A heat exchanger arranged for exchanging heat between a first medium and a second medium and a method of exchanging heat between a first medium and a second medium using the heat exchanger

Abstract

A heat exchanger arranged for exchanging heat between a first medium and a second medium and a method of exchanging heat between a first medium and a second medium using the heat exchanger, wherein the heat exchanger comprises a first flow arrangement comprising first flow sections, a second flow arrangement comprising second flow sections, wherein the first flow sections and the second flow sections are provided alternated with respect to each other and extend in a radial direction away from a central axis, preferably wherein the first flow sections and the second flow sections completely surround the central axis.

Description

[0001] Title: A heat exchanger arranged for exchanging heat between a first medium and a second medium and a method of exchanging heat between a first medium and a second medium using the heat exchanger

[0002] Description:

[0003] According to a first aspect, the present disclosure relates to a heat exchanger arranged for exchanging heat between a first medium and a second medium.

[0004] According to a second aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method of exchanging heat between a first medium and a second medium using the heat exchanger according to the first aspect of the present disclosure.

[0005] The heat exchanger according to the present disclosure is arranged for exchanging heat between a first medium and a second medium, wherein the heat exchanger comprises a first flow arrangement comprising first flow sections, a second flow arrangement comprising second flow sections, wherein the first flow sections and the second flow sections are provided alternated with respect to each other and extend in a radial direction away from a central axis.

[0006] Providing the first flow sections and the second flow sections alternate with respect to each other and extending in a radial direction is beneficial for allowing for a relative efficient heat transfer while allowing to realise a relative compact heat exchanger.

[0007] Preferably, the first flow sections and the second flow sections completely surround the central axis. This is beneficial for realising an attractive form factor. More specifically, by completely surrounding the central axis a relative large heat exchange capacity may be realised while maintaining a relative compact heat exchanger.

[0008] It is beneficial if the first flow sections and the second flow sections are arranged for, during use, transporting, respectively the first medium and the second medium in a direction parallel to the central axis between an inlet opening and an outlet opening of the first flow sections and the second flow sections. This allows for realising an attractive form factor while having a relative large heat transfer surface between the first medium and the second medium.

[0009] In this regard, it is beneficial if the inlet opening and the outlet opening of the first flow sections and the second flow sections are provided at opposite sides of the first flow sections and the second flow sections. This allows for realising an attractive form factor while having a relative large heat transfer surface between the first medium and the second medium.

[0010] Preferably, the inlet opening of the first flow sections and the outlet opening of the second flow sections are both provided at a first position along the central axis of the heat exchanger and the outlet opening of the first flow sections and the inlet opening of the second flow sections are both provided at a second position along the central axis of the heat exchanger.

[0011] In this regard, it is advantageous if the first flow sections and the second flow sections extend between the first position and the second position. This allows for realising an attractive form factor while having a relative large heat transfer surface between the first medium and the second medium.

[0012] It is beneficial if one of the first flow sections and the second flow sections is provided with a dividing wall element extending in a tangential direction relative to the central axis and arranged for dividing the corresponding first flow sections and the second flow sections in at least two flow sub-sections. This is beneficial for allowing to maintain a laminar flow of the first medium and / or second medium over a relative broad range of flow parameters such as flow rate.

[0013] Preferably, the dividing wall element extends along the one of the first flow sections and the second flow sections between an inlet opening and an outlet opening of the one of the first flow sections and the second flow sections. This is beneficial for allowing to maintain a laminar flow of the first medium and / or second medium over a relative broad range of flow parameters such as flow rate. In an embodiment, one of the first flow sections and the second flow sections is provided with a plurality of the dividing wall elements and a distance between neighbouring dividing wall elements of the plurality of dividing wall elements is different. This is beneficial for allowing to maintain a laminar flow of the first medium and / or second medium over a relative broad range of flow parameters such as flow rate.

[0014] In a further embodiment, the distance between neighbouring dividing wall elements is equal to or larger than a thickness of the dividing wall elements in the radial direction. This is beneficial for allowing to maintain a laminar flow of the first medium and / or second medium over a relative broad range of flow parameters such as flow rate.

[0015] In another embodiment, a ratio of a wettable perimeter of a flow sub-section and a flow cross-section of the flow sub-section is in the range of 0.5 to 2 time a ratio of a wettable perimeter of the corresponding flow section and the flow cross-section of the corresponding flow section.

[0016] Preferably, all of the first flow sections and / or the second flow sections are provided with the dividing wall element. This is beneficial for allowing to maintain a laminar flow of the first medium and / or second medium over a relative broad range of flow parameters such as flow rate.

[0017] In yet another embodiment, the heat exchanger comprises a housing arrangement arranged for housing the first flow arrangement and the second flow arrangement.

[0018] In a practical situation, the heat exchanger further comprises a third flow arrangement, wherein the third flow arrangement is provided at an outer perimeter of the first flow sections and the second flow sections. This in particular beneficial when, during use, the cooler medium of the first medium and the second medium is flowing through the third flow arrangement for reducing heat loss to the surrounding of the heat exchanger and thereby realising a relative efficient heat exchanger, or in other words, realising a relative low energy loss to the surrounding of the heat exchanger.

[0019] Furthermore in a practical situation, the housing arrangement comprises the third flow arrangement. This in particular beneficial when, during use, the cooler medium of the first medium and the second medium is flowing through the third flow arrangement for reducing heat loss, via the housing of the heat exchanger, to the surrounding of the heat exchanger and thereby realising a relative efficient heat exchanger, or in other words, realising a relative low energy loss to the surrounding of the heat exchanger via the housing of the heat exchanger.

[0020] It is beneficial if the heat exchanger further comprises: a first coupling arrangement comprising a first inlet arranged for allowing the first medium to enter the heat exchanger and a first outlet arranged for allowing the second medium to exit the heat exchanger; a second coupling arrangement comprising a second inlet arranged for allowing the second medium to enter the heat exchanger and a second outlet arranged for allowing the first medium to exit the heat exchanger; wherein the first flow arrangement is coupled for fluid flow with the first inlet and the second outlet and the second flow arrangement is coupled for fluid flow with the second inlet and the first outlet.

[0021] Preferably, the first coupling arrangement and the second coupling arrangement are releasably connected to the housing arrangement. This is beneficial for allowing to provide maintenance to the heat exchanger in a practical manner.

[0022] In an embodiment, the dividing wall element extends along the one of the first flow sections and the second flow sections between the first coupling arrangement and the second coupling arrangement.

[0023] In a further embodiment, the layout of the first coupling arrangement and the second coupling arrangement is identical. In another embodiment, the third flow arrangement is coupled for fluid flow with the first inlet and the second outlet or with the second inlet and the first outlet.

[0024] In yet another embodiment, a joint flow cross-section of the first flow sections is larger than a flow cross-section of the first inlet and / or wherein a joint flow crosssection of the second flow sections is larger than a flow cross-section of the second inlet, preferably wherein the joint flow cross-section of the first flow sections is in the range of four to eight times larger than the flow cross-section of the first inlet and / or wherein the joint flow cross-section of the second flow sections is in the range of four to eight times larger than a flow cross-section of the second inlet, more preferably wherein the joint flow cross-section of the first flow sections is more than eight times larger than the flow cross-section of the first inlet and / or wherein the joint flow crosssection of the second flow sections is more than eight times larger than a flow crosssection of the second inlet. This is beneficial for reducing the velocity of the first medium and / or the second medium thereby increasing an efficiency of the heat exchanger. This is beneficial for allowing to realize a relative low velocity of the first medium and / or the second medium when present in the first flow sections and / or the second flow sections. A relative low velocity is beneficial for realizing a relative large heat transfer between the first medium and the second medium. In addition a relative low velocity is beneficial for allowing to realize a laminar flow of the first medium and / or the second medium when present in the first flow sections and / or the second flow sections.

[0025] The present disclosure relies at least partly on the insight that a relative low flow velocity of the first medium and / or the second medium causes a relative long presence of the first medium and / or the second medium inside the heat exchanger which is beneficial for exchanging a relative large amount of the heat between the warmer medium and the colder medium.

[0026] In a practical situation a wettable perimeter of a section of the first flow sections and / or the second flow sections is smaller than 2.5 times the flow cross-section of the section of the first flow sections and / or the second flow sections, preferably wherein the section of the first flow sections and / or the second flow sections is in the range of 2.5 to 3.5 times the flow cross-section of the section of the first flow sections and / or the second flow sections.

[0027] Furthermore in a practical situation, the heat exchanger comprises an equal number of first flow sections and second flow sections.

[0028] It is beneficial if the first coupling arrangement, the second coupling arrangement, the first flow arrangement and / or the second flow arrangement are obtained by additive manufacturing.

[0029] Preferably, the heat exchanger comprises a thermoelectric generator arranged for generating electrical energy based on the temperature difference of the first medium and the second medium, preferably wherein the thermoelectric generator is provided between a first flow section of the first flow sections and a second flow section of the second flow sections.

[0030] According to a second aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method of exchanging heat between a first medium and a second medium using the heat exchanger according to any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising the steps of: providing the first medium, via the first inlet, to the heat exchanger; providing the second medium, via the second inlet, to the heat exchanger; removing the first medium, via the second outlet, from the heat exchanger; removing the second medium, via the first outlet, from the heat exchanger.

[0031] Embodiments of the heat exchanger according to the first aspect of the present disclosure as presented previously are also applicable to the method according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, and vice versa. Effects of the heat exchanger according to the first aspect of the present disclosure as presented above correspond to or are similar to effects of the method according to the second aspect of the present disclosure

[0032] In a practical situation, the first medium and the second medium are liquids.

[0033] It is beneficial if the cooler one of the first medium and the second medium is provided to the third flow arrangement.

[0034] Preferably, one of the first medium and the second medium is steam condensate.

[0035] In an embodiment, at least one of the first medium and the second medium is maintained in a laminar flow.

[0036] In a further embodiment, the flow speed of the first medium and / or the second medium in the first flow sections and / or the second flow sections is lower than 0.5 m / s.

[0037] The device is configured in a modular design, comprising multiple interchangeable and / or detachable components, each configured to perform distinct functions, which can be assembled or reconfigured without altering the overall structural integrity or functional capability of the device. This modular configuration allows for easy customization, maintenance, and scalability of the device to meet various operational requirements.

[0038] The present disclosure is hereinafter explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which an embodiment of the present disclosure are shown and in which like reference numbers indicate the same or similar elements. The present disclosure is by no means limited to the embodiment described therein.

[0039] Fig. 1A shows an isometric view of an embodiment of a heat exchanger according to the first aspect according to the present disclosure;

[0040] Fig. 1 B schematically shows a front view of the heat exchanger of Fig. 1 A; Fig. 1C schematically shows a side view of the heat exchanger of Fig. 1A;

[0041] Fig. 1 D schematically shows a cross sectional view of the heat exchanger of Fig. 1A along the section A-A of Fig. 1 B;

[0042] Fig. 2A shows an isometric view of an element of the heat exchanger of Fig. 1A;

[0043] Fig. 2B schematically shows a front view of the element of Fig. 2A;

[0044] Fig. 2C schematically shows a side view of the element of Fig. 2A;

[0045] Fig. 2D schematically shows a cross sectional view of the element of Fig. 2A along the section B-B of Fig. 2B;

[0046] Fig. 3A shows an isometric view of another element of the heat exchanger of Fig. 1A;

[0047] Fig. 3B schematically shows a front view of the element of Fig. 3B;

[0048] Fig. 3C schematically shows a side view of the element of Fig. 3A;

[0049] Fig. 3D schematically shows a cross sectional view of the element of Fig. 3A along the section d-D of Fig. 3B;

[0050] Fig. 4 schematically shows an embodiment of a method of exchanging heat according to the second aspect of the present disclosure.

[0051] Figures 1A - 1 D show an embodiment of a heat exchanger 10 according to the first aspect according to the present disclosure in isometric view, front view, side view and cross-sectional view respectively. The heat exchanger 10 is arranged for exchanging heat between a first medium H and a second medium C and is for example obtained by additive manufacturing.

[0052] The heat exchanger 10 is tubular shaped and is configured in a modular design, comprising multiple detachable components. The heat exchanger comprises a first coupling arrangement 19 comprising a first inlet 23 arranged for allowing the first medium H to enter the heat exchanger 10 and a first outlet 29 arranged for allowing the second medium C to exit the heat exchanger 10. The heat exchanger 10 furthermore comprises a second coupling arrangement 21 comprising a second inlet 27 arranged for allowing the second medium C to enter the heat exchanger 10 and a second outlet 25 arranged for allowing the first medium H to exit the heat exchanger 10. The layout of the first coupling arrangement 19 and the second coupling 21 arrangement is identical and are shown in more detail in figures 3A - 3D in isometric view, front view, side view and cross-sectional view respectively.

[0053] The first coupling arrangement 19 and the second coupling arrangement 21 are releasably connected to a housing arrangement 31 , by means of connection elements 18. The arrangement 31 is arranged for housing a first flow arrangement 11 , a second flow arrangement 13 and a third flow arrangement 12 and is shown in more detail in figures 2A - 2D in isometric view, front view, side view and cross-sectional view respectively. Dependant of the practical situation of the heat exchanger 10, more than one housing arrangements 31 can be coupled sequentially in a linear arrangement.

[0054] The first flow arrangement 11 is coupled for fluid flow with the first inlet 23 and the second outlet 25 for guiding the first medium H. The second flow arrangement 13 is coupled for fluid flow with the second inlet 27 and the first outlet 29 for guiding the second medium C. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the third flow arrangement 12 is also coupled for fluid flow with the second inlet 27 and the first outlet 29 for guiding the second medium C.

[0055] In a practical situation, the first medium H is steam condensate and the second medium C is a liquid to be heated by heat exchange between the steam condensate and the liquid. The first medium H and the second medium C are maintained in a laminar flow, wherein the flow speed of both mediums is lower than 0,5 m / s.

[0056] The housing arrangement 31 comprises the first flow arrangement 11 , the second flow arrangement 13 and the third flow arrangement 12, all extending longitudinally parallel to a central axis 15 of the heat exchanger 10.

[0057] The first flow arrangement 11 is divided into first flow sections 11 A-11 F and is arranged for guiding the first medium H. Each first flow sections 11A-11 F, in this embodiment six in total, is triangular shaped and bounded by partitioning wall 14 and extends in a radial direction away from the central axis 15. The second flow arrangement 13 is divided into second flow sections 13A-13F and is arranged for guiding the second medium C. The second flow sections 13A-13F, in this embodiment six in total, are triangular shaped and extend in a radial direction away from the central axis 15. The first flow sections 11A-11 F and the second flow sections 13A-13F are provided alternated with respect to each other, completely surrounding the central axis 15, and are separated from each other by the partitioning walls 14.

[0058] The third flow arrangement 12 is provided at an outer perimeter of the first flow sections 11A-11 F and the second flow sections 13A-13F, inside the housing arrangement 31 , and is arranged for guiding the second medium C. The third flow arrangement 12 is separated from the first flow arrangement 11 by the partitioning walls 14.

[0059] Furthermore, the first flow sections 11A-11 F and the second flow sections 13A- 13F are divided by a plurality of dividing wall elements 17i-17ninto flow sub-sections 11Xi-11Xnand flow sub-sections 13Xi-13Xnrespectively, wherein X indicates one of the flow sections A to F. The dividing wall elements 17i-17nextend in a tangential direction relative to the central axis 15, along the one of the first flow sections 11A- 11 F and the second flow sections 13A-13F between an inlet opening and an outlet opening of the one of the first flow sections 11A-11 F and the second flow sections 13A-13F of the first coupling arrangement 19 and the second coupling arrangement 21.

[0060] The distance between neighbouring dividing wall elements 17i-17nis equal to or larger than a thickness of the dividing wall elements 17i-17nin the radial direction. The distance between two neighbouring dividing wall elements 17i-17ndecreases in the radial direction away from the central axis 15.

[0061] A ratio of a wettable perimeter of a flow sub-section 11Xn, 13Xn(wherein X indicates one of the flow sections A to F and n indicates one of the flow sub-sections 1 to 7) and a flow cross-section of the flow sub-section 11Xn, 13Xnis in the range of 0.5 to 2 time a ratio of a wettable perimeter of the corresponding flow section 11X, 13X and the flow cross-section of the corresponding flow section 11X, 13X. Furthermore, a wettable perimeter of a section of the first flow sections 11 A-11 F and / or the second flow sections 13A-13Y is smaller than 2.5 times the flow cross-section of the section of the first flow sections 11A-11 F and / or the second flow sections 13A- 13F.

[0062] The heat exchanger 10 furthermore comprises a thermoelectric generator (not shown) arranged for generating electrical energy based on the temperature difference of the first medium H and the second medium C, wherein the thermoelectric generator preferably is provided between a first flow section of the first flow sections 11A-11Z and a second flow section of the second flow sections 13A-13Z.

[0063] Fig. 4 schematically shows an embodiment of a method of exchanging heat according to the second aspect of the present disclosure of exchanging heat between the first medium H and the second medium C using the heat exchanger 10 as described above. The method 100 comprising the steps of: providing 101 the first medium H, via the first inlet 23, to the heat exchanger 10; providing 103 the second medium C, via the second inlet 25, to the heat exchanger 10; removing 105 the first medium H, via the second outlet 25, from the heat exchanger 10; removing 107 the second medium C, via the first outlet 29, from the heat exchanger 10.

[0064] The flows of the first medium H and the second medium C are indicated by the respective arrows in figure 1C and figure 3D.

[0065] For providing 101 the first medium H to the heat exchanger 10, the first medium H is guided from the first inlet 23, via a guiding arrangement 6 and first guiding sections 8 of the first coupling arrangement 19, into the flow sub-sections 11Xi- 11Xnof the first flow arrangement 11. For removing 105 the first medium H from the heat exchanger 10, the first medium H is guided from the flow sub-sections 11Xi- 11Xnof the first flow arrangement 11 , via the first guiding sections 8 and the guiding arrangement 6 of the second coupling arrangement 21 , into the second outlet 25. For providing 103 the second medium C to the heat exchanger 10, the second medium C is guided from the second inlet 27, via second guiding sections 10 of the second coupling arrangement 21 , into the flow sub-sections 13Xi-13Xnof the second flow arrangement 13 and into the third flow arrangement 12. For removing 107 the second medium C from the heat exchanger 10, the second medium C is guided from the flow sub-sections 13Xi-13Xnof the second flow arrangement 13 and from the third flow arrangement 12, via the second guiding sections 10 of the first coupling arrangement 19, into the first outlet 29.

[0066] A joint flow cross-section of the first flow sections 11 A-11 F is larger, preferably more than eight times larger, than a flow cross-section of the first inlet 23 and a joint flow cross-section of the second flow sections 13A-13F is larger, preferably more than eight times larger, than a flow cross-section of the second inlet 25.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A heat exchanger (10) arranged for exchanging heat between a first medium (H) and a second medium (C), wherein the heat exchanger (10) comprises a first flow arrangement (11) comprising first flow sections (11A-11Z), a second flow arrangement (13) comprising second flow sections (13A-13Z), wherein the first flow sections (11A-11Z) and the second flow sections (13A-13Z) are provided alternated with respect to each other and extend in a radial direction away from a central axis (15), preferably wherein the first flow sections (11A-11Z) and the second flow sections (13A-13Z) completely surround the central axis (15).

2. The heat exchanger (10) according to claim 1 , wherein the first flow sections (11A-11Z) and the second flow sections (13A-13Z) are arranged for, during use, transporting, respectively the first medium (H) and the second medium (C) in a direction parallel to the central axis (15) between an inlet opening and an outlet opening of the first flow sections (11A-11Z) and the second flow sections (13A-13Z).

3. The heat exchanger (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inlet opening and the outlet opening of the first flow sections (11A-11Z) and the second flow sections (13A-13Z) are provided at opposite sides of the first flow sections (11A-11Z) and the second flow sections (13A-13Z).

4. The heat exchanger (10) according to any one of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the inlet opening of the first flow sections (11A-11Z) and the outlet opening of the second flow sections (13A-13Z) are both provided at a first position along the central axis (15) of the heat exchanger (10) and the outlet opening of the first flow sections (11A-11Z) and the inlet opening of the second flow sections (13A-13Z) are both provided at a second position along the central axis (15) of the heat exchanger (10).

5. The heat exchanger (10) according to claim 4, wherein the first flow sections (11A-11Z) and the second flow sections (13A-13Z) extend between the first position and the second position.

6. The heat exchanger (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one of the first flow sections (11A-11Z) and the second flow sections (13A-13Z) is provided with a dividing wall element (17) extending in a tangential direction relative to the central axis (15) and arranged for dividing the corresponding first flow sections (11A-11Z) and the second flow sections (13A-13Z) in at least two flow sub-sections (11Xi-11Xn, 13Xi-13Xn).

7. The heat exchanger (10) according to claims 2 and 6, wherein the dividing wall element (17) extends along the one of the first flow sections (11A-11Z) and the second flow sections (13A-13Z) between the inlet opening and the outlet opening of the one of the first flow sections (11A-11Z) and the second flow sections (13A-13Z).

8. The heat exchanger (10) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein one of the first flow sections (11A-11Z) and the second flow sections (13A-13Z) is provided with a plurality of the dividing wall elements (17i-17m) and wherein a distance between neighbouring dividing wall elements (17i-17m) of the plurality of dividing wall elements (17i-17m) is different.

9. The heat exchanger according (10) to claim 8, wherein the distance between neighbouring dividing wall elements (17i-17m) is equal to or larger than a thickness of the dividing wall elements (17i-17m) in the radial direction.

10. The heat exchanger (10) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein a ratio of a wettable perimeter of a flow sub-section (11 Xi- 11Xn, 13Xi-13Xn) and a flow cross-section of the flow sub-section (11Xi-11Xn, 13Xi-13Xn) is in the range of 0.5 to 2 time a ratio of a wettable perimeter of the corresponding flow section (11A-11 Z, 13A-13Z) and the flow cross-section of the corresponding flow section (11A-11Z, 13A-13Z).

11. The heat exchanger (10) according to any one of the claims 6 to 10, wherein all of the first flow sections (11A-11Z) and / or the second flow sections (13A-13Z) are provided with the dividing wall element (17).

12. The heat exchanger (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat exchanger (10) comprises a housing arrangement (31) arranged for housing the first flow arrangement (11) and the second flow arrangement (13).

13. The heat exchanger (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat exchanger (10) further comprises a third flow arrangement (12), wherein the third flow arrangement (12) is provided at an outer perimeter of the first flow sections (11A-11Z) and the second flow sections (13A-13Z).

14. The heat exchanger (10) according to claims 12 and 13, wherein the housing arrangement (31) comprises the third flow arrangement (12).

15. The heat exchanger (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat exchanger (10) further comprises: a first coupling arrangement (19) comprising a first inlet (23) arranged for allowing the first medium (H) to enter the heat exchanger (10) and a first outlet (29) arranged for allowing the second medium (C) to exit the heat exchanger (10); a second coupling arrangement (21) comprising a second inlet (27) arranged for allowing the second medium (C) to enter the heat exchanger (10) and a second outlet (25) arranged for allowing the first medium (H) to exit the heat exchanger (10); wherein the first flow arrangement (11) is coupled for fluid flow with the first inlet (23) and the second outlet (25) and the second flow arrangement (13) is coupled for fluid flow with the second inlet (27) and the first outlet (29).

16. The heat exchanger (10) according to claim 14 and 15, wherein the first coupling arrangement (19) and the second coupling arrangement (21) are releasably connected to housing arrangement (31).

17. The heat exchanger (10) according to claims 7 and 15, wherein the dividing wall element (17) extends along the one of the first flow sections (11A-11Z) and the second flow sections (13A-13Z) between the first coupling arrangement (19) and the second coupling arrangement (21).

18. The heat exchanger (10) according to claim 15, 16 or 17, wherein the layout of the first coupling arrangement (19) and the second coupling (21) arrangement is identical.

19. The heat exchanger (10) according to claim 13 or 14 in combination with claim any one of the claims 15 to 17, wherein the third flow arrangement (12) is coupled for fluid flow with the first inlet (23) and the second outlet (25) or with the second inlet (27) and the first outlet (29).

20. The heat exchanger (10) according to any one of the claims 15 to 19, wherein a joint flow cross-section of the first flow sections (11A-11Z) is larger than a flow crosssection of the first inlet (23) and / or wherein a joint flow cross-section of the second flow sections (13A-13Z) is larger than a flow cross-section of the second inlet (25), preferably wherein the joint flow cross-section of the first flow sections (11 A-11 Z) is in the range of four to eight times larger than the flow cross-section of the first inlet (23) and / or wherein the joint flow cross-section of the second flow sections (13A-13Z) is in the range of four to eight times larger than a flow cross-section of the second inlet (25), more preferably wherein the joint flow cross-section of the first flow sections (11 A-11 Z) is more than eight times larger than the flow cross-section of the first inlet (23) and / or wherein the joint flow cross-section of the second flow sections (13A-13Z) is more than eight times larger than a flow cross-section of the second inlet (25).

21. The heat exchanger (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a wettable perimeter of a section of the first flow sections (11 A-11 Z) and / or the second flow sections (13A-13Z) is smaller than 2.5 times the flow cross-section of the section of the first flow sections (11A-11Z) and / or the second flow sections (13A-13Z), preferably wherein the section of the first flow sections (11A-11Z) and / or the second flow sections (13A-13Z) is in the range of 2.5 to 3.5 times the flow cross-section of the section of the first flow sections (11A-11 Z) and / or the second flow sections (13A-13Z).

22. The heat exchanger (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat exchanger (10) comprises an equal number of first flow sections (11A-11Z) and second flow sections (13A-13Z).

23. The heat exchanger (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first coupling arrangement (19), the second coupling arrangement (21), the first flow arrangement (11) and / or the second flow arrangement (13) are obtained by additive manufacturing.

24. The heat exchanger (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat exchanger (10) comprises a thermoelectric generator arranged for generating electrical energy based on the temperature difference of the first medium (H) and the second medium (C), preferably wherein the thermoelectric generator is provided between a first flow section of the first flow sections (11A-11Z) and a second flow section of the second flow sections (13A-13Z).

25. A method (100) of exchanging heat between a first medium (H) and a second medium (C) using the heat exchanger (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, the method (100) comprising the steps of: providing (101) the first medium (H), via the first inlet (23), to the heat exchanger (10); providing (103) the second medium (C), via the second inlet (25), to the heat exchanger (10); removing (105) the first medium (H), via the second outlet (25), from the heat exchanger (10); removing (107) the second medium (C), via the first outlet (29), from the heat exchanger (10).

26. The method (100) according to claim 25, wherein the first medium (H) and the second medium (C) are liquids.

27. The method (100) according to claim 25 or 26 using a heat exchanger (10) according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the cooler one of the first medium (H) and the second medium (C) is provided to the third flow arrangement (12).

28. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims 25 to 27, wherein one of the first medium (H) and the second medium (C) is steam condensate.

29. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims 25 to 28, wherein at least one of the first medium (H) and the second medium (C) is maintained in a laminar flow.

30. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims 25 to 29, wherein the flow speed of the first medium (H) and / or the second medium (C) in the first flow sections (11A-11Z) and / or the second flow sections (13A - 13Z) is lower than 0.5 m / s.

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