Double-walled plate heat exchanger

Abstract

A double-walled plate heat exchanger and method of managing the same includes a first plate including a first skin, a second skin, at least two port holes, and a leakage escape path between the first and second skins for allowing leaked fluid to exit the double-walled plate heat exchanger, the leakage escape path being in contact with a leakage orifice in one of the skins, and an outer edge of the double-walled plate heat exchanger, the first plate further including a second plate in contact with the second skin.

1 . A double-walled plate heat exchanger comprising:
 a first plate comprising:
 a first skin; 
 a second skin; 
 at least two port holes; and 
 a leakage escape path between the first and second skins for allowing leaked fluid to exit the double-walled plate heat exchanger, the leakage escape path being in contact with:
 a leakage orifice in one of the skins; and 
 an outer edge of the double-walled plate heat exchanger; and 
 
   a second plate in contact with the second skin.   
     
     
         2 . The double-walled plate heat exchanger of  claim 1 , further comprising a separator configured to provide separation between the first and second skins near the at least one separator. 
     
     
         3 . The double-walled plate heat exchanger of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the leakage orifice is located in the first plate; and   the second skin comprises:
 a depression at least partially surrounding the leakage orifice in the first plate such that the first and second skins are separated near the depression and the leakage orifice; and 
 the separator. 
   
     
     
         4 . The double-walled plate heat exchanger of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the leakage orifice is located in the second plate;   the second skin comprises the separator; and   the second plate comprises a leakage groove for allowing leaked fluid to exit the double-walled plate heat exchanger.   
     
     
         5 . The double-walled plate heat exchanger of  claim 2 , wherein the separator is provided as part of the leakage escape path. 
     
     
         6 . The double-walled plate heat exchanger of  claim 5 , wherein the leakage escape path further comprises a leakage groove. 
     
     
         7 . The double-walled plate heat exchanger of  claim 6 , wherein the gasket is recessed or eliminated at the leakage groove. 
     
     
         8 . The double-walled plate heat exchanger of  claim 2 , wherein the separator comprises at least one rib pressed into the first skin. 
     
     
         9 . The double-walled plate heat exchanger of  claim 2 , wherein the separator comprises an attachment to the first skin. 
     
     
         10 . The double-walled plate heat exchanger of  claim 9 , wherein the attachment to the first skin is removable. 
     
     
         11 . The double-walled plate heat exchanger of  claim 9 , wherein the attachment to the first skin is permanently attached. 
     
     
         12 . The double-walled plate heat exchanger of  claim 6 , wherein the leakage groove is in contact with an edge of the double-walled plate heat exchanger. 
     
     
         13 . A method of managing a leak in a double-walled plate heat exchanger, the method comprising allowing fluid leaked between first and second skins of a first plate in a double-walled plate heat exchanger to exit the double-walled plate heat exchanger via a leakage escape path, the leakage escape path comprising a leakage orifice, the first plate further comprising first and second port holes. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the leakage escape path contacts an outer edge of the double-walled plate heat exchanger. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the leakage escape path further comprises a depression in the second skin at least partially surrounding the leakage orifice such that the first and second skins are separated near the at least one depression and the leakage orifice, the leakage orifice being located in the first skin. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the leakage escape path further comprises a separator in a skin of a second plate configured to provide separation between the first and second plates near the separator. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising collecting the leaked fluid for analysis and/or disposal. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the leaked fluid is collected at a predetermined location on the double-walled plate heat exchanger. 
     
     
         19 . A double-walled plate heat exchanger, comprising:
 leakage escape means for allowing fluid leaked between first and second skins of a first plate in a double-walled plate heat exchanger to exit the double-walled plate heat exchanger, the leakage escape means comprising leakage orifice means for allowing the leaked fluid to exit from between the first and second skins, the first plate having at least two port holes.   
     
     
         20 . The double-walled plate heat exchanger of  claim 19 , further comprising separating means for providing separation between the first and second skins near the separating means. 
     
     
         21 . The double walled plate heat exchanger of  claim 2 , wherein the separator is located in a heat exchanging portion of the plate.