Heat exchanger

Abstract

A heat exchange device ( 1 ), e.g., for a syngas reactor, comprising a channel wall ( 3 ) defining a flow channel and one or more heat exchange surfaces ( 5 a - d ), each embedding one or more flow paths for a fluid heat exchange medium. A support structure ( 20 ) supports the heat exchange surfaces ( 5 a - d ) within the flow channel. The support structure ( 20 ) comprises a plurality of arms ( 21 ) extending from a central crossing ( 22 ) to the channel wall ( 3 ). The arms ( 21 ) of the support structure can embed evenly distributed, e.g., meandering inner channels ( 23 ) which can be in open connection with the flow paths in the heat exchange surfaces ( 5 a - d ).

1 . A heat exchange device comprising:
 a channel wall defining a flow channel;   one or more heat exchange surfaces, each embedding one or more flow paths for a fluid heat exchange medium, and comprising supply and discharge connections for the supply and discharge of the fluid heat exchange medium; and   a support structure for supporting the heat exchange surfaces within the flow channel;   
       wherein the support structure comprises a plurality of arms extending from a central crossing to the channel wall; and 
       wherein at least a part of the arms comprises inner channels each being in open connection with one of the flow paths in the heat exchange surfaces. 
     
     
         2 . A heat exchange device according to  claim 1  wherein the inner channels are parallel and equidistant and evenly distributed over the corresponding arm. 
     
     
         3 . A heat exchange device according to  claim 2  wherein the inner channels meander through the arms. 
     
     
         4 . A heat exchange device according to  claim 3  wherein the arms are built of two or more arm parts, wherein at least a part of the arm parts embed parallel and equidistant inner channel sections making a single turn. 
     
     
         5 . A heat exchange device according to  claim 4  wherein each arm comprises:
 a first lower arm part with equidistantly arranged parallel flow paths with a first section extending upwardly to a first corner and a second section extending in the direction of the crossing section; 
 a second lower arm part with equidistantly arranged parallel flow paths having a first section in line with the second sections of the respective flow paths in the first lower arm part, wherein the first sections extend to a second corner, and second section extend upwardly from the second corner; and 
 an upper arm part with equidistantly arranged parallel flow paths having a first vertical section in line with the second sections of the respective flow paths in the second lower arm parts, wherein the first sections extending upwardly to a third corner, and wherein second sections extend from the third corner away from the crossing section. 
 
     
     
         6 . A heat exchange device according to  claim 1  wherein the device comprises two or more coaxially nested heat exchange surfaces of a closed geometry. 
     
     
         7 . A heat exchange device according to  claim 1 , wherein the support structure comprises four arms under right angles forming a cross. 
     
     
         8 . A heat exchange device according to  claim 1  wherein one or more of the arms of the support structure is at least partly built of tubular parts, optionally in combination with blocks or plates embedding inner channels operatively connected to the tubular parts. 
     
     
         9 . A partial combustion reactor for the production of synthetic gas, wherein the reactor comprises at least one section with a heat exchange device according to  claim 1 .