Compact heat exchanger

A compact heat exchanger, comprising:

• a top plate,
• at least one first internal plate alternating with at least one second internal plate,
• and a bottom plate,
• all of said plates being positioned parallel to each other, the spaces between said plates defining fluid receiving passageways,
• said top plate being positioned adjacent a said first internal plate and having protuberances extending outwardly therefrom toward said first internal plate,
• said bottom plate being positioned adjacent a said second internal plate and having protuberances extending outwardly therefrom toward said second internal plate,
• each said first internal plate having protuberances extending outwardly therefrom both toward said top plate and toward a said second internal plate, said protuberances of said first internal plate which extend toward said top plate being staggered with respect to said protuberances of said top plate and being disposed in a pattern identical to said protuberances of said bottom plate, each of said protuberances of said first internal plate which extend toward a said second internal plate being displaced laterally and displaced in a direction transverse thereto from each of said protuberances of said first internal plate which extend toward said top plate,
• each said second internal plate having protuberances extending outwardly therefrom both toward said bottom plate and toward a said first internal plate, said protuberances of said second internal plate which extend toward said bottom plate being staggered with respect to said protuberances of said bottom plate and being disposed in a pattern identical to said protuberances of said top plate, each of said protuberances of said second internal plate which extend toward a said first internal plate being displaced laterally and displaced in a direction transverse thereto from each of said protuberances of said second internal plate which extend toward said bottom plate, said protuberances of said second internal plate which extend toward a said first internal plate being staggered with respect to said protuberances thereof,
• all of said protuberances being hemispherical in configuration and in generally rectangular patterns on said plates, and arranged so that the plates nest together with the protuberances on each said plate contacting each adjacent plate between the protuberances thereof,
• said bottom plate further having closure bars secured thereto about its periphery and extending toward a said second internal plate, said closure bars extending along the entire length of two opposite sides of said bottom plate and partially along the length of the other two opposite sides of said bottom plate to define ingress and egress points for a first fluid,
• each said first internal plate further having closure bars secured thereto about its periphery and extending toward said top plate, said closure bars extending along the entire length of two opposite sides of said first internal plate and partially along the length of the other two opposite sides of said first internal plate to define ingress and egress points for a first fluid, and
• each said second internal plate further having closure bars secured thereto about its periphery and extending toward a said first internal plate, said closure bars extending along the entire length of two opposite sides of said second internal plate and partially along the length of the other two opposite sides of said second internal plate to define ingress and egress points for a second fluid.