Patent ID: 8733427
Filing Date: 2014-05-27
Classification: F28D,F28F

Abstract:
1. A heat exchanger comprising: a plurality of stacked heat exchange modules each including a first fluid conduit for the flow of a first fluid through the heat exchanger, the first fluid conduit having a first primary heat transfer surface, a second fluid conduit for the flow of a second fluid through the heat exchanger, the second fluid conduit having a second primary heat transfer surface, the first primary heat transfer surface being thermally coupled to and in continuous contact with the second primary heat transfer surface such that heat transfer can occur between the first fluid flowing in the first fluid conduit and the second fluid flowing through the second fluid conduit; and a third fluid conduit for the flow of a third fluid through the heat exchanger, the third fluid conduit having a third primary heat transfer surface, the third primary heat transfer surface being thermally coupled to both of said first and second primary heat transfer surfaces, so that heat transfer can occur between the third fluid flowing through the third fluid conduit and both the first fluid and the second fluid flowing through the first and second fluid conduits, respectively, heat therefore being transferred between any one of the fluid conduits and each of the other fluid conduits, the first fluid conduit having an inlet and an outlet and the second fluid conduit having an inlet and an outlet, wherein the first fluid conduit inlet and outlet are separate to and fluidly independent to the second fluid conduit inlet and outlet; and wherein the first and second fluid conduits are tubular members disposed in juxtaposition, and wherein the third fluid conduit is located laterally adjacent to and thermally coupled to both the first and second fluid conduits; and wherein the first and second fluid conduits are formed by a pair of spaced-apart plates, and an intermediate plate located between the spaced-apart plates, the intermediate plate being formed with undulations defining, with the spaced-apart plates, said first and second fluid conduits, one of the spaced-apart plates defining inlet and outlet openings in communication with each of said first and second fluid conduits.