Modular element assembly for mechanically sealing cross-flow gas effluent plate heat exchangers

Abstract

 There is disclosed a modular element assembly for mechanically sealing cross-flow gas-effluent plate exchanger comprising two metal blocks (1,2), which can be firmly coupled to one another in an adjoining relationship so as to clamp, by an angular portion and a suitable tie-rod (10), corresponding portions of the exchanger plates (4).
The assembly comprises moreover back-frames (17) provided for supporting the body of the exchanger, therewith angle sliding section memberscooperate.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a modular element assembly for mechanically sealing cross-flow gas-effluent plate exchangers.

[0002] As is known, plate-exchangers of the above mentioned type comprise a plurality of metal plates, usually of square shape and equispaced from one another, which define thermal exchange surfaces.

[0003] Also known is the fact that the closure on two opposite sides of two adjoining plates will define the passage cross-section of one of the flows, whereas the closure on the two sides arranged at 90° with respect to the preceding sides, of adjoining plates, will define the passage cross-section of the second flow (in a crossed direction).

[0004] The coupling of the plates along the four sides, as above indicated, is made by several systems which provide for the use of mechanical seals adapted to provide a tight coupling in cooperation with the application of suitable sealing materials such as sealing resins, silicones and the like.

[0005] On the four sides of the plates there are moreover applied, in order to confine and separate the two crossed flows, suitable section members which, also in this case, are sealed by suitable sealing materials (such as sealing resins, silicones, and the like) which also operate as glueing materials.

[0006] In this connection it should be pointed out that the use of the above mentioned sealing materials limits the use of these heat exchangers to temperatures less than 300°C.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Accordingly, the aim of the present invention is to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks, by providing a modular element assembly for mechanically sealing cross-flow gas-effluent plate exchangers which affords the possibility of making exchangers which can operate at temperatures up to 1,100°C.

[0008] Within the scope of the above mentioned aim, a main object of the present invention is to provide such a modular element sealing assembly the individual elements of which are specifically designed and arranged to make heat exchangers the plate body of which can be withdrawn from its bearing structure.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide such a modular sealing element assembly the individual elements of which are adapted to facilitate the assembling operations of the heat exchangers.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned aim and objects, as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a modular element assembly for mechanically sealing cross-flow gas-effluent plate exchangers, characterized in that said assembly essentially comprises two blocks which can be firmly coupled to one another, in adjoining positions thereof, so as to clamp, by an angular portion and a tie-rod element, corresponding portions of the plates of the exchanger, said assembly further comprising back-frames adapted to support the body of said exchanger, therewith angle sliding section members cooperate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Further characteristics and advantages of the modular assembly according to the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, which is illustrated, by way of an indicative but not limitative example, in the accompanying drawings, where:

Figure 1 shows a heat exchanger the operating elements of which are sealed by mutually coupled blocks;

Figure 2 shows a possible procedure for restraining said blocks on the heat exchanger plates;

Figure 3 shows two types of sealing blocks according to the invention;

Figure 4 is a broken-away view of the heat exchanger;

Figures 5 and 6 show a possible procedure for coupling gas-effluent tubes on four sides of the heat exchanger;
and

Figures 7 and 8 show a heat exchanger the supporting back-frames of which can be disengaged.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0012] With reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings, the modular element assembly for mechanically sealing cross-flow gas-effluent plate exchangers according to the present invention comprises two metal blocks 1 and 2 which are alternately coupled to one another so as to define a sealing element 3 at the four corners of the plates 4 clamped between two sidewalls 5 and forming, in cooperation, a cross-flow heat exchanger, overally indicated at the reference number 6.

[0013] More specifically, the above mentioned plates are provided with a right angle interruption 7 at their four corners, whereas said blocks are in turn provided with a profile adapted to restrain the dashed portion 8 of said plates, as is shown in figure 5.

[0014] Said blocks, moreover, are provided with a respective throughgoing hole 9 so as to provide a continuous type of seat thereinto a clamping tie-rod 10 can be inserted, said clamping tie-rod being provided with threaded end portions.

[0015] On these threaded end portions there are engaged, through the interposition of a plurality of cup springs 11, corresponding nuts 12.

[0016] The provision of said cup springs affords the possibility of compenasting a possible different elongation which can occur between the tie-rod 10 and the blocks 1 and 2 because of different temperature changes to which they can be subjected.

[0017] In this connection it should be moreover pointed that between the above mentioned plates and blocks there is applied a layer of suitable paste ceramics material which, as is solidified, will resist against temperatures up to 1,100°C.

[0018] This paste ceramics material layer, in actual practice, will provide a perfect tightness between the plates and blocks.

[0019] The blocks 1 and 2 are moreover provided with a dovetail 13 which defines, at the four longitudinal corners of the heat exchanger, corresponding slots.

[0020] These slots, in particular, will allow gaseous effluent pipes to be directly coupled on the four sides of the heat exchanger by means of hammer-head bolts 14 and related suitably shaped clamping elements 15.

[0021] In this connection it should be further apparent that the provision of the mentioned slots will facilitate the application of said bolts at any desired positions without the need of performing any further operations on the frames of the pipes 16.

[0022] Moreover it will be possible to compensate any possible slipping movements between the heat exchanger structure and the pipe frame due to temperature changes.

[0023] Figures 7 and 8 show, in particular, a heat exchanger 6 mounted on a structure formed by two back-frames 17 and four angle section members 18 or sliding section members.

[0024] In this embodiment the heat exchanger can be firmly supported by its bearing structure, formed by the mentioned back-frames, and, moreover, the heat exchanger can be firmly anchored to the pipes 19 and can also be easily withdrawn therefrom.

[0025] This will be possible owing to the inter-position of a suitable glass fabric strip 20 between the angle section members and the angle structure (formed by the mentioned blocks) of the heat exchanger.

[0026] As shown, on the perimeter of the head portions there is moreover applied a ceramics fabric bar 21.

[0027] Moreover, by the provision of particular sliding section members and holding back-frames, it will be possible to change the mutual position of several adjoining heat exchangers, depending on the application requirements, the heat exchanger being also adapted to be easily disengaged.

[0028] From the above disclosure and the observation of the several figures of the accompanying drawings it should be apparent that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects.

[0029] While the invention has been disclosed and illustrated with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it should be apparent that the disclosed embodiment is susceptible to several modifications and variations, all of which will come within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A modular element assembly for mechanically sealing cross-flow gas-effluent plate exchangers, characterized in that said assembly essentially comprises two blocks which can be firmly coupled to one another, in adjoining positions thereof, so as to clamp, by an angular portion and a tie-rod element, corresponding portions of the plates of the exchanger, said assembly further comprising back-frames adapted to support the body of said exchanger, therewith angle sliding section members cooperate.

2. An assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that said two blocks can be alternately coupled so as to provide a sealing element, at the four corners of the heat exchanger plates, clamped between two sidewalls and jointly defining said heat exchanger, said plates being provided with a respective right angle interruption at said four corners thereof and said blocks having a profile adapted to restrain a perimetrical portion of said plates.

3. An assembly according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said blocks are provided with a throughgoing hole adapted to provide a continuous seat for receiving a clamping tie-rod having threaded end portions, on said threaded end portions of said tie-rod being engaged, through the interposition of a plurality of cup springs, corresponding clamping nuts.

4. An assembly according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said blocks further comprise a dovetail groove which defines, at the four longitudinal corners of said heat exchanger, corresponding slots for directly coupling on the four sides of said heat exchanger gaseous effluent pipes, said pipes being restrained by hammer-head bolts and related shaped clamping elements.

5. An assembly according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said assembly further comprises two back-frames and four angle section members, or sliding section members, so designed and arranged as to provide a supporting structure rigid with said gaseous effluent pipes, between said angle section members and said angle structure (formed by said blocks) of the exchanger there being arranged a glass fabric strip.

6. A modular element assembly for mechanically sealing cross-flow gas-effluent plate heat exchangers, characterized in that between said blocks and said heat exchanger plates there is applied a paste ceramics material layer adapted, upon solidifying, to resist against temperatures up to 1,100°C and in that on the perimeter of the heat exchanger head portions there is applied a ceramics fabric bar.

Drawing