Heat exchanger and related exchange module

Abstract

A heat exchanger, includes modules defining a first path for a first fluid, each having two metal sheets forming between them a network of channels which are located in parallel with each other from the fluidic point of view, each channel interposed between two neighbouring channels of the network being, over the whole of its developed length, adjacent to these two neighbouring channels from which it is isolated by two respective weld lines connecting the two metal sheets; a second path for a second fluid is defined between the modules; and an overall variation in the passage cross-section over the length of at least one of the paths with continuity of profiles of the channels.

1 . A heat exchanger comprising:
 modules defining a first path for a first fluid, each comprising two metal sheets forming between them a network of channels which are located in parallel with each other from the fluidic point of view, each channel interposed between two neighbouring channels of the network being, over the whole of its developed length, adjacent to these two neighbouring channels from which it is isolated by two respective weld lines connecting the two metal sheets;   a second path for a second fluid is defined between the modules; and an overall variation in a passage cross-section over the length of at least one of the paths with continuity of profiles of the channels.   
   
   
       2 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the pitch between the neighbouring weld lines varies progressively over at least part of the length of the channels of one module. 
   
   
       3 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the inflation of the metal sheets of a module varies progressively over at least part of the length of the channels. 
   
   
       4 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the pitch between neighbouring weld lines varies from one channel to the other of a module. 
   
   
       5 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the inflation of the metal sheets of a module varies from one channel to another. 
   
   
       6 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the arrangement of the modules in relation to each other produces an overall variation in the passage cross-section over the length of the second path. 
   
   
       7 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the overall variation in the cross-section of one of the paths is in the same direction as a variation in the flow rate of gas in this path intended for a phase change process. 
   
   
       8 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the modules are in parallel planes. 
   
   
       9 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the modules are in convergent planes. 
   
   
       10 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the modules have longitudinal edges forming an angle with each other, each being almost parallel to a respective outside weld line. 
   
   
       11 . A heat exchange module comprising two metal sheets which between them form a network of channels located in parallel to each other from a fluidic point of view, each channel interposed between two neighbouring channels of the network being adjacent over its whole developed length to these two neighbouring channels from which it is isolated by two respective weld lines joining the two metal sheets, and wherein an overall variation in the passage cross-section is defined by the channels with continuity of profile of the channels. 
   
   
       12 . A heat exchange module according to  claim 11 , characterised in that the pitch between neighbouring weld lines varies progressively over at least part of the length of the channels. 
   
   
       13 . A heat exchange module according to  claim 11 , characterised in that the inflation of the metal sheets varies progressively over at least part of the length of the channels. 
   
   
       14 . A heat exchange module according to  claim 11 , characterised in that the pitch between the neighbouring weld lines varies from one channel the other. 
   
   
       15 . A heat exchange module according to  claim 11 , characterised in that the inflation of the metal sheets varies from one channel to the other. 
   
   
       16 . A heat exchange module according to  claim 11 , characterised in that it comprises longitudinal edges each forming an angle with the other, each being almost parallel to a respective outside line of weld.