Abstract: There is provided a combination for use in a shell and tube heat exchanger which comprises: a shell having a substantially horizontally extending longitudinal axis and an open end; an annular distributor adjacent to the shell end and having an annular chamber defined therein in fluid communication with the shell interior through the shell end; a tubesheet longitudinally spaced from the shell end; a baffle cage having an interior portion in the shell interior and an exterior portion outside the shell between the tubesheet and shell end, wherein the baffle cage is longitudinally spaced from and unconnected to the tubesheet; a bundle of tubes extending from the tubesheet and through the baffle cage and shell interior; and a support member having a lower end fixedly connected to the interior surface of the annular distributor and an upper end contacting but not connected to the exterior portion of the baffle cage at a lowermost location thereof.

Abstract: An improved rod baffle heat exchangers is disclosed in which the tube bundle comprises a plurality of tubes supported intermediate therein by at least one outer ring and a plurality of baffle rods extending along diagonal lanes between the tubes.

Abstract: A rod baffle heat exchanger utilizing an improved rod baffle is disclosed. The improved rod baffle has a baffle ring and support member comprised of a first strip and a second strip each attached to the ring and extending across said ring such that each strip will support an adjacent tube row. Struts are attached to and extend between the first and second strip. The improved rod baffle provides for a reduced longitudinal-flow, shell-side pressure drop over a solid support member.

Abstract: A baffle ring suitable for retrofitting an existing shell-and-tube heat exchanger with rod baffle supports and a method of retrofitting an existing shell-and-tube heat exchanger with a rod baffle support is provided. The rod baffle rings comprise a first semi-circular member and a second semi-circular member with a first semi-circular member hinged to the second semi-circular member such that they can be hinged open to allow installation on the existing tube bundle and hinged closed to provide a completed rod baffle ring around the tube bundle.

Abstract: An improved rod baffle heat exchanger and method for manufacturing the same are disclosed in which cross-support members are used to prevent support rod movement and to provide increased rigidity in the heat exchanger. The cross-support members have a threaded circular section at each end, to which threaded nuts are attached. The threaded nuts rest on a protective pad, which is adjacent to the outermost tubes. As the nuts are tightened at each end of the threaded cross-support member, the baffle support rods are brought into firm contact with adjacent tubes.

Abstract: A shell and tube heat exchanger is disclosed in which the distribution of the fluid on the shell is substantially improved by the positioning of flow-restrictive disks on the tubes near the inlet and outlet regions of the exchanger. Positioning of the disks in other regions of the exchanger is also disclosed in order to create turbulence and increased beat transfer.

Abstract: An improved rod baffle heat exchanger and method for manufacturing the same are disclosed in which the tube bundle thereof comprises a plurality of tubes supported intermediate their ends by at least one outer ring and a plurality of baffle rods carried by the outer ring and extending between parallel tube rows. The baffle rods comprise circular standard rods and circular substitute rods wherein the diameter of the substitute rods differs from that of the standard rods. The use of different sized circular rods allows firm contact to be achieved between the rods and tubes of the tube bundle in order to avoid tube vibration while also avoiding the problems of rod-to-tube tolerance buildup.

Abstract: A shell unit for use in a two pass shell and tube heat exchanger is provided. The shell unit has a return distributor means for providing direct fluid flow communication between the first pass of the two pass shell and tube heat exchanger and the second pass of the two pass shell and tube heat exchanger without excessive flow obstructions and associated pressure losses.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a support apparatus for tubes in a U-bend portion of a tube bundle. The support apparatus includes a U-tube ring positioned around the tubes in the U-bend portion and having first and second tube separation elements extending therefrom through first and second lanes between the tubes, respectively. The first tube separation elements are preferably characterized by flat plates or strips defining a plurality of holes therethrough, and the second tube separation elements are preferably characterized by rods or bars extending through aligned sets of holes in the plates or strips. A support bar extends between opposite end portions of the ring, and the plates have notches therein for engaging corresponding notches in the support bar and ring. The ring and support bar are slidably attachable to a mounting bracket on a tube support used to support a first and second pass of longitudinal tubes in the tube bundle.

Abstract: A rodbaffle heat exchanger is disclosed in which a plurality of detuning plates are provided to prevent the formation of standing accoustical waves from forming in the shell-side fluid flow path such that vibration and tube damage is prevented.

Abstract: A support apparatus for tubes in a U-bend portion of a tube bundle. The support apparatus includes a U-tube ring positioned around the tubes in the U-bend portion and having first and second tube separation elements extending therefrom through first and second lanes between the tubes, respectively. The first tube separation elements are preferably characterized by flat plates or strips defining a plurality of holes therethrough, and the second tube separation elements are preferably characterized by rods or bars extending through aligned sets of holes in the plates or strips. A support bar extends between opposite end portions of the ring, and the plate have notches therein for engaging corresponding notches in the support bar and ring. The ring and support bar are slidably attachable to a mounting bracket on a tube support used to support a first and second pass of longitudinal tubes in the tube bundle. A method is disclosed for fabricating the U-bend tube support.

Abstract: A heat exchange tube formed from a sheath containing a bayonet tube all mounted on a split pipe header is especially well suited for the construction of tube bundles to be used in fermentors.

Abstract: In a shell and tube heat exchanger, cooperation between a shell and shroud within the shell is established by at least one boss extending radially outward from the exterior surface of the shroud and at least one channel on the inside of the shell. The channel has longitudinal and circumferential path portions which are adapted to receive the boss so as to allow for longitudinal and radial temperature expansion without incurring undesirable stresses on either the shell or the shroud. The shroud is disclosed as further including at least one longitudinally extending alignment guide which enables cooperation with guide rails associated with a tube bundle positioned within the shroud.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for gas treating a particle bed wherein a uniform temperature gradient is achieved. A support member, such as a grate, serves to support a bed of particles on a surface thereof. The support member is moved in a predetermined direction. Gas is released from a plurality of positions at different depths in the bed.

Abstract: In a conventional shell-tube heat exchanger with at least one annular distributor, apparatus and method are provided for minimizing pressure drop in the fluid passing through the shell side, by adjusting rotationally and longitudinally the position of at least one shell-side insert.

Abstract: The tubes in a U-tube bundle are supported by rod baffles characterized by inner and outer arcuate rod support members. Methods and apparatus for assemblint the components of the heat exchanger are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for gas treating a particle bed wherein a uniform temperature gradient is achieved. A support member, such as a grate, serves to support a bed of particles on a surface thereof. The support member is moved in a predetermined direction. Gas is released from a plurality of positions at different depths in the bed.

Abstract: A shell unit, for use in a shell and tube heat exchanger, includes a shell having shell ports whose flow areas are adjustable. The unit comprises an annular distributor having an annulus which surrounds the shell such that fluid may flow from the annulus into the shell ports, and a nozzle in fluid communication with the annulus for feeding shell fluid into the annulus. A means is provided in the shell unit for adjusting the fluid flow area of the ports. In one embodiment, the means for adjusting the flow area is an insert rotatably mounted within the shell which may be rotated to at least partially cover the ports a selected amount.

Abstract: A method of extracting bitumen from a subsurface tar sand bed wherein a shell of frozen earth is formed around the periphery of at least a portion of the tar sand bed, followed by recovering bitumen from such portion of the tar sand bed within the shell of frozen earth by suitable means such as, for example, solvent extraction. Also disclosed is apparatus for freezing the earth surrounding one of a plurality of boreholes drilled in the earth within earth freezing distance of each other around the periphery of such portion of the tar sand bed.

Abstract: In an apparatus and its method of use in which lignite is moved upwardly in an inclined trough by a screw conveyer-agitator and fractured and washed while being so moved and when washed being removed from the upper end of said trough and wherein the lower end of the trough is arranged to provide a section in which a quiescent phase of liquid is formed to allow any suspended lignite to settle therefrom while a supernatant phase containing mineral matter suspended therein is removed the improvement which consists of having a two-section conveyor screw the lower-end portion or length thereof exposed in or by said quiescent phase being structured with a smooth flight or blade which can be rotated without disturbing unduly the supernatant phase thus to avoid suspending lignite therein while the remaining length of the screw conveyor can be structured to impact and fracture the crushed lignite while it is being agitated in the presence of a washing medium.