Heat Exchanger
Disclosed herein is a heat exchange apparatus. The apparatus comprises one or more double walled conduit, each having an outer conduit and an inner conduit located coaxially inside the outer conduit. The conduits define a first fluid passageway for cold water at a first temperature. A drain defines a second fluid passageway for grey water at a second temperature and is located in the drain and downstream of the grey water flowing therethrough. The grey water when flowing in the second fluid passageway effects heat transfer to the cold water flowing in the first fluid passageway across the inner and outer conduits.
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This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/229,424, filed on Jul. 29, 2009 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/323,441, filed on Apr. 13, 2010; the contents of each of these applications are hereby incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present concerns heat exchangers, and more particularly to single and double-walled heat exchanges.
BACKGROUNDHeat exchangers are well-known and widely used in a number of environments to recover thermal energy from fluids. The thermal energy, if not recovered, would be lost to the environment. Heat exchangers work by transferring heat from one fluid to another via a solid wall, which separates the two fluids. This straightforward principle has been used to recover heat from waste water (so called “grey water”) in, for example, household shower and bath systems. A number of designs of heat exchangers are described as follows.
Published U.S. Patent Application No. 2008/0047698 A1 discloses a helical copper fin that is tightly wrapped onto a single or double wall copper drain pipe and an outer shell that is made of CPCV or any other suitable material. It is disclosed that copper is a preferred material because it eliminates differential expansion effects, while increasing the effective contact area but acting like a heat fin. One or more parallel helical flow paths, with or without a variable helix pitch induces turbulence and mixing, which can also be used to adjust pressure drop. The helical fin has an outer diameter that is slightly less in the diameter of the drain pipe into which it can be inserted. This insertion forcibly ensures metal to metal contact between the fin and the tube. Fluids that enter the inner helical path cause heat exchange with a fluid flowing within the outer helix 16 in a counter or coil flow direction. However, this application does not appear to disclose a double-walled helical conduit in which cold water flows. Furthermore, the fins are solid and appear to operate by contacting a drain pipe and therefore provide heat exchange via the fins.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,314,397 discloses a solar liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger. The heat exchanger has a first tubular coil, which is made of a first heat-conductive tube material. The heat exchanger also has a second tubular coil that is made of a heat conductive tube material and is disposed in a tubular arrangement that is co-axial with the first coil. A cross-sectional view of the coils shows that a fixing means holds the coils together. The coils are to be single-walled. The fixing means, which may be solder, may have a conductive heat transfer coefficient, which is better than the heat transfer coefficient of the material from which each coil is made. A number of variations of coil design include an oval configuration, a rectangular configuration, and a frustoconical configuration. Solder is used to mechanically connect the coils together.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,443,389 discloses a heat exchanger apparatus in which a cooling tower includes coils that carry heated water from a facility. The coils include a plurality of tubular designs. A helical fin is coiled around a central portion within the coil, which presumably acts as a turbulator. Various other turbulator structures are illustrated throughout. A tube includes an inner core appears itself to be a tube; but does not appear to be immersed in waste grey water. In this patent, cooling fluid flows through the coils and water is distributed over the coils so as to enhance heat transfer between the cooling medium on the exterior surfaces of the coil and heat exchange material flowing through the coil. The heat exchanger in this case appears to be directed towards providing cool air to the exterior of the cooling tower. Thus, air drawn through the louvers is cooled and is expelled from the apparatus. Both U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,314,397 and 4,443,389 are directed towards heat exchange applications that are not associated with recapturing heat from waste grey water.
Thus, there is a need for an improved heat exchange apparatus, in which the fluids do not contact each other and which provides efficient thermal energy transfer across double heat exchanger walls over a helical or serpentine pathway.
BRIEF SUMMARYWe have designed a novel passive fluid-to-fluid heat exchange apparatus, which uses a unique helical or serpentine double walled conduit to provide unexpectedly high effectiveness in heat recapture from waste water (also known as “grey water”) commonly found in household shower and bath systems. Furthermore, we have discovered that single or double walled conduits can be used against a single drain plate to create a gravity film of grey water, which caused a surprising increase in heat exchange properties. The double wall conduits advantageously provide heat transfer that is the same as single walled conduits even though the leak path, which is located between the two walls is functional (i.e. water can pass through the walls at low pressure i.e. less than 5 psi).
Accordingly, in one aspect there is provided a heat exchange apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
a) at least one double walled conduit having an outer conduit and an inner conduit located coaxially inside the outer conduit, and defining a first fluid passageway for a first fluid at a first temperature; and
b) a drain defining a second fluid passageway for a second fluid at a second temperature, the double walled conduit being located in the drain and downstream of the second fluid flowing therethrough, such that the second fluid when flowing in the second fluid passageway effects heat transfer to the first fluid flowing in the first fluid passageway across the inner and outer conduits.
The inner conduit includes an outer wall, the outer conduit includes an inner wall, the outer wall being located against the inner wall to define a leak passageway therebetween. The outer conduit includes an inner knurled surface that is pressed against the outer wall of the inner conduit to define the leak passageway. The double walled conduit is helical. The apparatus includes an outer helical double wall conduit, a central helical double wall conduit and an inner helical double wall conduit. The outer, central and inner helical double walled conduits are assembled concentrically. The circumference of the helices of the double wall conduits decreases from the outer conduit to the inner conduit. The helical conduits are coiled in the same direction. The helical conduits are coiled in a counterclockwise direction. The helical conduits are coiled in a clockwise direction. Each conduit includes a bend located at an upper end of the assembled helical conduits. The first and second fluids flow in a contra-flow manner through the heat exchange apparatus. The drain is a drain conduit. The drain conduit includes an upper drain portion connected to a drain trap. A bypass conduit is connected to the drain conduit, the bypass conduit having a mesh for blocking particulate material. The apparatus includes a deflector located in a central core of the drain conduit. The apparatus includes a vertically orientated conduit located at the top of the central core of the drain conduit and having a plurality of holes located therein. A cap is located on top of the vertically orientated conduit for temporarily blocking a central bypass channel. The cap is operated manually or automatically. The deflector is a cone with side plates for forcing the second fluid away from the conduit. A plurality of helical conduits are stacked adjacent each other in the drain conduit. The apparatus includes four stacked helical conduits. The helical conduits include a common first fluid inlet and a common first fluid outlet. The apparatus is orientated orthogonal to the ground. The apparatus is orientated horizontal to the ground. The apparatus is connected to a drain trap in a shower. The double walled conduit is serpentine. At least a portion of the serpentine double walled conduit is located in the drain. At least one serpentine double wall conduit is connected to an elongate housing having two sidewalls and passes through an upper set of openings located in the sidewalls. A first plurality of conduit elbows extend away from the sidewalls along substantially the entire length of the elongate housing. A second serpentine double wall conduit is connected to the elongate housing and passes through a lower set of openings located in the sidewalls. A second plurality of conduit elbows extend away from the sidewalls along substantially the entire length of the elongate housing. A plurality of fins are mounted around the outer wall of the serpentine conduits, the fins being disposed parallel to each other and extend substantially the entire length of the elongate housing. The apparatus includes a turbulator located in the drain or the helical conduit. The drain is a drain plate having a drain plate inlet and a drain plate outlet and a drain plate surface through which at least a portion of the double wall conduit extends, the drain plate surface being of sufficient area to define the second fluid passageway for the second fluid such that the second fluid flows as a fluid film along the second fluid passageway. A plurality of double walled conduits extend parallel along the drain plate. The drain plate is orientated horizontal relative to the ground. The drain is angled relative to the ground. A plurality of serpentine double walled conduits. The serpentine conduits are sufficiently spaced apart top allow the second fluid to flow thereover. The drain is a trench drain. The first fluid is cold water. The second fluid is grey water. A heating wire is located inside the double walled conduit. A heating wire is located around the double walled conduit.
In another aspect, there is provided a heat exchange apparatus comprising:
a) at least one single walled conduit defining a first fluid passageway for a first fluid at a first temperature; and; and
b) a drain plate having a drain plate inlet and a drain plate outlet and a drain plate surface against which at least a portion of the single wall conduit is located in intimate contact, the drain plate surface being of sufficient area to define a second fluid passageway for a second fluid such that the second fluid flows as a fluid film along the second fluid passageway so as to effect heat transfer to the first fluid flowing in the first fluid passageway across the single walled conduit.
In another aspect, there is provided a heat exchange apparatus comprising:
a) at least one single walled conduit defining a first fluid passageway for a first fluid at a first temperature; and; and
b) a drain plate having a drain plate inlet and a drain plate outlet and a drain plate surface against which at least a portion of the single wall conduit is located in intimate contact, the drain plate being located generally orthogonal to the ground, the drain plate surface being of sufficient area to define a second fluid passageway for a second fluid such that the second fluid flows as a fluid film along the second fluid passageway so as to effect heat transfer to the first fluid flowing in the first fluid passageway across the single walled conduit.
In another aspect, there is provided a heat exchange apparatus comprising:
a) at least one single walled conduit defining a first fluid passageway for a first fluid at a first temperature; and
b) a drain plate having a drain plate inlet and a drain plate outlet and a drain plate surface against which at least a portion of the single wall conduit is located in intimate contact, the drain plate being located generally orthogonal to the ground, the drain plate surface being of sufficient area to define a second fluid passageway for a second fluid, the drain plate being angled relative to the ground, such that the second fluid flows as a fluid film along the angled second fluid passageway so as to effect heat transfer to the first fluid flowing in the first fluid passageway across the single walled conduit.
In another aspect, there is provided a heat exchange apparatus comprising:
a) at least one single walled conduit defining a first fluid passageway for a first fluid at a first temperature; and; and
b) a drain plate having a drain plate inlet and a drain plate outlet and a drain plate surface against which at least a portion of the single wall conduit is located in intimate contact, the drain plate being located generally horizontal relative to the ground, the drain plate surface being of sufficient area to define a second fluid passageway for a second fluid such that the second fluid flows as a fluid film along the second fluid passageway so as to effect heat transfer to the first fluid flowing in the first fluid passageway across the single walled conduit.
The first and second fluids flow in a contra-flow manner through the heat exchange apparatus. The apparatus is connected to a drain trap in a shower. The single walled conduit is serpentine. At least one serpentine double wall conduit is connected to an elongate housing having two sidewalls and passes through an upper set of openings located in the sidewalls. A first plurality of conduit elbows extend away from the sidewalls along substantially the entire length of the elongate housing. A second serpentine single walled conduit is connected to the elongate housing and passes through a lower set of openings located in the sidewalls. A second plurality of conduit elbows extend away from the sidewalls along substantially the entire length of the elongate housing. A plurality of fins are mounted around the outer wall of the serpentine conduits, the fins being disposed parallel to each other and extend substantially the entire length of the elongate housing. The apparatus includes a turbulator located in the conduit. A plurality of single walled conduits extends parallel along the drain plate. The serpentine conduits are sufficiently spaced apart to allow the second fluid to flow thereover. The drain is a trench drain. The first fluid is cold water. The second fluid is grey water. A heating wire is located inside the single walled conduit. A heating wire is located around the single walled conduit.
These and other features of that described herein will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings wherein:
Unless otherwise specified, the following definitions apply:
The singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include corresponding plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
As used herein, the term “comprising” is intended to mean that the list of elements following the word “comprising” are required or mandatory but that other elements are optional and may or may not be present.
As used herein, the term “consisting of” is intended to mean including and limited to whatever follows the phrase “consisting of”. Thus, the phrase “consisting of” indicates that the listed elements are required or mandatory and that no other elements may be present.
As used herein, the term “turbulator” when referring to either a surface or to an insert having a surface that acts as a turbulator, is intended to mean that the surface has a plurality of projections extending away from the surface. Surface turbulators and inserted turbulators are used to increase convection rates and heat transfer coefficients at heat exchange surfaces in fluid passageways in order to provide high performance in compact heat exchange assemblies, and to orientate fluids into a pre-defined direction often resulting in chaotic paths. Examples of types of turbulators include, but are not limited to, corrugations, peaks and troughs, nubbins, raised chevrons having a gap between, fish scales, raised zigzag moldings, meshes, criss cross oriented wires, porous materials, and the like. Turbulators may comprise uniform or non-uniform surface profiles, textures, open cell structures, and shapes. Fluid passageway geometry allows control of fluid flow via solid or semi-solid mechanical structures and may be constructed from laminate composites, molded parts, and meshes of plastics, ceramics, metals or other materials.
As used herein the term “fluid” is intended to mean gas or liquid. Examples of liquids suitable for use with the heat exchangers described herein include, but are not limited to, water, hydraulic fluid, petroleum, glycol, oil and the like, and steam.
Referring now to
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Cross-connection of plumbing devices is ruled by strict, but variable, local regulations, where grey water and fresh cold water are present within the same heat exchange apparatus. Thus, a double wall design is desirable over any other protection means to prevent fresh water contamination by grey water in the event of system failure, such as if the heat exchanger wall is ruptured or pierced.
As best illustrated in
Referring now to
where T denotes temperature in ° C.
At least one of the fluids flows through its respective passageway under pressure, the other fluid flowing through its respective passageway at atmospheric pressure. Typically, the second fluid (the cold water) flows under pressure at approximately 50 psi along the first fluid passageway 34.
Referring to
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Optionally, a low voltage heating wire, heating coil or heating tape (not shown) may be located inside the conduit 116. The heating wire may serve to increase turbulence (see below) of the cold water flowing in the conduit and/or increase the cold water temperature so that the heat exchanger 100 can provide all the heat required for the application (i.e. no longer passive and does not need to be combined with an external heating system). As described above in the heat exchange apparatus 10, a ventable leak passageway is located between the inner and outer conduits. The grey water when it flows along the second fluid passageway contacts the serpentine conduits 116, 120 and the fins 124 to effect heat transfer to the cold water fluid flowing in the serpentine conduits 116, 120 across their respective outer and inner conduit walls.
III. TurbulatorsReferring now to
As illustrated in
The flow of fluids can be passive, i.e. by gravity or can flow under the influence of pressure, either above or below atmospheric pressure. The heat exchange apparatus described herein are also self-draining. Moreover, due to their design, the helical can be located directly in a grey water pathway with or without the use of pre-filtration to remove particulate debris. Additional clog reduction features may include hair deflectors, non-stick coatings on the thermal transfer surfaces, or, in the case of the fins 126, the fins may have polished knife edges.
In one example, grey water flows over the three helical conduits, by gravity, such that it exchanges its heat (typically about 40° C.) to the source of cold water flowing through the conduits located in intimate contact with the drain conduit. In certain examples, higher fluid temperatures (>100° C.) may be used to also exchange thermal energy to cold water so as to generate steam. The heat exchange takes place across a thin (typically from about 1/1000 inch to about ⅕ inch thickness) double wall arrangement. The cold water flowing in the first cold water passageway is heated to produce warmed water, which may then be stored in a storage tank or communicated to a mixing valve in a shower or bath system. Advantageously, the heat exchange apparatus is constructed from inexpensive materials and when installed is essentially maintenance-free. The grey water conduits (pipes) used are standard 1.5 to 4 inch and are universally retrofittable into existing plumbing systems with the minimum of disruption to the household.
At least one of the thermal transfer surfaces is uneven. In one example, one thermal transfer surface is corrugated and defines a plurality of fin-like peaks (or blades) and troughs that extend longitudinally along the channel member 30 between the first and second end portions.
IV: Film Heat ExchangerReferring now to
The drain plate 208 may be angled to provide a slope along the sides of the plate at the front end and a raised portion at the back end so as to force the grey water towards the conduits located at the extreme edges of the drain plate, and yet maintains the ability of the heat exchanger to self drain.
Another example the heat exchange apparatus 200 is shown in
The heat exchange apparatus 200 can be made using plates that are die formed such that they create the same flow path as if in conduits. The double wall plates with serpentine flow paths can then be formed and welded to create a vertical cylinder as another construction for the vertical helical heat exchanger 10. Additionally, the same plates can also be made using a thermally conductive injection moulded plastic.
The horizontal film heat exchanger 200 can be located underneath a shower floor having a false drain, which lead to the true drain. Alternatively, the drain plate is located on the floor of the shower and is able to directly capture heat from grey water as it flows thereover. Additionally, the heat exchanger 200 may be incorporated directly into either a dishwasher or a washing machine or any other appliance, which uses hot water.
Built-in options may be included within any of the heat exchange apparatuses described herein in order to increase overall system performance and durability. These options include thin wall elements; laminar flow disruptor elements; check valve systems; one or more external level indicators; anti scaling capabilities such as, for example, mechanical devices and passage configurations to reduce scaling, anti-scaling coatings, vibration, chemical, and electrical means; anti corrosion means such as, for example, electrical, chemical, anodic, cathodic, and coatings; and water hammer protection such as, for example, shock absorbers, flexible or relatively soft and elastic cold water circuit components. Additional features may include use of an insulating shell on the systems and subsystems. System leaks and malfunctions can be detected in a variety of ways using, for example, relative flow measurement and/or pressure transducers and gauges located at strategic points in the heat exchange apparatus. The heat exchangers may be self draining in both horizontal and vertical positions. If electric power is required for monitoring or control equipment, power sources such as batteries, thermoelectric, or micro-turbines can be advantageously used in combination or alone.
It is known that greater thermal transfer performance and ease of manufacturing are obtained by using a thin formed sheet material in the manufacturing process of the heat exchanger components. Using thin wall stainless steel composite sheets of approximately 0.015″ to 0.035″ thicknesses in heat exchanger apparatuses provides low resistance to burst due to possible excessive high internal cold water pressure, such as those commonly used in household or industrial plumbing systems.
The aforesaid heat exchangers can be used in many applications such as for example in household shower/baths, in washing machines and the like. In the design for use in household shower, grey water typically drains at 10 litres/hour.
Advantageously, the serpentine conduits described for heat exchanger 100 and 200 (
Referring now to
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As best illustrated in
A hybrid water heater may be used in combination with any of the above described heat exchangers by using electric heating elements or wires directly in the cold water conduits or by wrapping a heating coil around the outside of the conduits. This can be combined with a solar panel to make a low cost solar water heater. It can be low voltage to avoid the risk of electric shock. Electric heaters have very high efficiency because almost all of the electrical energy is converted into heat, which heats the water. Tankless electric heaters often cannot supply enough capacity of hot water because of either the size of the heater that would be required or the power. However, a hybrid system, which combines a heat exchanger with a heating element to provide more heating capacity, may advantageously replace a standard water heater.
Other EmbodimentsIt is understood that the examples and embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and that various modifications or changes in light thereof will be suggested to persons skilled in the art and are to be included within the present discovery and scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A heat exchange apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
- a) at least one double walled conduit having an outer conduit and an inner conduit located coaxially inside the outer conduit, and defining a first fluid passageway for a first fluid at a first temperature; and
- b) a drain defining a second fluid passageway for a second fluid at a second temperature, the double walled conduit being located in the drain and downstream of the second fluid flowing therethrough, such that the second fluid when flowing in the second fluid passageway effects heat transfer to the first fluid flowing in the first fluid passageway across the inner and outer conduits.
2. The apparatus, according to claim 1, in which the inner conduit includes an outer wall, the outer conduit includes an inner wall, the outer wall being located against the inner wall to define a leak passageway therebetween.
3. The apparatus, according to claim 2, in which the outer conduit includes an inner knurled surface that is pressed against the outer wall of the inner conduit to define the leak passageway.
4. The apparatus, according to claim 1, in which the double walled conduit is helical.
5. The apparatus, according to claim 1, includes an outer helical double wall conduit, a central helical double wall conduit and an inner helical double wall conduit.
6. The apparatus, according to claim 5, in which the outer, central and inner helical double walled conduits are assembled concentrically.
7. The apparatus, according to claim 6, in which the circumference of the helices of the double wall conduits decreases from the outer conduit to the inner conduit.
8. The apparatus, according to claim 5, in which the helical conduits are coiled in the same direction.
9. The apparatus, according to claim 8, in which the helical conduits are coiled in a counterclockwise direction.
10. The apparatus, according to claim 8, in which the helical conduits are coiled in a clockwise direction.
11. The apparatus, according to claim 6, in which each conduit includes a bend located at an upper end of the assembled helical conduits.
12. The apparatus, according to claim 1, in which the first and second fluids flow in a contra-flow manner through the heat exchange apparatus.
13. The apparatus, according to claim 1, in which the drain is a drain conduit.
14. The apparatus, according to claim 13, in which the drain conduit includes an upper drain portion connected to a drain trap.
15. The apparatus, according to claim 13, includes a bypass conduit connected to the drain conduit, the bypass conduit having a mesh for blocking particulate material.
16. The apparatus, according to claim 13, includes a deflector located in a central core of the drain conduit.
17. The apparatus, according to claim 13, includes a vertically orientated conduit located at the top of the central core of the drain conduit and having a plurality of holes located therein.
18. The apparatus, according to claim 17, in which a cap is located on top of the vertically orientated conduit for temporarily blocking a central bypass channel.
19. The apparatus, according to claim 18, in which the cap is operated manually or automatically.
20. The apparatus, according to claim 16, in which the deflector is a cone with side plates for forcing the second fluid away from the conduit.
21. The apparatus, according to claim 1, in which a plurality of helical conduits are stacked adjacent each other in the drain conduit.
22. The apparatus, according to claim 21, includes four stacked helical conduits.
23. The apparatus, according to claim 21, in which the helical conduits include a common first fluid inlet and a common first fluid outlet.
24. The apparatus, according to claim 1, is orientated orthogonal to the ground.
25. The apparatus, according to claim 1, is orientated horizontal to the ground.
26. The apparatus, according to claim 1, is connected to a drain trap in a shower.
27. The apparatus, according to claim 1, in which the double walled conduit is serpentine.
28. The apparatus, according to claim 27, in which at least a portion of the serpentine double walled conduit is located in the drain.
29. The apparatus, according to claim 27, in which at least one serpentine double wall conduit is connected to an elongate housing having two sidewalls and passes through an upper set of openings located in the sidewalls.
30. The apparatus, according to claim 29 in which a first plurality of conduit elbows extend away from the sidewalls along substantially the entire length of the elongate housing.
31. The apparatus, according to claim 29, in which a second serpentine double wall conduit is connected to the elongate housing and passes through a lower set of openings located in the sidewalls.
32. The apparatus, according to claim 31, in which a second plurality of conduit elbows extend away from the sidewalls along substantially the entire length of the elongate housing.
33. The apparatus, according to claim 29, in which a plurality of fins are mounted around the outer wall of the serpentine conduits, the fins being disposed parallel to each other and extend substantially the entire length of the elongate housing.
34. The apparatus, according to claim 1, includes a turbulator located in the drain or the helical conduit.
35. The apparatus, according to claim 1, in which the drain is a drain plate having a drain plate inlet and a drain plate outlet and a drain plate surface through which at least a portion of the double wall conduit extends, the drain plate surface being of sufficient area to define the second fluid passageway for the second fluid such that the second fluid flows as a fluid film along the second fluid passageway.
36. The apparatus, according to claim 35, in which a plurality of double walled conduits extend parallel along the drain plate.
37. The apparatus, according to claim 35, in which the drain plate is orientated horizontal relative to the ground.
38. The apparatus, according to claim 35, in which the drain is angled relative to the ground.
39. The apparatus, according to claim 35, includes a plurality of serpentine double walled conduits.
40. The apparatus, according to claim 39, in which the serpentine conduits are sufficiently spaced apart top allow the second fluid to flow thereover.
41. The apparatus, according to claim 1, in which the drain is a trench drain.
42. The apparatus, according to claim 1, in which the first fluid is cold water.
43. The apparatus, according to claim 1, in which the second fluid is grey water.
44. The apparatus, according to claim 1, in which a heating wire is located inside the double walled conduit.
45. The apparatus, according to claim 1, in which a heating wire is located around the double walled conduit.
46. A heat exchange apparatus comprising:
- a) at least one single walled conduit defining a first fluid passageway for a first fluid at a first temperature; and; and
- b) a drain plate having a drain plate inlet and a drain plate outlet and a drain plate surface against which at least a portion of the single wall conduit is located in intimate contact, the drain plate surface being of sufficient area to define a second fluid passageway for a second fluid such that the second fluid flows as a fluid film along the second fluid passageway so as to effect heat transfer to the first fluid flowing in the first fluid passageway across the single walled conduit.
47. A heat exchange apparatus comprising:
- a) at least one single walled conduit defining a first fluid passageway for a first fluid at a first temperature; and; and
- b) a drain plate having a drain plate inlet and a drain plate outlet and a drain plate surface against which at least a portion of the single wall conduit is located in intimate contact, the drain plate being located generally orthogonal to the ground, the drain plate surface being of sufficient area to define a second fluid passageway for a second fluid such that the second fluid flows as a fluid film along the second fluid passageway so as to effect heat transfer to the first fluid flowing in the first fluid passageway across the single walled conduit.
48.-109. (canceled)
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 29, 2010
Publication Date: Feb 3, 2011
Applicant: Prodigy Energy Recovery Systems, Inc. (Montreal)
Inventors: Rana Bose (Montreal), David Velan (Montreal)
Application Number: 12/846,588
International Classification: F28F 99/00 (20060101);