Multiple fluid path plate heat exchanger

A plate type heat exchanger for exchanging heat between a multiplicity of at least three heat exchange fluids, comprising;

• a plurality of spaced plates secured together to form a stack having a plurality of fluid flow channels extending between adjacent plates;
• a plurality of aligned holes in said plates to define an inlet or an outlet;
• and
• a connecting adapter comprising a connecting plate mounted to said stack about one of said holes, a conduit mounted to said connecting plate and entering said stack through said aligned holes, said conduit being spaced from the peripheries of said holes to define a flow passage between said conduit and said peripheries of said holes, and a separator element sealed to said conduit and to two adjacent plates defining said channels.

A plate type heat exchanger comprising:

• a plurality of plates in a stack having opposed ends and in spaced relation to one another, the spaces between adjacent plates defining at least four groups of channels;
• the channels of a first of said groups being located throughout said stack between said ends with adjacent channels of said first group being spaced by a channel of another of the groups;
• the channels of a second of said groups being located near one end of said stack;
• the channels of a third of said groups being located near the other end of said stack;
• the channels of said fourth group being located between the channels of said second and third groups;
• four rows of aligned holes in said plates in spaced relation to one another;
• first separators surrounding the holes in two of said rows at locations between adjacent ones of said plates defining said first group of channels;
• second separators surrounding the holes in the remaining rows at locations between adjacent ones of said plates defining at least some of said second, third and fourth group of channels;
• at least two of said second separators comprising imperforate discs blocking said remaining rows at a first location between said ends of said stack;
• at least two of said second separators comprising a tube located within each of said remaining rows and spaced from the periphery of the holes thereof to defining a gap and an annular disc on the tube blocking said remaining rows at a second location between said ends of said stack;
• said first location being at the interface of said fourth group and one of said second and third groups;
• and
• said second location being at the interface of said fourth group and the other of said second and third groups.