Direct contact vortex flow heat exchanger
US8210506B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 19, 2009 |
| Grant date | Jul 3, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 28, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02B30/70
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The invention is a heat exchanger that transfers heat directly between fluids which are in direct contact with each other rather than being separated by a heat conductive wall. Gas and liquid exchange heat when the gas is moved into and through a mixing chamber, and is directed to form a high speed, forced vortex gas flow. The liquid is sprayed into the mixing chamber to form droplets traveling with and mixing with the vortex gas flow. As the gas and liquid droplets move through the mixing chamber together in the vortex flow, they exchange thermal energy by direct contact. The mixing chamber length is designed so that the gas and the liquid droplets approach thermal equilibrium as the gas-liquid mixture moves into a separation chamber. Within the separation chamber, the centrifugal force of the continuing vortex movement of the gas stream separates the liquid from the gas stream and forms a layer of liquid on the separation chamber wall. The liquid then moves down along the wall to a liquid outlet, while a baffle plate restricts the interaction of the gas stream vortex with the liquid approaching the outlet.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.