DISTRIBUTOR DEVICE FOR DISTRIBUTING LIQUID TO TUBES OF A TUBE-BUNDLE APPARATUS, AND ALSO TUBE-BUNDLE APPARATUS, IN PARTICULAR FALLING-FILM EVAPORATOR

Abstract

A distributor device is provided for distributing liquid to tubes of a vertical tube-bundle apparatus that open out into an upper tube sheet. The distributor device includes a plurality of outlet openings that are directed downward. For improved liquid guidance, construction, and operation of the tube-bundle apparatus, the distributor device additionally includes laterally directed outlet openings. The tube-bundle apparatus includes a shell and a hood closing the shell at the top and a tube bundle arranged within the shell. The tube-bundle includes tubes opening out into an upper tube sheet and a distributor device arranged above the upper tube sheet, within the hood, for distributing liquid to the tubes.

Description

The present invention relates to a distributor device for distributing liquid to tubes of a vertical tube-bundle apparatus that open out into an upper tube sheet, wherein the distributor device comprises a plurality of outlet openings for the liquid that are directed downward, according to the type of claim 1.

In addition, the invention relates to a tube-bundle apparatus comprising a shell and a hood closing the shell at the top, comprising a tube bundle arranged within the shell, which tube bundle comprises tubes opening out into an upper tube sheet, and comprising a distributor device arranged above the upper tube sheet, in particular within the hood, for distributing liquid to the tubes, according to the type of claim 6.

From the prior art, various embodiments of tube-bundle apparatuses of the type in question are known. For faultless operation of such tube-bundle apparatuses, generally the formation of a liquid film is required which must be uniformly distributed over the inside of all tubes. For this purpose, first a uniform distribution of the liquid onto the vertical tubes of the tube-bundle apparatus must proceed.

Tube-bundle apparatuses of the type in question can, by way of example, but in a way which is not restricting, be designed as evaporators, in particular as what so-called falling-film evaporators. Falling-film evaporators are also optionally called downdraft evaporators or trickle-film evaporators.

For the most even distribution possible of liquid onto tubes of a vertical tube-bundle apparatus, in addition, from the prior art, distributor devices of the type mentioned at the outset are known. Such distributor devices for liquids are generally provided for arrangement above the upper tube sheet of a tube-bundle apparatus. Usually, known distributor devices are arranged within the tube-bundle apparatus, preferably within a hood which closes a housing shell of the tube-bundle apparatus at the top. Generally, known distributor devices have a plurality of downwardly directed outlet openings for the liquid. Via these outlet openings, an upper tube sheet arranged below the distributor device and therefore the inside of the tubes opening out into the tube sheet are wettable with liquid.

By way of example, but not being restricted thereto, distributor devices of the type in question can be designed as so-called bath distributors or distributor baths. These can be a bath, in particular cylindrical bath, open at the top, which comprises outlet openings, in particular bore holes, at the bottom. The outlet openings can correspond with a tube sheet that may be arranged beneath, in such a manner that the liquid meets the tube sheet exactly between the tubes opening out there and distributes in a lateral direction and thus can drain onto the insides of the tubes.

EP 0 153 974 A1, DE 39 04 357 A1 and DE 196 02 640 A1 show, each independently, not only a distributor device of the type in question, but also a tube-bundle apparatus of the type in question. In addition, the description of devices according to the prior art is the subject matter of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, to which reference is made in detail hereinafter.

EP 0 153 974 A1 shows a tube-bundle apparatus comprising a distributor device which is formed of two perforated sheets arranged one above the other. The distributor device is itself arranged above a tube sheet into which the tubes of the apparatus open out. The perforated sheets of the distributor device and the tube sheet have the same nominal diameters.

DE 39 04 357 A1 discloses a tube-bundle apparatus comprising a distributor device which is constructed as a bath which is arranged above the upper tube sheet and comprises outlet openings or outlet ports. The bath here consists of height-adjustable segments. In addition, this distributor bath comprises a smaller nominal diameter than the tube sheet positioned beneath which is to be wetted.

DE 196 02 640 A1 proposes a tube-bundle apparatus which, as distributor device, comprises two perforated boxes (predistributor and main distributor) arranged one above the other. The tube sheet situated below the main distributor is constructed in such a manner here that the outer tubes, seen in a radial direction, are offset inwardly from the outer outlet openings of the main distributor.

The described distributor devices of the type in question and also the described tube bundle apparatuses of the type in question, however, exhibit disadvantages both with respect to the construction thereof and also with respect to operation thereof.

If the effective diameter of the distributor device definable via the position of the outer outlet openings of the distributor device is smaller than the effective diameter of the tube bundle definable by the position of the outer tubes of the tube sheet, supplying with liquid the tubes situated at the rim of the tube bundle or at the rim of the apparatus is made more difficult or even impossible.

As a counter measure, the diameter of the tube bundle can be decreased with a diameter of the distributor device being constant. However, the output of the apparatus falls, while the space required by the apparatus, owing to the constant dimensions of the distributor device and therefore the hood, remains essentially constant.

Alternatively, the diameter of the distributor device can be enlarged, in order to ensure more effective supply also of the outer tubes of the tube bundle with liquid. However, the production and operating costs and also the space requirement of the apparatus increase thereby, since the nominal diameter of the hood now needs to be greater than the nominal diameter of the shell.

In both alternatives, in addition, the problem occurs that, in the rim region of the tube sheet, that is to say in the region between the outer tubes of the tube bundle and the shell, liquid can back up, or liquid can collect with a non-specifically definable residence time. In other words, there is the risk that the liquid distribution comprises a dead space in the rim region of the tube sheet. However, since the tube sheet generally belongs to the heated parts of the apparatus, temperature-sensitive substances—which are a usual feed substance for said tube-bundle apparatuses, in particular for falling-film evaporators—can be degraded or destroyed, in particular crack, in the rim region of the tube sheet. Thus, in the context of this invention, it has been observed that falling-film evaporators in which said substances are thermally treated become blocked from the rim region on the tube sheet. Adverse effects owing to a product impairment and/or outage times owing to necessary maintenance or renovation work on the tube-bundle apparatus are the consequences.

The object of the present invention is therefore to implement a sufficient supply even of the outer tubes of a tube-bundle apparatus with liquid.

In addition, the object of the present invention is to make a contribution to preventing the above described liquid collections in the rim region of the upper tube sheet of said tube-bundle apparatuses.

A contribution to solving at least one of the problems mentioned at the outset is made by a distributor device of the type mentioned at the outset for distributing liquid to tubes of a vertical tube-bundle apparatus, which is developed by the characterizing features of claim 1. According thereto, the distributor device additionally comprises laterally directed outlet openings for the liquid.

Advantageous embodiments and developments of the distributor device according to the invention result from the claims dependent thereon.

The lateral outlet openings provided according to the invention for the liquid cause a liquid delivery starting from the distributor device into a direction which deviates from the vertical. Accordingly, the laterally directed outlet openings can have an orientation which comprises at least a radial portion. Thus, liquid is delivered from the laterally directed outlet openings necessarily at least with a horizontal orientation portion.

A laterally directed outlet opening can have an outlet cross section which is in a vertically extending plane. Thus, the liquid in the outlet cross section can be delivered in a purely horizontal direction. Such an outlet opening has a horizontal orientation.

The additional laterally directed outlet openings provided according to the invention first cause, via the distributor device, the outer tubes of the tube bundle of a tube-bundle apparatus also being sufficiently and uniformly supplied with liquid. Departing from the prior art, it is no longer necessary that the effective diameter of the distributor device be greater than the effective diameter of the tube bundle. Rather, owing to the laterally directed outlet openings, even tubes of a tube bundle that, seen in a radial direction, are spaced apart on the outside from the distributor device, i.e. from the outer outlet openings thereof become uniformly wettable.

Consequently, the diameter of the distributor device can be selected in such a manner that the nominal diameter of the hood and of the shell can have the same value. Secondly, in the case of the same nominal diameter of shell and hood, it is no longer necessary to dispense with outer tubes of the tube bundle. A completely tube-filled apparatus may also be uniformly and sufficiently supplied with liquid by the distributor device according to the invention.

The more compact structure of the distributor device that is made possible thereby leads overall to a compact structure of the entire tube-bundle apparatus with savings of material for hood and tube sheet, specifically in the case of a constant or even improved performance of the apparatus. In addition, the insulation and heating of such a more compact apparatus is facilitated.

The lateral outlet openings provided according to the invention are particularly advantageous with respect to avoiding regions of undefined residence time or dead spaces of the liquid distribution in the rim region of the upper tube sheet. Due to the resultant liquid substream which comprises at least one radial velocity component, a defined flow regime is necessarily imposed on this rim region. The rim region is thus continuously flushed with fresh liquid, wherein liquid collections are continuously removed. In a preferred manner, the laterally directed outlet openings can be constructed here in such a manner that the liquid streams exiting therefrom directly impact the inside of the hood or of the shell of the apparatus. As a result, the rim region of the tube sheet can be subjected to a defined flow process comprising a specifically quantifiable residence time of the liquid. Thus the above described adverse consequences of the formation of rim regions of undefined liquid residence time are avoided by the laterally directed outlet openings.

Generally, it will appear to be expedient to provide a distributor device according to the invention with a plurality of laterally directed outlet openings, in particular at the periphery thereof. Generally, however, the invention may also be implemented if the distributor device comprises only a single laterally directed outlet opening, provided that it is appropriate. Such a design is therefore explicitly included by the concept of the invention.

Generally, downwardly directed outlet openings and/or laterally directed outlet openings of the distributor device can be formed in any desired manner, provided that an appropriate liquid exit is made possible. For example, such outlet openings can be formed by the end cross section of ports, flexible tubes or tubes. In particular, downwardly directed outlet openings and/or laterally directed outlet openings can be formed by openings which are introduced directly into the distributor device, specifically in particular as bore holes.

The distributor device according to the invention is suitable for all designs of tube-bundle apparatuses mentioned at the outset, but is proposed, in particular, for use in evaporators, preferably in falling-film evaporators.

The abovementioned effective diameter of the distributor device is taken to mean the diameter which is given by the outer downwardly directed outlet openings of the distributor device. The effective diameter of the upper tube sheet is the diameter which the outer tubes of the tube bundle opening out into the upper tube sheet describe.

The shell of a tube-bundle apparatus can also be called a housing shell, housing wall or wall. The nominal width of the shell and/or hood can also be referred to as nominal diameter or diameter.

The expression “downwardly directed” is defined with reference to the interaction which is usual in the prior art between a distributor device of the type in question and a tube bundle in a tube-bundle apparatus of the type in question. The distributor device is generally arranged above the tube bundle. In addition, the liquid that is to be treated is usually introducible into the distributor device from the top and is delivered therefrom in a described manner downwardly onto the upper tube sheet or into the tube bundle. Downwardly directed outlet openings of the distributor device thus generally have a horizontal exit cross section, wherein the longitudinal axis of the distributor device coincides with the longitudinal axis of the tube bundle. Both longitudinal axes are in turn usually vertically directed.

The laterally directed outlet openings described are in contrast distinguished in that the respective exit cross section thereof comprises at least one inclined position to the horizontal, and is preferably orientated in a vertically directed plane.

Accordingly, a first, particularly preferred embodiment of the distributor device according to the invention is distinguished in that the laterally directed outlet openings have a horizontal orientation. For definition of such a horizontal orientation, reference can be made to the descriptions above.

Alternatively, or in addition, according to a further preferred development, the distributor device can be constructed as a liquid collecting chamber, in particular as a cylindrical liquid collecting chamber and/or as a bath distributor. A bath distributor can in this case also be called a distributor bath. The design of the distributor device as a liquid collecting chamber is particularly preferred with respect to simple and inexpensive construction. Accordingly, the distributor device can be constructed substantially as a bath. The downwardly directed outlet openings of a liquid collecting chamber designed in this manner can be implemented as axially directed bore holes. Such a bath distributor can accordingly optionally also be called a perforated box. A cylindrical shaping of the liquid collecting chamber is preferred with respect to a usual shaping of tube-bundle apparatuses in question here. Such tube-bundle apparatuses generally have a substantially cylindrical housing and optionally—where present—a cylindrical hood. Accordingly, in combination with such tube-bundle apparatuses comprising a cylindrical liquid collecting chamber as a distributor device, optimal utilization of the installation space, and in particular a uniform and effective supply of the tubes with the liquid to be treated may proceed.

An embodiment of the distributor device proves to be particularly expedient in which the laterally directed outlet openings are constructed as openings directly introduced into the distributor device, in particular as bore holes. Thus it is possible to dispense with the introduction of ports or tubes in order to effect the laterally directed outlet openings provided according to the invention. Rather, the laterally directed outlet opening may be formed by introducing side openings directly into the distributor device. This can preferably proceed by introducing lateral bore holes. In particular, in combination with an above described bath distributor as distributor device, in a particularly simple and inexpensive manner, a distributor device according to the invention can thus be provided. If side openings are introduced into a described bath distributor, these automatically have a horizontal orientation, which in turn is particularly preferred. In this respect, a design is expedient in which a bath distributor comprises, as distributor device, along the periphery thereof, a multiplicity of lateral openings as laterally directed outlet openings.

In a further preferred embodiment of the distributor device, when liquid is present within the distributor device, an adjacent wall, in particular the inside of a housing wall and/or of a hood of a tube-bundle apparatus, is wettable with the liquid via the laterally directed outlet openings. In other words, this embodiment is distinguished that, in the case of the presence of liquid within the distributor device, the laterally directed outlet openings provided according to the invention are fed with the liquid in such a manner that, from each of the laterally directed outlet openings, an at least substantially horizontally directed jet or spray jet of the liquid can exit. This jet is preferably of such a nature that a usual distance between the edge of the distributor device and an adjacent housing wall and/or a hood of a tube-bundle apparatus is bridgeable. Accordingly, this embodiment provides that liquid exiting through the laterally directed outlet openings can impact directly on the adjacent housing wall and/or hood of the tube-bundle apparatus. Thus, firstly, a particularly effective and uniform supply even of the outer tubes with liquid is made possible, and also a thorough and constant rinsing of the rim region of the upper tube sheet with the liquid is made possible. The formation of dead spaces in the liquid distribution on the tube sheet is effectively prevented. The distance, which is bridgeable in the manner described, between the rim of the distributor device and an adjacent wall can in this case usually be approximately 60 mm to approximately 100 mm. If hood and shell of the tube-bundle apparatus have the same nominal width, and this concerns an apparatus fully filled with tubes, this distance can substantially correspond also to the thickness of the rim region of the tube sheet (distance between outer tubes and shell). The presence of liquid within the distributor device in this case is definable by the usual operating state of a distributor device. In this case the distributor device is fed from the top side with a specifically quantifiable mass stream of liquid and/or, within the distributor device, a liquid level of a defined height forms.

A contribution to solving the abovementioned objects is also made by a tube-bundle apparatus mentioned at the outset which is further developed with the characterizing features of claim 6. Accordingly, a tube-bundle apparatus according to the invention comprises a distributor device according to the present invention.

Advantageous embodiments and developments of the tube-bundle apparatus are subject matter of the claims subordinate thereto.

The advantages of the tube-bundle apparatus according to the invention compared with the above described tube-bundle apparatuses of the type in question result from the above descriptions on the essence and advantages of the distributor device according to the invention, to which reference is made in its entirety for avoidance of repetition. In addition, the above descriptions of advantageous embodiments and developments of the distributor device according to the invention simultaneously result in advantageous embodiments and developments of the tube-bundle apparatus according to the invention. In this case, features of different advantageous embodiments of the distributor device can also be combined within advantageous developments of the tube-bundle apparatus.

In a particularly preferred development of the tube-bundle apparatus according to the invention, when liquid is present within the distributor device, the inside of the hood is wettable with the liquid via the laterally directed outlet openings. In this case, in a preferred manner, a horizontal distance of more than 60 mm, in particular a distance of approximately 60 mm to approximately 100 mm can be overcome by the laterally exiting liquid.

With respect to a simplified construction and insulation with simultaneously high performance of the tube-bundle apparatus, a design is preferred in which the nominal diameter of the hood corresponds to the nominal diameter of the shell. The nominal diameter in this case can also be termed nominal width or diameter. The nominal width designates the diameter of a component in a substantially cylindrical part region, without taking into account mounted components or the piping. On the basis of the invention, in particular a tube-bundle apparatus comprising identical nominal width of hood and shell can be provided, which is nevertheless filled with tubes. This means that the tube bundle can extend to the inside of the shell, wherein the already described rim region of the upper tube sheet can have a minimal extension. By means of the laterally directed outlet openings provided according to the invention, even with such a design of the apparatus, the outer tubes may be uniformly and sufficiently supplied with liquid.

The tube-bundle apparatus according to the invention can be constructed as an evaporator, preferably as a falling-film evaporator. Generally, however, any desired tube-bundle apparatus comprising the features mentioned at the outset may be designed in the manner according to the invention, wherein the suitability for a desired application is achievable provided this appears appropriate.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawing and are described in more detail hereinafter.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows at the top, in a schematic sectional drawing seen from the side, the upper section of a tube-bundle apparatus and a distributor device according to the prior art; at the bottom in a horizontal sectional drawing, FIG. 1 shows a plan view of the upper tube sheet of the apparatus according to the prior art,

FIG. 2, in an enlarged, schematic and side sectional drawing of the detail A of FIG. 1, shows the distribution of liquid onto the middle tubes of the tube-bundle apparatus according to the prior art,

FIG. 3 shows, in a top and bottom drawing based on FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of a tube-bundle apparatus according to the invention comprising a preferred embodiment of a distributor device according to the invention, and

FIG. 4 shows, in an enlarged, schematic and side drawing of the detail B of FIG. 3, the left-hand rim region of the upper tube sheet and also of the distributor device of the tube-bundle apparatus according to FIG. 3.

FIG. 1 shows at the top in a schematic sectional drawing seen from the side the top section of a tube-bundle apparatus and of a distributor device according to the prior art, and at the bottom, in a horizontal sectional drawing seen from the top, through the hood of the tube-bundle apparatus shows a plan view onto the top tube sheet of the apparatus according to the prior art.

What is specifically shown is a tube-bundle apparatus 2 comprising a shell 4 and a hood 6 closing the shell 4 at the top, comprising a tube bundle 8 arranged within the shell 4, which tube bundle comprises tubes 12 opening out into an upper tube sheet 10. Above the upper tube sheet 10, a distributor device 14 for distributing liquid (not shown in FIG. 1) to the tubes 12 is arranged within the hood 6.

The distributor device 14 according to the prior art comprises a multiplicity of downwardly directed outlet openings 16 for the liquid, of which, in FIG. 1, at the top, only one is shown schematically. Within the tube-bundle apparatus 2 according to the prior art, the distributor device 14 comprises a greater diameter than the shell 4 and the tube bundle 8 arranged therein, in order that the outer tubes 12 of the tube bundle 8 can also be supplied by the downwardly directed outlet openings 16 of the distributor device 14.

In FIG. 1 at the bottom, a horizontal section through the tube-bundle apparatus 2 is shown, which discloses a vertical plan view onto the upper tube sheet 10 and the tube bundle 8. What can clearly be seen is the broad rim region 18 of the upper tube sheet 10, which extends between the outer tubes 12 of the tube bundle 8 and of the hood 6. In this rim region 18, in a disadvantageous manner which is described above, dead spaces of the liquid distribution or regions of undefined residence time of the liquid that is to be treated can form, whereby the apparatus, starting from the rim region 18, can block, and/or the product quality can be impaired.

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged depiction of section A according to FIG. 1. What is shown is a middle region of the upper tube sheet 10 and two tubes 12 opening out into the upper tube sheet 10. The distributor device 14 shown in FIG. 1 has an arrangement of the downwardly directed outlet openings 16 in such a manner that the liquid 20 preferably impacts the upper tube sheet 10 exactly between two adjacent tubes 12 and can then drain laterally into the tubes 12. The corresponding formation of a liquid film on the insides of the tubes 12 is particularly advantageous if the tube-bundle apparatus 2 is to be operated as a falling-film evaporator. A feed, as is shown here, of liquid 20 onto the middle tubes 12 of the tube-bundle apparatus 2 is also preferred in the context of the embodiment according to the invention which is still to be explained below, but is not intended to be absolutely necessary.

FIG. 3, in a drawing based on FIG. 1, shows a preferred embodiment of the tube-bundle apparatus 102 according to the invention and at the same time shows a preferred embodiment of a distributor device 114 according to the invention. The tube-bundle apparatus 102 comprises a shell 104 comprising a hood 106 closing at the top. Within the shell 104, a tube-bundle 108 is arranged, which comprises tubes 112 opening out into an upper tube sheet 110. The distributor device 114 according to the invention is arranged in the interior of the hood 106.

The distributor device 114 in this example is configured as a liquid collecting chamber, namely as a bath distributor 122. The bath distributor 122 accordingly comprises a bath, which can be fed—preferably from the top—with liquid, and which delivers the liquid to the top tube sheet 110 arranged therebeneath. The bath distributor 122 is, moreover, designed so as to be cylindrical, and therefore matches the shape of the tube-bundle apparatus 102, and in particular of the hood 106.

The distributor device 114, on the bottom, first comprises a plurality of downwardly directed outlet openings 116. These downwardly directed outlet openings 116 can be designed according to the prior art, as result of which, preferably a distribution of the liquid onto the middle tubes 112 can result, as described with reference to FIG. 2. Of the multiplicity of downwardly directed outlet openings 116, only one single one is shown schematically in FIG. 3.

According to the invention, the distributor device 114 additionally comprises laterally directed outlet openings 124, of which, for the sake of clarity, in FIG. 3, only one single one is shown schematically. Here, the laterally directed outlet openings 124 are designed as openings introduced directly into the distributor device 114, namely as bore holes 126. Thus, in this example, the laterally directed outlet openings 124 comprise a horizontal orientation.

The laterally directed outlet openings 124 provided according to the invention, within the distributor device 114 according to the invention and within the tube-bundle apparatus 102 according to the invention, which is here designed by way of example as a falling-film evaporator 128, provide, inter alia, the advantages described hereinafter. First, via the laterally directed outlet openings 124, even tubes 112 that, seen in a radial direction, are at a distance from the distributor device 114 on the outside, can be fed with liquid uniformly and in a sufficient amount. In other words, the distributor device 114 according to the invention can even supply with liquid a tube bundle 108 which comprises a greater effective diameter than the distributor device 114.

The specific design of the tube-bundle apparatus according to the invention 102 (falling-film evaporator 128) according to FIG. 3 shows this. Here, in contrast to the apparatus 2 according to the prior art according to FIG. 1, the nominal width of the hood 106 corresponds to the nominal width of the shell 104. The distributor device 114 therefore necessarily comprises a smaller diameter than the hood 106 and the shell 104. Nevertheless, the tube-bundle apparatus 102, namely the shell 104, can be designed to be filled with tubes, in such a manner that the rim region 118 of the upper tube sheet can have a minimum extension in a radial direction. This can be found in the bottom drawing according to FIG. 3.

Secondly, the laterally directed outlet openings 124 do not only take care of a uniform and sufficient supply of the outer tubes 112 with liquid. In addition, a specific flow regime is impinged on the rim region 118 of the upper tube sheet 110 via the laterally directed outlet openings 124, in such a manner that no dead points of the liquid distribution, no regions comprising undefined residence time of the liquid and no deposits in the rim region 118 can form.

This process is shown according to the excerpt B of FIG. 3 shown enlarged in FIG. 4. In this schematic depiction, it can be seen how the liquid 120 exits from the laterally directed outlet openings 124 according to the invention, namely the bore holes 126. It is particularly preferred that the resultant substantially horizontally orientated liquid jet now—as shown in FIG. 4—first impacts on the inside of the hood 106. Thereafter, the liquid 120 runs down on the inside of the hood 106 and then necessarily flows over the rim region 118 of the upper tube sheet 110 from the outside to the inside until it runs off into the inside of the outer tubes 112 of the tube bundle.

The result is that the flow of liquid 120 is directed over the entire tube-bundle apparatus 102, and in particular, also over the particularly critical rim region 118. Defined similar residence time conditions exist. The distribution of liquid 120 exhibits neither dead spaces nor regions of undefined residence time. Thus, temperature-sensitive liquids 120, or liquids 120 which are critical in a comparable manner, can also be treated using the distributor device 114 according to the invention or the tube-bundle apparatus 102 according to the invention.

The present invention includes the following embodiments, including the specific combinations of embodiments as defined by the respective dependencies:

1. A distributor device for distributing liquid to tubes of a vertical tube-bundle apparatus that open out into an upper tube sheet, wherein the distributor device comprises a plurality of outlet openings for the liquid that are directed downward, wherein the distributor device additionally comprises laterally directed outlet openings for the liquid.
2. The distributor device according to embodiment 1, wherein the laterally directed outlet openings comprise a horizontal orientation.
3. The distributor device according to embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the distributor device is constructed as a liquid collecting chamber, in particular as a cylindrical liquid collecting chamber, and/or as a bath distributor.
4. The distributor device according to any one of embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the laterally directed outlet openings are constructed as openings directly introduced into the distributor device, in particular as bore holes.
5. The distributor device according to any one of embodiments 1 to 4, wherein, when liquid is present within the distributor device, an adjacent wall, in particular the inside of a housing wall and/or of a hood of a tube-bundle apparatus, is wettable with the liquid via the laterally directed outlet openings.
6. A tube-bundle apparatus comprising a shell and a hood closing the shell at the top, comprising a tube bundle arranged within the shell, which tube bundle comprises tubes opening out into an upper tube sheet and comprising a distributor device arranged above the upper tube sheet, in particular within the hood, for distributing liquid to the tubes, which comprises a distributor device according to any one of the preceding embodiments.
7. The tube-bundle apparatus according to embodiment 6, wherein, when liquid is present within the distributor device, the inside of the hood is wettable with the liquid via the laterally directed outlet openings.
8. The tube-bundle apparatus according to embodiment 6 or 7, wherein the nominal diameter of the hood corresponds to the nominal diameter of the shell.
9. The tube-bundle apparatus according to any one of embodiments 6 to 8, wherein the tube bundle extends up to the inside of the shell.
10. The tube-bundle apparatus according to any one of embodiments 6 to 9, wherein the tube-bundle apparatus is constructed as an evaporator, in particular as a falling-film evaporator.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

• 2, 102 Tube-bundle apparatus
• 4, 104 Shell
• 6, 106 Hood
• 8, 108 Tube bundle
• 10, 110 Top tube sheet
• 12, 112 Tube
• 14, 114 Distributor device
• 16, 116 Downwardly directed outlet opening
• 18, 118 Rim region of the top tube sheet
• 20, 120 Liquid
• 122 Bath distributor
• 124 Laterally directed outlet opening
• 126 Bore hole
• 128 Falling-film evaporator

Claims

1. A distributor device (114) for distributing liquid (120) to tubes (112) of a vertical tube-bundle apparatus (102) that open out into an upper tube sheet (110), wherein the distributor device (114) comprises a plurality of outlet openings (116) for the liquid (120) that are directed downward,

wherein the distributor device (114) additionally comprises laterally directed outlet openings (124) for the liquid (120).

2. The distributor device (114) according to claim 1, wherein the laterally directed outlet openings (124) comprise a horizontal orientation.

3. The distributor device (114) according to claim 1, wherein the distributor device (114) is constructed as a liquid collecting chamber, in particular as a cylindrical liquid collecting chamber, and/or as a bath distributor (122).

4. The distributor device (114) according to claim 1, wherein the laterally directed outlet openings (124) are constructed as openings directly introduced into the distributor device (114), in particular as bore holes (126).

5. The distributor device (114) according to claim 1, wherein, when liquid (120) is present within the distributor device (114), an adjacent wall, in particular the inside of a housing wall and/or of a hood (106) of a tube-bundle apparatus, is wettable with the liquid (120) via the laterally directed outlet openings (124).

6. A tube-bundle apparatus (102) comprising a shell (104) and a hood (106) closing the shell (104) at the top, comprising a tube bundle (108) arranged within the shell (104), which tube bundle comprises tubes (112) opening out into an upper tube sheet (110) and comprising a distributor device (114) arranged above the upper tube sheet (110), in particular within the hood (106), for distributing liquid (120) to the tubes (112), which comprises a distributor device (114) according to any one of the preceding claims.

7. The tube-bundle apparatus (102) according to claim 6, wherein, when liquid (120) is present within the distributor device (114), the inside of the hood (106) is wettable with the liquid (120) via the laterally directed outlet openings (124).

8. The tube-bundle apparatus (102) according to claim 6, wherein the nominal diameter of the hood (106) corresponds to the nominal diameter of the shell (104).

9. The tube-bundle apparatus (102) according to claim 6, wherein the tube bundle (108) extends up to the inside of the shell (104).

10. The tube-bundle apparatus (102) according to claim 6, wherein the tube-bundle apparatus (102) is constructed as an evaporator, in particular as a falling-film evaporator (128).