Plate-and-shell heat exchanger and a channel blocking plate for a plate-and-shell heat exchanger

Abstract

The invention relates to a plate-and-shell heat exchanger apparatus and a channel blocking plate for a plate-and-shell heat exchanger. The heat exchanger comprises a shell and a plurality of heat transfer plates within the shell. The plates form fluidly connected first cavities for providing a first fluid flow path for a first fluid flow. The shell forms a second cavity in which the plates are arranged and a second fluid flow path is provided for a second fluid flow, separated from the first fluid flow path by the plates. The heat exchanger comprises means for reducing detrimental bypass flows within the heat exchanger.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A plate-and-shell heat exchanger comprising a shell and a plurality of heat transfer plates within the shell, said plates forming fluidly connected first cavities for providing a first fluid flow path for a first fluid flow and the shell forming a second cavity in which the plates are arranged and providing a second fluid flow path for a second fluid flow separated from the first fluid flow path by the plates, wherein at least one channel blocking plate is provided between at least some of the plates and the shell, said channel blocking plate comprising a plurality of protrusions extending in a direction radially inwards of the shell and reaching between two adjacent plates. 
     
     
         2 . The plate-and-shell heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the channel blocking plate extends over, 60°±30°, in particular ±15°, in a circumferential direction of the shell and/or the channel blocking plate extends along the entire inner length of the shell in an axial direction of the shell and/or the channel blocking plate comprises a plurality of separated and preferably identical sub-plates. 
     
     
         3 . The plate-and-shell heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein at least two channel blocking plates are provided which are positioned opposite each other with respect to a central axis of the shell. 
     
     
         4 . The plate-and-shell heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the protrusions are formed by bent cuts. 
     
     
         5 . The plate-and-shell heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein a sealing plate is positioned radially outwards of the channel blocking plate for sealing openings in the channel blocking plate, wherein the sealing plate is preferably held tight against the channel blocking plate by means of a spring mechanism. 
     
     
         6 . The plate-and-shell heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the protrusions on the at least one channel blocking plate are arranged shifted to each other and/or are arranged in parallel lines and/or that the shapes of the protrusions match the shapes of the spaces between two adjacent plates. 
     
     
         7 . The plate-and-shell heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein at least two channel blocking plates are provided which are spaced apart from each other in an axial direction of the shell, and which preferably are at least partially separated and/or surrounded by radially extending support structures and/or axially extending support structures. 
     
     
         8 . The plate-and-shell heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the protrusions comprise a rectangular portion and a tapered portion, wherein the tapered portion is positioned radially more inwards of the rectangular portion. 
     
     
         9 . The plate-and-shell heat exchanger according to  claim 8 , wherein the tapered portion is a triangular, arched or circular portion. 
     
     
         10 . A channel blocking plate for a plate-and-shell heat exchanger according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         11 . The plate-and-shell heat exchanger according to  claim 2 , wherein at least two channel blocking plates are provided which are positioned opposite each other with respect to a central axis of the shell. 
     
     
         12 . The plate-and-shell heat exchanger according to  claim 2 , wherein the protrusions are formed by bent cuts. 
     
     
         13 . The plate-and-shell heat exchanger according to  claim 3 , wherein the protrusions are formed by bent cuts. 
     
     
         14 . The plate-and-shell heat exchanger according to  claim 2 , wherein a sealing plate is positioned radially outwards of the channel blocking plate for sealing openings in the channel blocking plate, wherein the sealing plate is preferably held tight against the channel blocking plate by means of a spring mechanism. 
     
     
         15 . The plate-and-shell heat exchanger according to  claim 3 , wherein a sealing plate is positioned radially outwards of the channel blocking plate for sealing openings in the channel blocking plate, wherein the sealing plate is preferably held tight against the channel blocking plate by means of a spring mechanism. 
     
     
         16 . The plate-and-shell heat exchanger according to  claim 4 , wherein a sealing plate is positioned radially outwards of the channel blocking plate for sealing openings in the channel blocking plate, wherein the sealing plate is preferably held tight against the channel blocking plate by means of a spring mechanism. 
     
     
         17 . The plate-and-shell heat exchanger according to  claim 2 , wherein the protrusions on the at least one channel blocking plate are arranged shifted to each other and/or are arranged in parallel lines and/or that the shapes of the protrusions match the shapes of the spaces between two adjacent plates. 
     
     
         18 . The plate-and-shell heat exchanger according to  claim 3 , wherein the protrusions on the at least one channel blocking plate are arranged shifted to each other and/or are arranged in parallel lines and/or that the shapes of the protrusions match the shapes of the spaces between two adjacent plates. 
     
     
         19 . The plate-and-shell heat exchanger according to  claim 4 , wherein the protrusions on the at least one channel blocking plate are arranged shifted to each other and/or are arranged in parallel lines and/or that the shapes of the protrusions match the shapes of the spaces between two adjacent plates. 
     
     
         20 . The plate-and-shell heat exchanger according to  claim 5 , wherein the protrusions on the at least one channel blocking plate are arranged shifted to each other and/or are arranged in parallel lines and/or that the shapes of the protrusions match the shapes of the spaces between two adjacent plates.