Abstract: A system for the recovery of heat from gases. A heat recovery system uses a wetted heat transfer surface to recover heat from a bulk gas, such as a flue gas. The system utilizes wetted heat transfer tubes which are sprayed in a manner to minimize the film thickness of the wetting on the heat transfer tubes. To improve efficiency, the contact liquid used to wet the heat transfer tubes is maintained at a temperature between the temperature of the exiting cooled gas and the temperature of the inlet (cool) process fluid to be heated. Such heat recovery system design criteria enhance performance, and thus enable more efficient heat recovery to be practiced, particularly in systems where combustion gases are encountered.

Abstract: A system for the recovery of heat from gases. A heat recovery system uses a wetted heat transfer surface to recover heat from a bulk gas, such as a flue gas. The system utilizes wetted heat transfer tubes which are sprayed in a manner to minimize the film thickness of the wetting on the heat transfer tubes. To improve efficiency, the contact liquid used to wet the heat transfer tubes is maintained at a temperature between the temperature of the exiting cooled gas and the temperature of the inlet (cool) process fluid to be heated. Such heat recovery system design criteria enhance performance, and thus enable more efficient heat recovery to be practiced, particularly in systems where combustion gases are encountered.