HEAT EXCHANGE SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE
A heat exchange system and method of use are provided. The system may include an inlet, an outlet, and a plurality of tubes in communication with the inlet and the outlet. The plurality of tubes may include a first tube located adjacent to a second tube. A first drain conduit may be in communication with the first tube at a location between the inlet and the outlet, and a second drain conduit may be in communication with the second tube at a location between the inlet and the outlet, such that the first and second drain conduits are operable to drain fluid from the plurality of tubes. The method may include supplying fluid to the inlet, flowing fluid through the plurality of tubes, returning fluid to the outlet, and removing a portion of the fluid from the plurality of tubes via a drainage manifold that is in fluid communication with the plurality of tubes at a location between the inlet and outlet.
1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the invention generally relate to systems and methods for draining fluids from a heat exchange system to protect against damage resulting from freezing of a fluid within the heat exchange system. Particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to removing liquid from one or more tubes of the heat exchange system using one or more drainage conduits. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to a drainage manifold that is in communication with one or more tubes of a (finned or bare tube) tube heat exchange system and is operable to drain a liquid, such as water, from the tubes when the heat exchange system is not in use.
2. Description of the Related Art
Heat exchangers are used to efficiently exchange heat from one fluid to another fluid. The fluids are generally separated by a partition so that the fluids are not in direct contact with each other. A typical heat exchanger may include a series of tubes through which a first fluid is directed, the first fluid being either heated or cooled by a second fluid that is directed over the outer surface of the tubes. The tubes may also include one or more fins connected to their outer surface to increase the contact area between the fluids, which may increase the heat transfer efficiency.
A potential problem with tube heat exchangers is structural damage to the tubes caused by freezing of the fluid within the tubes, particularly when water is employed as the fluid. This can occur in cold weather during storage or transport of the heat exchanger, and can also occur after installation if the heat exchanger is subjected to freezing conditions due to power or mechanical failure. Specifically, when the heat exchange system is not in use, water that remains idle in the tubing will freeze at the appropriate temperature conditions. Such freezing can lead to the rupture of a wall or joint of the heat exchanger tube(s) and therefore lead to failure of the heat exchange system.
One known method of avoiding damage to the heat exchange tubing is to prevent freezing of the fluid by adding anti-freeze agents to the fluid. For example, when water is used as the fluid, ethylene glycol may be added to lower the freezing point of the water. However, large amounts of anti-freeze agents are required to prevent freezing, which produces a mixture whose characteristics differ substantially from those of water. This can result in altered performance and reduced heat transfer by the heat exchange system. Moreover, anti-freeze agents can be expensive when required in large quantities and may be toxic to the surrounding environment in the event of leakage or spillage.
Therefore, there is a need for a system and method for protecting heat exchangers from damage due to freezing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn one embodiment, a heat exchange system may include an inlet manifold, an outlet manifold, and a plurality of tubes in communication with the inlet and outlet manifolds. The plurality of tubes may include a first tube located adjacent to a second tube. A first conduit may be in communication with the first tube at a location between the inlet and outlet manifolds. A second conduit may be in communication with the second tube at a location between the inlet and outlet manifolds. The first and second conduits may be configured to drain fluid from the plurality of tubes.
In one embodiment, a heat exchange system may include a housing, an inlet manifold, an outlet manifold, and a first tube in communication with the inlet and outlet manifolds. The first tube may repeatedly extend from a first end to a second end of the housing, thereby forming at least a first bend portion. A first conduit may be in communication with the first bend portion at a location between the inlet and outlet manifolds, such that the first conduit is operable to drain fluid from the first tube.
In one embodiment, a heat exchange system may include a plurality of rows of tubes in communication with an inlet manifold and an outlet manifold. And a drain conduit may be in communication with a tube of each row at a location between the inlet and outlet manifolds to drain fluid from the heat exchange system.
In one embodiment, a heat exchange system may include a drainage conduit in communication with one or more tubes of the heat exchange system at a location between an inlet and an outlet of the one or more tubes. And a plug may be coupled to the drainage conduit to allow drainage of fluid from one or more tubes.
In one embodiment, a method of draining fluid from a heat exchange system may include providing one or more of the heat exchange systems described herein, and draining fluid from the heat exchange system using the drainage manifold when not in use.
In one embodiment, a method of draining fluid from a heat exchange system may include supplying fluid to an inlet manifold; flowing fluid from the inlet manifold through a plurality of tubes; returning fluid to an outlet manifold from the plurality of tubes; and removing a portion of the fluid from the plurality of tubes via a drainage manifold that is in fluid communication with the plurality of tubes at a location between the inlet and outlet manifolds.
So that the manner in which the above recited features of the invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
The plurality of tubes 40 may be in communication with the inlet manifold 20 at a first end to receive fluid and may be in communication with the outlet manifold 30 at a second end to expel the fluid. The inlet and outlet manifolds 20, 30 may include any type of fluid-handling members, such as cylindrical housings, headers, conduits, etc. that are configured to disperse, direct, and/or receive fluid into or from the plurality of tubes 40. Each manifold 20, 30 may include an inlet and outlet fluid line connection 25, 35 for supply and return of fluid from one or more supply/return tanks. In one embodiment, the inlet fluid line connection 25 may be coupled to a lower end of the inlet manifold 20, and the outlet fluid line connection 35 may be coupled to an upper end of the outlet manifold 30. Each manifold 20, 30 may also be located adjacent to the housing 15 and/or on similar or different sides of the housing 15.
In one embodiment, the plurality of tubes 40 may include a first tube 42 and a second tube 44 (illustrated in
The longitudinal lengths of the plurality of tubes 40, including the bend portions, may lie substantially in the same plane to thereby form a row 49 of tubing (also illustrated in
In one embodiment, each of the first and second tubes 42, 44 traverse the length 43 of the housing 15, thereby forming bends 46A, 46B and 48A, 48B, respectively, that are located adjacent to the inlet and outlet manifolds 20, 30. In one embodiment, the bends 46A, 46B, 48A, 48B may be U-shaped, V-shaped, square-shaped, triangular-shaped, or combinations thereof.
In one embodiment, there are a total of four first drain conduits 62A, 62B, 62C, 62D that provide communication between the first and second tubes 42, 44 and the second drain conduit 64. Two of the first drain conduits 62A, 62C are in communication with the first tube 42. In particular, each of the first drain conduits 62A, 62C are coupled to one of the bends 46A, 46B of the first tube 42. The other two first drain conduits 62B, 62D are in communication with the second tube 44. In particular, each of the first drain conduits 62B, 62D are coupled to one of the bends 48A, 48B of the second tube 44. The second drain conduit 64 operates like a manifold that channels fluid from all four of the first drain conduits 62A, 62B, 62C, 62D into the third drain conduit 66. The third drain conduit 66 may be sealed at its outlet by the stop member 68 during operation of the heat exchange system 10. The stop member 68 may be removed when desired to remove liquid from the plurality of tubes 40 via the drainage manifold 60A.
As further illustrated in
In one embodiment, the longitudinal lengths of the first drain conduits 62A, 62B, 62C, 62D may be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal lengths of the second and/or third drain conduits 64, 66. The longitudinal length of the second drain conduit 64 may be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal length of the third drain conduit 66. In one embodiment, the first drain conduits 62A, 62B, 62C, 62D are sealed at their upper ends to direct fluid into the second drain conduit 64 at their lower ends.
In one embodiment, a plurality of heat exchange systems 10 and/or 100 described herein may be in communication with each other. In one embodiment, a plurality of tubes 40 of a first heat exchange system may be in communication with a plurality of tubes 40 of a second heat exchange system. In one embodiment, an inlet manifold 20 and/or an outlet manifold 30 of a first heat exchange system may be in communication with an inlet manifold 20 and/or outlet manifold 30 of a second heat exchange system. In one embodiment, a drainage manifold 60 of a first heat exchange system may be in communication with a drainage manifold 60 a second heat exchange system to drain fluid from the group of heat exchange systems. In one embodiment, the first, second, and/or third drain conduits 62, 64, 66 of a drainage manifold of a first heat exchange system may be in communication with a first, second, and/or third drain conduit 62, 64, 66 of a drainage manifold of a second heat exchange system. Multiple combinations of heat exchange systems 10, 100 and drainage manifolds 60A-D may be provided using embodiments of the systems and manifolds described herein.
In one embodiment, the various tubing connections between the plurality of tubes 40, the inlet and outlet manifolds 20, 30, and/or the drainage manifolds 60A-D may be formed by brazing, welding, or other methods known by one of ordinary skill in the art. In one embodiment, the housing 15, the plurality of tubes 40, the inlet and outlet manifolds 20, 30, and/or the drainage manifolds 60A-D may be equipped with one or more vent and/or drain ports to facilitate removal of liquid from the heat exchange system 10.
While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.
Claims
1. A heat exchange system, comprising:
- an inlet manifold;
- an outlet manifold;
- a plurality of tubes in communication with the inlet and outlet manifolds, wherein the plurality of tubes includes a first tube located adjacent to a second tube;
- a first conduit in communication with the first tube at a location between the inlet and outlet manifolds; and
- a second conduit in communication with the second tube at a location between the inlet and outlet manifolds, wherein the first and second conduits are configured to drain fluid from the plurality of tubes.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second conduits are in communication with a bend portion of the first and second tubes, respectively.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second tubes include at least first and second bend portions, and wherein the first and second conduits are connected to the first bend portions of the first and second tubes, respectively.
4. The system of claim 3, further comprising a third conduit in communication with the first tube at a location between the inlet and outlet manifolds, and a fourth conduit in communication with the second tube at a location between the inlet and outlet manifolds, wherein the third and fourth conduits are configured to drain fluid from the plurality of tubes.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the third and fourth conduits are connected to the second bend portions of the first and second tubes, respectively.
6. The system of claim 5, further comprising a fifth conduit operable to collect fluid from the first, second, third, and fourth conduits.
7. The system of claim 6, further comprising a sixth conduit operable to direct the collected fluid from the fifth conduit from to a location remote from the heat exchange system.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of tubes form a plurality of rows of tubing, wherein the first and second conduits are in communication with each row of tubing.
9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a housing to support the plurality of tubes, wherein the plurality of tubes are supported by the housing so that they are substantially horizontal relative to a horizontal axis of the housing.
10. The system of claim 1, further comprising a housing to support the plurality of tubes, wherein the plurality of tubes are supported by the housing so that they are tilted toward the outlet manifold.
11. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second tubes commence at the inlet manifold.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the first and second tubes terminate at the outlet manifold.
13. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second tubes include unitary cylindrical members that each forms a fluid path from the inlet manifold to the outlet manifold.
14. The system of claim 1, wherein the first tube includes at least one bend portion having a shape different than at least one bend portion of the second tube.
15. The system of claim 1, further comprising a third conduit operable to collect fluid from the first and second conduits, wherein the first and second conduits are connected to different sides of the third conduit.
16. A heat exchange system, comprising:
- a housing;
- an inlet manifold;
- an outlet manifold;
- a first tube in communication with the inlet and outlet manifolds, wherein the first tube repeatedly extends from a first end to a second end of the housing, thereby forming at least a first bend portion; and
- a first conduit in communication with the first bend portion at a location between the inlet and outlet manifolds, wherein the first conduit is operable to drain fluid from the first tube.
17. The system of claim 16, further comprising a second conduit in communication with a second bend portion of the first tube at a location between the inlet and outlet manifolds, wherein the second conduit is configured to drain fluid from the first tube.
18. The system of claim 17, further comprising a third conduit in communication with the first and second conduits to collect fluid drained from the first tube.
19. The system of claim 16, further comprising a plurality of first tubes forming a stacked configuration, wherein the first conduit is in communication with the first bend portion of each first tube within the stacked configuration at a location between the inlet and outlet manifolds.
20. The system of claim 16, wherein the first bend portion includes at least one of the following configurations: U-shaped, V-shaped, square-shaped, triangular-shaped, or combinations thereof.
21. A heat exchange system, comprising:
- a plurality of rows of tubes in communication with a supply manifold and a return manifold; and
- a drain conduit in communication with a tube of each row at a location between the supply and return manifolds to drain fluid from the heat exchange system.
22. A heat exchange system, comprising:
- a drainage conduit in communication with one or more tubes of the heat exchange system at a location between an inlet and an outlet of the one or more tubes; and
- a plug coupled to the drainage conduit to allow drainage of fluid from the one or more tubes.
23. A method of draining fluid from a heat exchange system, comprising:
- providing the heat exchange system of at least one of claims 1, 16, 21, and 22; and
- draining fluid from the heat exchange system when not in use.
24. A method of draining fluid from a heat exchange system, comprising:
- supplying fluid to an inlet manifold;
- flowing fluid from the inlet manifold through a plurality of tubes;
- returning fluid to an outlet manifold from the plurality of tubes; and
- removing a portion of the fluid from the plurality of tubes via a drainage manifold that is in fluid communication with the plurality of tubes at a location between the inlet and outlet manifolds.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein the drainage manifold includes a single drain conduit.
26. The method of claim 24, wherein the drainage manifold includes a plurality of drain conduits.
27. The method of claim 24, wherein the drainage manifold includes at least one drain conduit in fluid communication with a bend portion of at least one tube.
28. The method of claim 24, wherein the drainage manifold includes a first drain conduit connected to a bend portion of a first tube, and a second drain conduit connected to a bend portion of a second tube.
29. The method of claim 24, wherein the drainage manifold includes a first drain conduit connected to a first bend portion of first and second tubes, and a second drain conduit connected to a second bend portion of the first and second tubes.
30. The method of claim 24, wherein the drainage manifold includes a first drain conduit connected to a first bend portion of a first tube, a second drain conduit connected to a second bend portion of the first tube, a third drain conduit connected to a first bend portion of a second tube, and a fourth drain conduit connected to a second bend portion of the second tube, and wherein the first, second, third, and fourth drain conduits are in fluid communication with a fifth drain conduit.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 19, 2012
Publication Date: Mar 20, 2014
Inventors: John Edwards (Onalaska, WI), Martin Bornheimer (La Crosse, WI)
Application Number: 13/622,752
International Classification: F28F 27/00 (20060101);