Abstract: A heat exchanger (100) is disclosed for exchanging heat with a medium across a substantially planar surface. The exchanger (100) comprises: a heat exchanging panel (101); a fluid circuit comprising a first chamber (104) disposed at a first end of the panel (101), a second chamber (105) disposed at a second end of the panel (101), a plurality of passages (103) which extend along the panel between the first and second chambers (104,105), and a duct (107) which extends between the first and second chamber (104,105); a fluid disposed within the circuit; wherein, the plurality of passages (103) are arranged in thermal communication with the panel (101) and are arranged to communicate the fluid from the first chamber (104) to the second chamber (15), and the duct (107) is arranged to communicate fluid from the second chamber (105) to the first chamber (104).

Abstract: The invention provides method and system for cooling over a large area, suitable for use for control of layer formation over an extended area in an aluminium electrolysis cell and exploitation of heat. The objective is achieved by a manifold from which a plurality of hot end heat tubes extend, representing the hot end or ends, wherein the cold end or condenser can be provided inside the manifold or can extend outside the manifold.

Abstract: An objective of the present invention is to provide a method and system for use for control of layer formation over an extended area in an aluminium electrolysis cell and exploitation of heat. A second object of the invention is to provide a method and system for use for control of layer formation suited for retrofitting to an aluminium electrolysis cell and maintainability during operations of the cell. The present invention attains the above-described objectives by a flat heat tube for attachment to the steel casing of an aluminium electrolysis cell. This heat tube can be a heat pipe or a thermosyphon. Preferably the heat tube is provided with a substantially flat surface. Preferably the heat tube has a meandering shape.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for generating steam from water is disclosed. The exchanger comprises a first heat exchanging chamber, a second heat exchanging chamber and an array of heat pipes which are arranged to extend from within the first heat exchanging chamber to within the second heat exchanging chamber. The first heat exchanging chamber comprises a distributed inlet for passing the water into the first chamber from a distributed position around the chamber and an outlet through which the steam can exit the first chamber, the water being arranged to pass over the portion of the heat pipes which extend within the first chamber. The second heat exchanging chamber comprises an inlet for receiving a gas into the chamber and an outlet through which the gas can exit the second chamber, the gas being arranged to pass over the portion of the heat pipes which extend within the second chamber.

Abstract: A heat exchanger is disclosed for exchanging heat between a first gas and a second gas. The heat exchanger comprises a first heat exchanging chamber, a second heat exchanging chamber and an array of heat pipes which are arranged to extend between the first and second heat exchanging chambers. The first heat exchanging chamber comprising an inlet for receiving the first gas into the chamber and an outlet through which the first gas can exit the first chamber, the flow of first gas being substantially along the array of heat pipes. The second heat exchanging chamber comprising an inlet for receiving a second gas into the chamber and an outlet through which the second gas can exit the second chamber, the flow of second gas being substantially across the array of heat pipes. The flow of second gas is split into two subsidiary flow paths, with each subsidiary flow path comprising a substantially identical array of heat pipes. This ensures that each heat pipe receives a similar rate of heat exchange.

Abstract: A heat exchanger is disclosed for condensing a vapour to a condensate. The exchanger comprises a first heat exchanging chamber, a second heat exchanging chamber and an array of heat pipes which are arranged to extend from within the first heat exchanging chamber to within the second heat exchanging chamber. The first heat exchanging chamber comprises an inlet for receiving a coolant into the chamber and an outlet through which the coolant can exit the first chamber, the coolant being arranged to pass over the portion of the heat pipes which extend within the first chamber. The second heat exchanging chamber comprises an inlet for receiving the vapour into the chamber and an outlet through which the condensate can exit the second chamber, the vapour being arranged to pass over the portion of the heat pipes which extend within the second chamber.