Heat exchanger

A heat exchanger for facilitating exchange of heat between at least first and second process streams, comprising

• a matrix of heat exchange elements arranged in side-by-side spaced apart relationship,
• metal jacket means enclosing the matrix of heat exchange elements,
• first and second process stream inlet and outlet manifolds for passing the process streams through the metal jacket to and from the matrix of heat exchange elements,
• a first set of flow passages for the first process stream, the first set of flow passages being defined between adjacent heat exchange elements,
• a second set of flow passages within the heat exchange elements for the second process stream, and
• each heat exchange element having edge locations and at said edge locations of each heat exchange element, an inlet passage and an outlet passage for the second process stream being provided, the inlet and outlet passages being connected to the second set of flow passages and to the corresponding inlet and outlet manifolds for flow of the second process stream therethrough;
• wherein each heat exchange element comprises a diffusion bonded stack of metal sheets having a superplastically expanded internal core structure defining the second set of flow passages for the second process stream;
• said inlet and outlet manifolds for at least the second process stream comprising:
• plate elements having projecting edge portions which define slot-shaped inlet and outlet means for flow of at least the second process stream through said plate elements, and
• a manifold with wall means having slots therethrough, the projecting edge portions of the plate elements being secured in said slots such that the process stream flow can occur between said manifold with wall means and the interior of said plate elements.