Heat exchanger for condensing vapor containing non-condensable gases
US4815296A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 14, 1988 |
| Grant date | Mar 28, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 14, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF28B9/10
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A heat exchanger for condensing a vapor containing non-condensable gases comprises an inlet header for receiving said vapor and non-condensable gases, and a plurality of heat exchanger tubes arranged in a plurality of vertically spaced banks. One end of each tube is connected to the inlet header for receiving the vapor and the non-condensable gases in parallel; and the other end of each tube in a bank is connected to a separate header associated with each bank. Each separate header is vented for venting non-condensable gases therein to the atmosphere. The provision of separate headers for each bank of tubes prevents equalization of pressure between the banks thereby preventing back-flow and the creation of pockets of non-condensable gases in the tubes of a bank. Where the banks of tubes are inclined to the horizontal, and the separate headers are elevated above the inlet header, the non-condensable gases in a bank, flow rapidly upwardly into the separate header with which the bank is associated, particularly when the gases are lighter than the vapor. This permits the non-condensable gases to be vented easily as the condensate flows downwardly into the inlet header.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.