A device for vaporizing and heating substances

Abstract

A device (1) for vaporizing and superheating a substance, comprising a plate pack (4) functioning as an evaporator and a heat exchanger (9) functioning as a superheater, both located within the same outer casing. The plate pack (4) functioning as an evaporator is arranged in the outer casing at its lower part. The heat exchanger (9) functioning as a superheater is arranged within the outer casing above the plate pack (4) functioning as an evaporator, and the vaporized substance flows through the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater. The device is used as part of a refrigeration or heat pump system.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for vaporizing and superheating a substance and to the use of the device in a refrigeration or heat pump system. [Background technology]

[0002] A typical refrigeration system includes a compressor that delivers compressed refrigerant to a condenser. From the condenser, the refrigerant travels through an expansion device to an evaporator, where it returns to the compressor. Such a vapor-compression refrigeration system is a closed system in which the refrigerant circulates and undergoes a phase change. The circulating refrigerant is compressed to a higher pressure, which in turn results in a higher temperature. The hot, compressed refrigerant gas can then be condensed with a cooling medium, such as chilled water or chilled air, at a temperature and pressure that allows it to condense. This is the phase of a vapor-compression refrigeration system, where the circulating refrigerant rejects heat from the system, which is then carried away. Additionally, a superheater may be used in a refrigeration system. Because even a small amount of liquid can cause harmful damage to the compressor, superheat ensures that the liquid refrigerant is boiled off before leaving the evaporator and heading to the compressor. A heat pump system includes the same major components as a refrigeration system and therefore employs the same vapor-compression cycle as a refrigeration system, but in the opposite direction.

[0003] Generally, all components of a refrigeration or heat pump system are located separately as their own devices. Such systems are typically complex. Therefore, the space required for a refrigeration or heat pump system is significant, both in terms of area and height. The separate units of a refrigeration or heat pump device also require piping to circulate the refrigerant from one unit to another, which also increases the space required for the device. Therefore, a simpler heat exchanger structure is needed to reduce the size of a refrigeration or heat pump system. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to reduce or even eliminate the above-mentioned problems appearing in the prior art.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a device for a refrigeration or heat pump system, in particular for a vapor compression cycle, which device is functionally efficient, inexpensive and small in size.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a compact and efficient device for a refrigeration or heat pump system, in particular, which reduces the number of separate devices in the refrigeration or heat pump system.

[0007] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device for a refrigeration or heat pump system that can be easily manufactured using standard sized components of a heat exchanger.

[0008] In order to achieve, inter alia, the objects set out above, the invention is characterized by what is presented in the characterizing parts of the enclosed independent claims.

[0009] Some preferred embodiments of the invention are set forth in the other claims.

[0010] The embodiments and advantages mentioned herein relate, where applicable, to both devices and uses of devices according to the invention, although not necessarily specifically mentioned.

[0011] An exemplary device for vaporizing and superheating a substance according to the present invention, comprising at least: an outer casing comprising a substantially horizontal shell and first and second substantially vertical end plates disposed at opposite ends of the shell; an inlet connection for drawing the substance to be vaporized into the outer casing; an outlet connection for withdrawing the vaporized substance from the outer casing; a plate pack acting as an evaporator, which is arranged in the lower part of the outer casing; inlet and outlet connections for the heat generating substance to draw it into and out of the plate pack acting as an evaporator, said inlet and outlet connections being arranged on the end plates of the outer casing; a heat exchanger acting as a superheater, arranged in the outer casing above a plate pack acting as an evaporator, through which the vaporized substance flows to an outlet connection for withdrawing the vaporized substance from the outer casing; inlet and outlet connections for the heat generating material to draw it into and out of a heat exchanger acting as a superheater, said inlet and outlet connections being arranged on the end plates of the outer casing; - a device comprising flow guide plates arranged at least on both sides of the heat exchanger acting as a superheater in the longitudinal direction of the heat exchanger and the outer casing of the device, the flow guide plates closing the space between the heat exchanger and the outer casing to prevent side flows to the outlet connection.

[0012] The device of the present invention is used as a component of a refrigeration or heat pump system, particularly in a vapor compression based system where the circulating refrigerant undergoes a phase change during circulation through the system. A typical refrigeration or heat pump system according to the present invention comprises a device according to the present invention.

[0013] The present invention is based on a compact and compact structure of a device for vaporizing and superheating a substance, which can be used in a refrigeration or heat pump system. The device according to the present invention comprises two units of a refrigeration or heat pump system within the same common outer casing. The units within the common outer casing are an evaporator and a superheater. The evaporator according to the present invention is a flooded evaporator. In the device according to the present invention, the evaporator and the superheater are equipped with their own heat exchangers, which are arranged one above the other within the common outer casing along the height of the horizontal shell. Thus, the present invention provides a compact device for vaporizing and superheating a substance, such as a refrigerant. The device according to the present invention requires less space and less piping for circulating the refrigerant from one unit to another. The device according to the present invention is also easy to assemble into part of the mechanical unit of a refrigeration or heat pump system.

[0014] In a typical device according to the present invention, a heat exchanger acting as an evaporator vaporizes a substance, such as a refrigerant, in the lower part of the outer casing, and the temperature of the vaporized substance then increases as it flows through a heat exchanger acting as a superheater. The heat exchanger acting as a superheater is located within the outer casing above the plate pack acting as an evaporator, so that the vaporized substance flows through the heat exchanger acting as a superheater to an outlet connection for withdrawing the vaporized substance from the outer casing. Superheating of the vaporized substance ensures that liquid refrigerant is boiled off the vaporized substance before it leaves the device of the present invention and heads to the compressor, thereby protecting the function of the compressor.

[0015] The device according to the present invention is typically used in vapor compression cycles in refrigeration machines and heat pump systems. The device according to the present invention is used to ensure that liquid droplets are not transported from the evaporator to the compressor used in the refrigeration machine or heat pump system. Furthermore, the device according to the present invention may comprise a droplet separator arranged in the height direction of the horizontal shell, directly below the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater. The combination of the droplet separator and the superheater ensures that liquid droplets are not transported from the evaporator to the compressor used in the refrigeration machine or heat pump system.

[0016] The device according to the invention is typically used in large-scale refrigeration or heat pump systems, and may be part of an industrial-scale refrigeration or heat pump system, but may also be used as part of, for example, a heating system for a building.

[0017] The construction of the present invention is also inexpensive because the components used may be standard parts or otherwise widely available.

[0018] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the enclosed schematic drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 shows a device according to an embodiment of the invention for a refrigeration or heat pump system from the outside. [Figure 2] 1 shows a device according to an embodiment of the invention for a refrigeration or heat pump system, partially visible from the inside. [Figure 3] 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a device according to one embodiment of the present invention for use in a refrigeration or heat pump system. [Figure 4] 1 shows a device according to another embodiment of the invention for a refrigeration or heat pump system, partially visible from the inside. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] In the device according to the invention, the two units of a refrigeration or heat pump system, the evaporator and the superheater, are arranged in the same common outer casing. The device according to the invention comprises two separate heat exchangers in the common outer casing. One heat exchanger functions as an evaporator, and the other functions as a superheater. In the device according to the invention, the evaporator and the superheater comprise their own heat exchangers, which are arranged one above the other in the common outer casing. The evaporator comprises a plate pack acting as an evaporator, which is arranged in the lower part of the outer casing. The superheater comprises a heat exchanger arranged in the outer casing above the plate pack acting as an evaporator. In a typical embodiment of the invention, the heat exchanger acting as a superheater is arranged in the upper part of the outer casing.

[0021] The device according to the present invention comprises an outer casing comprising a longitudinal horizontal shell and vertical end plates (i.e., a first vertical end plate and a second vertical end plate) disposed at both ends of the shell. In a preferred embodiment according to the present invention, the device comprises a longitudinal cylindrical shell and end plates disposed at both ends of the shell. The cylindrical shell is typically a horizontal cylindrical shell, and the end plates of the outer casing are vertical end plates. The longitudinal direction of the outer casing or cylindrical shell refers to the horizontal direction of the outer casing or cylindrical shell. For example, if the cylindrical shell of the outer casing is a right cylinder, its longitudinal direction is the same as the direction of the central axis of the cylinder. The height direction of the outer casing is the height direction of the horizontal shell, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the outer casing. The heat exchanger, which functions as a superheater, is disposed above the evaporator at the height direction of the horizontal shell.

[0022] In the device according to the invention, the outer casing functions as a pressure vessel, thus providing two functional units of a refrigeration or heat pump system in one pressure vessel.

[0023] In the device according to the invention, the inlet connection for the substance to be vaporized is typically arranged through the cylindrical shell and / or the end plate of the outer casing. In one embodiment of the invention, the inlet connection for drawing the substance to be vaporized into the outer casing is the shell and is arranged in the lower part of the shell, whereby the inlet connection is located below the plate pack that functions as an evaporator. The device according to the invention may comprise one, two or more inlet connections for drawing the substance to be vaporized into the outer casing. According to one embodiment of the invention, the device comprises inlet connection(s) for the substance to be vaporized arranged in the end plate(s) of the outer casing. In one embodiment of the invention, the inlet connection(s) for the substance to be vaporized are arranged in the end plate(s) of the outer casing and in the cylindrical shell.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the outlet connection for withdrawing the vaporized substance from the outer casing is located in the upper part of the outer casing, above the heat exchanger that functions as a superheater. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the outlet connection for withdrawing the vaporized substance from the outer casing is located in the upper part of the shell, above the heat exchanger that functions as a superheater. The vaporized substance, vaporized by the evaporator located in the lower part of the device, simply flows through the superheater and then leaves the outer casing through the outlet connection above the superheater.

[0025] In another embodiment of the invention, the outlet connection for withdrawing the vaporized substance from the outer casing is arranged on the end plate of the outer casing. The outlet must be arranged on the end plate in such a way that the vaporized substance flows to the outlet connection through the heat exchanger acting as a superheater. In one embodiment of the invention, the outlet connection for withdrawing the vaporized substance from the outer casing is on the end plate of the outer casing and is arranged above the heat exchanger acting as a superheater.

[0026] In one embodiment of the present invention, an outlet connection for withdrawing the vaporized substance from the outer casing is arranged on an end plate of the outer casing, and the outlet connection is connected to a suction duct arranged in the outer casing in the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical shell, the suction duct having an opening on its upper surface. The suction duct is arranged above a heat exchanger functioning as a superheater. The vaporized substance can be uniformly sucked out of the outer casing by the suction duct. In one embodiment of the present invention, the device may have two outlet connections for withdrawing the vaporized substance from the outer casing, the outlet connections being arranged at both ends of the suction duct and on both end plates of the outer casing. Outlet connections on both ends of the suction duct may be advantageous when the longitudinal length of the shell is increased and efficient suction of the vaporized substance from the outer casing is ensured. The suction duct has an opening on its upper surface through which the vaporized substance can be sucked out of the interior of the outer casing. In a preferred embodiment according to the invention, the suction duct comprises openings on its upper surface over substantially its entire length. The shape and size of the openings may vary, for example, they may be circular or oval, or they may be longitudinal openings. In one embodiment according to the invention, the upper surface of the suction duct may comprise longitudinal openings in the length direction of the suction duct. In another embodiment according to the invention, the upper surface of the suction duct may be perforated. In one embodiment according to the invention, the sum of the areas of the openings arranged on the upper surface of the suction duct should be at least equal to the area of ​​the outlet connection(s) for withdrawing the vaporized substance from the evaporator in order to provide adequate suction. In one embodiment according to the invention, the suction duct disclosed above may also be arranged in connection with an outlet connection arranged on top of the shell, above the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater.

[0027] The evaporator in the device according to the present invention is based on the structure of a plate-and-shell heat exchanger. The plate pack functioning as the evaporator is arranged in the lower part of the outer casing. In a typical embodiment according to the present invention, the main part of the plate pack is located below the centerline of the outer casing. The plate pack functioning as the evaporator is formed from heat exchange plates by arranging pairs of heat exchange plates one on top of the other. Each pair of plates is typically formed from two heat exchange plates attached, preferably welded, at least at their respective peripheries. Each heat exchange plate has at least two openings for the flow of the heat-generating material. Adjacent pairs of plates are attached to each other by connecting the openings of the two adjacent pairs of plates to each other. Thus, the heat-generating material can flow from one pair of plates to another pair of plates through the openings. The material to be evaporated is arranged to flow within the outer casing of the device according to the present invention in the space between the plate pairs. Inlet and outlet connections for the heat-generating material to be introduced into and extracted from the plate pack are arranged on the end plates of the outer casing. The inlet and outlet connections for the exothermic substance are arranged inside the plate pack, i.e., between the plate pairs of the plate pack, so that the primary circuit of the evaporator is formed between the inlet and outlet connections for the exothermic substance. The inlet connection for the substance to be vaporized and the outlet connection for the vaporized substance are arranged through the outer casing of the device and connected to the inside of the outer casing. The secondary circuit of the evaporator is formed in the space between the plate pairs within the outer casing. The primary and secondary circuits of the plate pack functioning as an evaporator are separate from each other, i.e., the exothermic substance flowing inside the plate pack cannot mix with the substance to be vaporized flowing in the outer casing. Thus, the exothermic substance flows through every other plate space of the plate pack, and the substance to be vaporized flows through every other plate space of the plate pack.

[0028] In a typical embodiment according to the present invention, the plate pack functioning as an evaporator is formed by heat exchange plates arranged one on top of another and is arranged in the outer casing such that the longitudinal direction of the plate pack coincides with the longitudinal direction of the outer casing shell. The longitudinal direction of the plate pack is the length direction of the plate pack, which comprises heat exchange plates arranged one on top of another. The plate pack functioning as an evaporator can be formed from circular or semicircular heat exchange plates, i.e., the plate pack functioning as an evaporator is a circular or semicircular plate pack. In one embodiment of the present invention, the plate pack can be formed from elliptical heat exchange plates, the purpose of which is to provide a heat exchange surface for efficient evaporation of a substance, such as a refrigerant. In one embodiment according to the present invention, the plate pack functioning as an evaporator is formed from circular heat exchange plates, the plate pack is mainly cylindrical, and the plate pack is arranged in the outer casing such that the longitudinal direction of the plate pack coincides with the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical shell. In one embodiment of the present invention, the plate pack is substantially cylindrical, whereby the outer diameter of the plate pack is about 30-70% or about 40-60% of the inner diameter of the cylindrical shell. The plate pack is typically positioned eccentrically relative to the cylindrical shell at the bottom of the cylindrical shell. Alternatively, the plate pack can also be formed from elliptical or semicircular heat exchange plates, whereby the plate pack is positioned at the bottom of the outer casing. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the plate pack has a fully welded structure.

[0029] The evaporator according to one embodiment of the invention is a flooded evaporator, and the liquid level of the substance to be vaporized in the device is typically arranged so that the majority of the heat exchange surface of the plate pack is below the liquid level to provide efficient heat transfer and evaporation of the substance.

[0030] The plate pack, which functions as an evaporator in the device according to the invention, is provided with inlet and outlet connections for the heat generating substance for drawing the heat generating substance into and out of the plate pack, which are arranged on the end plates of the outer casing.

[0031] The structure of the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater can be selected based on, but not limited to, the operating conditions and their requirements. In one embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater has the structure of a lamella heat exchanger or a finned tube heat exchanger. A lamella or finned tube heat exchanger includes a set of parallel tubes or other channels for the heat-generating material. The flow of the vaporized material is typically a single pass through the heat exchanger between the parallel tubes or other channels. In one embodiment according to the present invention, the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater has a rectangular shape having a length, a width, and a height. The length of the heat exchanger is in the longitudinal direction of the outer casing. A lamella or finned tube heat exchanger is typically low in height, which allows it to be easily placed above a plate pack functioning as an evaporator within a common outer casing. The vaporized material is typically arranged to flow through the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater in its height direction.

[0032] In the device according to the invention, the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater is arranged in the outer casing above the plate pack functioning as an evaporator. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the superheater is arranged in the outer casing at its top, below an outlet connection for withdrawing the vaporized substance from the outer casing, which outlet connection is arranged at the top of the shell. In one embodiment of the invention, the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater is arranged in a horizontal plane in the outer casing. When the heat exchanger is in a horizontal plane, it means that it is arranged in the direction of the horizontal axis of the cross section of the outer casing. This means that the width direction of the heat exchanger is horizontal, and therefore the vaporized substance flows through the heat exchanger, such as a lamellar or finned tube heat exchanger, in the direction of its height. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater is arranged in a horizontal plane in the outer casing below the outlet connection for withdrawing the vaporized substance from the outer casing. In another embodiment of the invention, the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater is arranged in the outer casing at an angle to the horizontal axis of the cross section of the outer casing.

[0033] In one embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchanger serving as a superheater is formed from two sections, each of which is arranged diagonally downward from the midpoint of the cylindrical shell to the end of the outer casing. In one embodiment, a suction duct can be arranged between the superheater sections. An outlet connection for withdrawing the vaporized material from the outer casing is arranged above the superheater sections.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater has a length that substantially corresponds to the length of the plate pack functioning as an evaporator and / or the length of the outer casing, although the length of the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater may vary depending on the application of the device. In one embodiment of the present invention, the length of the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater is as short as the length of the plate pack functioning as an evaporator and / or the length of the outer casing.

[0035] In one embodiment, the device according to the invention comprises flow guide plates arranged on at least both sides of the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater along the length of the heat exchanger and the outer casing of the device, the flow guide plates closing the space between the heat exchanger and the outer casing to prevent a side flow of the evaporated substance to the outlet connection. In one embodiment of the invention, the flow guide plates are attached to the outer casing and to the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater by preventing a side flow to the outlet connection, so that liquid droplets are not transported from the evaporator to the compressor used in refrigeration machines or heat pump systems. The flow guide plates improve the operation of the device.

[0036] If the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater has a length shorter than the length of the outer casing of the device, the device of the invention typically comprises flow guide plates arranged on all sides of the heat exchanger. The flow guide plates close the space between the heat exchanger and the outer casing to prevent side flow to the outlet connection. In one embodiment of the invention, the flow guide plates are attached to the outer casing and to the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater, thereby preventing side flow to the outlet connection.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the device further comprises a droplet separator disposed in the height direction of the horizontal shell, directly below the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater. The vaporized substance flows through both the droplet separator and the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater to an outlet connection for withdrawing the vaporized substance from the outer casing. In one embodiment, the droplet separator is a perforated plate or other structure provided with a metal mesh or steel wool to enhance droplet separation. In one embodiment of the present invention, the droplet separator is disposed in a substantially horizontal plane, meaning that it is disposed in the direction of the horizontal axis of the cross-section of the outer casing. In one embodiment of the present invention, the droplet separator extends along the entire cross-section of the cylindrical outer casing. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the droplet separator has a length that substantially corresponds to the length of the plate pack functioning as an evaporator and the length of the outer casing. Typically, the droplet separator is positioned and sized to allow for the rejection of side flows. In one embodiment of the present invention, the length of the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater is as short as the length of the plate pack functioning as an evaporator and / or the length of the outer casing.

[0038] The device according to the present invention further comprises inlet and outlet connections for the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater, for drawing the heat exchanger therethrough. In the present invention, the inlet and outlet connections of the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater are arranged on the end plates of the outer casing. In a preferred embodiment according to the present invention, the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater includes its own heat exchanger circulation, separate from the heat exchanger circulation in the plate pack functioning as an evaporator. Thus, in a typical embodiment according to the present invention, the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater and the plate pack functioning as an evaporator have their own inlet and outlet connections and their own heat exchange medium circulations. The separate heat exchanger circulation allows for the temperature of the superheater to be adjusted separately from the evaporator. The separate heat exchanger circulation in the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater also allows for the cooling of the vaporized substance by the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater, if needed. This may be necessary, for example, in the case of emergency cooling of the vaporized substance to avoid a pressure buildup in the device. In one embodiment, the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater and the plate pack functioning as an evaporator have a common heat exchanger circulation.

[0039] A device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes three separate fluid circuits in one device: a substance to be vaporized in the outer casing, a heat-generating substance in the evaporator, and a heat-generating substance in the superheater.

[0040] In a device according to one embodiment of the invention, the inlet and outlet connections of the plate pack, which acts as an evaporator, and the heat exchanger, which acts as a superheater, are located on the same end plate of the outer casing, thereby providing a more compact structure which makes the device easier to assemble and simplifies the piping required in the system in which it is assembled.

[0041] The device according to the present invention is used as a component of a refrigeration or heat pump system. A typical refrigeration or heat pump system according to the present invention comprises a device according to the present invention. The refrigeration system further comprises all the necessary components of the system, such as a compressor, an expansion device, and piping for circulating the refrigerant. A vapor compression refrigeration or heat pump system according to the present invention is a closed-loop system in which the refrigerant circulates in a closed cycle and undergoes a phase change.

[0042] In a vapor compression refrigeration or heat pump system according to the present invention, the refrigerant can be any suitable refrigerant.

[0043] Detailed Description of the Drawings FIG. 1 shows a device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention for externally vaporizing and superheating a substance from the outside, and FIG. 2 shows the device 1 partially seen from the inside. The device 1 comprises an outer casing with a substantially horizontal cylindrical shell 2 and substantially vertical first and second end plates 3a, 3b arranged at either end of the shell 2. A plate pack 4 functioning as an evaporator is arranged in the lower part of the outer casing. An inlet connection 7 and an outlet connection 8 for the heat-generating substance are arranged on the end plate 3a, for introducing and withdrawing the heat-generating substance from the plate pack 4 functioning as an evaporator. A heat exchanger 9 functioning as a superheater is arranged in the outer casing above the plate pack 4 functioning as an evaporator. An inlet connection 11 and an outlet connection 12 for the heat-generating substance are arranged on the end plate 3a, for introducing and withdrawing the heat-generating substance from the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater.

[0044] The device 1 further comprises an inlet connection 5 for drawing the substance to be vaporized into the outer casing and an outlet connection 6 for withdrawing the vaporized substance from the outer casing. In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the outlet connection 6 for the vaporized substance is arranged on the shell 2 above the heat exchanger functioning as a superheater 9, but the outlet connection may also be located on the end plate(s) 3a, 3b. The outlet connection 6 is arranged so that the vaporized substance flows through the heat exchanger 9 functioning as a superheater to the outlet connection 6 for withdrawing the vaporized substance from the outer casing. In FIG. 1, it can be seen that the device 1 further comprises flow guide plates 13a, 13b arranged on both ends of the heat exchanger 9 functioning as a superheater. The flow guide plates 13a, 13b prevent a side flow of the vaporized substance to the outlet connection 6.

[0045] FIG. 3 shows a cross section of a device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. In the device 1 according to the present invention, the plate pack 4 functioning as an evaporator and the heat exchanger 9 functioning as a superheater are arranged one above the other in a common outer casing in the height direction of the horizontal shell 2. The evaporator comprises the plate pack 4 functioning as an evaporator, which is arranged in the lower part of the outer casing. The heat exchanger 9 functioning as a superheater is arranged in the outer casing above the plate pack 4 functioning as an evaporator. The heat exchanger 9 functioning as a superheater is arranged in the upper part of the horizontal outer casing, below the outlet connection 6 for withdrawing the evaporated substance from the outer casing. In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3, the heat exchanger 9 functioning as a superheater is arranged in a horizontal plane above the plate pack 4 functioning as an evaporator, and the evaporated substance flows in the height direction through the heat exchanger 9, such as a lamellar or fin-tube heat exchanger.

[0046] 3 also shows that the device 1 comprises flow guide plates 12a, 12b arranged at least on either side of the heat exchanger 9, which functions as a superheater, along the length of the heat exchanger and the outer casing of the device. The flow guide plates 12a, 12b close the space between the heat exchanger 9 and the shell 2 of the outer casing to prevent side flow of vaporized material to the outlet connection 6.

[0047] In Figure 4, a device 1 according to another embodiment of the invention is shown, which also comprises a droplet separator 14, which is arranged in the height direction of the outer casing 2, directly below the heat exchanger 9 acting as a superheater. In other respects, the structure of the device shown in Figure 1 corresponds to the device shown in Figure 2.

Claims

1. A device (1) for vaporizing and heating a substance, comprising at least: an outer casing comprising a substantially horizontal shell (2) and substantially vertical first and second end plates (3a, 3b) disposed at opposite ends of the shell; an inlet connection (5) for drawing the substance to be vaporized into the outer casing; an outlet connection (6) for withdrawing the vaporized substance from the outer casing; a plate pack (4) that functions as an evaporator and is arranged in the lower part of the outer casing; inlet and outlet connections (7, 8) for heat generating material for drawing heat generating material into and out of the plate pack acting as an evaporator, the inlet and outlet connections (7, 8) being arranged on the end plates of the outer casing, The device (1) a heat exchanger (9) acting as a superheater, arranged in the outer casing above the plate pack (4) acting as an evaporator, through which the vaporized substance flows to an outlet connection for withdrawing the vaporized substance from the outer casing; inlet (11) and outlet (12) connections for heat-generating material to draw heat-generating material into and out of the heat exchanger (9) acting as a superheater, the inlet (11) and outlet (12) connections being arranged on the end plates of the outer casing; 1. The device (1), further comprising flow guide plates (12a, 12b) arranged at least on both sides of the heat exchanger (9) acting as a superheater in the longitudinal direction of the heat exchanger and the outer casing of the device, the flow guide plates (12a, 12b) closing the space between the heat exchanger and the outer casing to prevent side flows to the outlet connection.

2. 2. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the heat exchanger (9) acting as a superheater has the structure of a lamellar heat exchanger or a finned-tube heat exchanger.

3. 3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the heat exchanger acting as a superheater is arranged in the outer casing either in the horizontal plane of the outer casing or obliquely to the horizontal axis of the cross section of the outer casing.

4. 3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the heat exchanger (9) acting as a superheater is formed from two parts, each of which is arranged obliquely downwards from the midpoint of the cylindrical shell towards the end of the outer casing.

5. 5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger (9) acting as a superheater is arranged below the outlet connection (6) for withdrawing the vaporized substance from the outer casing.

6. 5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the outlet connection (6) for withdrawing the vaporized substance from the outer casing is arranged on the end plates (3a, 3b) of the outer casing, the outlet connection (6) being located above the heat exchanger (9) acting as a superheater.

7. 7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the heat exchanger (9) acting as a superheater has a length that substantially corresponds to the length of the plate pack (4) acting as an evaporator and / or to the length of the outer casing of the device.

8. 7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger (9) acting as a superheater has a length that is shorter than the length of the outer casing of the device, and wherein the device comprises flow guide plates (12a, 12b, 13a, 13b) arranged on all sides of the heat exchanger, the flow guide plates (12a, 12b, 13a, 13b) closing the space between the heat exchanger and the outer casing to prevent side flows to the outlet connection.

9. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the plate pack (4) acting as an evaporator is a circular or semicircular plate pack.

10. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device further comprises a droplet separator (14) placed directly below the heat exchanger (9) acting as a superheater.

11. 10. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heat exchanger (9) acting as a superheater comprises its own heat generating material circulation, separate from the heat generating material circulation in the plate pack (4) acting as an evaporator.

12. 12. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the inlet and outlet connections (7, 8) of the plate pack acting as an evaporator and the inlet and outlet connections (10, 11) of the heat exchanger (9) acting as a superheater are arranged on the same end plate of the outer casing.

13. A refrigeration or heat pump system comprising a device according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

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