Support for a tube bundle

Abstract

A support for a bundle of tubes, which support has more than one transverse support plates spaced apart along the direction of the tubes to be supported, and which support plates are provided with openings for accommodating the tubes, wherein the support plates are segmental baffle support elements and expanded metal support elements.

1 . A support for a bundle of tubes, which support comprises a plurality of transverse support plates spaced apart along the direction of the tubes to be supported, and which support plates are provided with openings for accommodating the tubes, wherein the plurality of support plates comprises segmental baffle support elements and expanded metal support elements.  
     
     
         2 . The support of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of support plates comprises a combined support plate formed of a segmental baffle support element and an expanded metal support element.  
     
     
         3 . The support of  claim 2 , wherein the expanded metal support element is arranged such that it spans a window that is formed between the segmental baffle support element and a circle of the respective diameter.  
     
     
         4 . The support of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the expanded metal support elements forms a support plate arranged intermediate between two segmental baffle support plates.  
     
     
         5 . The support of  claim 4 , wherein the intermediate expanded metal support element forms a segmental support plate.  
     
     
         6 . A heat exchanger comprising a bundle of tubes supported by a support comprising a plurality of transverse support plates spaced apart along the direction of the tubes to be supported, and which support plates are provided with openings for accommodating the tubes, wherein the plurality of support plates comprises segmental baffle support elements and expanded metal support elements.  
     
     
         7 . The heat exchanger of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of support plates of the support comprises a combined support plate formed of a segmental baffle support element and an expanded metal support element.  
     
     
         8 . The heat exchanger of  claim 6 , wherein the expanded metal support element of the support is arranged such that it spans a window that is formed between the segmental baffle support element and a circle of the respective diameter.  
     
     
         9 . The heat exchanger of  claim 6 , wherein at least one of the expanded metal support elements of the support forms a support plate arranged intermediate between two segmental baffle support plates.  
     
     
         10 . The heat exchanger of  claim 9 , wherein the intermediate expanded metal support element of the support forms a segmental support plate.