Heat exchanger with cellular structure

Abstract

Heat exchanger (1) comprising: a metallic shell (3), a metallic and monolithic body (17) in the shell and extending longitudinally between first (23) and second (25) faces, a duct (27) for transporting a first fluid in the body between an inlet (29) and an outlet (31) which open onto the first and second faces, a duct (35) for transporting a second fluid in the body between an inlet (37) and an outlet (39), the body comprising a wall (49) extending parallel to the longitudinal axis and separating the ducts for transporting the first and second fluids, the shell comprising an intake opening (9) and a discharge opening (11) for the second fluid communicating with the inlet and outlet for the second fluid, respectively, the shell and the body defining a cavity for the circulation of the second fluid that is sealed with respect to the second fluid between the intake opening and the discharge opening for the second fluid.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Title: Honeycomb heat exchanger

[0003] The present invention relates to alveolar type heat exchangers, in particular intended for cooling a fluid whose temperature is between 50°C and 1000°C, in particular greater than 300°C, for example in the metallurgical, chemical, petrochemical or electronic industries.

[0004] A heat exchanger allows the transfer of heat between two fluids through a heat exchange wall and without mixing the fluids. The heat exchange wall is generally made of a material that is as conductive as possible, for example a metal such as copper, in order to promote heat exchange and limit thermal losses.

[0005] Heat transfer is promoted by the temperature difference between the two fluids, with heat flowing from the hotter to the colder. Thus, one of the fluids is cooled while the other fluid is heated after passing through the heat exchanger. Generally, the fluids circulate in the exchanger counter-currently, i.e. in parallel and opposite directions of circulation, or cross-currently, i.e. in perpendicular directions of circulation. Such types of circulation improve the efficiency of heat transfer compared to co-current circulation, i.e. in the same parallel directions of circulation.

[0006] The efficiency of heat transfer depends on the shape and dimensions of the wall, the material of the wall, the composition and velocities of the fluids, and the temperature difference between the fluids.

[0007] Many types of heat exchangers are known, for example, shell and tube heat exchangers, plate heat exchangers, regenerators, and direct contact heat exchangers. Honeycomb heat exchangers are also known, which have fluid transport ducts formed within the heat exchanger, usually by additive manufacturing. Such heat exchangers are suitable for the circulation of a single fluid within them.

[0008] US 2021 / 0003349 A1 discloses a heat exchanger with a honeycomb structure comprising conduits formed in the mass of the heat exchanger, for the exchange of heat between two fluids circulating in different conduits. The heat exchanger of US 2021 / 0003349 A1, however, has conduits for transporting a first fluid, each of which has a reduced cross-section in order to allow the supply of a second fluid into other conduits.

[0009] There is a need to improve heat exchangers.

[0010] The invention relates to a heat exchanger comprising: a metal shell, a monolithic metal heat exchange body, housed in the shell and extending along a longitudinal axis between first and second opposite faces, a conduit for transporting a first fluid arranged in the heat exchange body between a first fluid inlet and a first fluid outlet which open onto the first and second faces respectively, a conduit for transporting a second fluid arranged in the heat exchange body between a second fluid inlet and a second fluid outlet, the heat exchange body comprising a heat exchange wall extending parallel to the longitudinal axis and separating the conduit for transporting the first fluid from the conduit for transporting the second fluid,the shell comprising a second fluid inlet opening and a second fluid outlet opening which are in fluid communication with the second fluid inlet and the second fluid outlet respectively, the shell and the heat exchange body delimiting a second fluid circulation cavity which is sealed against the second fluid between the second fluid inlet opening and the second fluid outlet opening.,

[0011] As will become clear hereinafter, the heat exchanger according to the invention makes it possible to simply introduce the first and second fluids separately into the heat exchanger, for example by means of a simple inlet connection for each of the first and second fluids, and then to simply extract them from the heat exchanger, for example by means of a simple outlet connection for each of the first and second fluids. In addition, the heat exchanger is compact and of low mass.

[0012] The second fluid circulation cavity is sealed against the second fluid between the second fluid inlet opening and the second fluid outlet opening. In other words, a volume of second fluid entering through the second fluid inlet opening exits entirely and only through the second fluid outlet opening. The longitudinal axis may be rectilinear or curvilinear or consist of a succession of rectilinear portions, or even a succession of curvilinear portions and rectilinear portions.

[0013] The heat exchange body is preferably obtained by an additive manufacturing technique. Such a heat exchange body is simple to manufacture.

[0014] The heat exchange body can be fixed to the grille. For example, it is inserted into the grille and then welded onto the grille.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the assembly formed by the heat exchange body and the shell is monolithic. Preferably, it is obtained using an additive manufacturing technique. Production of the heat exchanger is thus simplified.

[0016] The additive manufacturing technique is preferably a powder bed additive manufacturing technique. It is chosen, for example, from:

[0017] - additive manufacturing by selective laser melting, also called additive manufacturing “SLM”,

[0018] - additive manufacturing by selective laser sintering, also called “SLS” additive manufacturing,

[0019] - additive manufacturing by powder projection, also called “DED” or “cold spray”, and

[0020] - additive manufacturing by wire deposition, also called “WAAM”

[0021] These additive manufacturing techniques are well known to those skilled in the art.

[0022] The heat exchange body and the shell are metallic. The heat exchange body and / or the shell may be made of a metallic material selected from a steel, in particular a stainless steel, a copper-based alloy, an aluminum-based alloy, a titanium-based alloy and a nickel-based alloy. A “metal-based alloy” comprises more than 50% by mass of said metal.

[0023] The grille is preferably hollow. It may have a generally tubular and hollow shape.

[0024] Preferably, the grille comprises a grille wall defining a grille housing in which the heat exchange body is disposed.

[0025] Preferably, the second fluid inlet opening and / or the second fluid outlet opening are formed in the shell wall and pass right through it, in particular to open into the shell housing. The heat exchanger may comprise several second fluid inlet openings and / or several second fluid outlet openings.

[0026] Preferably, the heat exchange body has first and second longitudinal walls, the outer faces of which are respectively the first and second faces through which the first fluid inlet and the first fluid outlet open respectively. Preferably, the first and second longitudinal walls may have a lateral face of a shape complementary to the inner face of the shell wall. Such a complementarity of shape facilitates the sealing of the second fluid circulation cavity.

[0027] Obviously, to ensure that the first and second fluids are not in contact with each other, the heat exchange wall is sealed against each of said fluids. Preferably, it is solid.

[0028] The thickness of the heat exchange wall is for example between 200 μm and 5 mm. In an alternative embodiment, it is less than 1 mm, in particular less than 500 μm.

[0029] Preferably, in order to increase the efficiency of heat transfer, the heat exchanger comprises several conduits for transporting the first fluid and several conduits for transporting the second fluid.

[0030] Preferably, the conduits for transporting the first fluid and the conduits for transporting the second fluid are parallel to each other.

[0031] Preferably, at least one, in particular each, of the conduits for transporting the first fluid is separated from at least two, or even at least four, in particular four, conduits for transporting the second fluid by a corresponding heat exchange wall.

[0032] The heat exchange body may comprise a wall separating two conduits for transporting the second fluid. It may comprise a wall separating two conduits for transporting the first fluid. Preferably, at least two of the conduits for transporting the first fluid may be spaced apart from each other by a wall which delimits at least one, or even two, of the heat exchange channels for the second fluid. According to another preferred variant, at least two, preferably each, of the conduits for transporting the first fluid are separated by a wall whose Do, measured in a cross-section to the longitudinal axis, represents less than 10% of the area of ​​the heat exchange wall between a conduit for transporting a first fluid and a conduit for transporting the second fluid. In this way, the heat exchange between the flows of first fluid circulating in adjacent conduits is reduced.

[0033] The diameter of at least one, preferably each, of the conduits for transporting the first fluid and / or the diameter of at least one, preferably each, of the conduits for transporting the second fluid may be between 1 mm and 10 mm. The diameter of a conduit is measured in a plane transverse to the axis of the conduit and is the diameter of the smallest circle circumscribing the outline of the conduit.

[0034] At least one of the first fluid transport conduits, in particular each of the first fluid transport conduits, may have a constant diameter between the first fluid inlet and the first fluid outlet.

[0035] At least one of the second fluid transport conduits, in particular each of the second fluid transport conduits, may have a constant diameter between the second fluid inlet and the second fluid outlet.

[0036] Preferably, the contour of at least one, preferably each, of the circulation conduits of the first fluid and the contour of at least one, preferably each, of the circulation conduits of the second fluid have different shapes, when observed along the longitudinal axis. Thus, it is possible to increase the number of conduits for transporting the first fluid adjacent to a conduit for transporting the second fluid, while reducing the mass of the heat exchange wall separating the conduits.

[0037] Preferably, the contour of at least one, preferably each, of the conduits for transporting the first fluid has the shape of a diamond, and the contour of at least one, preferably each, of the conduits for transporting the second fluid has a different shape, in particular polygonal, for example triangular, square or hexagonal, said contours being observed along the longitudinal axis. A diamond-shaped contour is more suitable than a square or hexagonal shape and ensures that each circulation conduit for the first fluid is separated from at least one of the circulation conduits for the second fluid. The heat exchanger is then more particularly efficient by promoting heat exchange over a large exchange surface between the fluids. The total number of transport conduits and the mass of the heat exchange body can thus be reduced.

[0038] Preferably, at least two of the transport conduits of the first fluid, preferably all of the transport conduits of the first fluid have an identical section and / or at least two of the transport conduits of the second fluid, preferably all of the transport conduits of the second fluid have an identical section, the sections being observed along the longitudinal axis. Two identical sections have the same shape and the same area.

[0039] Preferably, the cross-section of at least one, preferably each, of the circulation conduits of the first fluid and the cross-sectional area of ​​at least one, preferably each, of the circulation conduits of the second fluid are different, the cross-sections being observed along the longitudinal axis. In this way, the efficiency of the heat exchange between the first and second fluids can be optimized.

[0040] Preferably, in a section normal to the longitudinal axis, the total area occupied by the first fluid conduit(s) and by the second fluid conduit(s) represents more than 20% of the area of ​​the surface defined by the inner contour of the shell wall.

[0041] The ratio between the area of ​​the section of one of the circulation conduits of the first fluid and the area of ​​the section of one of the circulation conduits of the second fluid adjacent to said circulation conduit of the first fluid can be between 1 and 3, said sections being observed along the longitudinal axis.

[0042] The conduits for transporting the first fluid and the conduits for transporting the second fluid are preferably distributed regularly, preferably periodically, in at least one direction transverse to the longitudinal axis, preferably in two directions transverse to the longitudinal axis and perpendicular to each other.

[0043] Preferably, the shell and the heat exchange body delimit a second fluid inlet chamber into which at least some of the second fluid inlets open and / or a second fluid discharge chamber into which at least some of the second fluid outlets open. The second fluid inlet chamber thus makes it possible to distribute the second fluid to the various second fluid transport conduits with which it is in fluid communication and the second fluid discharge chamber makes it possible to collect the second fluid leaving said conduits.

[0044] Preferably, the second fluid inlet opening opens into the second fluid inlet chamber and / or the second fluid outlet opening opens into the second fluid outlet chamber, thereby facilitating the distribution and collection of the second fluid in the heat exchanger. Preferably, the second fluid inlet chamber is second fluid tight between the second fluid inlet opening and the second fluid inlets opening into the second fluid inlet chamber, and / or the second fluid outlet chamber is second fluid tight between the second fluid outlet opening and the second fluid outlets opening into the second fluid outlet chamber.

[0045] According to one embodiment, all second fluid inlets open into the second fluid inlet chamber and all second fluid outlets open into the second fluid discharge chamber.

[0046] According to another embodiment, the second fluid inlets of a first portion of the plurality of second fluid circulation conduits open into the second fluid intake chamber. The second fluid outlets of the conduits of said first portion and the second fluid inlets of a second portion of the plurality of second fluid transport conduits are preferably in fluid communication. The second fluid inlets of the conduits of said second portion are preferably opposite along the longitudinal axis to the first fluid inlets of the conduits of said first portion. In this way, the second fluid circulates in one direction in the conduits of the first portion, then in an opposite direction in the conduits of the second portion.In particular, the shell and the heat exchange body may delimit at least one transfer chamber, the second fluid outlets of the conduits of the first part and the second fluid inlets of the conduits of the second fraction left in the transfer chamber. The transfer chamber is preferably sealed between the second fluid outlets of the conduits of the first part and the second fluid inlets of the conduits of the second part.

[0047] Furthermore, at least one, or even each, of the circulation conduits of the first fluid may be sealed against the first fluid between its first fluid inlet and its first fluid outlet and / or at least one, or even each, of the circulation conduits of the second fluid may be sealed against the second fluid between its second fluid inlet and its second fluid outlet.

[0048] Alternatively, at least two of the circulation conduits of the first fluid, respectively circulation conduits of the second fluid, may be separated from each other by a wall comprising a turbulator in the form of a recess passing through said wall on either side. Thus, said wall fluidically connects the two adjacent circulation conduits of the first fluid, respectively of the second fluid. The assembly formed by the two circulation conduits of the first fluid, respectively by the circulation conduits of the second fluid, is thus sealed against the first fluid, respectively between the inlets and the outlets of the two corresponding conduits.

[0049] Preferably, the turbulator extends longitudinally, in order to increase the turbulence of the flow in said conduits. Preferably, the wall separating the two conduits may comprise several turbulators distributed regularly along the longitudinal axis.

[0050] Furthermore, the shell may comprise a first fluid inlet opening and / or a first fluid outlet opening which are in fluid communication with at least one, preferably each, of the first fluid inlets and / or with at least one, preferably each, of the first fluid outlets respectively.

[0051] The shell may comprise a first fluid inlet chamber into which the first fluid inlet opening and at least a portion, preferably all, of the first fluid inlets open, and / or a first fluid discharge chamber into which the first fluid discharge opening and at least a portion, preferably all, of the first fluid outlets open.

[0052] Preferably, the first fluid inlet chamber is sealed against the first fluid between the first fluid inlet opening and the first fluid inlets opening into the first fluid inlet chamber and / or the first fluid discharge chamber is sealed against the first fluid between the first fluid discharge opening and the first fluid outlets opening into the first fluid discharge chamber.

[0053] In particular, the shell may be a hollow longitudinal axis tube, and the first fluid inlet and outlet openings may be the opposite longitudinal openings of said tube.

[0054] Preferably, in order to facilitate the connection of fittings for supplying and / or purging the heat exchanger with first and second fluids respectively, the first fluid inlet opening and the second fluid inlet opening are carried by different faces, in particular perpendicular, of the shell and / or the first fluid discharge opening and the second fluid discharge opening are carried by different faces, in particular perpendicular, of the shell.

[0055] Preferably, the first fluid inlet and outlet openings are carried by different and opposite faces of the shell wall along the longitudinal axis and / or the second fluid inlet and outlet openings are carried by different and opposite faces of the shell wall along the longitudinal axis.

[0056] Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of the heat exchanger according to the invention for exchanging heat between a first fluid and a second fluid, the first fluid and the second fluid being introduced into the heat exchange body at a temperature between 50°C and 1000°C.

[0057] Preferably, the first and second fluids are introduced into the heat exchange body with a temperature difference between them greater than 100°C, preferably greater than 200°C, or even greater than 300°C, or even greater than 500°C.

[0058] Preferably, upon introduction into the heat exchange body, the first fluid is colder than the second fluid.

[0059] In at least one, preferably in each, of the first fluid circulation circuits and in at least one, preferably in each, of the second fluid circulation circuits, the direction of circulation of the first fluid may be different from the direction of circulation of the second fluid.

[0060] Preferably, the first fluid and / or the second fluid circulate in the heat exchange body according to a turbulent flow regime, for example characterized by a Reynolds number greater than 2000.

[0061] The first fluid may be a gas, in particular air, and the second fluid may be a liquid, for example aqueous, in particular water.

[0062] Alternatively, the first and second fluids are liquids. For example, the first liquid is aqueous and the second liquid is an oil.

[0063] Preferably, the heat exchanger is used to cool a fluid whose temperature is greater than 100°C, or even greater than 500°C, in particular when the heat exchange body is made of a titanium-based alloy or a nickel-based alloy. The invention may be better understood by reading the detailed description which follows, non-limiting examples of its implementation, and by examining the attached drawing, in which:

[0064] - [Fig. 1] is a perspective view of an example of a heat exchanger according to the invention,

[0065] - [Fig. 2] is a perspective view of a quarter of the heat exchanger of Figure 1, cut along a longitudinal median plane (PI) and along a transverse median plane (P2),

[0066] - [Fig. 3] is a perspective view of a section along plane (P3) of the quarter of the heat exchanger of figure 2,

[0067] - [Fig. 4] is a view along arrow Fl of a part of the heat exchanger, [Fig. 5] is a view of a part of the heat exchanger of figure 1 cut by the transverse median plane (P2)

[0068] - [Fig. 6] is a view along the longitudinal axis and in the direction of arrow F2 of the part seen in Figure 5,

[0069] - [Fig. 7] is a cutaway view of a cross-section of the heat exchange body of the heat exchanger illustrated in Figures 1 to 6,

[0070] - [Fig. 8] is a photograph of the heat exchanger illustrated in Figures 1 to 6 obtained by additive manufacturing

[0071] - [Fig. 9] is another example of a heat exchanger according to the invention, and

[0072] - [Fig. 10] schematically illustrates other heat exchangers according to the invention.

[0073] Figures 1 to 7 show a first example of a heat exchanger 1 according to the invention. It comprises a shell 3 extending longitudinally along a rectilinear axis X. The shell 3 comprises inlet 5 and outlet 7 openings for a first fluid which open longitudinally on either side of the shell 3. It also comprises inlet 9 and outlet 11 openings for a second fluid carried by two of its opposite transverse faces.

[0074] Thus, as indicated by the arrow E1, a first fluid can flow longitudinally from one side to the other in the exchanger between the first fluid inlet 5 and outlet 7 openings and, as indicated by the arrow E2, a second fluid can flow longitudinally from one side to the other of the exchanger between the second fluid inlet 9 and outlet 11 openings. The first and second fluids can thus exchange heat within the heat exchanger 1. In the example illustrated, the first and second fluids flow in opposite directions and parallel to the axis X within the heat exchanger. This mode of fluid flow, called "counter-current", is not limiting, the fluids being able to flow in the same direction, called "co-current" as will be described later.

[0075] As can be seen more particularly in Figure 2, the grille 3 has a generally tubular shape with axis X and is hollow. It comprises a grille wall 13 which surrounds a grille housing 15.

[0076] The heat exchanger 1 further comprises a heat exchange body 17. The heat exchange body 17 comprises first 19 and second 21 longitudinal walls having first 23 and second 25 faces, and first fluid transport conduits 27 which extend longitudinally and parallel to each other between the first 23 and second 25 faces. Each of the first fluid transport conduits 27 opens through its opposite ends onto the first 23 and second 25 faces via a first fluid inlet 29 and a first fluid outlet 31 respectively.

[0077] The shell 3 and the heat exchange body 17 delimit a circulation cavity for the second fluid 33 which extends longitudinally between the first 19 and second 21 walls of the heat exchanger 1. The inlet 9 and outlet 11 openings for the second fluid are provided in opposite side walls of the shell and pass right through these walls to open into the circulation cavity for the second fluid 33.

[0078] The heat exchange body 17 further comprises second fluid transport conduits 35 which extend parallel to each other along the longitudinal axis X, each between a second fluid inlet 37 and a second fluid outlet 39.

[0079] Furthermore, a first fluid inlet chamber 41, sealed against the first fluid, is defined by the shell 3 and the first wall 19 of the heat exchange body 17, between the first fluid inlet opening 5 and the first fluid inlets 29, and a first fluid discharge chamber 43 sealed against the first fluid is defined by the shell 3 and the second wall 21 of the heat exchange body 3 between the first fluid discharge opening 11 and the first fluid outlets 31. Thus, it is possible to simply distribute the first fluid in the first fluid conduits 27 by connecting the first fluid inlet opening 9 to a simple first fluid supply connection and to purge the first fluid conduits 27 by connecting the first fluid discharge opening 11 to a simple first fluid purge connection.

[0080] The heat exchange body 17 and the shell 3 further delimit a second fluid intake chamber 45 and a second fluid discharge chamber 46 which are contained in the second fluid circulation cavity.

[0081] The second fluid inlets 37 and the second fluid inlet opening 9 are the only openings opening into the second fluid inlet chamber 45. Thus, the second fluid inlet chamber is sealed against the second fluid between the second fluid inlets 37 and the inlet opening 9. The second fluid inlet chamber thus makes it possible to distribute the second fluid into the second fluid circulation conduits through the second fluid inlets. The second fluid outlets 39 and the second fluid discharge opening 11 are the only openings opening into the second fluid discharge chamber. The second fluid inlet chamber thus makes it possible to purge the second fluid leaving the second fluid circulation conduits through the second fluid discharge opening.The circulation cavity of the second fluid being sealed against the second fluid between the inlet and outlet openings of the second fluid, a volume of second fluid introduced into the heat exchanger 1 through the second fluid inlet opening 9 exits entirely through the second fluid outlet opening 11.

[0082] Furthermore, in order to ensure that the first and second fluids do not mix in the heat exchanger, the first fluid transport conduits 27 and the second fluid transport conduits 35 are each defined by a side wall 47. The side wall of a first fluid transport conduit is for example visible in FIGS. 3 and 4, in order to ensure that the first fluid circulating in the first fluid transport conduit 27 does not come into contact with the second fluid introduced into the second fluid inlet chamber.

[0083] The heat exchange body 17 is shaped such that each first fluid transport conduit 27 is separated by a metal heat exchange wall 49 from at least one second fluid transport conduit 35, and vice versa. The side wall 47 of a first fluid transport conduit 27 may comprise several portions S 1-4 shown in dotted lines in FIG. 7, which are each a heat exchange wall 49 separating the first fluid transport conduit 27 from different second fluid transport conduits 35.

[0084] As observed in Figures 6 and 7, in at least one section transverse to the longitudinal axis, the conduits for transporting the first fluid 27 may have an identical shape and the conduits for transporting the second fluid 33 may all have an identical shape, with the exception of those of which part of the wall is defined by the shell.

[0085] In said cross-section, the conduits for transporting the first fluid and the conduits for transporting the second fluid have contours of different shape and cover different surface areas, in order to ensure optimal heat exchange between the first fluid and the second fluid.

[0086] In particular, the conduits for transporting the first fluid have a diamond-shaped contour C1. A diamond shape is particularly suitable, since it makes it possible to reduce the volume of the conduit for transporting the first fluid while maximizing the exchange surface between the first fluid and the second fluid circulating in four neighboring conduits, the heat exchange wall between one of the conduits for transporting the second fluid and the conduit for transporting the first fluid being defined in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis by one side of the diamond. The contours C2 of the conduits for transporting the second fluid have a different shape which may be a triangular shape as illustrated.

[0087] The adjacent first fluid transport conduits 27 may be separated by a wall 51 which extends over a surface, measured in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis, the area of ​​which is less than 10% of the area of ​​the surface covered by the heat exchange wall separating one of the first fluid transport conduits and one of the second fluid circulation conduit circuits.

[0088] Furthermore, the heat exchange body 17 comprises walls 53 which extend longitudinally between opposite inner faces 55 of the calender wall 13 and parallel to each other and which separate each of the second fluid transport conduits 22 arranged two by two along axes transverse to the longitudinal axis.

[0089] Oblong, longitudinally extending recesses 57 are provided in the wall 53 and thus connect the adjacent second fluid transport conduits 33. In this way, the turbulence of the flow of the second fluid in the heat exchange body 17 is increased, which improves the heat exchange with the first fluid.

[0090] The heat exchanger shown schematically in Figures 1 to 7 was manufactured by selective laser melting of a powder of particles in an aluminum alloy marketed by the Toyale company. It is shown in Figure 8. It has a length, measured along the X axis, of 10 cm and the transport conduits of the first fluid have a diameter, measured in a transverse plane, of 250 pm.

[0091] The heat exchanger illustrated in Figure 9 differs from that illustrated in Figures 1 to 6 in that it extends along a longitudinal axis X formed of a succession of rectilinear and curvilinear portions. Advantageously, the heat exchanger may have a shape complementary to a housing of a device, for example an engine, in which it is intended to be arranged.

[0092] Obviously, the invention is not limited to the examples described above.

[0093] For example, the fluid flow mode may be "counter-current" or "co-current". If applicable, a person skilled in the art can easily determine the inlets and outlets of a conduit according to a flow mode which are reversed when the flow direction is reversed.

[0094] Furthermore, the heat exchanger may be shaped so that in at least one of its portions the first and second fluids flow in co-current mode and in at least one other of its portions in counter-current mode.

[0095] Figure 10 schematically illustrates different longitudinal sectional views of a part of the heat exchanger 17 in which the second fluid circulates between the inlet opening 9 and the second fluid outlet opening 11. In these different examples, the first fluid flows through the first fluid circulation conduits, not shown, in the same direction indicated by the arrow V 1.

[0096] Figure 10a) illustrates the example of Figures 1 to 6 in which the second fluid enters the second fluid inlet chamber 45 and is then distributed through each of the second fluid inlets 37 into the corresponding transport conduits 33 where it flows to the second fluid outlets 39 and is then collected in the second fluid discharge chamber 46, where it is then purged through the second fluid discharge opening 11.Figure 10b) illustrates a variant of Figure 10a) according to which the inlet chamber 45 is sealed against the second fluid between the fluid inlet opening and the second fluid inlets 37 of a first row I of circulation conduits and the second fluid outlets 39 of the first row I of circulation conduits 33 open into a second fluid transfer chamber 59 from which the second fluid is distributed into the fluid inlets of a second II and a third III row of circulation conduits. Thus, the second fluid flows in a first direction in the first row I of conduits and in an opposite direction in the second II and third III rows of conduits.Finally, the second fluid opens through the second fluid outlets 39 of the second II and third III rows into a second transfer chamber 61 from which the second fluid is introduced through the second fluid inlets into a fourth row IV of conduits to the discharge chamber and then the second fluid discharge opening. In the fourth row IV of conduits, the fluid thus flows in the same direction as in the first row I. Finally, Figure 10c) illustrates an alternative embodiment of the exchanger of Figure 10b) according to which the exchanger is shaped so that the second fluid flows from one row of conduits to another by changing the direction of flow in the manner of flow in a coil.

Claims

Claims 1. Heat exchanger (1) comprising: a metal shell (3), a monolithic metal heat exchange body (17), housed in the shell and extending along a longitudinal axis (X) between first (23) and second (25) opposite faces, a plurality of conduits for transporting a first fluid (27), each being arranged in the heat exchange body between a first fluid inlet (29) and a first fluid outlet (31) which open onto the first and second faces respectively, a plurality of conduits for transporting a second fluid (35), each being arranged in the heat exchange body between a second fluid inlet (37) and a second fluid outlet (39), the heat exchange body comprising heat exchange walls (49) extending parallel to the longitudinal axis and separating the conduits for transporting the first fluid from the conduits for transporting the second fluid,the shell comprising a second fluid inlet opening (9) and a second fluid outlet opening (11) which are in fluid communication with the second fluid inlet and the second fluid outlet respectively, the shell and the heat exchange body delimiting a second fluid circulation cavity which is sealed to the second fluid between the second fluid inlet opening and the second fluid outlet opening, the contour (C1) of at least one, preferably each, of the first fluid transport conduits (27) having the shape of a diamond, and the contour (C2) of at least one, preferably each, of the second fluid transport conduits (35) having a different shape, said contours being observed along the longitudinal axis., 2. Heat exchanger according to claim 1, the heat exchange body (17) being obtained by an additive manufacturing technique.

3. Heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 or 2, the assembly formed by the heat exchange body (17) and the shell (3) being monolithic, preferably obtained by an additive manufacturing technique.

4. Heat exchanger according to any one of the preceding claims, the conduits for transporting the first fluid (27) and the conduits for transporting the second fluid (35) being parallel to each other.

5. Heat exchanger according to one of the preceding claims, the shell (3) and the heat exchange body (17) delimiting a second fluid intake chamber (45) into which at least part of the second fluid inlets (37) open and / or a second fluid discharge chamber (46) into which at least part of the second fluid outlets (39) open.

6. Heat exchanger according to any one of the preceding claims, at least one, in particular each, of the conduits for transporting the first fluid (27) being separated from at least two, or even at least four, in particular four, conduits for transporting the second fluid (35) by a corresponding heat exchange wall (49).

7. Heat exchanger according to any one of the preceding claims, at least two, preferably each, of the conduits for transporting the first fluid (27) being separated by a wall (51) whose area, measured in a cross-section to the longitudinal axis, represents less than 10% of the area of ​​the heat exchange wall between a conduit for transporting a first fluid (S 1-4) and a conduit for transporting the second fluid (35).

8. Heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 6, at least two of the conduits for transporting the first fluid (27) being spaced from each other by a wall which delimits at least one, or even two, of the heat exchange channels for the second fluid (35).

9. Heat exchanger according to any one of the preceding claims, the cross-sectional area of ​​at least one, preferably each, of the first fluid circulation conduits (27) and the cross-sectional area of ​​at least one, preferably each, of the second fluid circulation conduits (35) being different, the sections being observed along the longitudinal axis.

10. Heat exchanger according to any one of the preceding claims, at least two of the circulation conduits of the first fluid (27), respectively of the circulation conduits of the second fluid (35), being separated from each other by a wall (53) comprising a turbulator in the form of a recess (57) passing through said wall on either side.

11. Heat exchanger according to any one of the preceding claims, at least one of the first fluid transport conduits (27), in particular each of the first fluid transport conduits, having a constant diameter between the first fluid inlet (29) and the first fluid outlet (31).

12. Use of the heat exchanger according to any one of the preceding claims, for exchanging heat between a first fluid and a second fluid, the first fluid and the second fluid being introduced into the heat exchange body at a temperature between 50 °C and 1000 °C, the first fluid preferably being colder than the second fluid, upon introduction into the heat exchange body.

13. Use according to the preceding claim, in at least one, preferably in each of the first fluid circulation circuits and in at least one, preferably in each of the second fluid circulation circuits, the direction of circulation of the first fluid being different from the direction of circulation of the second fluid.

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