Abstract: An apparatus and method for a gas drying system includes a recuperator section having first and second fluid flow paths wherein fluid flowing through the first fluid flow path is in thermal communication with fluid flowing through the second fluid flow path. A refrigerated section having a third fluid flow path is in fluid communication with the first fluid flow path for further cooling the flowing fluid to about a dew point temperature. A moisture separator section is disposed between the recuperator and refrigerated sections, the assembled sections forming an integral construction, wherein the separator is in planar contact with the recuperator and refrigerated sections. The separator has a fourth fluid flow path in fluid communication with the third fluid flow path and the second fluid flow path for removing condensed and entrained liquid from a stream of flowing fluid prior to fluid flowing into the second fluid flow path.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a gas drying system includes a recuperator section having first and second fluid flow paths wherein fluid flowing through the first fluid flow path is in thermal communication with fluid flowing through the second fluid flow path. A refrigerated section having a third fluid flow path is in fluid communication with the first fluid flow path for further cooling the flowing fluid to about a dew point temperature. A moisture separator section is disposed between the recuperator and refrigerated sections, the assembled sections forming an integral construction, wherein the separator is in planar contact with the recuperator and refrigerated sections. The separator has a fourth fluid flow path in fluid communication with the third fluid flow path and the second fluid flow path for removing condensed and entrained liquid from a stream of flowing fluid prior to fluid flowing into the second fluid flow path.

Abstract: A plate heat exchanger includes a plurality of plates for providing a flow path for two fluids. The plate heat exchanger has an inlet and an outlet for each of the two fluids, wherein facing surfaces of two adjacent plates of the plurality of plates defines a flow path for a first fluid. The opposite surface of one of the two adjacent plates and a facing surface of another adjacent plate from the plurality of plates provides a flow path for a second fluid. The first fluid and the second fluid flowing along their respective flow paths are maintained in thermal communication with each other. A plurality of surface features associated with at least a portion of one surface of at least one of the plates provides enhanced heat transfer between the two fluids passing along adjacent plates.

Abstract: A plate heat exchanger includes a plurality of plates for providing a flow path for two fluids. The plate heat exchanger has an inlet and an outlet for each of the two fluids, wherein facing surfaces of two adjacent plates of the plurality of plates defines a flow path for a first fluid. The opposite surface of one of the two adjacent plates and a facing surface of another adjacent plate from the plurality of plates provides a flow path for a second fluid. The first fluid and the second fluid flowing along their respective flow paths are maintained in thermal communication with each other. A plurality of surface features associated with at least a portion of one surface of at least one of the plates provides enhanced heat transfer between the two fluids passing along adjacent plates.

Abstract: A stacked plate heat exchanger has flow passages for three different fluids formed between the plates. Passages for the third fluid are adjacent to both sides of each passage for the first fluid and each passage for the second fluid. In a preferred embodiment the passages are formed using only two plate surface configurations, and proper sealing of adjacent plates at the ports forming the inlet and outlet conduits for the three fluids is achieved by configuring the areas around the ports to define a system of annular planar platforms. For improved heat transfer when the exchanger is mounted in the horizontal position, baffles may be formed in the passages for the first and second fluids to control and direct the flow of those fluids.