Heat exchanger

Abstract

An evaporator with a plurality of tubes which extend through the shell. The plurality of tubes have first respective tubes and second respective tubes, the second respective tubes being proximate to and laterally displaced from the first respective tubes. A generally vertical partition is positioned to direct the flow of the process fluid through the plurality of tubes in a generally sideways pattern.

1 . An heat exchanger comprising:
 a shell comprising a first process fluid box at one end of the shell and a second process fluid box at an opposed end of the shell;   a plurality of tubes disposed in the shell, the plurality of tubes extending from the first process fluid box to the second process fluid box, the plurality of tubes comprising a first set of tubes and a second set of tubes, the second set of tubes being laterally displaced from the first set of tubes;   the first process fluid box and the second process fluid box being configured to direct a process fluid through the first set of tubes in a first direction and to direct the process fluid through the second set of tubes in a second direction opposite the first direction.   
     
     
         2 . The heat exchanger as recited in  claim 1  wherein the first process fluid box comprises an inlet nozzle configured to receive the process fluid, an outlet nozzle configured to discharge the process fluid, and a partition positioned between the inlet nozzle and the outlet nozzle, the partition being configured to direct the process fluid from the inlet nozzle into the first set of tubes and to direct the process fluid from the second set of tubes into the outlet nozzle. 
     
     
         3 . The heat exchanger as recited in  claim 1  wherein the first process fluid box comprises a first partition and an inlet nozzle configured to receive the process fluid, the partition being configured to direct the process fluid from the inlet nozzle into the first set of tubes and to direct the process fluid from the second set of tubes into a third set of tubes of the plurality of tubes, the third set of tubes being laterally displaced from the second set of tubes. 
     
     
         4 . The heat exchanger as recited in  claim 3  wherein the second process fluid box comprises a second partition and an outlet nozzle configured to discharge the process fluid, the second partition being configured to direct the process fluid from the first set of tubes into the second set of tubes and to direct the process fluid from the third set of tubes to the outlet nozzle. 
     
     
         5 . The heat exchanger as recited in  claim 4  wherein the partition and the second partition are angled to divide the plurality of tubes substantially equally between the first set of tubes, the second set of tubes and the third set of tubes. 
     
     
         6 . The heat exchanger as recited in  claim 2  wherein the partition has a generally vertical orientation to facilitate a lateral flow of the process fluid through the plurality of tubes. 
     
     
         7 . The heat exchanger as recited in  claim 2  further comprising a tube support in the shell, the tube support comprising a plurality of apertures and configured to receive and support the plurality of tubes extending through the shell. 
     
     
         8 . The heat exchanger as recited in  claim 7  wherein the tube support comprises a region without apertures, the region corresponding to the position of the partition. 
     
     
         9 . The heat exchanger as recited in  claim 7  further comprising a rib positioned in the shell above the tube support, the rib being configured to provide additional support and stability to the shell. 
     
     
         10 . The heat exchanger as recited in  claim 1  wherein the shell comprises an inlet configured to receive refrigerant, the first set of tubes extending from the inlet to a first height, and the second set of tubes extending from the inlet to a second height substantially equal to the first height. 
     
     
         11 . An evaporator comprising:
 a shell having a header at one end of the shell and a second header at an opposed end of the shell;   a plurality of tubes disposed in the shell, the plurality of tubes extending from the first header to the second header, the plurality of tubes comprising a first set of tubes and second set of tubes, the second set of tubes being laterally displaced from the first set of tubes;   a first partition positioned in the first header, the first partition having a generally vertical orientation to direct flow of the process fluid through the plurality of tubes in a generally lateral direction.   
     
     
         12 . The evaporator as recited in  claim 11  wherein the first header comprises an inlet nozzle configured to receive the process fluid, an outlet nozzle configured to discharge the process fluid, and the first partition positioned between the inlet nozzle and the outlet nozzle, the first partition being configured to direct the process fluid from the inlet nozzle into the first set of tubes and to direct the process fluid from the second set of tubes into the outlet nozzle. 
     
     
         13 . The evaporator as recited in  claim 11  wherein the first header comprises the first partition and an inlet nozzle configured to receive the process fluid, the first partition being configured to direct the process fluid from the inlet nozzle into the first set of tubes and to direct the process fluid from the second set of tubes into a third set of tubes of the plurality of tubes, the third set of tubes being laterally displaced from the second set of tubes. 
     
     
         14 . The evaporator as recited in  claim 13  wherein the second header comprises a second partition and an outlet nozzle configured to discharge the process fluid, the second partition being configured to direct the process fluid from the first set of tubes into the second set of tubes and to direct the process fluid from the third set of tubes to the outlet nozzle. 
     
     
         15 . The evaporator as recited in  claim 14  wherein the second partition has a generally vertical orientation to facilitate a lateral flow of the process fluid through the plurality of tubes. 
     
     
         16 . The evaporator as recited in  claim 11  wherein the shell comprises an inlet configured to receive refrigerant, the first set of tubes extending from the inlet to a first height, and the second set of tubes extending from the inlet to a second height substantially equal to the first height. 
     
     
         17 . An heat exchanger comprising:
 a shell comprising a first process fluid box at one end of the shell and a second process fluid box at an opposed end of the shell;   a plurality of tubes disposed in the shell, the plurality of tubes extending from the first process fluid box to the second process fluid box, the plurality of tubes comprising a first set of tubes and a second set of tubes;   the first process fluid box and the second process fluid box being configured to direct a process fluid through the first set of tubes in a first direction and to direct the process fluid through the second set of tubes in a second direction opposite the first direction;   a tube support positioned in the shell, the tub supports have apertures to receive the first set of tubes and the second set of tubes.   
     
     
         18 . The heat exchanger as recited in  claim 17  wherein a support rib is provided proximate the tube support, the support rib providing support to the tube support. 
     
     
         19 . The heat exchanger as recited in  claim 17  wherein the first process fluid box comprises an inlet nozzle configured to receive the process fluid, an outlet nozzle configured to discharge the process fluid, and a partition positioned between the inlet nozzle and the outlet nozzle, the partition being configured to direct the process fluid from the inlet nozzle into the first set of tubes and to direct the process fluid from the second set of tubes into the outlet nozzle. 
     
     
         20 . The heat exchanger as recited in  claim 19  where a region is provided on the tube support, the position of the region on the tube support corresponds to the position of the partition in the first process fluid box.