Plate Heat Exchanger

Abstract

To provide a plate type heat exchanger which can conduct heat exchange in a more uniform manner.SOLUTION: In a plate type heat exchanger, multiple first plates 13, each having a first opening 13c and forming a frame shape, and multiple second plates 12, each of which is provided between the adjacent first plates 13, 13 and covers the first openings 13c, are arranged overlapped with each other between a pair of frames 10, 11 facing each other. Heat source fluid passages R1 and heat exchanged fluid passages R2, which are formed by multiple spaces formed by second openings 14a respectively included in seal materials 14 each of which is provided at the first opening 13c and trims the first opening 13c, are alternately arranged along the direction in which the frames 10, 11 face each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a plate heat exchanger constructed by stacking a plurality of plates. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a plate-type heat exchanger in which a plurality of plates with corrugated surfaces are stacked, and flow paths for two types of fluids that exchange heat, i.e., a refrigerant or heat medium and a heat-exchanged fluid, are alternately formed between adjacent plates (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this plate-type heat exchanger, the plurality of plates are integrated in a stacked state by brazing protrusions formed on parts of adjacent plates, and a flow path for each of the two fluids that are to be heat exchanged is formed between two adjacent plates. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-169541 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the conventional plate heat exchanger described above, the plates that separate the two fluids to be heat exchanged and form the flow paths through which the two fluids flow are corrugated and brazed together, but because the plates are corrugated, the width of each flow path in the stacking direction of the plates is not uniform, with some wide and some narrow. As a result, the distance from the plate that separates the refrigerant or heat medium to the heat-exchanged fluid that exchanges heat with the refrigerant or heat medium varies depending on the position through which the fluid flows, which poses a problem that heat exchange may not be uniform throughout the entire flow path. The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a main object of the present invention is to provide a plate heat exchanger capable of more uniform heat exchange. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The main invention for achieving the above object comprises a pair of frames each having flat surfaces facing each other, and a plurality of flat plates arranged between the pair of frames and stacked in the facing direction, the plurality of plates comprising a plurality of frame-shaped first plates each having a first opening on the inside, and a second plate provided between adjacent first plates and covering the first opening and having heat conductivity, wherein the first opening of each of the first plates is provided with a sealant that frames the first opening and forms a second opening on the inside, and a heat transfer mechanism is provided between each of the frames and the second plates, or between adjacent first plates. a plurality of second openings located between the mating second plates are arranged side by side in the facing direction, forming spaces partitioned by the second plates, and the plurality of spaces form a heat source fluid flow path that penetrates one of the pair of frames and communicates with inlet and outlet holes for a heat source fluid that serves as a heat source, and a heat-exchanged fluid flow path that penetrates the other of the pair of frames and communicates with inlet and outlet holes for a heat-exchanged fluid, and the heat source fluid flow path and the heat-exchanged fluid flow path are arranged alternately along the facing direction. Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a plate heat exchanger that can perform more uniform heat exchange. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a state in which the plate heat exchanger according to the present embodiment is used. FIG. [Figure 2]1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a plate heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of a plate heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the frame, heat transfer plates, support plates, and sealing materials that constitute the plate heat exchanger according to the present embodiment, arranged in this order from the front side. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a heat source fluid flow path and a product fluid flow path. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present specification and the accompanying drawings make clear at least the following: That is, the present invention comprises a pair of frames each having flat surfaces facing each other, and a plurality of flat plates arranged between the pair of frames and stacked in the facing direction, the plurality of plates comprising a plurality of frame-shaped first plates each having a first opening on the inside, and a second plate provided between adjacent first plates and covering the first opening and having thermal conductivity, the first opening of each of the first plates is provided with a sealant that frames the first opening and has a second opening on the inside, and a sealant is provided between each of the frames and the second plate, or between adjacent second plates, the second openings located between the plates are arranged in a row in the facing direction, forming spaces partitioned by the second plates, and the spaces form a heat source fluid flow path that penetrates one of the pair of frames and communicates with inlet and outlet holes for a heat source fluid that serves as a heat source, and a heat-exchanged fluid flow path that penetrates the other of the pair of frames and communicates with inlet and outlet holes for a heat-exchanged fluid, and the heat source fluid flow path and the heat-exchanged fluid flow path are arranged alternately along the facing direction.

[0009] In this plate-type heat exchanger, a seal having second openings that form a heat source fluid flow path communicating with the inlet and outlet holes for the heat source fluid and a heat-exchanged fluid flow path communicating with the inlet and outlet holes for the heat-exchanged fluid is provided in the first opening of the first plate and is disposed between the frame and the second plate or between adjacent second plates. Therefore, the heat source fluid flow path through which the heat source fluid flows and the heat-exchanged fluid flow path through which the heat-exchanged fluid flows are both narrow, membrane-like flow paths with a width equal to the thickness of the first plate, formed by the second openings sandwiched between flat surfaces. When the heat-exchanged fluid flows through the heat-exchanged fluid flow path, the distance from the heat-conductive second plate, which is located between the heat source fluid flow path and the heat-exchanged fluid flow path, is approximately equal at every position in the heat-exchanged fluid flow path. This makes it possible to provide a plate-type heat exchanger that can more uniformly exchange heat with the heat-exchanged fluid.

[0010] In the plate heat exchanger, the sealing material is made of a compressible elastic material.

[0011] When multiple plates are stacked between frames to assemble the plate heat exchanger, the sealing material is compressed, which makes it possible to make the width of the thin-film space formed between the plates, i.e., the thickness of the fluid liquid film, uniform across the entire surface of the plates, allowing for more efficient heat exchange.

[0012] In such a plate-type heat exchanger, the space is formed to be longer in the vertical direction than in the horizontal direction, and one of the inlet and outlet holes for the heat source fluid and the heat-exchanged fluid is provided at the upper end side of the space, and the other is provided at the lower end side of the space.

[0013] In this plate-type heat exchanger, the space between the inlet and outlet holes for the heat source fluid and the heat-exchanged fluid is longer in the vertical direction than in the horizontal direction, so the heat source fluid and the heat-exchanged fluid that flow in from the inlet holes do not spread significantly in the horizontal direction and are more likely to flow toward the outlet holes. This makes it difficult for the heat source fluid to stagnate in the heat-source fluid flow path and the heat-exchanged fluid to stagnate in the heat-exchanged fluid flow path, resulting in more efficient heat exchange.

[0014] In the plate heat exchanger, the heat-exchanged fluid flow path is disposed between two of the heat-source fluid flow paths. With such a plate-type heat exchanger, the heat-exchanged fluid flowing through the heat-exchanged fluid flow path exchanges heat with the heat-source fluid flowing through the heat-source fluid flow paths located on both sides, thereby enabling more efficient heat exchange.

[0015] In such a plate-type heat exchanger, the sealing material having the second opening forming the heat source fluid flow path is partitioned from the second opening and has circulation holes for the heat-exchanged fluid that communicate with the inlet and outlet holes for the heat-exchanged fluid, and the sealing material having the second opening forming the heat-exchanged fluid flow path is partitioned from the second opening and has circulation holes for the heat-source fluid that communicate with the inlet and outlet holes for the heat-source fluid.

[0016] In such a plate-type heat exchanger, the sealing material having the second opening forming the heat source fluid flow path has a circulation hole for the heat-exchanged fluid separated from the second opening, and this circulation hole is connected to the inlet and outlet holes for the heat-exchanged fluid, so that the heat source fluid can flow within the heat-source fluid flow path and can flow to the outlet hole for the heat-exchanged fluid while preventing the heat-exchanged fluid that has flowed in from the inlet hole of the heat-exchanged fluid flow path from flowing into the heat source fluid flow path.

[0017] In addition, the sealing material having a second opening that forms the heat exchange fluid flow path is provided with a heat source fluid circulation hole that is separated from the second opening, and this circulation hole is connected to the heat source fluid inlet and outlet holes, so that the heat exchange fluid can be circulated within the heat exchange fluid flow path and can be circulated to the heat source fluid outlet hole while preventing the heat source fluid that has flowed in from the heat source fluid inlet hole from flowing into the heat exchange fluid flow path.

[0018] In the plate heat exchanger, the first plate has a shape that is symmetrical about a left-right axis.

[0019] In such a plate-type heat exchanger, the first plate forming the heat source fluid flow path and the first plate forming the heat-exchanged fluid flow path can be made of the same material, thereby reducing costs.

[0020] In such a plate-type heat exchanger, a portion of the second plate has a shape that is line-symmetrical on the left and right, and the second plate has two through holes lined up on the left and right sides, each on the upper side and the lower side, one of the two through holes communicates with the second opening of the sealing material, and the other of the two through holes communicates with the circulation hole, and the sealing materials having the second openings that form the heat source fluid flow path and the sealing materials having the second openings that form the heat-exchanged fluid flow path, respectively, have the through holes located on the same side that communicate with the second openings.

[0021] In such a plate-type heat exchanger, two through holes are provided side by side on the upper and lower sides of some of the second plates, one of which communicates with the second opening of the sealing material and the other of which communicates with the circulation hole. Therefore, even if the second plates have a shape that is line-symmetrical, the left and right through holes can be divided into a flow path for the heat source fluid and a flow path for the heat-exchanged fluid.

[0022] Furthermore, since the through holes located on the same side of the sealing materials having second openings that form the heat source fluid flow paths are connected to the second openings, simply by overlapping the second plate with the first plate on which the sealing material is provided, the heat source fluid flow paths and the heat exchange body flow paths can be connected to each other.

[0023] In such a plate-type heat exchanger, the second opening is formed so that the width at the center in the vertical direction is wide, and the upper and lower end sides have inclined or curved portions whose width gradually narrows on one side in the width direction.

[0024] In such a plate-type heat exchanger, the second opening gradually narrows in width on one side in the width direction, allowing the heat source fluid and the heat exchange fluid to flow more smoothly without stagnation.

[0025] Such a plate-type heat exchanger is characterized in that the sealing material having the second opening forming the heat source fluid flow path and the sealing material having the second opening forming the heat-exchanged fluid flow path are the same member.

[0026] In such a plate-type heat exchanger, the sealing material having the second opening forming the heat source fluid flow path and the sealing material having the second opening forming the heat exchange fluid flow path are the same component, which allows for further cost reduction.

[0027] In the plate heat exchanger, the sealing material is formed between the frame and the second plate or between the adjacent second plate and the frame. Nipu It is characterized by being compressed by different rates.

[0028] In such a plate heat exchanger, the heat exchanger is provided between the frame and the second plate or between the adjacent second plates. Nipu The seal material interposed between the plates is used to seal the frame and the second plate or the adjacent second plate. NipuSince the plates are compressed by each other, it is possible to more reliably prevent leakage of the heat source fluid flowing through the heat source fluid flow passage and the heat exchange target fluid flowing through the heat exchange target fluid flow passage.

[0029] In the plate heat exchanger, the pair of frames and the plurality of plates that are stacked are joined together by removable fasteners.

[0030] In this type of plate heat exchanger, the pair of frames and the multiple plates can be disassembled by removing the fasteners. Therefore, for example, even if the heat source fluid flow path and the heat-exchanged fluid flow path become dirty, they can be easily disassembled and cleaned. Furthermore, disassembly allows the first plate, second plate, sealant, etc. to be replaced. Furthermore, the configuration can be easily changed by adding or removing the first plate, second plate, or sealant to increase or decrease the heat source fluid flow path and the heat-exchanged fluid flow path. === Implementation form ===

[0031] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A plate heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1, the plate heat exchanger 1 according to the present invention includes a portion R1a of a heat source fluid flow path R1 through which a heat source fluid heated by an electric heater 2 is circulated by a heat source pump 3, and a portion R2a of a heat exchange target fluid flow path R2 through which a heat exchange target fluid that exchanges heat with the heat source fluid is circulated by a heat exchange target fluid pump 4. Here, the heat source fluid is, for example, water (hot water) heated by the electric heater 2, and the heat exchange target fluid is, for example, a soft drink such as coffee, which is the product to be heated. In the following description, the heat exchange target fluid is referred to as a product fluid.

[0032] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the plate heat exchanger 1 of this embodiment includes a pair of block-shaped frames 10, 11 having mutually facing flat surfaces 10a, 11a, two flat heat transfer plates 12 and three support plates 13 arranged between the pair of frames, and is supported by a base 5 attached to the lower end. In this embodiment, the pair of frames 10, 11, the two heat transfer plates 12, and the three support plates 13 are all made of stainless steel, but this is not limiting and any metal with high thermal conductivity, such as titanium or nickel, may be used. Furthermore, the pair of frames 10, 11, the two heat transfer plates 12, and the three support plates 13 may be made of different materials.

[0033] In the illustrated example, the front and back surfaces of the heat transfer plate 12 are flat and smooth, but they may be embossed to have slight irregularities or waves, or the surface may be roughened. Depending on the application, the design can be made taking into consideration the balance between the flow rate and the heat exchange efficiency achieved by ensuring the heat transfer area, and other factors.

[0034] The pair of frames 10, 11 and the two heat transfer plates 12, 13 are stacked in the facing direction in which the pair of frames 10, 11 face each other, and nuts 1b are fastened onto bolts 1a that pass through in the facing direction from one frame 10 side to the other frame 11 side, so that the two heat transfer plates 12 and three support plates 13 are sandwiched between the pair of frames 10, 11 and joined together. Here, the bolts 1a and nuts 1b correspond to removable fasteners.

[0035] The plate heat exchanger 1 is provided on one frame 10 with a heat source fluid inlet hole 10b as a through-hole through which the heat source fluid flows into the plate heat exchanger 1 and a heat source fluid outlet hole 10c as a through-hole through which the heat source fluid flows out of the plate heat exchanger 1, and on the other frame 11 with a product fluid inlet hole 11b as a through-hole through which the product fluid flows into the plate heat exchanger 1 and a product fluid outlet hole 11c as a through-hole through which the product fluid flows out of the plate heat exchanger 1.

[0036] In the following description, one frame (hereinafter also referred to as the heat source fluid side frame) 10 of the plate heat exchanger 1 when the base 5 is installed in a flat position will be referred to as the front side, and the other frame (hereinafter also referred to as the product fluid side frame) 11 will be referred to as the back side. In addition, the horizontal direction when viewing the plate heat exchanger 1 from the front side will be referred to as the width direction, and the vertical direction will be referred to as the up-down direction.

[0037] The heat source fluid inlet 10b is located on the upper side of the heat source fluid side frame 10, and the heat source fluid outlet 10c is located on the lower side of the heat source fluid side frame 10, with the heat source fluid inlet 10b and the heat source fluid outlet 10c located to the left of the center in the left-right direction and aligned vertically with a gap between them. The product fluid inlet 11b is located on the lower side of the product fluid side frame 11, and the product fluid outlet 11c is located on the upper side of the product fluid side frame 11, with the product fluid inlet 11b and the product fluid outlet 11c located to the right of the center in the left-right direction and aligned vertically with a gap between them.

[0038] The pair of frames 10, 11, the two heat transfer plates 12, and the three support plates 13 have the same outer diameter when viewed from one of the frames 10, and when supported by the base 5, they form a vertically long, approximately rectangular shape whose vertical height is greater than its horizontal width. For example, the approximately rectangular shape is 8 cm wide and 30 cm high.

[0039] The pair of frames 10, 11, the two heat transfer plates 12, and the three support plates 13 each have five bolt through holes 10d, 11d, 12a, 13a arranged at appropriate intervals along the up-down direction on the left and right ends, respectively, through which bolts 1a pass. In addition, a positioning pin 11e that protrudes toward the front is provided at the left-right center on the upper and lower front sides of the product fluid side frame 11, and positioning holes 12b, 13b, 10e, through which the positioning pin 10e of the product fluid side frame 11 is inserted, are provided at the left-right center on the upper and lower front sides of the five plates 12, 13 and the heat source fluid side frame 10.

[0040] The positioning pins 10e and the positioning holes 12b, 13b, and 11e are provided in pairs at the same positions with a gap between them in the vertical direction. Therefore, when the positioning pin 10e is inserted into the positioning holes 12b, 13b, and 11e and the bolts 1a are inserted into the bolt through holes 10d, 11d, 12a, and 13a and the nuts 1b are tightened, the pair of frames 10 and 11 and the five plates 12 and 13 are integrated with the outer peripheral edges of the pair of frames 10 and 11 and the five plates 12 and 13 aligned and overlapping.

[0041] The five plates 12, 13 are of two types: support plates 13 as three first plates that form a frame with approximately rectangular first openings 13c between bolt through holes 13a on the left and right, and heat transfer plates 12 as two second plates that are located closer to the center than the bolt through holes 12a on the left and right, and are provided on the upper and lower sides, respectively, with flow holes 12c as through holes through which the heat source fluid and the product fluid flow.

[0042] The thickness of the support plate 13 is slightly thinner than the thickness of the heat transfer plate 12. For example, the thickness of the support plate 13 is 0.8 mm, and the thickness of the heat transfer plate 12 is 1.0 mm. The support plate 13 is formed in a shape that is symmetrical with respect to the center line in the left-right direction. Therefore, the support plate 13 has the same shape even when turned over.

[0043] One heat transfer plate 122 of the two heat transfer plates 12 is formed in a shape that is symmetrical about the center line in the left-right direction, and two communication holes 12c are arranged at the top and bottom at positions separated from the center of the left and right. The other heat transfer plate 121 of the two heat transfer plates 12 is provided with only the left or right communication hole 12c (right in this embodiment). In the other heat transfer plate 121, the communication holes 12c provided one each at the top and bottom are arranged on the same left or right side.

[0044] A sealing material 14 made of an elastic material is provided inside the first opening 13c of each support plate 13. The sealing material 14 borders the inner edge of the first opening 13c and has a second opening 14a on the inside. As shown in Fig. 5, the sealing material 14 has left and right edge portions 14b, 14c that border the left and right edges extending vertically around the first opening 13c, and an upper connecting portion 14d and a lower connecting portion 14e that connect the upper and lower ends of the left and right edge portions 14b, 14c, respectively. Positioning holes 14f are provided in the center of the sealing material 14 near the upper and lower ends in the left-right direction, through which a positioning pin 11e is inserted for positioning.

[0045] The upper connecting portion 14d is formed so that its width on one side in the left-right direction gradually increases upward, while the lower connecting portion 14e is formed so that its width on the same side as the upper connecting portion 14d gradually increases downward. For example, the left and right edges 14b, 14c of the second opening 14a are parallel to each other at the center in the up-down direction. The upper connecting portion 14d gradually increases in width on the right side upward, while the lower connecting portion 14e gradually increases in width on the right side downward. Therefore, the left edge 14b of the sealing material 14 extends vertically above and below the right edge 14c, and the right edge 14c curves at approximately obtuse angles at the upper and lower ends. That is, the second opening 14a has a substantially isosceles trapezoidal shape with the right edge 14c as its upper base and the left edge 14b, which is longer than the right edge 14c, as its lower base.

[0046] In the upper connecting portion 14d and the lower connecting portion 14e, approximately triangular regions that are located to the right of the upper and lower ends of the second opening 14a and that widen toward the upper and lower ends are provided with circulation holes 14g through which the heat source fluid and the product fluid circulate. In other words, the circulation holes 14g are provided separate from the second opening 14a.

[0047] When the sealant 14 is provided in the first opening 13c of the support plate 13 and placed on the heat transfer plate 12, it is provided on the upper and lower parts of the heat transfer plate 12, and one of the two left and right communication holes 12c is arranged within the area of ​​the second opening 14a, and the other of the two left and right communication holes 12c is arranged so as to overlap and communicate with the communication hole 14g of the sealant 14. Furthermore, when the support plate 13 provided with the sealant 14 is turned over and placed on the heat transfer plate 12, the communication holes 12c arranged within the area of ​​the second opening 14a and the communication holes 12c overlapping with the communication holes 14g of the sealant 14 are arranged so as to be interchanged on the left and right.

[0048] Specifically, when the sealing material 14 is placed over the heat transfer plate 12 with the flow hole 14g of the sealing material 14 positioned on the right side, the flow hole 12c on the left side of the heat transfer plate 12 is positioned within the area of ​​the second opening 14a, and the flow hole 12c on the right side of the heat transfer plate 12 overlaps with the flow hole 14g of the sealing material 14. When the sealing material 14 is turned over and placed over the heat transfer plate 12 with the flow hole 14g of the sealing material 14 positioned on the left side, the flow hole 12c on the right side of the heat transfer plate 12 is positioned within the area of ​​the second opening 14a, and the flow hole 12c on the left side of the heat transfer plate 12 overlaps with the flow hole 14g of the sealing material 14.

[0049] In the plate heat exchanger 1, support plates 13 and heat transfer plates 12, each provided with a sealant 14, are alternately arranged on a pair of frames 10, 11. That is, starting from the heat-source fluid side frame 10, the first support plate 13, the first heat transfer plate 121, the second support plate 13, the second heat transfer plate 122, and the third support plate 13 are arranged side by side. As a result, a thin-film space is formed between the heat-source fluid side frame 10 and the first heat transfer plate 12 on the inside of the second opening 14a of the sealant 14 of the first support plate 13; between the first heat transfer plate 12 and the second heat transfer plate 12 on the inside of the second opening 14a of the sealant 14 of the second support plate 13; and between the second heat transfer plate 12 and the product fluid side frame 11 on the inside of the second opening 14a of the sealant 14 of the third support plate 13.

[0050] In the following description, when the two heat transfer plates 12 are described separately, the first heat transfer plate 12 is referred to as the front side heat transfer plate 121 and the second heat transfer plate 12 is referred to as the back side heat transfer plate 122. When the three support plates 13 are described separately, the first support plate 13 is referred to as the front side support plate 131, the second support plate 13 is referred to as the central support plate 132, and the third support plate 13 is referred to as the back side support plate 133.

[0051] In the plate heat exchanger 1, which is formed by joining a pair of frames 10, 11 and five plates 12, 13 with lap bolts 1a to form an integrated unit, the front support plate 131 and the back support plate 133 are positioned so that the flow holes 14g of the provided sealing material 14 are located on the left side, and the central support plate 132 is positioned so that the flow holes 14g of the provided sealing material 14 are located on the right side.

[0052] The heat source fluid inlet hole 10b provided in the heat source fluid side frame 10 is connected to the second opening 14a of the sealing material 14 of the front side support plate 131, the upper and right side circulation hole 12c of the front side heat transfer plate 121, the upper circulation hole 14g of the sealing material 14 of the central support plate 132, the upper circulation hole 12c of the rear side heat transfer plate 122, and the second opening 14a of the sealing material 14 of the rear support plate 133.

[0053] The heat source fluid outlet hole 10c is in communication with the second opening 14a of the sealant 14 of the front support plate 131, the lower circulation hole 12c of the front heat transfer plate 121, the lower circulation hole 14g of the sealant 14 of the central support plate 132, the lower and right circulation hole 12c of the rear heat transfer plate 122, and the second opening 14a of the sealant 14 of the rear support plate 133. Therefore, the plate heat exchanger 1 has a part R1a of a heat source fluid flow path R1 formed therein, through which the heat source fluid that has flowed in from the heat source fluid inlet hole 10b passes through the second openings 14a of the sealants 14 of the front support plate 131 and the rear support plate 133 and flows out from the heat source fluid outlet hole 10c.

[0054] Furthermore, the product fluid inlet hole 11b provided in the product fluid side frame 11 is in communication with the lower circulation hole 14g of the sealant 14 of the rear support plate 133, the lower and left circulation hole 12c of the rear heat transfer plate 122, and the second opening 14a of the sealant 14 of the central support plate 132. The product fluid outlet hole 11c is in communication with the upper circulation hole 14g of the sealant 14 of the rear support plate 133, the upper and left circulation hole 12c of the rear heat transfer plate 122, and the second opening 14a of the sealant 14 of the central support plate 132. Therefore, the plate heat exchanger 1 is formed with a part R2a of the heat-exchanged fluid flow path R2, through which the product fluid that flows in through the product fluid inlet hole 11b passes through the second opening 14a of the sealant 14 of the central support plate 132 and flows out from the product fluid outlet hole 11c.

[0055] Therefore, as shown in Figure 6, when the heat source fluid is circulated by the heat source pump 3 and flows through a portion R1a of the heat source fluid flow path R1, and the product fluid is circulated by the heat exchange fluid pump 4 and flows through a portion R2a of the heat exchange fluid flow path R2, as the product fluid passes through the second opening 14a of the sealing material 14 of the central support plate 132, heat is exchanged with the heat source fluid flowing through the second opening 14a of the sealing material 14 of the front side support plate 131 and the second opening 14a of the sealing material 14 of the back side support plate 133, which are located on both sides of the central support plate 132, via the front side heat transfer plate 121 and the back side heat transfer plate 122.

[0056] In the plate-type heat exchanger 1 of this embodiment, the sealant 14 having the second opening 14a forming the heat source fluid flow path R1 communicating with the inlet hole 10b and outlet hole 10c of the heat source fluid and the heat-exchanged fluid flow path R2 communicating with the inlet hole 11b and outlet hole 11c of the product fluid is provided in the first opening 13c of the support plate 13 and is provided between the frames 10, 11 and the heat transfer plate 12 or between adjacent heat transfer plates 12.

[0057] Therefore, the heat source fluid flow path R1 through which the heat source fluid flows and the heat-exchanged fluid flow path R2 through which the heat-exchanged fluid flows are both narrow, membrane-like flow paths formed by the second openings 14a sandwiched between flat surfaces and consisting of a space equal to the thickness of the support plate 13. When the two heat transfer plates 12 and the three support plates 13 are sandwiched and joined together by a pair of frames 10, 11, the sealing material 14 is compressed, thereby making the width of this space, i.e., the thickness of the fluid / liquid film, uniform across the entire surface of the plate. To achieve this, it is preferable to use sealing materials 14 of the same material and shape within a single plate-type heat exchanger 1 so that the thickness of the compressed and deformed sealing material 14 is uniform. When the heat-exchanged fluid flows through the heat-exchanged fluid flow path R2, the distance from the heat transfer plate 12, which has heat conductivity and is located between the heat source fluid flow path R1 and the heat-exchanged fluid flow path R2, is approximately the same at every position along the heat-exchanged fluid flow path R2. This makes it possible to provide a plate-type heat exchanger 1 that can more uniformly exchange heat with the heat-exchanged fluid.

[0058] Furthermore, the space formed by the second opening 14a, which defines the heat source fluid flow path R1 and the heat-exchanged fluid flow path R2, is longer in the vertical direction, where the inlet holes 10b, 11b and outlet holes 10c, 11c for the heat source fluid and the heat-exchanged fluid are separated, than in the horizontal direction. Therefore, the heat source fluid and the heat-exchanged fluid flowing in through the inlet holes 10b, 11b do not significantly expand horizontally and are more likely to flow toward the outlet holes 10c, 11c. This reduces the likelihood of the heat source fluid stagnation in the heat source fluid flow path R1 and the heat-exchanged fluid stagnation in the heat-exchanged fluid flow path R2, resulting in more efficient heat exchange. Furthermore, the width of the second opening 14a gradually narrows on one side in the width direction, allowing the heat source fluid and the heat-exchanged fluid to flow more smoothly without stagnation.

[0059] In addition, the product fluid flowing through the heat-exchanged fluid flow path R2 exchanges heat with the heat source fluid flowing through the heat source fluid flow paths located on both sides, so heat can be exchanged more efficiently from both sides of the heat-exchanged fluid flow path R2.

[0060] In addition, the sealing material 14 having the second opening 14a forming the heat source fluid flow path R1 is provided with a product fluid circulation hole 14g separated from the second opening 14a, and this circulation hole 14g is connected to the product fluid inlet hole 11b and outlet hole 11c, so that the heat source fluid is allowed to circulate within the heat source fluid flow path R1 and can circulate to the product fluid outlet hole 11c while preventing the product fluid that has flowed in from the inlet hole 11b of the heat exchange fluid flow path R2 from flowing into the heat source fluid flow path R1.

[0061] In addition, the sealing material 14 having the second opening 14a forming the heat exchange fluid flow path R2 is provided with a heat source fluid circulation hole 14g separated from the second opening 14a, and this circulation hole 14g is connected to the heat source fluid inlet hole 10b and outlet hole 10c, so that the product fluid is circulated within the heat exchange fluid flow path R2 and can be circulated to the heat source fluid outlet hole 10c while preventing the heat source fluid that has flowed in from the heat source fluid inlet hole 10b from flowing into the heat exchange fluid flow path R2.

[0062] Furthermore, of the two flow holes 12c arranged side by side on the upper and lower sides of the heat transfer plate 12, one is connected to the second opening 14a of the sealing material 14 and the other is connected to the flow hole 14g of the sealing material 14.Therefore, even if the support plate 13 and the heat transfer plate 12 have a shape that is symmetrical about the left and right sides, the left and right flow holes 12c of the heat transfer plate 12 can be divided into a heat source fluid flow path R1 and a heat exchange fluid flow path R2.

[0063] Therefore, the support plate 13 that forms the heat source fluid flow path R1 and the support plate 13 that forms the heat exchange fluid flow path R2 can be made of the same material, thereby reducing costs. Furthermore, the second openings 14a and the seal members 14 that form the heat source fluid flow path R1 communicate with each other because the communication holes 12c located on the same side of the heat transfer plate 12 communicate with the second openings 14a. Therefore, simply by overlapping the heat transfer plate 12 and the support plate 13 provided with the seal members 14, the second openings 14a that form the heat source fluid flow path R1 can be communicated with each other.

[0064] Furthermore, since the sealing material 14 having the second opening 14a forming the heat source fluid flow path R1 and the sealing material 14 having the second opening 14a forming the heat exchange fluid flow path R2 are the same component, costs can be further reduced.

[0065] Furthermore, the sealing material 14 interposed between the frames 10, 11 and the heat transfer plate 12, or between adjacent heat transfer plates 12, is compressed by the frames 10, 11 and the heat transfer plate 12, or between adjacent heat transfer plates 12, so that leakage of the heat source fluid flowing through the heat source fluid flow path R1 and the heat exchange target fluid flowing through the heat exchange target fluid flow path R2 can be more reliably prevented.

[0066] The pair of frames 10, 11 and the five plates 12, 13 can be disassembled by removing the bolts 1a and nuts 1b, so that, for example, when the heat source fluid flow path R1 and the heat exchange fluid flow path R2 become dirty, they can be easily disassembled and cleaned. Furthermore, because they can be disassembled, they can be replaced with support plates 13, heat transfer plates 12, sealants 14, etc., that have different materials, thicknesses, surface treatments, etc.

[0067] Therefore, the plate heat exchanger 1 can be used as a test device to check the degree of contamination of the frames 10, 11, support plates 13, heat transfer plates 12, sealants 14, etc., and after using it for a predetermined period of time, it can be disassembled to check the condition of the frames 10, 11, support plates 13, heat transfer plates 12, sealants 14, etc.

[0068] In the above embodiment, the plate heat exchanger 1 is described as having three support plates 13 with sealing materials 14 and two heat transfer plates 12, but the numbers of sealing materials 14, support plates 13, and heat transfer plates 12 are not limited to this.

[0069] In the above embodiment, the plate heat exchanger 1 is described as heating a product fluid using a heat source fluid that serves as a heat medium. However, the plate heat exchanger 1 is not limited to this, and can also be used as a heat exchanger that cools a liquid such as a product using a refrigerant.

[0070] Furthermore, the above-described embodiments are provided to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention may be modified or improved without departing from the spirit thereof, and the present invention naturally includes equivalents thereof. [Industrial Applicability]

[0071] The present invention can be used in exchanging heat between fluids. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 1 Plate heat exchanger 1a bolt 1b Nut 2 Electric heater 3 Heat source pump 4. Pump for heat exchange fluid 5. Pedestal 10 Frame (heat source fluid side frame) 10a Heat source fluid side frame plane 10b Inlet hole for heat source fluid 10c Outlet hole for heat source fluid 10d bolt through hole 10e pin 11 Frame (product fluid side frame) 11a Product fluid side frame plane 11b Product fluid inlet 11c Product fluid outlet hole 11e pin 12 Plate (heat transfer plate) 12a Bolt through hole 12b Positioning hole 12c flow hole 13 Support Plate 13a Bolt through hole 13b Positioning hole 13c First opening 14 Sealing material 14a Second opening 14b Edge 14c edge 14d Upper connection part 14e Lower connection part 14f Positioning hole R1 Heat source fluid flow path R1a Part of the heat source fluid flow path R2 Heat exchange fluid flow path R2a Part of the heat exchange fluid flow path 121 Front heat transfer plate 122 Rear heat transfer plate 131 Front support plate 132 Center support plate 133 Rear support plate

Claims

1. a pair of frames each having a flat surface facing each other; a plurality of flat plates disposed between the pair of frames and stacked in a facing direction; and The plurality of plates include a plurality of first plates each having a frame shape and a first opening formed on the inside thereof; a second plate provided between the adjacent first plates, covering the first opening, and having heat conductivity; and The first opening of each of the first plates is provided with a sealant that frames the first opening and defines a second opening on the inside, a plurality of the second openings located between each of the frames and the second plates or between the second plates adjacent to each other are provided side by side in the facing direction to form spaces partitioned by the second plates, The plurality of spaces include: a heat source fluid flow path that passes through one of the pair of frames and communicates with an inlet and an outlet of a heat source fluid that serves as a heat source; a heat exchange fluid flow path that penetrates the other frame of the pair of frames and communicates with an inlet hole and an outlet hole for the heat exchange fluid, The plate-type heat exchanger is characterized in that the heat source fluid flow paths and the heat-exchanged fluid flow paths are alternately arranged along the facing direction.

2. 2. The plate heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the sealing material is made of a compressible elastic material.

3. The space is formed to be longer in the vertical direction than in the horizontal direction, 3. The plate-type heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein one of the inlet holes and the outlet holes for the heat source fluid and the heat-exchanged fluid is provided at an upper end of the space, and the other is provided at a lower end of the space.

4. 4. The plate heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the heat-exchanged fluid flow path is disposed between two of the heat-source fluid flow paths.

5. A plate heat exchanger as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first plate has a shape that is linearly symmetrical on the left and right.

6. the sealing material having the second opening forming the heat source fluid flow path is partitioned from the second opening and has a circulation hole for the heat exchange fluid that communicates with the inlet hole and the outlet hole for the heat exchange fluid, The plate-type heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the sealing material having the second opening forming the heat-exchanged fluid flow path has circulation holes for the heat source fluid that are separated from the second opening and communicate with the inlet and outlet holes for the heat source fluid.

7. a portion of the second plate has a shape that is symmetrical on the left and right sides; the second plate has two through holes arranged side by side on each of an upper side and a lower side, one of the two through holes communicating with the second opening of the sealing material, and the other of the two through holes communicating with the circulation hole, 7. The plate-type heat exchanger according to claim 6, wherein the through holes located on the same side of the sealing materials having the second openings forming the heat-source fluid flow path and the sealing materials having the second openings forming the heat-exchanged fluid flow path are in communication with the second openings.

8. The second opening is formed so that the width of the center side in the up-down direction is wide, 8. The plate heat exchanger according to claim 7, wherein the upper and lower end portions have an inclined or curved portion whose width gradually narrows on one side in the width direction.

9. The plate-type heat exchanger according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the sealing material having the second opening forming the heat source fluid flow path and the sealing material having the second opening forming the heat exchange target fluid flow path are the same member.

10. The plate heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the sealing material is compressed by the frame and the second plate or by adjacent second plates.

11. 11. The plate heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the pair of frames and the plurality of plates that are stacked together are joined together by removable fasteners.

Images