Wire spacer for a plate type heat exchanger, plate type heat exchanger provided with such a wire spacer, and method of upgrading a heat exchanger

摘要

A wire spacer (20) for spacing two adjacent heat transfer plates (2, 4) of a plate type heat exchanger (1). The wire spacer (20) is formed by a bent wire (22) that is alternatingly abutting the two adjacent heat transfer plates (2, 4), while extending along the fluid channel (6, 8) of the heat exchanger (1). The wire spacer (20) has first and second support segments (24, 26) providing a plate supporting function, and spacing segments (28) for maintaining a minimal vertical spacing (Δy) between the heat transfer plates (2, 4) during heat exchanger operation. The first lower support segments (24) are formed by wire paths (32) that span a plane (S1) coinciding with a top surface of the lower heat transfer plate (2), and allow the wire spacer (20) to keep its orientation fixed with respect to the heat transfer plates.