Confinement group for a plate heat exchanger, a method of obtaining such an exchanger, and a method of absorbing stress in a confinement group for pack-type plate heat exchangers

A confinement group for a pack-type plate heat exchanger including:

• at least one pair of end heads located opposite each other with respect to the plate pack, and tightening means for tightening the end heads against the plate pack;
• at least one end head of said pair of heads comprises:
• a block of a first material resistant to compression stress, the block having:
• an internal front portion located and configured for contacting the plate pack;
• an external front portion on which the tightening means act;
• at least one reinforcement element of a second material resistant to traction stress and located at said external front portion, the reinforcement element comprises a shell element located at said external front portion;
• each head delimits seats for said tightening means;
• said shell element includes lateral portions and includes an intermediate portion connecting said lateral portions, thereby delimiting a receiving zone for said block;
• said reinforcement element has a pair of projections or ears at said lateral portions located and configured to act as abutment shoulders for a respective one of said tightening means;
• each said ear has a face or surface located and configured to be engaged by a respective one of said tightening means and each ear has an internal face or surface when the ear is in use;
• and
• said block extends to and engages the whole or part of said internal face or surface of said ears.