ES2968490T3 - Heat exchanger between at least a first fluid and a second fluid and corresponding heat exchange method - Google Patents

Abstract

Heat exchanger (1) for exchanging heat between at least a first fluid and a second fluid, comprising: a set (21) of fluid flow conduits each extending in a longitudinal direction; and distribution means (3, 4) for distributing the first fluid exclusively in first flow conduits of the assembly and for distributing the second fluid exclusively in second flow conduits of the assembly, at least one first conduit being arranged between two second conduits along along a first axis, said first duct also being arranged between two other second ducts along a second axis, at least three of the set of said two second ducts and said other second ducts being some of the ducts closest to said first conduit. (Automatic translation with Google Translate, without legal value)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Heat exchanger between at least a first fluid and a second fluid and corresponding heat exchange method

[0001]The present invention relates to the field of heat exchangers. A heat exchanger is a device that allows thermal energy to be transferred from one fluid to another.

[0002]The present invention relates more specifically to a heat exchanger between at least a first fluid and a second fluid, which includes:

at least one set of fluid circulation channels each extending in a longitudinal direction; and

distribution and collection means, adapted to distribute the first fluid and the second fluid in the channels of at least said set, the distribution and collection means being adapted to distribute the first fluid exclusively in first circulation channels of the set and to distribute the second fluid exclusively in second circulation channels of the assembly.

[0003] Said heat exchanger is described, for example, in document FR 3023494, in which a single fluid circulates per layer.

[0004]The manufacturing principle is a stack of layers of slotted plates in order to create channels. The assembly and sealing between plates is carried out by diffusion welding.

[0005]WO 94/10520 A1 describes a heat exchanger according to the preamble according to claim 1 which includes channels of a first type and channels of a second type.

[0006] EP 3258204 A1 describes collectors for fluid transport and heat exchangers.

[0007] EP 3225948 A1 describes a heat exchanger that includes a central part that includes a first and a second set of channels.

[0008] It is convenient to improve the heat exchange between two fluids in heat exchangers, while respecting as much as possible the restrictions related to the volume occupied and the mass of the exchanger, the complexity of manufacturing and the fouling of the channels. It is also important to guarantee the maintenance of internal pressure and limit pressure losses. Heat exchange is improved with respect to the prior art by increasing the surface area of the faces of the channels of the first fluid that are in contact with the faces of the channels of the second fluid.

[0009]To this end, according to a first aspect, the invention proposes a heat exchanger according to claim 1.

[0010]The invention thus makes it possible to increase the thermal performance in a heat exchanger while providing a reduced occupied volume and mass.

[0011]In embodiments, the heat exchanger following the invention according to any of claims 2 to 4.

[0012]According to a second aspect, the present invention proposes a heat exchange process according to claim 5.

[0013]In embodiments, the heat exchange method according to the invention is according to any of claims 6 to 8.

[0014]These characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear upon reading the description offered below, given solely by way of example, and made with reference to the attached drawings, in which: - Figure 1 represents a view in perspective of a heat exchanger in an embodiment of the invention; - Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the exchanger of Figure 1 in an embodiment of the invention; - Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the end block 3 in an embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the end block 3 in an embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the end block 4 in an embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the end block 4 in an embodiment of the invention.

[0015]Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a heat exchanger 1 between two fluids called "fluid fa" and "fluid fb", in an embodiment of the invention. The fluids fa and fb are liquid or gaseous.

They are not mixed in the exchanger.

[0016]In the considered embodiment, the exchanger 1 comprises an intermediate block of channels 2, and two end blocks 3 and 4, located on either side of the intermediate block of channels 2.

[0017] Blocks 3 and 4 are adapted to carry out the distribution and collection of fluids fa and fb.

[0018]Block 3 is, on the one hand, connected to the fluid inlet conduit fa in the exchanger 1.

Block 3 is, on the other hand, connected to the fluid outlet conduit fa, through which the fluid fa leaves block 3 once treated.

[0019]Referring to Figure 2 which is a cross-sectional view, along line AA, of the intermediate block of channels 2, the latter comprising 6 sets of channels (also called "passes") 21, 22, 23,

24, 25, 26 arranged in a matrix of 2 lines and 3 columns. The channel sets 21,22, 23 are arranged successively along the X axis. The channel sets 24, 25, 26 are also arranged successively along the ), under the respective channel sets 23, 22, 21, as depicted in Figure 2.

[0020]Each channel assembly 21,22, 23, 24, 25, 26 comprises 24 channels, denoted by 11. Each channel 11 extends along the Y axis, between the end blocks 3 and 4. Each channel 11 It has a square section in the transverse plane (that is, the (X, Z) plane) and is adapted to the circulation of fluid from one end of the channel to the other, under the effect of the pressure prevailing in exchanger 2.

[0021]The channels 11 of each set 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, in the embodiment considered with reference to the figures, are arranged according to a matrix of 6 lines and 4 columns in the plane (X, Z) as depicted in Figure 2. Each channel 11 thus includes 4 side walls extending along the Y axis.

[0022]The end blocks 3 and 4 are adapted to implement the procedural steps indicated below.

[0023]Thus, the end blocks 3 and 4 are adapted to distribute the fluid fa exclusively at the inlet of certain channels of the intermediate block 2 (and to collect the fluid fa leaving these channels) and to distribute the fluid fb exclusively in entrance of other channels of the intermediate block 2 (and to collect the fluid fb at the exit of these channels), so that each longitudinal wall of at least one circulation channel 11 of the fluid fa is located in front of a longitudinal wall of a channel of fluid circulation fb.

[0024]In the considered embodiment, the end blocks 3 and 4 are adapted to distribute (and similarly collect) the fluids fa and fb alternately in the channels along the X axis and along the Z axis, both in each set 21 to 26 as considering the global 12*12 matrix of channels 11 of intermediate block 2.

[0025]In Figure 2, the fluid circulation channels fb are represented in dashed lines and the fluid circulation channels fa are represented in continuous lines.

[0026]Thus, a fluid circulation channel fa has as direct neighbors located on either side of it along the X axis, two fluid circulation channels fb (or a single fluid circulation channel fb p circulation channels of the fluid fa located on the edge of the intermediate block 2 and having a single neighboring channel along the X axis). And a fluid circulation channel fa thus has as direct neighbors located on either side of it along the Z axis, two fluid circulation channels fb (or a single fluid circulation channel fb for l fluid circulation channels fa located on the edge of the intermediate block 2 and which have a neighbor along the Z axis).

[0027]Similarly, a fluid circulation channel fb has as direct neighbors located on either side of it along the X axis, two fluid circulation channels fa (or a single fluid circulation channel fa for the channels of fluid circulation fa located on the edge of the intermediate block 2 and having a neighboring channel along the X axis). And a fluid circulation channel fb has as direct neighbors located on either side of it along the Z axis, two fluid circulation channels fa (or a single fluid circulation channel fa for the fluid circulation channels fa located on the edge of the intermediate block 2 and which have a neighbor along the Z axis).

[0028]The invention thus allows the heat exchange to be increased while ensuring great reliability of the exchanger.

[0029]The direction of circulation along the Y axis of the fluids as they are distributed by the end blocks 3 and 4 in the channels of the intermediate block 2 in the considered embodiment is indicated, in figure 2 and the following figures , by arrows in dashed lines for fluid fb and in continuous lines for fluid fa.

[0030]Thus in the embodiment considered, the end block 3 is adapted to receive the fluid fa coming from the inlet conduit 5 and to supply the fluid fa at the inlet of the fluid circulation channels fa (indicated in continuous line in Figure 2) of assembly 21 in the direction indicated by the arrow in continuous line.

[0031]The end block 3 is further adapted to collect the fluid fa at the outlet of the fluid circulation channels fa (indicated in solid line in Figure 2) of the assembly 22 and to then supply it at the inlet of the channels of circulation of fluid fa (indicated in continuous line in Figure 2) of assembly 23 in the direction indicated by the arrow in continuous line.

[0032]The end block 3 is further adapted to collect the fluid fa at the outlet of the fluid circulation channels fa (indicated in solid line in Figure 2) of the assembly 24 and to then supply it at the inlet of the channels of circulation of fluid fa (indicated in continuous line in Figure 2) of assembly 25 in the direction indicated by the arrow in continuous line.

[0033]The end block 3 is further adapted to collect the fluid fa at the outlet of the fluid circulation channels fa (indicated in solid line in Figure 2) of the assembly 26 and to then supply it at the inlet of the outlet conduit. 6.

[0034]Similarly, in the embodiment considered, the end block 3 is adapted to collect the fluid fb at the outlet of the fluid circulation channels fb (indicated in dashed lines in Figure 2) of the assembly 21 and to subsequently supply it at the entrance to the fluid circulation channels fb of assembly 22 in the direction indicated by the dashed arrow.

[0035]The end block 3 is further adapted to collect the fluid fb at the outlet of the fluid circulation channels fb of the assembly 23 and to then supply it at the inlet of the fluid circulation channels fb of the assembly 24 in the direction indicated by the dashed arrow.

[0036]The end block 3 is further adapted to collect the fluid fb at the outlet of the fluid circulation channels fb of the assembly 25 and to then supply it at the inlet of the fluid circulation channels fb (indicated in dashed line in Figure 2) of set 26.

[0037]Similarly, in the considered embodiment, the end block 4 is adapted to receive the fluid fb (coming from the inlet block 7 at the entrance of the fluid circulation channels fb (indicated in dashed line in Figure 2) of the set 21 in the direction indicated by the dashed arrow.

[0038]The end block 4 is further adapted to collect the fluid fb at the outlet of the fluid circulation channels fb of the assembly 22 and to then supply it at the inlet of the fluid circulation channels fb of the assembly 23.

[0039]The end block 4 is further adapted to collect the fluid fb at the outlet of the fluid circulation channels fb of the assembly 24 and to then supply it at the inlet of the fluid circulation channels fb of the assembly 25.

[0040]The end block 4 is further adapted to collect the fluid fb at the outlet of the fluid circulation channels fb of the assembly 26 and to then supply it at the inlet of the outlet block 8.

[0041]Similarly, in the embodiment considered, the end block 4 is adapted to collect the fluid fa at the outlet of the fluid circulation channels fa (indicated in solid line in Figure 2) of the assembly 21 and to supply it thereafter at the entrance to the fluid circulation channels fa of assembly 22 in the direction indicated by the continuous arrow.

[0042]The end block 4 is further adapted to collect the fluid fa at the outlet of the fluid circulation channels fa of the assembly 23 and to then supply it at the inlet of the fluid circulation channels fa of the assembly 24.

[0043]The end block 4 is further adapted to collect the fluid fa at the outlet of the fluid circulation channels fa of the assembly 25 and to then supply it at the inlet of the fluid circulation channels fa of the assembly 26.

[0044]Thus, the end blocks 3 and 4 are adapted to carry out "half-turn" movements, thus called "turning" movements, to the fluids that allow them to make 6 steps in the intermediate block 2, successively passing through each set 21 to 26.

[0045]In one embodiment, end blocks 3 and 4 include rolled channel boxes.

[0046]Figure 3 is a view in the transverse plane (X, Z), of the box 31 of rolled channels of the end block 3, in cross section at the height of the line BB represented in Figure 2.

[0047]This box 31 (respectively the box 41) is adapted to carry out the turns of the fluid fa in the end block 3 (respectively in the end block 4) between the sets of channels 22 and 23, between the sets 24 and 25, successively taken up by the fluid fa (respectively between the sets of channels 21 and 22, between the sets 23 and 24, and also between the sets 25 and 26 successively taken up by the fluid fa).

[0048]As depicted in Figure 3, the channel box 31 comprises 6 sections 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 326 arranged in a matrix of 2 lines and 3 columns, with each section corresponding to the respective set of channels of the intermediate block it faces. It also includes partitions between passages 50, 51, which prevent the communication of fluids between the two sides of the partition: the fluid leaving its channels is thus restricted from turning between the passages included in the same area delimited by the partitions. .

[0049]By standard, circles around a point designate a fluid that flows towards the reader, in the case of this figure, that is, along the Y axis, while circles around a cross designate a fluid that circulates along the Y axis towards the sheet away from the reader. The arrows indicate the directions of fluid circulation fa in the plane of the cut. The fluid circulation symbols relating to fluid fb are represented in dashed lines while the fluid circulation symbols relating to fluid fa are represented in solid lines. In order to let the fluid fa circulate while the fluid fb continues its path in its channels to make the turn further, inside triangular boxes, the section of the circulation channels of the fluid fb is transformed inside the box of rolled channels 31 , to go from a square section (from the interface with the intermediate block 2) to a rhombus section describing, in the course of the progression along the Y axis, a rotation up to U back in the plane (X, Z) before of progressively resuming a square section and once again being arranged according to an ordered matrix. Furthermore, the channels are out of phase and their section is locally reduced in size in order to create preferential horizontal and vertical passages (that is, along the X and Z axes) for the other fluid. Thus, the flow in the different channels is clearly the same.

[0050]In the embodiments, a box of rolled channels is obtained according to the invention, without reduction in the size of the channels and/or without phase shift.

[0051]The function can also be ensured by changing the shape of the channels of the straight section (triangle, quadrilateral) to circular or ovoid channels in said part. In this case, rotations are not necessary.

[0052]In one embodiment, each end block 3 and 4 further includes triangular channel boxes for effecting fluid turns fb in each end block. It will be noted that, in the embodiment considered, they will be considered triangular, but that they may have other shapes in other embodiments, especially shapes corresponding to other types of quadrilaterals.

[0053]More specifically, in the embodiment considered, each of the end blocks 3, 4 includes two triangular horizontal turning boxes (that is, to effect the turning of the fluid fb so that it passes from a set of channels to the neighboring set of channels along the that is, to carry out the turn of the fluid fb to go from a set of channels to the neighboring set of channels along the Z axis, that is, between steps 23 and 24).

[0054]Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the end block 3 in the XY plane and along the line DD represented in Figure 1 showing these turning boxes.

[0055]The partitions between steps and are referred to as 60, 50.

[0056]The fluid fb at the exit of step 23 and which then makes a half turn in the triangular vertical turning box that appears to the left of the partition 60 in Figure 4 then takes section 324 before taking step 24.

[0057]Zone d corresponds to the horizontal triangular box in which fluid fb makes a horizontal turn between steps 25 and 26.

[0058]Figure 5 is a view in the transverse plane (X, Z), of the end block 4 showing the box of rolled channels in cross section at the height of the line CC represented in figure 1. Its operation is similar to that of the wound channel box described with reference to Figure 3.

[0059]This box 41 is adapted to carry out the turns of the fluid fa in the end block 4 between the sets of channels 21 and 22, between the sets 23 and 24, and also between the sets 25 and 26 successively taken by the fluid fa.

[0060]As represented in Figure 5, the channel box 41 comprises 6 sections 421, 422, 423, 424, 425, 426 arranged in a matrix of 2 lines and 3 columns, each section corresponding to the respective set of channels of the block intermediate to which it is faced. It also includes partitions between steps (in thick black lines).

[0061]Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the end block 4 in the XY plane on the line DD represented in Figure 1, which more precisely shows the triangular turning boxes of the end block 4, and the path , represented in a dashed line, of the fluid fb that makes a half turn inside these triangular boxes. In the case considered, unlike in the half-round triangular boxes of end block 3 (internal triangle in the exchanger), in end block 4, the shape of the triangle is "external" to the exchanger. This difference is due to the additive manufacturing mode, in the case considered, of the exchanger.

[0062]In the current case, the fluid fb comes from step 24, rotates in the triangular box 10 and then enters step 25. In a way that is not seen in figure 6, it makes a half turn inside the end block 3 to re-enter step 26. Finally, fluid fb leaves the exchanger through outlet 8.

[0063]In the considered embodiment, the height h of the exchanger 1 is for example 200 mm. And the length of one side of a channel 11 is for example 5 to 20 mm.

[0064]In one embodiment, the exchanger 1 was manufactured in monobloc, by additive manufacturing, for example from 316L stainless steel, or titanium, etc., without requiring welding, assembly or joints.

[0065]However, in other embodiments:

- the intermediate block 2 is manufactured by additive manufacturing or by extrusion and/or welding and/or machining; I

- the end blocks 3 or 4 are manufactured by additive manufacturing or by extrusion or by machining, and then assembled, for example, by welding to the intermediate block 2.

[0066]In the embodiment described above, the exchanger exchanged heat between two fluids, and in other embodiments, the exchanger is adapted to exchange heat between more fluids.

[0067]In the embodiment described above, the exchanger included 6 channel sets of 24 channels each. Very clearly, the number of channels per set can be different from 6 and the number of sets can be any number greater than or equal to 1.

[0068]In the embodiment described above, the direction of circulation of the fluids fa and fb in the intermediate block was the opposite. In another embodiment, the direction of circulation is the same.

[0069]In the described embodiment, the fluid fa (analogously the fluid fb) circulates successively in each of the blocks 21 to 26. In other embodiments of the invention, the fluid fa, carries out a single step and is supplied simultaneously from the inlet duct 5 by an end block at the inlet of each fluid circulation channel fa of the intermediate block 2, and is then collected by the other end block and then routed towards the outlet duct (and/or the fluid fb carries out a single pass and is simultaneously supplied by one end block at the inlet of each fluid circulation channel fb of the intermediate block 2, and is then collected by the other end block). It is also possible to implement any intermediate solution (for example, simultaneous supply of a fluid from 3 sets of channels, for example 21, 22, 23 for a first step, and then the fluid collected at the outlet of these channels 21, 22, 23 is redistributes for a second step at the entrance of channels 26, 25, 24 respectively; or even simultaneous supply of a fluid from 2 sets of channels, for three successive steps, etc.).

[0070]In another embodiment, the channels have a rectangular, or round, or triangular cross section, etc., in the (X, Z) plane.

[0071]In the embodiment described with reference to the figures, the inlet and outlet blocks for the same fluid were on the same side of the intermediate block 2 and the inlet and outlet blocks of the fluid fa were in opposite positions to the inlet and outlet of the fluid fb with respect to said intermediate block 2. In another embodiment, the inlet of the fluid fa is arranged next to the outlet of the fluid fb, and the inlet of the fluid fb is arranged next to the outlet of the fluid fa: thus In the structure represented in Figure 1, block 7 would be used as the fluid inlet block fb, block 8 as the fluid outlet block fa, block 5 would be used as the fluid inlet block fa and block 6 as fluid outlet block fb.

Claims (8)

1. Heat exchanger (1) between at least a first fluid (fa) and a second fluid (fb), which includes: at least one set (21) of fluid circulation channels that each extend in a longitudinal direction ; and distribution and collection means (3, 4), adapted to distribute the first fluid and the second fluid in the channels of at least said set; the distribution and collection means (3, 4) being adapted to distribute the first fluid (fa) exclusively in first circulation channels (1l) of the set and to distribute the second fluid exclusively in second circulation channels (11) of the set, such that at least a first channel (11) is arranged between two second channels (11) according to a first axis (X), said first channel (11) also being arranged between two other second channels (11) according to a second axis (Z ), so that at least three of the set of said two second channels (11) and said second other channels (11) are part of the closest channels of said first channel (11), characterized in that said exchanger including at least said set (21) of fluid circulation channels and another set (22) of fluid circulation channels arranged in parallel in a similar way to said set (21) and the distribution and collection means (3 , 4) are adapted - to distribute the first fluid (fa) and the second fluid (fb) in the channels of said set (21), - to collect the first fluid and the second fluid when they leave said assembly, - to distribute, in the other assembly (22) and in a direction opposite to the direction of distribution of the first fluid (fa) in the assembly, the collected first fluid - to distribute, in the other assembly (22) and in a direction opposite to the direction of distribution of the second fluid in the assembly, the second fluid (fb) collected and the distribution and collection means (3, 4) comprise at least one channel box (31) that includes: first channels of the first fluid circulation box (fa) connected to the first channels (11) of the set of channels (21) and to the first channels (11) of the other set of channels (22) and second channels (fb) of the second fluid circulation box, in which each second box channel extends to one of its ends in a second channel (11) of the set of channels (21) and to another of its ends in a second channel (11) of the other set of channels (22), such that the second circulation box channel (31) (31) rotates in the transverse plane in its part between said ends and the cross section of the second box channel circulation is further reduced in size in said portion, such that the first circulation box channels (fa) include the spaces thus arranged between said second circulation box channels by said rotations. 2. Heat exchanger (1) according to claim 1, wherein the channels are arranged in the form of a matrix in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the lines, respectively the columns, of the matrix being respectively parallel to the first, respectively the second, y axis, with the first channels arranged in said plane alternately with the second channels along said first and second axes. 3. Heat exchanger (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the section of the channels in said plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the channels is square. 4. Heat exchanger (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the distribution and collection means (3, 4) are adapted to distribute the first fluid in one direction in the first channels of the assembly and to distribute in a opposite direction the second fluid in the second channels of the set. 5. Heat exchange procedure in a heat exchanger (1) according to claim 1 between at least a first fluid and a second fluid, the procedure being characterized in that it comprises the following steps: distribution, by the distribution and collection means, of the first fluid exclusively in the first circulation channels of the assembly and of the second fluid exclusively in the second circulation channels of the assembly. 6. Heat exchange method according to claim 5, according to which the channels are arranged in the form of a matrix in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the lines, respectively the columns, of the matrix being respectively parallel to the first, respectively the second, axis, and the first channels being arranged in said plane alternately with the second channels along said first and second axes. 7. Heat exchange procedure according to claim 5 or 6, according to which the section of the channels in said plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the channels is square. 8. Heat exchange procedure according to any of claims 5 to 7, according to which the distribution and collection means (3, 4) distribute the first fluid in one direction in the first channels of the assembly and distribute the second fluid in the second channels of the assembly.