Plate heat exchanger

Abstract

Provided is a plate heat exchanger, comprising: a plurality of heat transfer plates stacked in a first direction; a first fluid channel and a second fluid channel which are formed between adjacent heat transfer plates and fluidly isolated from each other, wherein the first fluid channel has two edge areas opposite each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; two first ports, which are respectively formed in the heat transfer plates on two opposite sides of the heat transfer plates in the second direction, and are in fluid communication with the first fluid channel; and a fluid blocking structure, which forms an isolated area in the first fluid channel, such that the isolated area of the first fluid channel is fluidly isolated from the remaining areas of the first fluid channel. The distance between the fluid blocking structure and the one of the two first ports that is closer to the fluid blocking structure is within the range of 2 mm-50 mm. FIG. 2

Description

Plate heat exchanger TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a plate heat exchanger. BACKGROUND

[0002] A conventional plate heat exchanger includes a plurality of heat transfer plates. Fluid passages for two or more fluids are formed between adjacent heat transfer plates to perform heat exchange between the two or more fluids. SUMMARY

[0003] An object of embodiments of the present disclosure is to provide a plate heat exchanger, whereby the performance of the plate heat exchanger can be improved, for example.

[0004] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a plate heat exchanger, comprising: a plurality of heat transfer plates stacked in a first direction; a first fluid passage and a second fluid passage formed between adjacent heat transfer plates and fluidically isolated from each other, wherein the first fluid passage has two edge regions opposite to each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; two first ports formed in the heat transfer plates on opposite sides of the heat transfer plates in the second direction and in fluid communication with the first fluid passage, respectively; and a fluid barrier structure forming an isolated region in the first fluid passage to fluidically isolate the isolated region of the first fluid passage from a remaining region of the first fluid passage; wherein a distance between the fluid barrier structure and one of the two first ports closer to the fluid barrier structure is in a range of 2-20 mm.

[0005] According to some example embodiments of the present disclosure, an outer periphery of each of the two first ports has a bottom outer periphery portion in the second direction closer to an edge of the heat transfer plate in the second direction, and the fluid barrier structure is disposed in the first fluid passage on a side of the bottom outer periphery portion of the outer periphery of one of the two first ports in the second direction away from the other of the two first ports to form a corresponding one of the two edge regions as the isolated region.

[0006] According to some example embodiments of the present disclosure, the distance between the fluid barrier structure and one of the two first ports closer to the fluid barrier structure is a distance between the fluid barrier structure and a bottom outer periphery portion of an outer periphery of the corresponding one of the two first ports.

[0007] According to some example embodiments of the present disclosure, in a use state of the plate heat exchanger, the second direction is a vertical direction, and the corresponding one of the two edge regions of the first fluid passage is a bottom region of the first fluid passage.

[0008] According to some example embodiments of the present disclosure, the fluid blocking structure includes a strip-shaped fluid blocking piece.

[0009] According to some example embodiments of the present disclosure, the fluid blocking piece includes a baffle disposed between two adjacent heat transfer plates in the first fluid passage; and / or

[0010] The fluid blocking piece includes two strip-shaped protrusions protruding toward each other from two adjacent heat transfer plates defining the first fluid passage, the two strip-shaped protrusions being connected to each other.

[0011] According to some example embodiments of the present disclosure, at least a portion of the fluid blocking piece has a straight shape.

[0012] According to some example embodiments of the present disclosure, the at least a portion of the fluid blocking piece forms an angle of 60-90 degrees with the second direction.

[0013] According to some example embodiments of the present disclosure, the width of the top of the strip-shaped protrusion is 0.5-50 mm.

[0014] According to some example embodiments of the present disclosure, the strip-shaped protrusion has a circular, triangular or trapezoidal cross section.

[0015] According to some example embodiments of the present disclosure, the plate heat exchanger further includes: two second ports formed in the heat transfer plates on opposite sides of the heat transfer plates in the second direction and in fluid communication with the second fluid passage.

[0016] According to some example embodiments of the present disclosure, the distance between the fluid blocking structure and one of the two first ports closer to the fluid blocking structure is less than or equal to the distance between the fluid blocking structure and one of the two second ports closer to the fluid blocking structure.

[0017] According to some example embodiments of the present disclosure, one of the two first ports closer to the fluid blocking structure and one of the two second ports closer to the fluid blocking structure are located on the same side of the fluid blocking structure in the second direction.

[0018] According to some example embodiments of the present disclosure, one of the two first ports closer to the fluid blocking structure and one of the two second ports closer to the fluid blocking structure are located on opposite sides of the fluid blocking structure in the second direction, respectively.

[0019] According to some example embodiments of the present disclosure, the plurality of heat transfer plates includes a plurality of first heat transfer plates and a plurality of second heat transfer plates stacked on each other, each first heat transfer plate and an adjacent second heat transfer plate defining a first fluid passage therebetween in a first direction, each second heat transfer plate and an adjacent first heat transfer plate defining a second fluid passage therebetween in the first direction, such that the first fluid passages and the second fluid passages are alternately arranged in the first direction; each first heat transfer plate further includes a drain hole formed in the respective first heat transfer plate, the drain hole being fluidically isolated from the second fluid passage and fluidically communicating an isolated region of the first fluid passage with an outside of the plate heat exchanger.

[0020] According to some example embodiments of the present disclosure, each second heat transfer plate further includes a drain hole formed in the respective second heat transfer plate, the drain hole being fluidically isolated from the second fluid passage and fluidically communicating an isolated region of the first fluid passage with an outside of the plate heat exchanger; the drain hole is formed at an edge of each heat transfer plate in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the drain hole penetrates through the edge of the respective each heat transfer plate in the first direction.

[0021] According to some example embodiments of the present disclosure, each heat transfer plate further includes a flange bent from an edge of each heat transfer plate in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction towards the first direction, and the drain hole penetrates through the flange of the respective first heat transfer plate in the first direction.

[0022] According to some example embodiments of the present disclosure, the distance between the fluid block structure and the one of the two first ports proximate to the fluid block structure is in a range of 2mm-20mm.

[0023] According to some example embodiments of the present disclosure, the fluid block structure includes a first side of the fluid block structure proximate to the one of the two first ports in the second direction and a second side of the fluid block structure distal to the one of the two first ports in the second direction; the bottom outer peripheral portion includes a first side of the bottom outer peripheral portion distal to the isolated region in the second direction and a second side of the bottom outer peripheral portion proximate to the isolated region in the second direction; the distance between the fluid block structure and the one of the two first ports is a distance between the first side of the fluid block structure and the first side of the bottom outer peripheral portion in the second direction through a center of the one of the two first ports.

[0024] According to the plate heat exchanger provided by the foregoing various example embodiments of the present disclosure, the performance of the plate heat exchanger can be improved, for example, the anti-freezing performance of the plate heat exchanger can be improved.

[0025] Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent and help to understand the present disclosure from the following description of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0026] The above and other aspects and features of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate several embodiments of the present disclosure by way of example.

[0027] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a plate heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of a heat transfer plate in a plate heat exchanger according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 3 is a schematic front view of a heat transfer plate in a plate heat exchanger according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 4 is a schematic front view of a heat transfer plate in a plate heat exchanger according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 5 is a schematic front view of a heat transfer plate in a plate heat exchanger according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a plurality of heat transfer plates in a plate heat exchanger according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of a first heat transfer plate of a plurality of heat transfer plates in a plate heat exchanger according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of a plurality of heat transfer plates in a plate heat exchanger according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of a first heat transfer plate of a plurality of heat transfer plates in a plate heat exchanger according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of a plurality of heat transfer plates in a plate heat exchanger according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of a first heat transfer plate of a plurality of heat transfer plates in a plate heat exchanger according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view of a plurality of heat transfer plates in a plate heat exchanger according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of a first heat transfer plate of a plurality of heat transfer plates in a plate heat exchanger according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] Fig. 14 is a partial cross-sectional view of the plate heat exchanger shown in Figs. 6, 10, 12, taken along a straight line through the discharge hole parallel to the bottom edge of the heat transfer plates. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] Various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described herein below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is noted that the following description of various exemplary embodiments is merely illustrative in nature and in no way limits the scope of the present disclosure and its applications or uses. Those skilled in the art will recognize that these embodiments merely illustrate exemplary ways of implementing the present disclosure and are not exhaustive. Furthermore, unless otherwise specifically noted, the relative arrangement of components, numerical expressions, and numerical values set forth in these embodiments are not meant to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0042] In the specification, the same or similar reference numerals indicate the same or similar components. The following description of the embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings is intended to explain the technical content of the present disclosure, and should not be understood as a limitation of the present disclosure. In addition, in the following detailed description, many specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it is apparent that one or more embodiments can be implemented without these specific details. In other cases, well-known structures and devices are represented in a diagrammatic manner to simplify the drawings.

[0043] Referring to Figs. 1 to 14, a plate heat exchanger 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of heat transfer plates 2 stacked in a first direction D1, first and second fluid passages 11 and 12 formed between adjacent heat transfer plates 2 and fluidically isolated from each other. The plate heat exchanger 100 further includes two first ports 31 and a fluid blocking structure 4, the two first ports 31 are respectively formed in the heat transfer plates 2 on opposite sides of the heat transfer plates 2 in a second direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1, and are in fluid communication with the first fluid passages 11 and fluidically isolated from the second fluid passages 12, and the fluid blocking structure 4 forms an isolated region in the first fluid passages 11, fluidically isolating the isolated region of the first fluid passages 11 from the remaining region of the first fluid passages 11. For example, the fluid blocking structure 4 itself surrounds the isolated region in the first fluid passages 11, or surrounds the isolated region together with the edges of the first fluid passages 11 in the first fluid passages 11. According to the present disclosure, the distance d between the fluid blocking structure 4 and one of the two first ports 31 close to the fluid blocking structure 4 is in the range of 2-50 mm. Preferably, the distance d between the fluid blocking structure and one of the two first ports close to the fluid blocking structure is in the range of 2-20 mm.

[0044] Referring to FIGS. 1-14, in embodiments according to the present disclosure, the first fluid passage 11 has two edge regions or end regions 110 opposite to each other in a second direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1. Two first ports 31 are respectively provided at the two edge regions or end regions 110. Two outer peripheral portions (annular sealing portions) are formed on the heat transfer plate 2 to respectively surround the two first ports 31, so as to fluidly isolate the first ports 31 from the second fluid passage 22. The outer periphery of each of the two first ports 31 has a bottom outer peripheral portion 313 close to the edge of the heat transfer plate 2 in the second direction D2, and the fluid blocking structure 4 is provided in the first fluid passage 11 on a side of the bottom outer peripheral portion 313 of the outer periphery of one of the two first ports 31 away from the other one of the two first ports 31 in the second direction D2, so as to form a corresponding one of the two edge regions 110 into an isolation region.

[0045] According to the present disclosure, by providing the fluid blocking structure 4, the isolation region is fluidly isolated from the first fluid passage 11, so as to block the fluid in the first fluid passage 11 from entering the isolation region. According to the present disclosure, by providing the fluid blocking structure 4 with a distance d to the first port 31 close to the fluid blocking structure 4 and the distance d being within a certain range, on the one hand, when the heat exchange medium (e.g. water) is drained from the first fluid passage 11 in a non-use condition (e.g. in winter or at a low ambient temperature), there is less heat exchange medium remaining in the bottom region of the first fluid passage 11, or there is no heat exchange medium remaining in the bottom region of the first fluid passage 11, thereby avoiding icing at low temperature or avoiding static freezing, while the waste of heat exchange area can be minimized. On the other hand, it can also prevent the heat exchange medium (e.g. refrigerant) in the second fluid passage 12 adjacent to the first fluid passage 11 from gas-liquid separation at the first port 31 close to the fluid blocking structure 4, reducing the influence of the fluid blocking structure 4 on the initial liquid separation in the heat transfer plate. In addition, since the first port 31 close to the fluid blocking structure 4 is away from the welding area, the product strength of the plate heat exchanger 100 can be improved, while deformation caused by the formation of the fluid blocking structure 4 on the first port 31 and the resulting uneven stress distribution around the hole can also be avoided.

[0046] According to the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, the distance d between the fluid barrier structure 4 and the one of the two first ports 31 close to the fluid barrier structure 4 is the distance between the fluid barrier structure 4 and the bottom outer periphery portion 313 of the outer periphery of the corresponding one of the two first ports 31. The fluid barrier structure 4 comprises a first side 4a of the fluid barrier structure close to the one of the two first ports 31 in the second direction D2 and a second side 4b of the fluid barrier structure away from the one of the two first ports 31 in the second direction D2; the bottom outer periphery portion 313 comprises a first side 313a of the bottom outer periphery portion away from the isolation region in the second direction D2 and a second side 313b of the bottom outer periphery portion close to the isolation region in the second direction D2; the distance d between the fluid barrier structure 4 and the one of the two first ports 31 is the distance between the first side 4a of the fluid barrier structure 4 and the first side 313a of the bottom outer periphery portion 313 in the second direction D2 through the center of the one of the two first ports 31.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 14, in an embodiment according to the present disclosure, in the use state of the plate heat exchanger 100, the second direction D2 is a vertical direction, and the corresponding one of the two edge regions 110 of the first fluid passage 11 is the bottom region of the first fluid passage 11. That is, the fluid barrier structure 4 is arranged in or near the bottom region of the first fluid passage 11. Of course, in other embodiments not shown in the present disclosure, the fluid barrier structure 4 can also be arranged in or near each of the two edge regions of the first fluid passage 11, respectively, so that in the use state of the plate heat exchanger 100, no matter which edge region is the bottom region of the first fluid passage 11, there is a fluid barrier structure 4 in or near the bottom region of the first fluid passage 11.

[0048] Referring to FIGS. 1-14, in embodiments of the present disclosure, the fluid barrier 4 comprises a strip-shaped fluid barrier. According to one example of the present disclosure, the fluid barrier comprises a bar disposed in the first fluid passage 11 between two adjacent heat transfer plates 2. According to another example of the present disclosure, the fluid barrier comprises two strip-shaped protrusions respectively protruding from two adjacent heat transfer plates 2 defining the first fluid passage 11 toward each other, the two strip-shaped protrusions being connected to each other. According to yet another example of the present disclosure, the fluid barrier comprises: two strip-shaped protrusions respectively protruding from two adjacent heat transfer plates 2 defining the first fluid passage 11 toward each other; and a bar disposed in the first fluid passage 11 between the two strip-shaped protrusions 42 of the two adjacent heat transfer plates 2. The width of the top of the strip-shaped protrusion can be 0.5 mm to 50 mm, 0.5 mm to 10 mm, or 1 mm to 3 mm, or other suitable dimensions. The width of the bar can be greater than, less than, or equal to the width of the top of the strip-shaped protrusion. The top of the strip-shaped protrusion can have a varying width along the length of the strip-shaped protrusion, such as being wider and / or narrower over a portion of the length of the strip-shaped protrusion, as long as the function of blocking the fluid in the first fluid passage 11 is achieved. The material of the bar can be the same as or different from the material of the heat transfer plates 2. The strip-shaped protrusion can have a circular, triangular, trapezoidal, or any other suitable shape in cross-section, as long as the function of blocking the fluid in the first fluid passage 11 is achieved.

[0049] Referring to FIGS. 1-14, in embodiments of the present disclosure, the fluid barrier 4 can have any suitable shape. According to one example of the present disclosure, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, at least a portion of the fluid barrier 4 has a straight shape, and the straight portion of the fluid barrier 4 is substantially perpendicular to the second direction D2. According to another example of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 3, the fluid barrier 4 can have a straight shape, and the straight fluid barrier 4 can have an angle of 60-90 degrees with the second direction D2. According to another example of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 5, at least one portion of the fluid barrier 4 has a positive angle of 60-90 degrees with the second direction D2, and at least another portion of the fluid barrier 4 has a negative angle of 60-90 degrees with the second direction D2. In addition, the fluid barrier 4 can have a wavy shape, a broken line shape, or other suitable shape in addition to having a straight shape in length.

[0050] Referring to FIGS. 1-14, in embodiments according to the present disclosure, the plate heat exchanger 100 further comprises: two second ports 32. The two second ports 32 are formed in the heat transfer plates 2 on opposite sides of the heat transfer plates 2 in the second direction D2, and are in fluid communication with the second fluid passages 12 and fluid isolation from the first fluid passages 11. Thus, the two second ports 32 are in fluid communication with only the second fluid passages 12.

[0051] Further, for example, referring to FIG. 4 or FIG. 5, in some embodiments according to the present disclosure, the plate heat exchanger 100 can further comprise: a third fluid passage formed between adjacent heat transfer plates 2 and fluidically isolated from the first fluid passage 11 and the second fluid passage 12; and two third ports 33 formed in the heat transfer plates 2 on opposite sides of the heat transfer plates 2 in the second direction D2 and in fluid communication with the third fluid passage and fluidically isolated from the first fluid passage 11 and the second fluid passage 12. Thus, the two third ports 33 are in fluid communication with only the third fluid passage.

[0052] Further, according to one example of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 2, the distance (e.g., distance d) between the fluid barrier structure 4 and one of the two first ports 31 closer to the fluid barrier structure 4 can be substantially equal to the distance between the fluid barrier structure 4 and one of the two second ports 32 closer to the fluid barrier structure 4. According to another example of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the distance between the fluid barrier structure 4 and one of the two first ports 31 closer to the fluid barrier structure 4 can be greater than the distance between the fluid barrier structure 4 and one of the two second ports 32 (and / or the two third ports 33) closer to the fluid barrier structure 4. According to yet another example of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, one of the two first ports 31 closer to the fluid barrier structure 4 is on the same side of the fluid barrier structure 4 in the second direction D2 as one of the two second ports 32 (and / or the two third ports 33) closer to the fluid barrier structure 4. According to yet another example of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 3, one of the two first ports 31 closer to the fluid barrier structure 4 is on opposite sides of the fluid barrier structure 4 in the second direction D2 as one of the two second ports 32 closer to the fluid barrier structure 4, respectively. Regardless, the isolation region of the fluid passage (first fluid passage 11 in embodiments of the present disclosure) that needs to be fluidically blocked by the fluid barrier structure 4 is provided in the edge region 110 of the fluid passage.

[0053] According to examples of the present disclosure, the first fluid passage 11 is for a first heat exchange medium, the second fluid passage 12 is for a second heat exchange medium, and the third fluid passage is for a third heat exchange medium. The first heat exchange medium can be a liquid such as water, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, etc., and the second heat exchange medium and the third heat exchange medium can be a refrigerant. According to examples of the present disclosure, the first heat exchange medium can also be a refrigerant.

[0054] The plate heat exchanger 100 can be a brazed plate heat exchanger, a soldered plate heat exchanger, a gasketed plate heat exchanger or any other type of plate heat exchanger. The plate heat exchanger 100 can also comprise a cover plate and a bottom plate between which the heat transfer plates 2 are arranged. The plate heat exchanger 100 can be a heat exchanger as shown in Figs. 1-14 or any other type of plate heat exchanger. The plate heat exchanger 100 can also be a double wall heat exchanger.

[0055] Furthermore, in embodiments where the fluid barrier comprises a strip protrusion, the strip protrusion can be obtained by embossing the main body of the heat transfer plates 2, where one side of each heat transfer plate 2 forming the first fluid passage 11 is formed with a strip protrusion, and correspondingly, one side of each heat transfer plate 2 forming the second fluid passage 12 (or third fluid passage) adjacent to the first fluid passage 11 is correspondingly formed with a strip recess, and the strip recesses of two adjacent heat transfer plates 2 form a guiding passage in the second fluid passage 12 (or third fluid passage). Thereby, the heat transfer medium (e.g. refrigerant) in the second fluid passage 12 (or third fluid passage) can flow in the guiding passage, further optimizing the distribution of the heat transfer medium (e.g. refrigerant) in the second fluid passage 12 (or third fluid passage), thereby improving the flow characteristics of the heat transfer medium (e.g. refrigerant) and the heat transfer characteristics.

[0056] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the fluid barrier structure is arranged in the heat transfer plates without additional cost or process, and is easy to implement on products. Furthermore, the strip protrusion of the fluid barrier structure is arranged in the first fluid passage 11 and causes a guiding passage to be formed in the second fluid passage 12 (or third fluid passage), thereby improving the heat transfer efficiency and compensating for the reduction in heat transfer area. Moreover, the fluid barrier structure has no impact on the user.

[0057] Although the fluid barrier structure 4 is described in the above embodiments as being arranged in the first fluid passage 11, the fluid barrier structure 4 can also be arranged in at least one of the second fluid passage 12 and the third fluid passage, or in each of the first fluid passage 11, the second fluid passage 12 and the third fluid passage. Furthermore, the area and size of the fluid barrier structure 4 in each fluid passage can be the same or different, for example, the fluid barrier is narrower in some fluid passages and wider in other fluid passages.

[0058] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the fluid barrier structure 4 can also include a filler material. The filler material includes a solid material, or utilizes a liquid material and then solidifies the liquid material. For example, after brazing of the plate heat exchanger 100 is completed, an adhesive is filled in the edge region (bottom region) 110 of at least one of the first fluid passage 11, the second fluid passage 12 and the third fluid passage to act as a barrier. The adhesive can be an epoxy resin. The filler material can also be a low-melting-point metal or alloy, oil, wax, plastic or any kind of liquid.

[0059] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, since the fluid barrier structure 4 is provided at the bottom region of the first fluid passage 11, when the heat exchange medium (e.g. water) is drained from the first fluid passage 11 without use (e.g. in winter or at a low ambient temperature), there is less or no heat exchange medium remaining at the bottom region of the first fluid passage 11, thereby avoiding freezing at low temperature or avoiding static freezing. At the same time, since the fluid barrier structure 4 is provided at the bottom region of the first fluid passage 11, there is no or little heat exchange at the bottom of the second fluid passage 12 (or the third fluid passage) adjacent to the first fluid passage 11, so that there is no large amount of gas vaporized after heat exchange, and thus the distribution of the second fluid (or the third fluid) in the fluid passage 12 (or the third fluid passage) can be facilitated. Furthermore, since the guide passage 6 is formed in the second fluid passage 12 (or the third fluid passage), the heat exchange medium (e.g. refrigerant) in the second fluid passage 12 (or the third fluid passage) is distributed better, especially for a plate heat exchanger with a large width (dimension in the third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction). Moreover, since the fluid barrier structure 4 is provided in the first fluid passage 11, there will be no or little heat transfer at the edge region 110 (bottom region and / or top region), and thus dynamic freezing during heat transfer can be avoided. In addition, for some applications, the provision of the fluid barrier structure 4 in the edge region 110 (bottom region and / or top region) of the first fluid passage 11 has no negative impact on the heat transfer efficiency, but can reduce the charge amount of the heat exchange medium (e.g. refrigerant). Furthermore, the formation of the isolation region in the fluid passage by the fluid barrier structure can reduce the charge amount of the heat exchange medium (e.g. refrigerant).

[0060] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 14, in the embodiments according to the present disclosure, the plurality of heat transfer plates 2 include a plurality of first heat transfer plates 21 and a plurality of second heat transfer plates 22 stacked with each other crossing. Along the first direction D1, a first fluid passage 11 is defined between each first heat transfer plate 21 and an adjacent second heat transfer plate 22, and a second fluid passage 12 is defined between each second heat transfer plate 22 and an adjacent first heat transfer plate 21, such that the first fluid passages 11 and the second fluid passages 12 are alternately arranged in the first direction D1.

[0061] Referring to FIGS. 6 to 13, in embodiments according to the present disclosure, each first heat transfer plate 21 further comprises a drain hole 5. The drain hole 5 is formed in the respective first heat transfer plate 21, the drain hole 5 is fluidly isolated from the second fluid passage 12 (or the third fluid passage), and the drain hole 5 fluidly communicates the isolated region of the first fluid passage 11 with the outside of the plate heat exchanger 100. In some alternative embodiments, for example, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, each second heat transfer plate also comprises a drain hole 5. The drain hole 5 is formed in the respective second heat transfer plate 22, the drain hole 5 is fluidly isolated from the second fluid passage 12, and the drain hole 5 fluidly communicates the isolated region of the first fluid passage 11 with the outside of the plate heat exchanger 200.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 14, R represents the second heat exchange medium, and the drain hole 5 is fluidly isolated from the second fluid passage 12 (or the third fluid passage) by a ring-shaped sealing portion connected around the drain hole 5 on the adjacent heat transfer plate.

[0063] Referring to Figs. 6 to 13, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, each first heat transfer plate 21 further comprises an edge 101 in a second direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1 (the edge 101 is located at an edge region which is a bottom region of the first fluid passage 11 in the use state of the plate heat exchanger 100), and a flange 102 bent from the edge 101 of each first heat transfer plate 21 in the second direction D2 towards the first direction D1. According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, a drain hole 5 is formed at the edge 101 of each first heat transfer plate 21 in the second direction D2, and the drain hole 5 penetrates the edge 101 of the corresponding first heat transfer plate 21 in the first direction D1, while a drain hole 5 is also formed at the edge 101 of each second heat transfer plate 22 in the second direction D2, and the drain hole 5 penetrates the edge 101 of the corresponding second heat transfer plate 22 in the first direction D1 and is arranged to communicate with the drain hole 5 arranged in each first heat transfer plate 21. According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, a drain hole 5 is formed at the flange 102 bent from the edge 101 of each first heat transfer plate 21 in the second direction D2 towards the first direction D1, and the drain hole 5 penetrates the flange 102 of the corresponding first heat transfer plate 21 in the first direction D1. According to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in Figs. 10 and 11, a drain hole 5 is partly formed at the edge 101 of each first heat transfer plate 21 in the second direction D2, and partly formed at the flange 102 bent from the edge 101 of each first heat transfer plate 21 in the second direction D2 towards the first direction D1, and the drain hole 5 penetrates both the edge 101 and the flange 102 of the corresponding first heat transfer plate 21 in the first direction D1. According to still another embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in Figs. 12 and 13, a drain hole 5 is partly formed at the edge 101 of each first heat transfer plate 21 in the second direction D2, and partly formed at the flange 102 bent from the edge 101 of each first heat transfer plate 21 in the second direction D2 towards the first direction D1, and the drain hole 5 penetrates the edge 101 of the corresponding first heat transfer plate 21 in the first direction D1, but does not penetrate the flange 102 of the corresponding first heat transfer plate 21. It should be noted that although only one drain hole 5 is present in the illustrated embodiments, the number of drain holes 5 can be one or more.

[0064] According to the present disclosure, the drain hole 5 can be used for leak inspection in production lines or applications. In the production process, if the fluid blocking structure loses its function, the heat transfer medium in the first fluid passage can flow into the isolated area defined by the fluid blocking structure, causing freezing problems in use, so the failure can be checked through the drain hole. In addition, the drain hole can be connected to the application piping system or covered with thermal insulation material when in use.

[0065] The dimensions and values described herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and functionally equivalent ranges surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "10 mm" is intended to mean "about 10 mm."

[0066] While some embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that changes can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present disclosure, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A plate heat exchanger (100) comprising: a plurality of heat transfer plates (2) stacked along a first direction (Dl); a first fluid passage (11) and a second fluid passage (12) formed between adjacent heat transfer plates and fluidly isolated from each other, wherein the first fluid passage has two edge regions opposite to each other in a second direction (D2) perpendicular to the first direction; two first ports (31) formed in the heat transfer plates on opposite sides of the heat transfer plates in the second direction and in fluid communication with the first fluid passage; and a fluid barrier structure (4) forming an isolated region in the first fluid passage, fluidly isolating the isolated region of the first fluid passage from a remaining region of the first fluid passage; wherein a distance (d) between the fluid barrier structure and one of the two first ports closer to the fluid barrier structure is in a range of 2 mm - 50 mm.

2. The plate heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein: an outer periphery of each of the two first ports has a bottom outer periphery portion (313) in the second direction closer to an edge of the heat transfer plate in the second direction, the fluid barrier structure is disposed in the first fluid passage on a side of the bottom outer periphery portion of the outer periphery of one of the two first ports further away from the other of the two first ports in the second direction to form a corresponding one of the two edge regions as the isolated region.

3. The plate heat exchanger according to claim 2, wherein: the distance between the fluid barrier structure and one of the two first ports closer to the fluid barrier structure is a distance between the fluid barrier structure and the bottom outer periphery portion of the outer periphery of the corresponding one of the two first ports.

4. The plate heat exchanger according to claim 2, wherein: in a use state of the plate heat exchanger, the second direction is a vertical direction, and the corresponding one of the two edge regions of the first fluid passage is a bottom region of the first fluid passage.

5. The plate heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein: the fluid barrier structure comprises a strip-shaped fluid barrier.

6. The plate heat exchanger according to claim 5, wherein: the fluid barrier comprises a bar disposed in the first fluid passage between two adjacent heat transfer plates; and / or the fluid barrier comprises two strip-shaped protrusions protruding from two adjacent heat transfer plates defining the first fluid passage towards each other, the two strip-shaped protrusions being connected to each other.

7. The plate heat exchanger according to claim 5, wherein: at least a portion of the fluid barrier has a straight-line shape.

8. The plate heat exchanger according to claim 5, wherein: the at least a portion of the fluid barrier forms an angle of 60 - 90 degrees with the second direction.

9. The plate heat exchanger according to claim 5, wherein: a width of a top of the strip-shaped protrusion is 0.5 mm - 50 mm.

10. The plate heat exchanger according to claim 5, wherein: the strip-shaped protrusion has a circular, triangular or trapezoidal cross section.

11. The plate heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 - 10, further comprising: two second ports (32, 33) formed in the heat transfer plate on opposite sides of the heat transfer plate in the second direction and in fluid communication with the second fluid passage.

12. The plate heat exchanger according to claim 11, wherein: the distance between the fluid barrier structure and one of the two first ports closer to the fluid barrier structure is less than or equal to the distance between the fluid barrier structure and one of the two second ports closer to the fluid barrier structure.

13. The plate heat exchanger according to claim 11, wherein: one of the two first ports closer to the fluid barrier structure and one of the two second ports closer to the fluid barrier structure are located on the same side of the fluid barrier structure in the second direction.

14. The plate heat exchanger according to claim 11, wherein: one of the two first ports closer to the fluid barrier structure and one of the two second ports closer to the fluid barrier structure are located on opposite sides of the fluid barrier structure in the second direction, respectively.

15. The plate heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein: the plurality of heat transfer plates comprises a plurality of first heat transfer plates (21) and a plurality of second heat transfer plates (22) stacked crosswise to each other, in the first direction, a first fluid passage is defined between each first heat transfer plate and an adjacent second heat transfer plate, and a second fluid passage is defined between each second heat transfer plate and an adjacent first heat transfer plate, such that the first fluid passages and the second fluid passages are arranged alternately in the first direction; each first heat transfer plate further comprises a drain hole (5) formed in the respective first heat transfer plate, the drain hole being fluidically isolated from the second fluid passage and fluidically communicating an isolated region of the first fluid passage with an outside of the plate heat exchanger.

16. The plate heat exchanger according to claim 15, wherein: each second heat transfer plate further comprises a drain hole (5) formed in the respective second heat transfer plate, the drain hole being fluidically isolated from the second fluid passage and fluidically communicating an isolated region of the first fluid passage with an outside of the plate heat exchanger; the drain hole is formed at an edge (101) of each heat transfer plate in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the drain hole penetrates the edge of the respective each heat transfer plate in the first direction.

17. The plate heat exchanger according to claim 15, wherein: each heat transfer plate further comprises a flange (102) bent from an edge of each heat transfer plate in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction towards the first direction, and the drain hole penetrates the flange of the respective first heat transfer plate in the first direction.

18. The plate heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein: the distance (d) between the fluid barrier structure and one of the two first ports closer to the fluid barrier structure is in the range of 2-20 mm.

19. The plate heat exchanger according to claim 2, wherein: The fluid barrier structure (4) comprises a first side (4a) of the fluid barrier structure proximate to said one of the two first ports in the second direction and a second side (4b) of the fluid barrier structure distal to said one of the two first ports in the second direction; The bottom outer perimeter portion (313) comprises a first side (313a) of the bottom outer perimeter portion distal to the isolation region in the second direction and a second side (313a) of the bottom outer perimeter portion proximate to the isolation region in the second direction; The distance (d) between the fluid barrier structure (4) and said one of the two first ports is a distance of the first side of the fluid barrier structure and the first side of the bottom outer perimeter portion in the second direction through a center of said one of the two first ports.

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