Abstract: A flooded evaporator has a plurality of tubes extending through a shell. Process fluid flows through the tubes and refrigerant flows inside of the shell through gaps between the tubes. Filler beads are located in the gaps between the tubes, thus displacing some of the refrigerant and requiring a lower refrigerant charge. The refrigerant flows through the spaces between the filler beads. The filler beads move thereby dispersing the refrigerant and dislodging bubbles from the outside of the tubes, resulting in an increase in efficiency of heat exchange.

Abstract: A heat exchanger has stacked plate elements that are joined together so as to form first and second sets of channels. Each set of channels has an inlet port and an outlet port to allow fluid to flow in and out of the channel in the set. A distributor is located in the inlet port of the first set. The distributor has a first and a second end, with the distributor first end being located near a fitting in the inlet port, and the distributor second end being located near a rear plate of the heat exchanger. The presence of the distributor in the inlet port forms a passage for fluid flow into the respective channels. The passage is larger at the distributor first end than at the distributor second end. The passage can be formed by channels or grooves in the outside diameter of the distributor. Alternatively, the passage can be formed by variations in the outside diameter between the first and second ends of the distributor. For example, such a distributor could be frusto-conical in shape.

Abstract: A heat exchanger with a multiplicity of generally vertical heat transfer tubes has an improved liquid distribution arrangement in its upper inlet head. The liquid distribution arrangement includes a flow diverting baffle disposed within the inlet head above the tubes, a plurality of flow restricting devices inserted in the upper open ends of the tubes and a dam spaced inwardly from a peripheral region of the upper head for receiving flow from the baffle and providing an overflow reservoir surrounding the upper open tube ends for evenly distributing flow to the upper open tube ends.

Abstract: A dry expansion heat exchanger of the tube and shell type. The heat exchanger comprises a shell having a plurality of bundles of tubes therein and a pair of end bonnets on opposite ends of the shell. Secondary baffles within the bonnets subdivide the bonnets into subchambers that are aligned with respective bundles of tubes. The cross-sectional areas of successive bundles of tubes increase to allow for expansion of the coolant as it flows through the heat exchanger and absorbs heat from the fluid to be treated. The secondary baffles define restricted flow areas for the coolant which have increasingly larger cross-sectional areas for successive chambers in the end bonnets.