Abstract: Element basket (55) includes lifting means (66, 74) integral with element holding bar (64) to facilitate removing element baskets from or placing element baskets into a rotary regenerative heat exchanger (20).

Abstract: Sheets (10a,10b) of heat transfer element (12) for stacking in an element basket (50) of a rotary regenerative heat exchange are cut in such a manner that the spacing notches (24) formed in the element sheets (10a,10b) cannot nest when the element sheets are arranged in juxtaposition within an element basket (50).

Abstract: Element basket (55) includes lifting means (66, 74) integral with element holding bar (64) to facilitate removing element baskets from or placing element baskets into a rotary regenerative heat exchanger (20).

Abstract: A recuperative tubular heat exchanger comprised of a plurality of tube-bundle heat exchange modules (20) stacked in a spaced array and interconnected by U-shaped, open-end header conduits (30) to form a serpentine flowpath through which a fluid to be heated is passed in heat exchange relationship with a heating fluid passing in cross flow over the tube bundle modules. The interconnected modules together with the header conduits form an integral assembly which is free to slide on support beams (26) so as to float within the housing (12) of the heat exchanger in response to the thermal deformation of the tube bundle modules.

Abstract: A rotary regenerative heat exchanger (2) for transferring heat from a hot fluid to a cold fluid by means of an assembly (30) of heat transfer element which is alternately contacted with the hot and cold fluid. The heat transfer element assembly (30) is comprised of a plurality of first and second heat absorbent plates (32,34) stacked alternately in spaced relationship. The spacing between adjacent first and second plates (32,34) is maintained by spacers which comprise V-shaped folds (38A and 38B) crimped in the first plates (32) and second plates (34), respectively, at spaced intervals along the plates. The folds (38A) in the first plates (32) are spaced equally apart by a first interval, while the folds (38B) in the second plates (34) are also spaced equally apart but at a second interval which is not equal to the first interval. In this manner, the folds in adjacent plates will not line up and nesting of adjacent plates is precluded.

Abstract: An improved method of sequentially cleaning filter elements (14) housed in a plurality of filter chambers (12) collectively forming a fabric filter collection apparatus (10) wherein the cleaning operation is controlled in response to an upper limit of pressure differential across the dust collection apparatus. Whenever the pressure differential across the dust collection apparatus (10) reaches the upper limit value, one of the chambers (12) is isolated, the filter elements (14) housed therein are cleaned, and then the isolated chamber is returned to service. Each of the individual chambers (12) is isolated in sequence and the filter elements therein cleaned with the interval between consecutive isolations and cleanings being the time required for the pressure differential across the dust collection apparatus (10) to again reach the upper limit value of pressure differential.

Abstract: An improved method of cleaning a fabric filter collector (10) housing one or more filter chambers (12) wherein the cleaning operation is monitored to actuate an alarm (54) if the pressure differential across the collector after any particular cleaning operation exceeds the pressure differential across the collector at initiation of that cleaning operation.

Abstract: A concentric tube type recuperative heat exchanger that includes an outer transparent tube 22 and an inner metallic tube 24 connected to suitable headers 12 and 14. The outer tube 24 is closed at the bottom end and open at the top end in order that cool air may be directed down through the open ended inner tube and up through the annular space therebetween where it may accept radiant energy transmitted through transparent tube 22. A tubular heat shield 36 of apertured metal lying in the annular space between tubes absorbs radiant heat passing directly through transparent tube 22 and that which is reflected from inner tube 24. Shield 36 serves simultaneously as a means for increasing the turbulence of fluid flowing through the annular space between tubes and as a heat sink that absorbs heat radiated between tube walls.

Abstract: A multiple module heat exchanger having a serpentine path for one fluid to flow transversely through adjacent modules while a second fluid flows longitudinally therethrough. A guide pin carried by one module and a mating receptacle carried by a module adjacent thereto cooperate to permit relative longitudinal movement between modules while precluding relative transverse movement therebetween. The mating guide pin and receptacle are located at the central axis of adjacent modules whereby there may be a limited amount of pivotal movement between adjacent modules.

Abstract: A fume incinerator (10) wherein the off gas (1) from an industrial process is incinerated to eliminate obnoxious fumes contained therein. The process gas stream (1) is first preheated and then passed over and through an array of burner assemblies (30) disposed within the preheated process gas stream (3). Fuel gas is supplied to the burners (30) and combusted therein to incinerate the process gas stream. The fuel gas is shielded from the preheated process gas (3) stream by passing a cooling gas over the surface of the fuel gas supply conduits (34) to each of the burners (30) in order to prevent overheating and consequent coking of the fuel gas in the supply conduit (34).

Abstract: A fume incinerator (10) and a method of operating same for eliminating combustible fumes from an oxygen bearing process gas stream (1). A first portion (11) of the oxygen bearing process gas (1) is passed to a burner (30) and serves as the source of oxygen for combusting an auxiliary fuel (9) to establish a flame front (28) within the incinerator. The remainder (13) of the process gas stream (1) is passed through the flame front for incineration of any obnoxious fumes contained therein.

Abstract: A method of casting a hollow bodied plate type recuperative heat exchange envelope. The heat exchange envelope comprises first and second envelope halves cast independently, then bonded together by fusion of molten metal of the second envelope half with solidified metal of the first envelope half. The first envelope half includes a lateral flange on opposite sides thereof that is confronted by the molten metal of the second envelope half to form a flange that connects envelope halves providing an increased area of contact therebetween. The flange of the second envelope half includes multiple surface areas that become fused to opposite sides of the first envelope half to form a strong connection impervious to fluid leakage.

Abstract: The method of casting a plate type recuperative heat exchange envelope that encloses a hollow space therein in a single casting operation. A sand core with a heat sensitive binder therein defines the hollow space within the envelope. The sand core is supported by end extensions and lateral protuberances which rest on the sides of a sand mold to provide a space therebetween that is subsequently filled with molten metal to comprise an envelope casting. Lateral openings through the envelope casting produced by the lateral protuberances and end openings produced by the end extensions provide passageways for venting gases produced within the sand core during the casting operation, and after completion of the casting operation the same openings in the envelope assist in the removal of the sand core therefrom. The lateral openings are subsequently plugged while the end openings are maintained open to direct the flow of fluid therethrough.

Abstract: An open ended basket 20 that contains a mass of heat absorbent material for a rotor of a rotary regenerative heat exchange apparatus. The basket has a uniquely curved support bar 26 at opposite ends thereof adapted to extend obliquely across the mass of heat absorbent material. The support bar is of greater length than the distance between parallel walls of the basket whereby varying the angle at which the support bars extend obliquely away from the contacting walls, each support bar may be made to fit exactly between parallel walls.

Abstract: A rotary regenerative heat exchanger (2) for transferring heat from a hot fluid to a cold fluid by means of an assembly (30) of heat transfer element which is alternately contacted with the hot and cold fluid. The heat transfer element assembly (30) is comprised of a plurality of first and second heat absorbent plates (32,34) stacked alternately in spaced relationship. The spacing between adjacent first and second plates (32,34) are maintained apart by spacers which comprise bilobed folds (38A and 38B) crimped in the first plates (32) and second plates (34), respectively. The pitch of the folds (38B) is opposite to that of the folds (38A) to prevent nesting between adjacent plates.

Abstract: An infrared ray sensing device for the rotor of a rotary rengenerative heat exchanger that includes a sensor 34 having a viewing lens 38 at the end of a moving support arm 36. The sensor is adapted to view the infrared ray emission from the rotor. As the arm moves along a path adjacent the rotor it comes into alignment with a fixed nozzle 44 that ejects a blast of cleaning fluid over the entire surface of the lens to remove dust deposits therefrom and thus maintain the lens in a clean condition.

Abstract: Rotary regenerative heat exchange apparatus having a rotor carrying a mass of heat absorbent element that is alternately exposed to hot and cold fluids. Heat from the hot fluid is first transferred to the cool element, and upon rotation of the rotor is then transferred to the cool fluid flowing therethrough. The rotor and rotor housing that encloses the rotor are supported separately upon independent columns whereby there can be no transmission of force therebetween to induce sympathetic distortion of either the rotor or the rotor housing.

Abstract: A trunnion sealing means for a rotary regenerative heat exchange apparatus. The sealing means is separated into two independent portions. The first portion is an air seal 34 that lies concentrically around a continuously moving trunnion 32. A supply of pressurized air is supplied thereto to preclude the leakage of fluid from the rotor of the rotary regenerative heat exchange apparatus. A second portion of said seal comprises a spool 56 radially spaced from the trunnion and having walls that are permitted to move relatively only an insignificant amount not sufficient to abrade or otherwise harm a packing material 36 therein.

Abstract: A rotary regenerative heat exchange apparatus having a rotor 10 carrying a mass of heat absorbent material that is ultimately exposed to a hot and a cold fluid in order that heat absorbed from the hot fluid may in turn be transferred to the cold fluid. The rotor 10 is surrounded by a housing 18 including a sector plate 30 at the hot end of the rotor that separates the fluids. A turndown indicator 40 operatively associated with the hot end sector plate 30 is provided so that the operator may at any time determine the amount of turndown of the rotor thereby permitting adjustment of the sector plate or other sealing means to reduce to a minimum any fluid leakage between the hot and cold fluids throughout a wide range of temperature variation and thermal expansion.

Abstract: A baghouse filter apparatus including a collapsible bag filter assembly (20) for separating from a gas solid particles entrained therein. The collapsible bag filter assembly comprises a plurality of fabric filter bags (22) extending between a grid sheet (26) and a tube sheet (24) with at least one sheet being movable toward the other sheet and the other sheet being slidably mounted on rails (42). Legs (40) are provided to guide the movement of the one sheet toward the other so as to keep the grid sheet and tube sheet parallel and properly aligned as the bag filter assembly is collapsed. Once the assembly is collapsed, it may be easily slid out of the baghouse (10) through an access opening (30) in the baghouse to facilitate inspection, repair, and bag removal at a location external of the baghouse.