Heat exchanger and method of wetting heat exchangers

Abstract

A heat exchanger including a first module and a second module for heat exchange between a first fluid medium and a second fluid medium. The first fluid medium is conducted through a closed channel system separate from the second fluid medium, with the closed channel system flowed around by the gaseous second fluid medium. The first module and the second module are wetted by a third fluid medium, with a first wetting apparatus wetting the first module being actuatable independently of a second wetting apparatus wetting the second module. A first blocking element is provided for the first wetting apparatus. A second blocking element is provided for the second wetting apparatus. A monitoring system is provided by means of which the period of use of each blocking element can be detected so that the blocking elements can be switched in based on the data on the period of use.

1 . A heat exchanger including at least one first module and one second module for the heat exchange between a first fluid medium and a second fluid medium, wherein the first fluid medium can be conducted through a closed channel system separate from the second fluid medium, with the closed channel system being able to be flowed around by the second fluid medium and with the second fluid medium being gaseous,
 characterized in that   a first wetting apparatus is provided for the first module and a second wetting apparatus is provided for the second module by means of which wetting apparatus the first module and the second module can be wetted by a third fluid medium, with the first wetting apparatus for the first module being able to be actuated independently of the wetting apparatus for the second module, and wherein a first blocking element is provided for the first wetting apparatus and a second blocking element is provided for the second wetting apparatus, and wherein a monitoring system is provided by means of which the period of use of each of the blocking elements be detected so that the blocking elements can be switched in based on the data on the period of use.   
     
     
         2 . A heat exchanger in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the first blocking element and the second blocking element include at least one valve which can be actuated by means of a magnet, a valve which can be actuated hydraulically or a valve which can be actuated pneumatically. 
     
     
         3 . A heat exchanger in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the closed channel system includes at least one pipe system, a system of fins or a system of plates for taking up the first fluid medium. 
     
     
         4 . A heat exchanger in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the first module and the second module are configured so that the closed channel system can be wetted directly by means of the first wetting apparatus and/or the second wetting apparatus. 
     
     
         5 . A heat exchanger in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the channel system is arranged at an angle of inclination to the vertical direction. 
     
     
         6 . A method of wetting a heat exchanger including at least one first module and one second module for the heat exchange between a first fluid medium and a second fluid medium, wherein the first fluid medium is conducted through a closed channel system separate from the second fluid medium, with the closed channel system being flowed around by the second fluid medium, with the second fluid medium being gaseous,
 characterized in that   a first wetting apparatus is provided for the first module and a second wetting apparatus is provided for the second module by means of which the first module and the second module can be wetted by a third fluid medium, with the first wetting apparatus for the first module being able to be actuated independently of the wetting apparatus for the second module, and wherein the period of use of each of the wetting apparatus is registered by a monitoring system and each of the wetting apparatus can be switched in as required in dependence on the prior period of use.