Heat exchanger shell assembly and method of assembling

Abstract

A heat exchanger shell assembly comprising an outer shell having a nozzle at its lower side; an inner shell member within the outer shell and forming an intermediate space with the outer shell, the inner shell member having an opening at its lower side; wherein the arrangement further comprises a seal member arranged to fit in the intermediate space, the seal member providing a sealed passageway for fluid between the opening and the nozzle, and a method of assembling a heat exchanger shell structure, and a method of assembling a heat exchanger shell structure, comprising sliding an inner shell member into an outer shell, to form an intermediate space, arranging the inner shell member in a lifted position in the outer shell; sliding a seal member into the intermediate space; and lowering the inner shell member so that the gravity force exerted on the seal member acts as sealing force.

1 . A heat exchanger shell assembly comprising
 an outer shell having a nozzle at its lower side;   an inner shell member within the outer shell and forming an intermediate space with the outer shell, the inner shell member having an opening at its lower side;   
       wherein the arrangement further comprises a seal member arranged to fit in the intermediate space, the seal member providing a sealed passageway for fluid between the opening and the nozzle. 
     
     
         2 . The heat exchanger shell assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the seal member is a gravity seal member, wherein sealing force is provided by the gravity force exerted on the seal member by the inner shell member. 
     
     
         3 . The heat exchanger shell assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the seal member is, during normal operation, not connected to at least one of the outer shell and the inner shell member, preferably is not connected to both the outer shell and the inner shell member. 
     
     
         4 . The heat exchanger shell assembly according to  claim 3 , wherein the seal member is a plate having upper and lower surfaces that are arranged to conform to the outer shell and inner shell member surrounding the nozzle and the opening. 
     
     
         5 . The heat exchanger shell assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein the nozzle forms a first nozzle and wherein the opening forms a first opening, the outer shell further comprising a second nozzle and the inner shell member comprising a second opening, and wherein the second nozzle and the second opening are arranged to be in fluid communication via the intermediate space. 
     
     
         6 . A method of assembling a heat exchanger shell structure, comprising
 providing an outer shell having a nozzle at its lower side and an inner shell member having an opening;   sliding the inner shell member into the outer shell, to form an intermediate space with the outer shell and to reach a position in which the opening is above the nozzle;   arranging the inner shell member in a lifted position in the outer shell;   sliding a seal member into the intermediate space, the seal member providing a passageway for fluid between the opening and the nozzle; and   lowering the inner shell member so that the gravity force exerted on the seal member acts as sealing force.