Heat exchanger for steam generation for a solar thermal power plant

A heat exchanger for generating a steam flow for a solar thermal power plant, comprising:

• a casing configured for receiving a casing-side fluid;
• pipes arranged within the casing for a pipe-side fluid;
• and
• a fluid inlet conduit which is connected to an inlet opening for the casing-side fluid and which encloses at least a part of the pipes in such a manner that the fluid inlet conduit is configured as a preheater and/or a flow director for the casing-side fluid entering the casing;
• wherein
• a separation of a water vapor from a liquid phase occurs outside of the casing in a separate steam drum;
• the casing-side fluid is water;
• the pipe-side fluid is a thermal oil or a salt;
• heat is transmitted via the pipes from the pipe-side fluid to the casing-side fluid;
• the fluid inlet conduit is arranged entirely inside the casing;
• the pipes are configured as a horizontal meandering pipe bundle;
• the pipes comprise, on the inlet side, a distributor via which the heat-emitting fluid is directed into the individual pipes and, on the outlet side, a header by means of which the pipes are separated from one another;
• the steam drum is arranged above the heat exchanger and is coupled by means of riser pipes and downpipes to the heat exchanger in such a manner that a natural circulation occurs;
• and
• the heat exchanger is configured for use in a solar-thermal power plant.