Plate heat exchanger

Abstract

The invention relates to a plate heat exchanger including a plate package, which plate package includes a plurality of heat exchanger plates of at least two configurations which are joined to each other and which alternate with each other to form a stack of heat exchanger plates forming plate interspaces between the heat exchanger plates. The plate interspaces are arranged to receive at least two different fluids. At least one through hole is arranged to extend between the exterior of the plate package and a compartment inside the plate package, the compartment being at least partly formed by any of the plate interspaces, wherein the at least one through hole is formed by a thermal drilling.

1 . A plate heat exchanger including a plate package, which plate package includes a plurality of heat exchanger plates of at least two configurations which are joined to each other and which alternate with each other to form a stack of heat exchanger plates forming plate interspaces between the heat exchanger plates, the plate interspaces being arranged to receive at least two different fluids, wherein at least one through hole is arranged to extend between the exterior of the plate package and a compartment inside the plate package, the compartment being at least partly formed by any of the plate interspaces, wherein the at least one through hole is formed by a thermal drilling. 
     
     
         2 . A plate heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the compartment comprises a plurality of plate interspaces communicating with each other via a common channel wherein the at least one through hole is arranged in a wall portion defining the common channel. 
     
     
         3 . A plate heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one through hole is arranged to receive a component contained in the group consisting of sensors such as temperature sensors, pressure sensors and optic sensors, plugs, such as drainage plugs or inspection glasses and connectors for tubings. 
     
     
         4 . A plate heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal axis of the at least one through hole is arranged to extend essentially in parallel with a general plane of the longitudinal surface extension of the heat exchanger plates.  
     
     
         5 . A plate heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one through hole is arranged in a wall portion defining a circumferential side wall of the plate package, the side wall extending essentially perpendicular to a general plane of the longitudinal surface extension of the heat exchanger plates. 
     
     
         6 . A plate heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one through hole has a diameter providing access to more than one plate interspace. 
     
     
         7 . A plate heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one through hole is arranged in an upper or a lower end plate forming part of the plate package. 
     
     
         8 . A plate heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger plates in the plate package are permanently joined through brazing, welding, adhesive or bonding. 
     
     
         9 . A plate heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one through hole comprises a longitudinal envelope surface defining a sleeve having a longitudinal extension being coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the through hole and the sleeve having a free edge portion facing the interior of the compartment. 
     
     
         10 . A plate heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the mouth of the at least one through hole facing away from the compartment comprises a circumferential collar formed during the thermal drilling. 
     
     
         11 . A plate heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one through hole comprises a threaded portion. 
     
     
         12 . A plate heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , further comprising a bracket arranged in or around the mouth of the at least one through hole. 
     
     
         13 . A plate heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the stack of the plate package includes a number of first heat exchanger plates and a number of second heat exchanger plates, which are joined to each other and arranged side by side in such a way that a first plate interspace is formed between each pair of adjacent first heat exchanger plates and second heat exchanger plates, and a second plate interspace is formed between each pair of adjacent second heat exchanger plates and first heat exchanger plates, wherein the first plate interspaces and the second plate interspaces are separated from each other and provided side by side in an alternating order in the at least one plate package. 
     
     
         14 . A plate heat exchanger according to  claim 2 , wherein the common channel comprises a plurality of through holes formed by thermal drilling, wherein at least two of the through holes are arranged for the supply of a first of the at least two different fluids to the common channel. 
     
     
         15 . A plate heat exchanger according to  claim 14 , wherein the first of the at least two different fluids is supplied to the common channel via a manifold connected to the at least two through holes. 
     
     
         16 . A method of providing a through hole in a plate heat exchanger, the method comprising:
 providing a plate heat exchanger comprising a plate package, which plate package includes a plurality of heat exchanger plates of at least two configurations which are joined to each other and which alternate with each other to form a stack of heat exchanger plates forming plate interspaces between the heat exchanger plates, the plate interspaces being arranged to receive at least two different fluids, and   arranging by thermal drilling at least one through hole extending between the exterior of the plate package and a compartment inside the plate package, the compartment being at least partly formed by any of the plate interspaces.