal use of the heat exchange surface. The optimal use of the heat exchange surface also means that the heat exchanger can be built with an even smaller device volume and with lower pressure drop for a given cooling or heating task.

[0083] Thanks to the optimized heat transfer, the heat exchanger according to the invention exhibits a very narrow residence time spectrum for the fluid to be heated or cooled. This optimally prevents deposits or decomposition of the fluid. For cooling tasks involving the cooling of a viscous fluid, such as a polymer, a very low melt temperature close to the freezing point can be achieved thanks to the optimal renewal of the boundary layers. This, in particular, prevents solidified polymer from depositing on the heat exchange surfaces. The direct transition of the individual web elements into the shell element and the use of chambers for the heat transfer fluid across the entire surface also results in a stable construction that is also suitable for operation with high fluid operating pressures. This allows the heat exchanger according to the invention to be built very compactly, especially for operation with viscous fluids.The heat exchanger is generally suitable for mixing and cooling or heating any fluids such as liquids and gases, but especially for viscous and very viscous fluids such as polymers.

[0084] The shell element and the insert element can contain castable or weldable materials, for example metals, ceramics, plastics or combinations of these materials can be used.

[0085] A method for producing a heat exchanger comprising an insert element and a shell element, wherein the insert element has at least one web element arranged at a non-zero angle relative to the main flow direction and a shell element firmly connected to the web element, comprises the following method steps. The web element and the insert shell element are produced by an adhesive process, soldering process, casting process, additive manufacturing process, welding process, clamping process, or shrink-fitting process, or combinations thereof. The web element contains a web element channel, which is produced by the casting process or an additive manufacturing process together with the insert shell element, or is produced in a further work step using a drilling process or an erosion process.

[0086] Between the insert element and the jacket element, as described in EP3489603 A1, an intermediate jacket element can also be arranged, which contains a first intermediate jacket element channel and a second intermediate jacket element channel, wherein the intermediate jacket element is positioned in the jacket element and the insert element is positioned in the intermediate jacket element in such a way that the heat transfer fluid can flow from the jacket channel through the first intermediate jacket element channel into the web element channel, flow through the web element channel and flow from the web element channel through the second intermediate jacket element channel into the jacket channel.

[0087] The use of an intermediate sheath element has several advantages. For example, the insert element can be manufactured significantly thinner and lighter. Therefore, a different material, for example a higher-quality material, can be used for the insert element than for the intermediate sheath element. In particular, the insert element can contain a material that exhibits high thermal conductivity or high resistance to chemicals, such as corrosion resistance. The insert element can be manufactured as a single piece together with the web elements using an additive manufacturing process or a casting process. Since the manufacture of the insert element is very complex, it can be stored as a semi-finished product, and the intermediate sheath element can be adapted to the required wall thickness depending on the application and nominal pressure.The jacket element surrounding the intermediate jacket element can be designed as a further double jacket through which the heat transfer fluid flows during operation. The heat transfer fluid passes through the openings in the jacket element and the intermediate jacket element, as well as in the insert jacket element, to at least one of the web elements, allowing it to flow through the web element(s).

[0088] The invention is not limited to the present embodiments. The web elements can vary in number and dimensions. Furthermore, the number of web element channels in the web elements can vary depending on the required heat transfer. The angle of inclination of the groups or sets of web elements relative to the longitudinal axis can also vary depending on the application. More than two insert elements can also be arranged one behind the other.

[0089] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many further modifications are possible in addition to the described embodiments without departing from the inventive concept. The subject matter of the invention is therefore not limited by the foregoing description and is determined by the scope of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

1. Heat exchanger (1, 100, 200) comprising a jacket element (2, 102, 202) and an insert element (3, 103, 203), wherein the jacket element is configured as a fluid channel for a fluid to be tempered, wherein the jacket element comprises a longitudinal axis (4, 104, 204), wherein the insert element is arranged in the fluid channel, wherein the insert element contains a plurality of web elements (9, 10, 109, 110, 209, 210) which are connected to the jacket element at different locations, wherein the web elements are arranged in at least a first row of web elements (41, 43, 141, 143, 241, 243) and a second row of web elements (42, 44, 142, 144, 242, 244), wherein the web elements of each of the first and second rows of web elements are arranged essentially parallel to one another, wherein the angles which the web elements of different rows of web elements enclose with the longitudinal axis of the jacket element differ, wherein at least some of the web elements contain web element channels (11, 12, 111, 112, 211, 212) which are fluidly connected with the jacket element, so that in the operating state a heat transfer fluid which is supplied to the jacket element can flow through the web element channels of the web elements, wherein the jacket element contains a plurality of chambers (20, 120, 220) for the heat transfer fluid, wherein each of the chambers contains at least one inlet opening (5, 105, 205) and at least one outlet opening (8, 108, 208) for the heat transfer fluid or is configured as a distribution chamber (21, 121, 221) or as a collection chamber (22, 122, 222), characterized in that the number of chambers which are not configured as distribution chambers or as collecting chambers is greater than zero, and in that the inlet opening and the outlet opening of such chambers are connected to the web element channels of two web elements belonging to the same web element row, wherein the distribution chamber (21, 121, 221) is configured to distribute the heat transfer fluid and the collection chamber (22, 122, 222) is configured to discharge the heat transfer fluid, wherein the distribution chamber (21, 121, 221) is connectable to an inlet (6, 106, 206) and the collection chamber (22, 122, 222) is connectable to an outlet (7, 107, 207).

2. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the chambers (20, 120, 220) are separated from one another by partition walls (30, 130, 230).

3. The heat exchanger of one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the chambers (20, 120, 220) is fluidly connected for the heat transfer fluid via the web element channels (11, 12, 111, 112, 211, 212) with at least one subsequent chamber (20, 120, 220).

4. The heat exchanger of one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the chambers (20, 120, 220) is configured as the distribution chamber (21, 121, 221) for distributing the heat transfer fluid and at least one of the chambers is configured as the collection chamber (22, 122, 222) for discharging the heat transfer fluid, wherein the distribution chamber is connectable to an inlet (6, 106, 206) and the collection chamber is connectable to an outlet (7, 107, 207).

5. The heat exchanger of claim 4, wherein the number of inlet openings (5, 105, 205) of web element channels opening into the chamber corresponds to the number of outlet openings (8, 108, 208) of web element channels leading away from the chamber if the chamber is not configured as one of the distribution chambers (21, 121, 221) or collection chambers (22, 122, 222).

6. The heat exchanger of one of the preceding claims, wherein the distribution chamber (21, 121, 221) and the collection chamber (22, 122, 222) are located at opposite ends of the jacket element.

7. The heat exchanger of one of the preceding claims, wherein the distribution chamber (21, 121, 221) and the collection chamber (22, 122, 222) are located at the same end of the jacket element.

8. The heat exchanger of one of the preceding claims, wherein at least four first rows of web elements and four second rows of web elements are arranged side by side.

9. The heat exchanger of one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the first or second rows of web elements contains at least ten web elements.

10. The heat exchanger of one of the preceding claims, wherein the chambers (20, 120, 220) are formed as recesses or structures in the jacket element.

11. The heat exchanger of one of the preceding claims, wherein the inlet opening (5, 105, 205) and the outlet opening (8, 108, 208), which are located in the same chamber, are fluidly connected to the web element channels (11, 12, 111, 112, 211, 212), which belong to the web elements (9, 10, 109, 110, 209, 210) of different sets of web elements.

12. Method for tempering a fluid, wherein the fluid is tempered by a heat exchanger (1, 100, 200) according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger comprises a jacket element (2, 102, 202) and an insert element (3, 103, 203), wherein the fluid flows in a fluid channel enclosed by the jacket element, wherein the insert element is arranged in the fluid channel, wherein the insert element contains a plurality of web elements (9, 10, 109, 110, 209, 210) which are connected to the jacket element at different locations, wherein the web elements are arranged in at least a first row of web elements (41, 43, 141, 143, 241, 243) and a second row of web elements (42, 44, 142, 144, 242, 244), wherein the web elements of each of the first row of web elements and the second row of web elements are arranged essentially parallel to one another, wherein the angles which the web elements of different rows of web elements enclose with the longitudinal axis of the jacket element differ, with at least some of the web elements having web element channels (11, 12, 111, 112, 211, 212) which are fluidly connected with the jacket element, so that in the operating state a heat transfer fluid which is supplied to the jacket element can flow through the web element channels of the web elements, wherein the jacket element contains a plurality of chambers (20, 120, 220) for the heat transfer fluid, wherein each of the chambers contains at least one inlet opening (5, 105, 205) and at least one outlet opening (8, 108, 208) for the heat transfer fluid, so that the heat transfer fluid flows through each of the chambers (20, 120, 220) and the web element channels (20, 120, 220) wherein the distribution chamber (21, 121, 221) is configured to distribute the heat transfer fluid and the collection chamber (22, 122, 222) is configured to discharge the heat transfer fluid, wherein the distribution chamber (21, 121, 221) is connected to an inlet (6, 106, 206) and the collection chamber (22, 122, 222) is connected to an outlet (7, 107, 207).

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the inlet openings and / or outlet openings of different chambers are connected to one another via web elements which run through the fluid channel, so that a heat transfer takes place between the heat transfer fluid and the fluid via the inner wall of the jacket element and the web elements when the heat transfer fluid flows through the chambers and the web element channels of the web elements.

14. The method of one of claims 12 or 13, wherein the heat transfer fluid flows from an outlet opening of one of the chambers to an inlet opening of the respectively following chamber through one of the web element channels, which is arranged in one of the web elements arranged in the fluid channel, so that the heat transfer fluid flows through the chambers sequentially, wherein the chambers are connected to one another via one of the first or second rows of web elements.

15. The method of one of claims 12 or 13, wherein the heat transfer fluid flows from an outlet opening in one of the chambers to an inlet opening in the respectively following chamber through one of the web element channels, which is arranged in one of the web elements, which is arranged in the fluid channel, so that the heat transfer fluid flows through the web element channels of the web elements of the associated web element row sequentially.

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