Plate heat exchanger

Abstract

A plate heat exchanger comprising a set of heat exchanger plates arranged between a frame plate and a pressure plate. A guide bar guides the set of heat exchanger plates and the pressure plate relatively the frame plate, a tightening member is arranged on the guide bar and a plate engager is arranged intermediate the tightening member and the pressure plate for allowing the tightening member to press the pressure plate in a direction towards the frame plate. The plate engager is releasable and the tightening member is configured to protect the guide bar, such that the pressure plate may move in a direction from the frame plate and past the tightening member when the plate engager is released. A related method is also described.

1 . A plate heat exchanger comprising:
 a frame plate,   a pressure plate,   a set of heat exchanger plates arranged between the frame plate and the pressure plate,   a guide bar for guiding the set of heat exchanger plates and the pressure plate relatively the frame plate,   a tightening member arranged on the guide bar, and   a plate engager arranged intermediate the tightening member and the pressure plate for allowing the tightening member to press the pressure plate in a direction towards the frame plate, wherein   the plate engager is releasable and the tightening member is configured to protect the guide bar, such that the pressure plate may move in a direction from the frame plate and past the tightening member when the plate engager is released.   
     
     
         2 . A plate heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the plate engager has the form of a washer that is provided with a U-shaped cut-out that allows the plate engager to be removed from the position intermediate the tightening member and the pressure plate. 
     
     
         3 . A plate heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the plate engager comprises a recess that is configured to receive the tightening member for restraining a transverse movement of the plate engager relative the tightening member. 
     
     
         4 . A plate heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the plate engager comprises a connector that is configured to interact with a connector of the pressure plate, for restraining a rotational movement of the plate engager relative the pressure plate. 
     
     
         5 . A plate heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the tightening member comprises:
 a guide section for guiding the pressure plate past the tightening member, and   a grip section for tightening the tightening member and thereby pressing the pressure plate in a direction towards the frame plate.   
     
     
         6 . A plate heat exchanger according to  claim 5 , comprising a guide sleeve configured to be arranged over the grip section of the tightening member, for guiding the pressure plate past the grip section of the tightening member. 
     
     
         7 . A plate heat exchanger according to  claim 6 , wherein the guide sleeve is elongated and covers a threaded section of the guide bar, for guiding the pressure plate over the threaded section of the guide bar. 
     
     
         8 . A plate heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , comprising a support for the guide bar, wherein the support has a guide section for guiding the pressure plate past the support. 
     
     
         9 . A plate heat exchanger according to  claim 8 , wherein the support comprises an aperture through which the guide bar extends. 
     
     
         10 . A plate heat exchanger according to  claim 8 , wherein the support is arranged underneath a position of the pressure plate when the heat exchanger is assembled for operation. 
     
     
         11 . A plate heat exchanger according to  claim 5 , wherein the guide section of the support has a peripheral surface with a shape that is similar with a shape of a peripheral surface of the guide section of the tightening member. 
     
     
         12 . A plate heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the pressure plate comprises a cut-out for receiving the guide bar, and   a surface of the cut-out is configured to slide past the tightening member.   
     
     
         13 . A plate heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , comprising a set of tightening bolts arranged at a first and a second side of the plate heat exchanger, wherein the guide bar is arranged at a lower side of the plate heat exchanger for pressing the pressure plate towards the frame plate in cooperation with the set of tightening bolts. 
     
     
         14 . A plate heat exchanger according to  claim 13 , comprising a further guide bar arranged at an upper side of the plate heat exchanger for pressing the pressure plate towards the frame plate in cooperation with the set of tightening bolts and the guide bar at the lower side of the plate heat exchanger, wherein a further tightening member and a further plate engager are arranged at the further guide bar and are similar to the tightening member and the plate engager at the guide bar at the lower side of the plate heat exchanger. 
     
     
         15 . A method of opening a plate heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , comprising
 untightening the tightening member such that the plate engager may be released,   releasing the plate engager,   tightening the tightening member, and   moving the pressure plate in a direction from the frame plate and past the tightening member.