Element basket assembly for heat exchanger

An element basket assembly for use in a rotary regenerative heat exchanger comprising a plurality of heat transfer element plates juxtaposed in a stacked array so as to form a plurality of flow passages therethrough, and a basket frame surrounding the stacked array of heat transfer element plates in supporting relationship therewith, said basket frame comprising:

• a. first and second shell members disposed in spaced parallel relationship, said first shell member disposed along the upper portion of the stacked array of heat transfer element plates and said second shell member disposed along the lower portion of the stacked array of heat transfer element plates, each of said first and second shell members comprising an elongated plank-like member formed into a trough-like member having a base end portion and a pair of spaced legs extending outwardly from the base and portion thereof;
• b. means for interconnecting the base end portion of the first shell member to the base end portion of the second shell member;
• c. an end closure member mounted between the outboard ends of the spaced legs of the first and second shell members to form a frame about the stacked array of heat transfer element plates;
• and
• d. means abutting the upper and lower surfaces of the stacked array of heat transfer element plates and connected to the frame for retaining the heat transfer plates within the frame.