GB1151696A - Heat Exchangers - Google Patents

Abstract

1,151,696. Distillation, vapour-compression type; desalination of water. COURTAULDS Ltd. 24 May, 1966 [25 May, 1965], No. 22151/65. Heading B1B. [Also in Divisions F2 and F4] In a heat exchanger intended for use in a vapour compression process for the desalination of sea water and in which tubes 3 of thin thermoplastic film extend vertically between upper and lower tube plates (only the lower plate 1 being shown), the tubes are suspended from the top plate which is rigidly mounted, and at least partially support the weight of the bottom plate, whereby the tubes are tensioned. The tension may be supplemented by the addition of weights to the bottom plate or by a downwardly-urging spring; or if necessary, the tension may be reduced by an upwardly-urging spring. The tube assembly shown is disposed in a tower 2 and as shown, the plate 1 has an upstanding flange 7 providing a well in which brine flowing down the tubes collects and is drawn off. Stand pipes 4 extend upwardly from the tube plate and prevent leakage of brine into the tubes should one or other of these become holed below the brine level. The tube ends are clamped by tubular wedges 5 to the stand pipes 4. A seal between the tower wall and the tube plate may be provided by a flexible membrane 11. Alternatively a liquid seal may be provided (Fig. 2).