Removable Heat Exchanger Inserts

Abstract

A heat exchanger or chemical reactor comprising a heat exchange body defining a plurality of flow passages and a removable insert defining secondary heat exchanger surfaces retained within at least one of the flow passages by insert retention means. The insert comprises one or more plate(s) having perforations to define discreet fluid flow channels extending across the plate(s) and wherein said one or more of the plates is provided with a carrier for a catalyst or adsorbent.

1 . A heat exchanger or chemical reactor comprising a heat exchange body defining a plurality of flow passages defining a Principal flow direction between an inlet and an outlet and a removable insert defining secondary heat exchanger surfaces retained within at least one of the flow passages, by insert retention means, the insert comprising two or more plates, one or more of the plates having elongate passages to define fluid flow channels extending in the principal flow direction, wherein one or more of the plates is provided with a carrier for a catalyst or adsorbent.  
     
     
         2 . A heat exchanger or chemical reactor as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the one or more plates comprising fluid flow channels includes one or more cross members positioned across the channels.  
     
     
         3 . A heat exchanger or chemical reactor as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein one or more of the plates are of different thicknesses with respect to the other plate or plates in a stack.  
     
     
         4 . A heat exchanger or chemical reactor as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said insert retention means is provided at least in part by the stack which is slightly greater in height than the height of the fluid passage to provide an interference or push fit.  
     
     
         5 . A heat exchanger or chemical reactor as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the one or more cross-members are of reduced thickness with respect to the plate.  
     
     
         6 . A heat exchanger or chemical reactor as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said insert retention means is provided at least in part by gripping means incorporated in the structure of said insert.  
     
     
         7 . A heat exchanger or chemical reactor as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said gripping means comprises a barbed external surface of said insert, said barbs being angled in a common direction.  
     
     
         8 . A heat exchanger or chemical reactor as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the insert is provided with a handle means for a user to insert or retract the insert from the heat exchange body.  
     
     
         9 . A heat exchanger or chemical reactor as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said insert handle means further comprises a recess adapted to receive a pulling device.  
     
     
         10 . A heat exchanger or chemical reactor as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said insert handle means further comprises a stepped transition in thickness.  
     
     
         11 . A heat exchanger or chemical rector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the insert comprises a plurality of stacked plates, each plate having one or more apertures which are aligned in stacked condition.  
     
     
         12 . A heat exchanger or chemical reactor as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein longitudinal edges of said insert comprise protrusions arranged to provide an interference or push fit.  
     
     
         13 . A heat exchanger or chemical reactor as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the insert comprises a plurality of stacked plates, each plate having one or more slots that define said plurality of flow passages when the plates are stacked.  
     
     
         14 . A heat exchanger or chemical reactor as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein catalyst is retained within the one or more slots.  
     
     
         15 . A heat exchanger or chemical reactor as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the one or more slots are aligned to form a channel in the stack to receive a catalyst and/or an adsorbent.  
     
     
         16 . A heat exchanger or chemical reactor as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein said catalyst and/or adsorbent is a solid.  
     
     
         17 . A heat exchanger or chemical reactor as claimed in  claim 16 , the stack further comprising one or more support plates having a plurality of support elements to support said solid within said channel.  
     
     
         18 . A heat exchanger or chemical reactor as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the support elements are provided by ligaments interconnecting one or more pins formed in the plate, the pins providing a raised platform for said solid.  
     
     
         19 . A heat exchanger or chemical reactor as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the catalyst and/or adsorbent is granular and retained within said slots which are sized to prevent said granules from passing through the slots.  
     
     
         20 . A heat exchanger or chemical reactor as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the catalyst is coated on to the plates.  
     
     
         21 . A heat exchanger or chemical reactor as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the insert further comprises a membrane for separating a component of the fluid flow.  
     
     
         22 . A shim useful as an insert in a heat exchanger or chemical reactor, the shim having a plurality of channels formed therein, and one or more cross members positioned across said channels.  
     
     
         23 . A shim as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the cross-members are of reduced thickness with respect to the plate.  
     
     
         24 . A shim as claimed in  claim 22  further comprising an extension element hingedly connected to the plate and adapted to be folded out of alignment of the body to form handle means.  
     
     
         25 . A shim as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein said extension element further comprises a recess adapted to receive a pulling device.  
     
     
         26 . A shim as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein said extension element comprises a stepped transition in thickness.  
     
     
         27 . A shim as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the shim comprises a leading edge, which is tapered to aid insertion of the shim into a heat exchange body.  
     
     
         28 . A shim as claimed in  claim 22 , further comprising protrusions along the longitudinal edges of said shim.  
     
     
         29 . A shim as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein said protrusions are angled in a common direction.  
     
     
         30 . A shim as claimed in  claim 22  further comprising one or more apertures.  
     
     
         31 . A shim as claimed in  claim 22  further comprising a protruding portion of the extension element that can be adapted to fold out of alignment of the body.  
     
     
         32 . (canceled)  
     
     
         33 . (canceled)