Heat exchanger with manifold strengthening protrusion

A plate type heat exchanger is disclosed having a plurality of stacked plate pairs made up of first and second plates. Each plate pair has opposed manifold members with respective inlet and outlet openings that are in registration to form respective inlet and outlet manifolds for the flow of a first fluid through a first set of fluid channels formed by the plate pairs, the manifold members spacing the plate pairs apart to form a second set of transverse flow channels for the flow of a second fluid. Each plate has a peripheral edge portion which seals the plates together to form the first set of fluid channels therebetween. A protrusion member is formed proximal to each of the manifold members, each protrusion member having a mating surface such that the protrusion members on the second plate of one plate pair align and abut with the protrusion members on the first plate of an adjacent plate pair thereby reinforcing and strengthening the manifold region of the heat exchanger to prevent the deformation or accordion of the manifold under pressure.