The invention concerns a modular fired heat exchanger and the module of the fired heat exchanger designated for industrial boiler water heating installations.

Known from publication WO 2013/092601 A2 is a modular heat exchanger which contains at least two heat exchanger modules placed side by side and a connecting plate, where each of the modules is fitted with an appropriate fluid duct, as well as inlet and outlet openings which are directed towards the connecting plate, where the connecting plate features at least one connecting duct which serves as a hydraulic connection between the two fluid ducts in the heat exchanger modules, where the heat exchanger modules placed side by side and the connecting plate are positioned radially around the combustion chamber, and where the heat exchanger modules contact the combustion chamber.

Publication AU 2012200237 discloses a modular heat exchanger highly flexible in use, comprising a box-like body which delimits inside it at least one heat exchange chamber, and has at least one inlet and at least one outlet for the passage through the heat exchange chamber of combustion products along a preferred path. More specifically, the boxlike body defines at least partially in its side walls at least one duct for feeding a fluid to be heated and inside the heat exchange chamber heat exchange elements are provided and are associated with the supply duct in order to increase the thermal efficiency. Preferably, each modular element of the heat exchanger contains at least one section with heat exchange elements, at least one section of the supply duct, and at least one section of the heat exchange chamber so at to attain a heat exchanger of varied preset dimensions and technical parameters.

Known from publication WO 2010/025960 A2 is a modular structure of the heat exchanger, particularly designated for working at high loads and/or in high temperatures. The structure contains an external jacket and a number of heat exchanger modules, each being either a heater, a steamer, or an overheat protection module, where each module contains an inlet collector and an outlet collector, and a coil of pipes through which the endothermic agent, water in particular, flows from the inlet collector to the outlet collector, and where all heat exchanger modules are fitted inside one and the same casing so that the same egzothermic carrier flows around the modules, where in the case of a steamer the modules are connected parallel with a steam drum.

Known too from publication WO 2008/004855 A2 is a modular heat exchanger and the method of manufacturing it. The heat exchanger consists of interconnected repeatable members, where each member contains a burner chamber with free space for fitting the burner, a combustion gas inlet and outlet, and a water flow duct having both inlet and outlet. The members are mutually positioned so that they form a common burner chamber, and the gas and water inlets and outlets in different members are appropriately interconnected to ducts.

A fired heat exchanger module according to the present invention, having at least one set of heat exchange elements, at least one fluid inlet stub pipe and at least one fluid outlet stub pipe is characterised in that at its top there is a fragment of the combustion chamber encased in a fragment of the water jacket fitted with at least one fluid outlet stub pipe, where connected to the fragment of the combustion chamber is at least one set of the elements for the exchange of heat between the combustion gases and the fluid, at the bottom fitted with at least one fluid inlet stub pipe, where the chamber through which the fluid flows in each set of heat exchange elements is connected to the fragment of the water jacket.

The fragment of the water jacket may be closed with a wall at least on one side.

Preferably, the connection between the fragment of the combustion chamber and the set(s) is detachable.

Preferably, the fragment of the water jacket bottom of the fragment of the combustion chamber is made up of two planes of any desired shape, preferably contacting each other at an angle and inclined towards the centre.

In order to increase the heat exchange area, strengthen the structure, and agitate the fluid flowing through, there are hollow-like indentations on the water jacket fragment of the fragment of the combustion chamber.

Preferably, the module features a casing for the set(s) with an opening(s) for inserting the set(s) inside, where the casing is connected to the water jacket fragment of the fragment of the combustion chamber, the latter preferably integrally connected to the casing.

Preferably, the tubes which supply and collect the fluid to/from the module are detachably connected to the relevant inlet and outlet stub pipes with a linking element featuring a moulded niche to accommodate the tube.

Every single module may serve as a heat exchanger, where the fragment of the combustion chamber and the fragment of the water jacket are closed with a wall on the one side, and a wall with an opening for the burner on the other side, in which way a combustion chamber is formed; the module further fitted with a duct discharging the combustion gases into the vent, and with a condensate accumulation bowl.

A modular fired heat exchanger containing at least two

interconnected modules according to the invention is characterised in that at its top there is a fragment of the combustion chamber encased in a fragment of the water jacket fitted with at least one fluid outlet stub pipe, where connected to the fragment of the combustion chamber is at least one set of the elements for the exchange of heat between the combustion gases and the fluid, at the bottom fitted with at least one fluid inlet stub pipe, where the chamber through which the fluid flows in each set of heat exchange elements is connected to the fragment of the water jacket of the fragment of the combustion chamber, and the interconnected fragments of the combustion chamber arranged into a row of modules form the common combustion chamber of the heat exchanger, where the fragment of the combustion chamber in one of the outermost modules is fitted with a wall with an opening to accommodate the burner, and in the other of the outermost modules is closed with a wall.

Preferably, the fragment of the water jacket in each of the central modules is closed with a wall at least on one side.

Preferably, the connection between the fragment of the combustion chamber of the heat exchanger module and the set(s) is detachable.

Preferably, the tubes supplying fluid to the modules are connected to the main inlet stub pipe and the tubes collecting the fluid from the module are connected to the main inlet stub pipe.

Preferably, the tubes which supply and collect the fluid to/from the modules are detachably connected to the relevant inlet and outlet stub pipes with a linking element featuring a moulded niche to accommodate the tube.

Preferably, the modules have a common duct to discharge the combustion gases to the vent, and another common duct to discharge the condensate.

The structure of the heat exchanger module allows for

interconnecting any number of the modules other, depending on the desired efficiency of the heat exchanger, while using a single burner. No particular precision is required while connecting the heat exchanger modules. Should a higher efficiency of the heat exchanger be required, it is possible to expand it with subsequent modules, or connect the modules in different configurations. The connection of the tubes which supply fluid to the modules to the main common inlet stub pipe, and connection of the tubes which collect the fluid from the modules to the main common outlet stub pipe ensures savings of the consumables.

The invention is illustrated on the exemplary drawings, where Fig. l shows the heat exchanger module with two sets of heat exchange elements in an axonometric projection,

Fig.2 - elements of the heat exchanger module presented on Fig. 1 , in an axonometric projection,

Fig.3 - a section of the heat exchanger module fitted with a casing designated for two sets of heat exchange elements with one set in place, in an axonometric projection,

Fig.4 - a fragment of the combustion chamber fitted with the casing designated for two sets, in an axonometric projection,

Fig.5 - a section of a fragment of the combustion chamber with hollowlike indentations in the water jacket and centrally-inclined bottom of the water jacket, in an axonometric projection,

Fig. 6 - a cross-section of the fragment of the combustion chamber, as shown on Fig. 5,

Fig.7 - the heat exchanger module with one set of heat exchange elements, in an axonometric projection,

Fig.8 - a cross-section of the heat exchanger module, as shown on Fig.7, in an axonometric projection,

Fig.9 - the connection of the supply tube with the fluid outlet stub pipe, in an axonometric projection,

Fig.10 -a cross-section of a section of the water jacket of a fragment of the combustion chamber, showing the connection between the outlet stub pipe and the collection tube,

Fig.1 1 - the connection between the fluid outlet stub pipe and the fluid collection tube, in an axonometric projection,

Fig.12 - bi-modular heat exchanger, in and axonometric projection,

Fig.13 - tri-modular heat exchanger, in and axonometric projection,

Fig.14 - the connection between the upper fragments of the heat exchanger modules in the tri-modular heat exchanger, in an axonometric projection,

Fig.15 - a section of the combustion chamber in the tri-modular heat exchanger, in an axonometric projection,

Fig.16 - the connection between the fluid outlet stub pipes and the fluid collection tubes, in an axonometric projection.

The invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

In the first embodiment shown on Figures 1 and 2 the module of the fired heat exchanger contains two sets of the elements exchanging heat between the combustion gases and the fluid. In the top section module 1 has a fragment of the combustion chamber 2 in the shape of a cylindrical dome featuring openings for sets 5 in the bottom, where the combustion chamber is open on both sides and encased in a water jacket 3, which on the top is fitted with the fluid outlet stub pipe 4. The openings in the bottom of the fragment of the combustion chamber 2 are used to screw on two sets 5 of the elements which exchange heat between the combustion gases and the fluid, connected to the fragment of the combustion chamber 2, where each of those elements is fitted with the fluid inlet stub pipe 6 at the bottom. The chamber through which the fluid flows inside the set 5 of the heat exchange elements is connected to the water jacket 3 of the fragment of the combustion chamber. Water jacket 3 of the bottom of the fragment of the combustion chamber 2 is formed into two flat planes: upper 7 and lower 8, one positioned at an angle to the other and inclined towards the centre. (Fig. 6). Such shape of the bottom of the water jacket substantially improves the strength parameters, prevents boiling of the fluid, and improves its flow. The hollow-like indentations 9 in the water jacket 3 of the fragment of the combustion chamber 2 increase the heat exchange area (Fig. 1 , Fig.2, Fig.5, Fig 6).

In the second embodiment of the invention the heat exchanger module described in example one is fitted with the casing 10 for sets 5, which is integrally connected to the wall of the water jacket 3 of the fragment of the combustion chamber 2 (Fig. 3, Fig.4). On the bottom of the casing 10 there are openings through which sets 5 are inserted inside and then pushed into the corresponding openings in the bottom of the fragment of the combustion chamber 2.

In example three, the module of the fired heat exchanger, as described above, has one set of heat exchange elements 5 instead of two, as shown on Fig. 7 and Fig. 8.

The tubes which supply 13 and collect 12 fluid to/from the module described above are detachably connected to the relevant inlet 6 and outlet 7 stub pipes with the linking element 1 1 with moulded niche 16 to accommodate the tubes 12, 13 (Figures 9 to 11).

In other embodiments of the invention the heat exchanger module as described in the examples above may serve as a heat exchanger. Then, a fragment of the combustion chamber 2 is closed with a wall on the one side, and a wall featuring an opening for the burner on the other, in which way a combustion chamber is formed inside.

Fig. 12 shows the bi-modular version of the heat exchanger, and Fig. 13 depicts the heat exchanger in the tri-modular version.

The bi-modular heat exchanger according to the invention, as illustrated on Fig. 12, consists of two modules 1 , as shown on Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, described in example one, connected to each other to form a row. Interconnected fragments of the combustion chamber 2 form the common combustion chamber of the heat exchanger, where the fragment of the combustion chamber 1 in one of the outermost modules is fitted with a wall with an opening 14 to accommodate the burner, and the fragment of the combustion chamber of the second outermost module is closed with a wall 15. The chamber for the flow of the liquid inside the sets 5 of the heat exchange elements is connected to the water jacket 3 of the fragment of the combustion chamber. The tubes 13 which supply the fluid to the modules 1 are connected to the main inlet stub pipe, and the tubes 12 which collect the fluid from the modules 1 are connected to the main outlet stub pipe. The tubes for the supply 13 and collection 12 of the fluid to/from the modules are detachably connected to the corresponding inlet 6 and outlet 7 stub pipes with the linking element 1 1 featuring a moulded niche 16 to accommodate the tube (Fig. 16), which ensures swift

assembly and disassembly of the tubes. The modules 1 of the heat exchanger have a common duct for the discharge of the combustion gases and another common duct for the discharge of the condensate.

The tri-modular heat exchanger according to the invention, as shown on Figures 13 and 14, consists of three modules 1 depicted on Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, as described in example one, which are connected to each other, as in the bi-modular example.

In other exemplary embodiments, the bi- or tri-modular heat exchanger consists of two or three modules 1 , respectively, fitted with casing 10 for the sets 5 of the heat exchange elements, as shown on Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 and described in example two, where the modules are connected to each other as in bi-modular example illustrated on Fig. 15.

In yet other exemplary embodiments, the modular heat exchanger may be made of modules 1 , as shown on Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 and described in the third exemplary embodiment, where the modules are connected to each other as in the bi-modular example.

In other embodiments of the invention the modular heat exchanger may consist of any number of modules arranged in different

configurations adjusted to the desired dimensions of the heat exchanger and its desired efficiency.