Flat plate heat exchange apparatus

Claim 1

In a heat exchange vessel, the vessel comprising an axis extending from a first end to a second end, a foraminous feed tube disposed generally coaxially with the axis of the vessel at least adjacent the first end, a first annular flat plate heat exchanger disposed coaxially about the foraminous tube; at least a second flat plate heat exchanger disposed externally to the first flat plate heat exchanger and generally coaxial therewith; means to supply a first heat exchange fluid to the first flat plate heat exchanger; means to supply a second heat exchange fluid to the second flat plate heat exchanger, the first and second flat plate heat exchangers being disposed within the vessel, the vessel having a product discharge port at the second end of the vessel with the further limitation that each of the flat plate heat exchangers comprise a plurality of generally annular flat plates, each having a centrally disposed aperture; the flat plate-like member assembled perpendicularly to the axis of the vessel with a space between each of the individual plate members; the plate members being positioned in close proximity to one another to provide a flow pattern between adjacent members, the plate members being in spaced apart relationship; a plurality of heat exchange conduits passing through said plate-like members to thereby permit circulation of heat exchange fluid through said conduits, wherein each of the flat plate heat exchangers has a common fixed tube sheet and a common floating tube sheet supported primarily by tubes passing through the flat plate heat exchanger, the improvement which comprises providing a floating tube sheet, the floating tube sheet comprising a first generally annular outer portion, a second generally discoidal inner portion, a frustoconical interface between the first and second floating tube sheet portions, the frustoconical interface being projectible to a cone having an apex which lies approximately at the intersection of a face of the fixed tube sheet which is adjacent a floating tube sheet and the intersection of said plane with the axis of generation of the flat plate heat exchangers.