Heat exchanger

Abstract

Thermal expansion of U-shaped tubes is permitted to prevent damage to it. A heat exchanger includes a casing having a first fluid inlet provided at one end thereof and a first fluid outlet provided at the other end thereof, the first fluid inlet and the first fluid outlet being connected to each other via a first flow path extending in a straight line from the first fluid inlet to the first fluid outlet; and multiple tube sets accommodated inside the casing so that a fluid that flows through the interiors thereof undergoes heat exchange with a fluid that flows via the first flow path. The multiple tube sets are arrayed along the first flow path, and multiple U-shaped tubes constituting the tube sets are fixed only to a tube plate disposed parallel to the first flow path and located at both ends of the U-shaped tubes.

1 . A heat exchanger comprising:
 a casing having a first fluid inlet provided at one end thereof and a first fluid outlet provided at the other end thereof opposite the one end, the first fluid inlet and the first fluid outlet being connected to each other via a first flow path extending in a straight line from the first fluid inlet to the first fluid outlet; and   multiple tube sets accommodated inside the casing so that a fluid that flows through the interiors thereof undergoes heat exchange with a fluid that flows via the first flow path,   wherein the multiple tube sets are arrayed along the first flow path, and multiple U-shaped tubes constituting the tube sets are fixed only to a tube plate disposed parallel to the first flow path and located at both ends of the U-shaped tubes.   
     
     
         2 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein a partition plate separating straight portions and turning portions of the U-shaped tubes is disposed parallel to the first flow path, and gaps are provided between the inner circumferential surfaces of tube holes that are provided in the partition plate and through which the straight portions of the U-shaped tubes are inserted and the outer circumferential surfaces of the U-shaped tubes. 
     
     
         3 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein a header that communicates between the outlet end of a tube set located on the upstream side and the inlet end of a tube set located on the downstream side thereof is provided. 
     
     
         4 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the U-shaped tubes are fixed to the tube plate by expanding the ends of the U-shaped tubes inserted through the tube holes. 
     
     
         5 . A solar-heat gas-turbine power generating system comprising a heat exchanger according to  claim 1  as a repeater that preheats a high-pressure compressible working fluid ejected from a compressor through heat exchange with a high-temperature compressible working fluid discharged from a turbine.