Device and method for horizontal transportation and vertical installation of a heat exchanger

Abstract

To provide an apparatus and a method for horizontal transport and vertical installation of a heat exchanger.SOLUTION: An apparatus for a modular heat exchanger assembly is provided for horizontal transport and vertical orientation installation and can include a frame that can be configured to retain a heat exchanger for transport and installation. The frame can facilitate transportation of the heat exchanger while the heat exchanger is in its horizontal orientation, and can also facilitate lifting of the frame to orient the heat exchanger in its vertical orientation for installation and use.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 465,215, filed May 9, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a heat exchanger, and an apparatus and method for transporting and installing the heat exchanger.

Background Art

[0003] A coil - wound heat exchanger (CWHE) is often a very tall piece of equipment that requires access for maintenance and operation. Historically, CWHEs have been designed to be self - supporting on a foundation, with access platforms, ladders, and other appendages for maintenance to support the CWHE equipment. In this conventional method, these appendages are installed on the CWHE after the CWHE has been transported to the project site and lifted onto the foundation via a crane or other equipment. Typically, if the CWHE is not self - supporting, the CWHE is shipped to the project site and attached to a support structure via a hoist such as a crane. U.S. Patent No. 11,391,512 discloses an example of a CWHE and a construction process for installing the CWHE. Maintenance access and interconnections outside the CWHE are often constructed or completed by construction at the project location. Construction may require a large amount of scaffolding (e.g., scaffolding from 10 to 100 meters) to enable on - site assembly and construction of the CWHE, CWHE external appendages, insulation, and access or support structures that provide access to the CWHE. This manufacturing and construction process often takes many months to complete and may require a complex construction process involving the use of large cranes, a significant amount of scaffolding, and a significant number of construction personnel.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] Conventional approaches for the manufacture and installation of heat exchangers, such as coil wound heat exchangers (CWHE), result in excessive installation delays, which can lead to increased costs and delays in plant startup and / or commissioning. There is a desire for new designs and approaches for the manufacture and installation of large heat exchangers that enable easier and quicker installation on-site, while also facilitating the use of relatively standard shipping and transportation devices and methods. Embodiments of the present invention for modular heat exchanger assemblies for horizontal transport and vertical orientation installation, and processes for fabricating and using them, can be configured to enable CWHEs or other types of large heat exchangers or other equipment to be manufactured and shipped so as to facilitate transport and subsequent installation. For example, an embodiment can be adapted such that the CWHE structure is transported in a horizontally oriented configuration for transport, extending horizontally along its longitudinal direction (e.g., longest dimension), and then the height of the installed CWHE structure can be adjusted on-site to a vertically oriented configuration where the CWHE structure extends vertically along its longitudinal direction such that the distance the CWHE structure extends vertically above the ground. Embodiments can be sized and configured to enable transport of the CWHE structure in accordance with generally available shipping and towing practices to facilitate transport, and can have a frame that is robust enough to facilitate adjustment of the orientation of the CWHE structure to its vertical orientation. Embodiments can enable the installation of the CWHE to be carried out without the need for the use of large scaffolding structures and / or without involving a large construction crew team.

[0005] In a first aspect, an apparatus for a modular heat exchanger assembly for horizontal transport and vertical orientation installation is provided. Embodiments of the apparatus can include a frame having a case. The case can include a top, a bottom, and a plurality of sides extending between the top and the bottom. The case can also have a side opening communicating with an internal chamber defined between the sides, the top, and the bottom. The frame can also include at least one side cap attached to the case to cover the side opening. The frame can, thereon, have a length extending longitudinally from the top to the bottom.

[0006] The apparatus can also include a heat exchanger disposed inside the internal chamber. The frame can be sized and configured to facilitate transport of the apparatus in a horizontal orientation for transport such that the length extends horizontally when the apparatus is in the horizontal orientation. The frame can also be sized and configured to facilitate positioning of the apparatus in a vertical orientation for on-site installation such that the length extends vertically when the apparatus is in the vertical orientation.

[0007] In some embodiments, the heat exchanger can be disposed within the internal chamber such that the top of the heat exchanger can extend from the upper surface of the frame or the end of the frame, and thus, the top of the heat exchanger extends from the end of the frame during transport while the apparatus is in its horizontal orientation and from the top of the frame when the apparatus is in its vertical orientation. In other implementations, the heat exchanger can be completely encapsulated within the frame when disposed within the internal chamber. In some embodiments, the heat exchanger can have a plurality of shells and can be separable into a plurality of modules to facilitate transport or installation.

[0008] In a second aspect, the heat exchanger of the apparatus can be a coil wound heat exchanger (CWHE). In other embodiments, the heat exchanger can be another type of heat exchanger.

[0009] In a third aspect, at least one side cap can be provided such that each side cap includes an outer surface, a platform extending from the outer surface, and a staircase and / or ladder extending from the outer surface. The staircase and / or ladder can be disposed within the internal chamber, and the platform can be disposed within the internal chamber. The outer surface can extend between a top and a bottom and define a side surface of a frame surrounding an open side of the case.

[0010] In other configurations, each side cap can be provided such that each side cap includes an outer surface and a platform extending from the outer surface. The platform can be disposed within the internal chamber. The outer surface can extend between a top and a bottom and define a side surface of a frame surrounding an open side of the case. Staircases and / or ladders defined on the outer surface can also be provided to assist in providing access means between platforms when the device is in its vertical orientation.

[0011] In a fourth aspect, the device can also include within the internal chamber a plurality of holding devices arranged to engage with a heat exchanger and hold the position of the heat exchanger within the internal chamber. Each of the holding devices can be adjustable between a locked position and a released position. Each of the holding devices can have at least one blocking element that is removable to adjust the holding device from the locked position to the released position.

[0012] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the device of the first aspect can include one or more features of the second, third, and / or fourth aspects. Thus, it should be understood that embodiments of the device can include other elements and configurations.

[0013] In a sixth aspect, a process for installing a heat exchanger is provided. Embodiments of the process can include forming a case and at least one side cap, disposing a heat exchanger within an internal chamber of the case, attaching at least one side cap to the case to form a frame that covers an open side of the case and surrounds the heat exchanger within the internal chamber, maintaining the frame in a horizontal orientation during transportation of the heat exchanger to a site, and moving the frame to a vertical orientation to install the heat exchanger at the site.

[0014] In a seventh aspect, the process can be adapted such that the heat exchanger is a CWHE or another type of heat exchanger.

[0015] In an eighth aspect, the process can be adapted such that the horizontal orientation is an orientation in which a length of the case that extends longitudinally between a top and a bottom of the case extends horizontally. The vertical orientation can be an orientation in which the length of the case that extends longitudinally between the top and the bottom of the case extends vertically.

[0016] In a ninth aspect, the process can include other steps. For example, the process can include disposing a holding device within the internal chamber to engage with the heat exchanger to maintain the position of the heat exchanger within the internal chamber. As another example, the process can include adjusting the position of the holding device from a locked position to a released position. Such adjustment of the position can occur after the frame has been moved to a vertical orientation.

[0017] In a tenth aspect, forming a frame by attaching at least one side cap to a case can include arranging each side cap such that the platform is disposed within the internal chamber and welding or securing each side cap to the case to cover the open side surface of the case. The attachment can be performed such that a staircase or ladder is defined on the outer surface of the case to provide access to the platform when the device is in its vertical orientation. Alternatively, the attachment can be performed such that a staircase or ladder is defined on the side opposite the outer surface of the case such that the staircase or ladder is within the internal chamber to provide access to the platform when the device is in its vertical orientation.

[0018] In an eleventh aspect, moving the frame to a vertical orientation to install the heat exchanger on site can include lifting the frame via at least one lifting device and adjusting the orientation of the frame to a vertical orientation. The at least one lifting device can include at least one crane (e.g., multiple cranes, a single crane, etc.). The at least one lifting device can also include other types of lifting devices (e.g., one or more jacking towers, etc.).

[0019] In a twelfth aspect, maintaining the frame in a horizontal orientation during transportation of the heat exchanger to the site can include loading the frame onto the transportation means while the frame is in a horizontal orientation and unloading the frame from the transportation means while the frame is in a horizontal orientation. The transportation means can include a ship, a railway vehicle, a self-propelled modular transporter (SPMT), or other types of transportation means. Loading and unloading can be provided via a tractor, a crane, or other types of loading or unloading devices.

[0020] In a 13th aspect, an embodiment of the process of the 6th aspect can include one or more features of the 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, and / or 12th aspects. An embodiment of the process can also utilize the apparatus of the 1st aspect or any other embodiment of the apparatuses discussed herein. Thus, it should be understood that an embodiment of the process can include other process steps and other elements.

[0021] In a 14th aspect, an apparatus for a modular heat exchanger assembly for horizontal transport and vertical orientation installation is provided. The apparatus can include a frame including a case. The case can have a top, a bottom, and a plurality of sides extending between the top and the bottom. The case can also have a side opening communicating with an internal chamber defined between the sides, the top, and the bottom. At least one side cap can be attached to the case to cover the side opening. The at least one side cap can have an outer surface, a platform extending from the outer surface, and a staircase and / or ladder extending from the outer surface. The staircase and / or ladder can be disposed within or outside of the internal chamber, and the platform can be disposed within the internal chamber. The outer surface can extend between the top and the bottom. The frame can have a length extending longitudinally from the top to the bottom. A coil wound heat exchanger (CWHE) can be disposed inside the internal chamber. The frame can be sized and configured to facilitate transport of the apparatus in a horizontal orientation for transport such that the length extends horizontally when the apparatus is in its horizontal orientation. The frame can also be sized and configured to facilitate placement of the apparatus in a vertical orientation for on-site installation. When the apparatus is in a vertical orientation, the length can extend vertically. When the apparatus is in a horizontal orientation, the length of the heat exchanger can also extend horizontally, and when the heat apparatus is in a vertical orientation, the length of the heat exchanger can also extend vertically to define the height of the heat exchanger.

[0022] In a 15th aspect, the apparatus of the 14th aspect can include, inside the internal chamber, a plurality of holding devices arranged to engage with the heat exchanger and hold the position of the heat exchanger within the internal chamber. Each of the holding devices can be adjustable between a first position and a second position (e.g., a blocked position and a released position). Each of the holding devices can have, for example, at least one block element that is removable to adjust the holding device from the first position to the second position.

[0023] Other details, objects, and advantages of the invention for modular heat exchanger assemblies for horizontal transport and vertical orientation installation and methods of making and using them will become apparent as the following description of its specific exemplary embodiments proceeds.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024] Exemplary embodiments of apparatus for modular heat exchanger assemblies for horizontal transport and vertical orientation installation and methods of making and using them are shown in the drawings included herein. It should be understood that like reference characters used in the drawings can identify like components.

[0025]

Figure 1

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Figure 2

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Figure 3

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Figure 4

[0029]

Figure 5

[0030]

Figure 6

[0031]

Figure 7

[0032]

Figure 8

[0033]

Figure 9

[0034]

Figure 10

[0035]

Figure 11

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] Referring to FIGS. 1 - 11, an apparatus 10 for a modular heat exchanger assembly for horizontal transport and vertical orientation installation can be provided to enable the apparatus 10 to be transported and towed in its horizontal orientation H via at least one transport device 17 (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 where the transport device 17 can be a ship, barge, or other type of waterborne transport means), and / or the apparatus 10 can be disposed on a ground support 19 such that it can be vertically lifted or towed in its horizontal orientation H for loading and unloading with different transport devices as shown in FIG. 6. The transport of the apparatus 10 while in its horizontal orientation can enable trucks, trailers, railroad cars, ships, or other transport means to more easily transport the apparatus to the site for installation. The ease of transport can also enable transport to be provided at a much lower cost without using highly specialized equipment. The size and shape of the apparatus 10 can be sized and configured to facilitate suitable installation while allowing standard transport and shipping devices and protocols to be applied to the loading, unloading, and transport of the apparatus from the manufacturing site to the installation site.

[0037] Once the apparatus 10 arrives at the site where the heat exchanger 7 of the apparatus 10 is to be installed, the apparatus 10 can be moved, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, using one or more lifting devices 31 (e.g., one or more cranes 33) to adjust its orientation from its horizontal orientation H to its vertical orientation V.

[0038] Once lifted and in the vertical orientation V, additional installation work for integrating the heat exchanger 7 enclosed within the frame 4 of the device 10 into a plant or industrial facility can be carried out without such work requiring the formation of a larger and higher scaffolding structure for the installation of the heat exchanger. This type of large scaffolding can be avoided by the use of the lifting device 31 and the ability of the frame of the device 10 to facilitate supporting the heat exchanger 7 in a vertical orientation after the orientation of the device 10 has been adjusted to the vertical orientation V. The type of integration work that can be carried out after the device has reached the vertical orientation V can include connecting the heat exchanger into the plant or facility and providing cooling and / or heating to one or more process fluids of the plant or facility. The operator can carry out this type of installation work using the stairs and / or ladder 5b and the platform 5a after the device 10 has reached its vertical orientation.

[0039] As can be best understood from FIGS. 1 and 2, the device 10 can be manufactured by the use of prefabricated elements. The prefabricated elements can include the heat exchanger holding case 3 and metalworking elements such as one or more side caps 5 sized and configured to surround the internal chamber 3c of the case 3. The internal chamber 3c can be sized to hold the heat exchanger 7 within the chamber 3c. After the heat exchanger 7 is disposed within the internal chamber 3c, one or more side caps 5 are placed over the open side 30 and attached to the case 3 to cover the open side 3o defined within the case 3 and form a frame 4 surrounding the heat exchanger 7 disposed within the internal chamber 3c.

[0040] For example, in the first step S1, the case 3 having the open side 3o and the side cap 5 can be manufactured. This manufacturing can occur in a case manufacturing step S1a that can occur independently or simultaneously with the side cap manufacturing step S1b. One metalworking facility can perform the manufacture of the case 3 and one or more side caps 5. Alternatively, different facilities can manufacture the case 3 and one or more side caps 5, and the side caps 5 and / or the case 3 can be transported to the site for inserting the heat exchanger 7 into the case 3 and attaching the side caps 5 to the case 3 to cover the open side 3o.

[0041] One or more side caps 5 can also be manufactured to define the surrounding sides of the frame 4 for covering the open side 3o, and to include other structures that are arranged within the chamber 3c to facilitate the installation, operation, and maintenance of the heat exchanger 7 once they arrive at the site for installation. The structure defined by each side cap 5 can include metal stairs and / or ladders 5b and platforms 5a that can extend from the outer surface 5c of the side cap 5. In some configurations, when attached to the case 3 to form the frame 4, the platform 5a and the stairs and / or ladders 5b can be arranged inside the chamber 3c, and the outer surface 5c can be arranged to define the side of the frame 4 that covers the open side 3o of the case 3. In other configurations, when attached to the case 3 to form the frame 4, the platform 5a can be arranged inside the chamber 3c, and the stairs and / or ladders 5b can be arranged on the outer surface of the frame 4 and be outside the chamber 3c. In such embodiments, internal stairs and / or ladders 5b can be included, and thus, it is contemplated that some ladders and / or stairs are present on the outer surface of the frame and some are inside the frame and within the chamber 3c.

[0042] Case 3 can be manufactured from metal and can include a body having a plurality of side surfaces 3a extending between a top 3t and a bottom 3b. The top 3t of case 3 can be arranged to define its top when the device 10 is in the vertical orientation V. The bottom 3b of the case can be arranged to define its bottom when the device 10 is in the vertical orientation V. When the device 10 is in the horizontal orientation, the bottom 3b and the top 3t can be the opposite end portions of the body of case 3. The plurality of side surfaces 3a of the body can extend longitudinally along the length L of the device 10 between the top 3t and the bottom 3b. The bottom 3b and the top 3t can extend from the lower side surface to the upper side surface when the device 10 is in the horizontal orientation to define its height HT when the device 10 is in the horizontal orientation H. The height HT can be a value or distance smaller than the length L.

[0043] In the case of the rectangular frame 4, there can be three side surfaces 3a formed for the case 3, and the side cap 5 can be configured to provide a fourth side surface for surrounding the open side surface 3o between the top 3t and the bottom 3b from the frame 4. Other frames 4 can have other shapes (e.g., hexagonal, pentagonal, etc.) and can have different numbers of side surfaces.

[0044] The heat exchanger 7 can also be manufactured and then transported to a location or installation site where the frame 4 and one or more side caps 5 can be located or delivered. The heat exchanger 7 can be a coil wound heat exchanger or other suitable heat exchanger in some embodiments. The heat exchanger 7 can be placed on a stool configured to hold and retain the heat exchanger 7 until the heat exchanger 7 is lifted and placed inside the internal chamber 3c of the case 3.

[0045] After case 3 is manufactured and heat exchanger 7 is fabricated, heat exchanger 7 can be inserted into chamber 3c of the case by being lifted and / or lowered. Thus, heat exchanger 7 is lifted above the open side 3o and then passed through the open side 3o and placed within a defined heat exchanger holding element of the pre-defined chamber 3c within chamber 3c. FIG. 2 illustrates an example of step S2 of FIG. 1 in this heat exchanger placement process. For example, one or more hoists or cranes can be used to lower heat exchanger 7 through open side 3o and into chamber 3c for placement within chamber 3c (as illustrated in steps A - B of FIG. 2).

[0046] A platform structure 3p can be defined within chamber 3c of case 3. Thus, platform structure 3p corresponds to the reception of heat exchanger 7 and defines a portion of a platform floor that is fully defined after attaching one or more side caps 5 having corresponding platforms 5a arranged and configured to attach to case platform structure 3p so as to define a platform around heat exchanger 7 at different spaced locations along the length of heat exchanger 7. The stairs and / or ladders 5b of one or more side caps 5 can be configured and arranged such that after side cap 5 is attached to case 3, the stairs and / or ladders extend from the bottom 3b inside chamber 3c to an upper position on the various platforms defined by side cap platform 5a and internal case platform structure 3p.

[0047] After the heat exchanger 7 is in the desired position, in the third step S3 of manufacturing, one or more side caps 5 are arranged above the open side surface 3o above the heat exchanger 7 and attached to the adjacent side surfaces 3a, the top 3t, and the bottom 3b, so that the side caps 5 can be attached to the case 3, surround the chamber 3c, and form the frame 4. This attachment can be carried out via welding or other suitable attachment mechanisms (e.g., welding, fasteners, etc.). As described above, the side caps 5 can be arranged such that the outer surface 5c of each side cap 5 at least partially defines the side surface of the formed frame 4 extending between the top 3t and the bottom 3b. Structures extending inwardly from the outer surface into the chamber 3c can be arranged around the heat exchanger 7 in the chamber 3c. The structures can include treads and / or ladder steps and platforms 5a defined to be arranged at different vertical positions around and adjacent to the heat exchangers. The defined stairs and / or ladders 5b and platforms 5a can be arranged to facilitate access to and maintenance of the heat exchanger 7 after the heat exchanger 7 is installed and in its vertical orientation V. For example, the stairs and / or ladders 5b can be defined to run along the inner surface of the chamber 3c and provide a path for access to various upper positions of the heat exchanger. The platform 5a extends into the chamber 3c and helps to define the central opening defined by the platform 5a of the side cap 5 and the corresponding internal platform structure 3p defined in the chamber 3c of the case 3, and can be defined such that the heat exchanger 7 can be arranged between the platform 5a and 3p while being arranged in the chamber 3c via the arrangement and attachment of the side cap 5 of the platform 5a.

[0048] After one or more side caps 5 are attached to the case 3 to form the frame 4 and / or before attaching one or more side caps 5, a plurality of heat exchanger holding devices 21 can be arranged around the diameter or periphery of the heat exchanger body within the chamber 3c at different spaced locations along the length of the heat exchanger. The arrangement of the holding devices 21 can be best understood from FIG. 3. Each holding device 21 can be attached to the inner surface of the frame 4 inside the chamber 3c such that the inner distal end 21a of the device engages and / or contacts the body of the heat exchanger 7 to fix the heat exchanger 7 and help protect the heat exchanger 7 from movements (e.g., vibrations, rocking, sliding, etc.) that may occur during transportation and hoisting of the device 10.

[0049] Each holding device 21 can be configured to be adjustable between a locked position and a released position. For example, each holding device can include at least one block element 21b that can be inserted into the holding device 21 such that for close contact between the inner distal end 21a and the heat exchanger body to support the heat exchanger 7 during transportation and installation, the holding device is in a rigid position and can extend rigidly up to the heat exchanger 7. The locked position can be configured to provide load-bearing capacity during transportation in a plurality of different directions including a first direction that can be an axial direction (e.g., a direction extending along the length L of the heat exchanger 7), a second direction that can be a radial direction acting vertically up and down, and another radial direction acting left and right in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction and the second direction. At least one block element can include packing. In some configurations, the packing can be or can be considered to include one or more shims. However, the packing of the block element 21 can also be other elements that can be substantially larger than what is considered a shim structure.

[0050] After the device 10 is delivered to the site for installation, during the heat exchanger installation process that may occur on site, the block element 21b can be removed and the position of the holding device 21 can be adjusted to their release positions. Thus, the inner distal end 21a can accommodate the movement and expansion or contraction of the heat exchanger 7 that may occur during the axial operation of the heat exchanger 7. However, the removed block element 21b can still enable the distal end 21a to engage with the heat exchanger 7 and prevent its horizontal lateral movement when the heat exchanger is in a vertical orientation by providing a radial support perpendicular to the length L of the heat exchanger 7. This results in helping to provide lateral support to the heat exchanger to maintain its position and can also help to avoid the heat exchanger being moved due to extreme weather conditions (e.g., extreme winds, etc.) or other phenomena that may occur while the heat exchanger is installed and on site, thereby assisting in avoiding damage to the heat exchanger from such undesired lateral movement that occurs while the heat exchanger is in a vertical orientation.

[0051] After the holding device 21 is installed inside the inner chamber 3c and the frame is fully manufactured with the heat exchanger 7 firmly placed inside the inner chamber 3c, the device 10 can be placed in a horizontal orientation H for storage, towing, and transportation to the site for installation at the site. The horizontal orientation H can be a position where the length L of the device 10 and / or the frame 4 extends horizontally between the top 3t and the bottom 3b. The length L can be the longest dimension that is longer or larger than the width W of the frame 4 and / or the device 10.

[0052] As described below, in some alternative configurations, the case 3 and the frame 4 can be designed to allow the top of the heat exchanger 7 to extend from the top 3t of the case 3, and thus, as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 1, the upper portion 7t of the heat exchanger 7 is exposed and outside the frame 4. Such a configuration can safely accommodate the exposure of the upper portion 7t of the heat exchanger 7 through transportation and installation, while still allowing the frame 4 to assist in supporting the heat exchanger 7 when the heat exchanger 7 is installed on-site inside the device 10 in the vertical orientation of the device 10.

[0053] In some configurations, the frame 4 can be further modified after it is formed. For example, an additional top section can be attached or disposed adjacent to the top 3t, or an extended bottom portion can be attached or disposed adjacent to the bottom 3b.

[0054] FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the device 10 in its horizontal orientation on a support 19 that can be carried onto a transport means (e.g., a self-propelled modular transporter (SPMT), a ship, a railway vehicle, a flatbed trailer for transporting via a truck, etc.). FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate embodiments of the device 10 in its horizontal orientation for transportation via a transport means 17 that is a ship in the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5. As described herein, the transport means can alternatively be a railway vehicle, a truck, or other suitable transport means.

[0055] The transportation of the device 10 also includes the device 10 being moved in its horizontal orientation H throughout the delivery transportation of the device from a plurality of different transportation means and a plurality of different intermediate storage locations to the site for installation. For example, while in its horizontal orientation, the device 10 is moved in its horizontal orientation to a shipyard by rail or truck, and then is towed onto a ship via a lifting device 31 for further transportation, and then is unloaded from the ship for further overland transportation to the delivery and / or delivery site for installation at the site. FIGS. 7 - 9 illustrate examples of such intermediate transportation phases. The device 10 can be maintained in its horizontal orientation throughout this transportation process to facilitate the transportation and towing of the device 10 to the site where the device 10 is to be installed.

[0056] Once the device 10 is delivered to the site, it can be in its horizontal orientation H on the ground or on a support that supports the device in its horizontal orientation H on the ground. FIG. 10 illustrates such a position. In a first installation step ST1, one or more lifting devices 31 (e.g., one or more cranes 33), such as one or more SPMTs (not shown), can be used alone or in combination with other transportation means to lift the device 10 such that the top 3t rises above the bottom 3b. In a second installation step ST2, the lifting device 31 moves the device 10 such that the top 3t is above the bottom 3b and the bottom 3b is on the ground GR or is supported on the ground GR by a base or other device support, and the device is in its vertical orientation V. In the vertical orientation, the length L of the device 10 extends vertically from the bottom 3b to the top 3t. When the device 10 is in the vertical orientation V, a plurality of sides between the top 3t and the bottom 3b also extend upward longitudinally from the bottom 3b to the top 3t along their length L. When the device 10 is in the vertical orientation V, the side 3a also has a width W that can extend horizontally by a distance shorter than the distance of their length.

[0057] It should be understood that the heat exchanger 7 also has a length L. The length L can extend horizontally when the device 10 is in its horizontal orientation H. When the device 10 is in the vertical orientation V, the length L of the heat exchanger 7 can extend vertically to define the height of the heat exchanger 7.

[0058] After being moved to the vertical orientation V, the device 10 can be fixed in that orientation on site. Also, by accessing the frame 4 and entering the internal chamber 3c and using the stairs and / or ladder 5b and the platform 5a, additional installation work can be performed. During this work, the holding device 21 can be adjusted from their blocking positions to their release positions as discussed above (e.g., removal of the block element 21b).

[0059] For example, after the device is moved to its vertical orientation V and the length L of the device extends vertically, the block element 21b can be removed to adjust the position of the holding device 21 to their release positions. Thus, the inner distal end 21a can accommodate the movement and expansion or contraction of the heat exchanger 7 that may occur during the axial operation of the heat exchanger 7. However, the removed block element 21b can still enable the distal end 21a to engage with the heat exchanger 7 and provide a radial support perpendicular to the length L of the heat exchanger 7 to prevent the horizontal lateral movement of the heat exchanger when the device 10 is in the vertical orientation V. This results in helping to provide a lateral support to the heat exchanger 7 to maintain its position and can help avoid the heat exchanger being significantly laterally moved due to weather conditions (e.g., extreme winds, etc.) or other phenomena that may occur while the heat exchanger is installed and on site, which can help avoid damage to the heat exchanger due to such events.

[0060] The heat exchanger 7 disposed inside the frame 4 and included in the apparatus 10 can be a coiled wound heat exchanger (CWHE). The CWHE can be elongated and can have a significant length L. In some embodiments, the CWHE can have a length of up to 80 meters. The apparatus 10 can be longer than the CWHE, and thus, the frame 4 is sized to enclose the CWHE inside the internal chamber 3c.

[0061] In an alternative configuration, the frame 4 can be designed and structured such that the upper end portion 7t of the CWHE can extend beyond the frame 4 of the apparatus 10. For example, the frame 4 can be designed and configured such that the top of the CWHE has a portion that extends from the end of the frame 4 and is outside the frame 4. Thus, rather than the CWHE being entirely enclosed within the CWHE, the CWHE is disposed within the frame 4 for transport in a horizontal orientation and is movable in its vertical orientation. In such a configuration, the exposed upper portion of the CWHE can be sufficiently protected for transport and orientation adjustment.

[0062] In addition to being very long, the CWHE or other heat exchanger inside the frame 4 can be very heavy. For example, the heat exchanger can exceed 200 metric tons (MT), or even exceed 300 MT. Further, the frame itself can also be very heavy and, in some embodiments, can exceed 200 MT or 300 MT. The transport weight of the apparatus 10 is very heavy and can exceed 500 MT in many embodiments (e.g., exceed 700 MT, exceed 800 MT, exceed 900 MT, exceed 1000 MT, between 500 MT and 1000 MT, etc.).

[0063] Embodiments of an apparatus 10 for a modular heat exchanger assembly for horizontal transport and vertical orientation installation, and processes for fabricating and using them, can be configured to enable a CWHE or other type of heat exchanger to be manufactured and shipped so as to facilitate transport and subsequent installation. For example, an embodiment can be such that the CWHE extends horizontally along its longitudinal direction (e.g., longest dimension) in a vertical orientation for transport, and is then field-adjusted to a vertical orientation where it extends vertically along its longitudinal direction, such that the height of the installed CWHE can be adapted to be manufactured and transported such that it is the distance that the CWHE extends vertically above the ground. Embodiments can be sized and configured to enable transport of the CWHE in accordance with standardized transport and towing practices to facilitate transport, and can have a frame that is robust enough to facilitate adjustment of the orientation of the CWHE structure from its horizontal orientation H to its vertical orientation V. Embodiments can enable installation of a CWHE or other large heat exchanger to be carried out more quickly and easily. For example, such installation can be carried out without the need to use large scaffolding structures involving large construction crews. Also, embodiments can be adapted to avoid the need to add a heat exchanger to a formed frame 4 or other support structure in the field. Further, some embodiments can be adapted to integrate and arrange various electrical and mechanical elements for heat exchanger operation within an internal chamber 3c of a case 3 to facilitate installation or startup operations.

[0064] Embodiments can be adapted so that the transport via the horizontal orientation of the heat exchanger 7 (e.g., CWHE) can be carried out more quickly, more easily, and at a lower transport cost. For example, embodiments can be adapted to enable general or typical tractors, lifts, loaders, ships, and other means of transport to be utilized for transporting the heat exchanger to the site. Once on site, the use of one or more lifting devices (e.g., jacking towers, cranes, other heavy load lifting equipment, etc.) can enable installation without the use of a large construction team or other equipment. This type of installation option is much quicker and much less expensive than constructing on site the heat exchanger platforms, ladders, etc. that have conventionally been required for installation work. It also helps to avoid the need for assembling a large construction personnel team and a large scaffolding configuration.

[0065] It should be understood that modifications to the embodiments explicitly illustrated and contemplated herein can be made to meet a particular set of design goals or a particular set of design criteria. For example, it is envisioned that specific features described individually or as part of one embodiment can be combined with other individually described features or parts of other embodiments. Accordingly, the elements and operations of the various embodiments described herein can be combined to provide further embodiments. Therefore, while specific exemplary embodiments of the apparatus for modular heat exchanger assemblies for horizontal transport and vertical orientation installation and methods of making and using them have been illustrated and described above, it is clearly understood that the present invention is not limited thereto and can be embodied and implemented otherwise in various ways within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for a modular heat exchanger assembly for horizontal conveyance and vertical orientation installation, comprising: a frame, a case having a top, a bottom, and a plurality of sides extending between the top and the bottom, the case having side openings communicating with an internal chamber defined between the sides, the top, and the bottom, and at least one side cap attached to the case and covering the side openings The frame has a length extending longitudinally from the top to the bottom, a heat exchanger disposed within the internal chamber; The frame is sized and configured to facilitate transportation of the apparatus in a horizontal orientation for transportation, and when the apparatus is in the horizontal orientation, the length extends horizontally. The frame is sized and configured to facilitate placement of the apparatus in a vertical orientation for on-site installation, and when the apparatus is in the vertical orientation, the length extends vertically.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger is a coiled wound heat exchanger (CWHE).

3. The at least one side cap comprises an outer surface, a platform extending from the outer surface, and a staircase and / or ladder extending from the outer surface, the staircase and / or ladder being disposed within the internal chamber, the platform being disposed within the internal chamber, and the outer surface extending between the top and the bottom. The apparatus according to claim 1.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of holding devices disposed within the internal chamber and configured to engage the heat exchanger to hold the position of the heat exchanger within the internal chamber.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein each of the holding devices is adjustable between a blocked position and a released position.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein each of the holding devices has at least one blocking element that is removable to adjust the holding device from the blocked position to the released position.

7. A process for installing a heat exchanger, comprising: forming a case and at least one side cap; placing a heat exchanger within the internal chamber of the case; Attaching the at least one side cap to the case to form a frame that covers the open side of the case and surrounds the heat exchanger inside the internal chamber; Maintaining the frame in a horizontal orientation during transportation of the heat exchanger to the site; Moving the frame to a vertical orientation to install the heat exchanger at the site, the process comprising: **Claim 8** The process of claim 7, wherein the heat exchanger is a coiled wound heat exchanger (CWHE). **Claim 9** The process of claim 7, wherein the horizontal orientation is an orientation in which the length of the case extending longitudinally between the top and bottom of the case extends horizontally. **Claim 10** The process of claim 7, wherein the vertical orientation is an orientation in which the length of the case extending longitudinally between the top and bottom of the case extends vertically. **Claim 11** The process of claim 10, wherein the horizontal orientation is an orientation in which the length of the case extending longitudinally between the top and bottom of the case extends horizontally. **Claim 12** The process of claim 7, further comprising disposing a holding device within the internal chamber to engage the heat exchanger and maintain the position of the heat exchanger within the internal chamber. **Claim 13** The process of claim 12, further comprising adjusting the position of the holding device from a first position to a second position. **Claim 14** Attaching the at least one side cap to the case to form the frame includes positioning each side cap such that the platform and the stairs and / or ladder of the side cap are disposed within the internal chamber; welding or fixing each side cap to the case to cover the open side of the case, the process of claim 7. **Claim 15** Moving the frame to a vertical orientation to install the heat exchanger at the site includes lifting the frame via at least one lifting device and adjusting the orientation of the frame to the vertical orientation, the process of claim 7. **Claim 16** The process of claim 15, wherein the at least one lifting device includes at least one crane. **Claim 17** Maintaining the frame in the horizontal orientation during transportation of the heat exchanger to the site includes loading the frame onto transport means while the frame is in the horizontal orientation; unloading the frame from the transport means while the frame is in the horizontal orientation, the process of claim 7. **Claim 18** An apparatus for a modular heat exchanger assembly for horizontal transport and vertical orientation installation, a frame, a case having a top, a bottom, and a plurality of sides extending between the top and the bottom, the case having side openings communicating with an internal chamber defined between the sides, the top, and the bottom, and at least one side cap attached to the case and covering the side opening, the at least one side cap having an outer surface, a platform extending from the outer surface, and a staircase and / or ladder extending from the outer surface, the staircase and / or ladder being disposed within the internal chamber or outside the internal chamber, the platform being disposed within the internal chamber, the outer surface extending between the top and the bottom, comprising a frame having a length extending longitudinally from the top to the bottom, a coil wound heat exchanger (CWHE) disposed within the internal chamber, the frame being sized and configured to facilitate transport of the apparatus in a horizontal orientation for transport, the length extending horizontally when the apparatus is in the horizontal orientation, the frame being sized and configured to facilitate placement of the apparatus in a vertical orientation for on-site installation, the length extending vertically when the apparatus is in the vertical orientation. **Claim 19** comprising a plurality of holding devices disposed within the internal chamber and engaged with the heat exchanger to hold the position of the heat exchanger within the internal chamber, each of the holding devices being adjustable between a block position and a release position, the apparatus of claim 18. **Claim 20** each of the holding devices having at least one blocking element removable to adjust the holding device from the block position to the release position, the apparatus of claim 19.

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