Heat exchanger element and heat exchanger

Abstract

There is provided a heat exchanger element and a heat exchanger which are smaller, lighter in weight, and lower in cost than conventional heat exchange bodies, heat exchangers and the like. In the honeycomb structure, t≧0.2, ρ>100, 20≦t×ρ≦250, and 10,000≦λ×ρ are satisfied when thermal conductivity of a material for the partition walls is taken as λ [W/K˜m], and, regarding a cell structure of the honeycomb structure, a wall thickness of the partition walls is taken as t [mm], and a cell density is taken as ρ [cells/sq.in.].

1 . A heat exchanger element formed as a honeycomb structure having a plurality of cells partitioned by ceramic partition walls, passing through in an axial direction from one end face to the other end face, and functioning as a first fluid passage portion where a heating body as the first fluid passes;
 wherein at least one of the partition walls and an outer peripheral wall of the honeycomb structure is made dense to avoid the first fluid passing through the first fluid passage portion and a second fluid receiving heat from the first fluid by passing along an outer peripheral face of the outer peripheral wall of the honeycomb structure from being mixed together, and   all of t≧0.2, ρ>100, 20≦t×ρ≦250, and  10,000≦λ×ρ are satisfied when thermal conductivity of a material for the partition walls of the honeycomb structure is taken as λ [W/K·m], and, in a cell structure of the honeycomb structure, a wall thickness of the partition walls is taken as t [mm] and a cell density is taken as ρ [cells/sq.in.].      
     
     
         2 . The heat exchanger element according to  claim 1 , wherein 20≦Ø≦60 and 1.66≦L/Ø<7.5 are satisfied when, in the cell structure of the honeycomb structure, a circle-equivalent diameter of a cross-sectional area of a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction of the honeycomb structure is taken as Ø [mm], and the entire length in the axial direction of the honeycomb structure is taken as L [mm]. 
     
     
         3 . A heat exchanger provided with the honeycomb structure as the heat exchanger element according to  claim 1  and a casing having an inlet port and an outlet port for the second fluid and containing the honeycomb structure therein,
 wherein an inside of the casing functions as the second fluid passage portion, and the second fluid receives heat from the first fluid by passing along the outer peripheral face of the honeycomb structure in the second fluid passage portion. 
 
     
     
         4 . A heat exchanger provided with the honeycomb structure as the heat exchanger element according to  claim 2  and a casing having an inlet port and an outlet port for the second fluid and containing the honeycomb structure therein,
 wherein an inside of the casing functions as the second fluid passage portion, and the second fluid receives heat from the first fluid by passing along the outer peripheral face of the honeycomb structure in the second fluid passage portion.