Method and apparatus for improving heat transfer in industrial water systems with ferrofluids
US9328276B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 3, 2011 |
| Grant date | May 3, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 16, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF28F2013/001
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for improving heat transfer of recirculating fluids within a system by introducing a ferrofluid in which iron oxide nanoparticles are suspended in a carrier fluid that is, in turn, added to a working fluid for increasing the heat capacity of the working fluid. The ferrofluid suspension can be prepared ex-situ and metered into the working fluid from a separate reservoir or may be prepared in-situ as needed through the use of an inline reactor. The ferrofluid can be introduced with other water treatment additives which are compatible with the colloidal suspension and monitored directly and/or indirectly for controlling the heat capacity performance of the system.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.