VERTICAL BUNDLE AIR-COOLED HEAT EXCHNAGER, METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME, AND POWER GENERATION PLANT IMPLEMENTING THE SAME
A vertical bundle air-cooled heat exchanger. In one embodiment, the invention can be a vertical bundle air-cooled condenser comprising: at least one tube bundle assembly comprising: a tube bundle comprising a plurality of finned tubes arranged in a substantially vertical and side-by-side orientation, each of the plurality of finned tubes comprising a cavity; a top header pipe comprising an inlet header cavity operably coupled to a source of steam; a bottom header pipe comprising an outlet header cavity for collecting condensate; top ends of the plurality of finned tubes coupled to the top header pipe and the bottom ends of the plurality of finned tubes coupled to the bottom header pipe; and a shell having an open top end and open bottom end, the at least one tube bundle assembly positioned within the shell.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/715,897 filed Sep. 26, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/123,678 filed Jun. 17, 2014, which is a PCT national phase application in the United States for International Patent Application No. PCT/US2012/040806 filed Jun. 4, 2012, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/493,208 filed Jun. 3, 2011. The foregoing priority applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to vertical bundle air-cooled heat exchangers, and specifically to vertical bundle air-cooled heat exchangers that act as the condensing unit in a Rankine cycle fluid circuit of a power generation plant.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONCooling fluid streams by air instead of water is an inherently more environmentally friendly option. Indeed, restriction on water consumption for industrial use, especially to condense waste steam in power plants, has emerged as a growing worldwide problem. Driven by increasing scarcity of water, power plant designers have been turning to air-cooled condensers, such as that which is shown in
Prior art air-cooled condenser configurations have several disadvantages that have limited its wide application, such as: (1) high capital cost; (2) large land area requirement; (3) significant site construction effort; and (4) contamination of condensate (deleterious iron carry over) by corrosion of the carbon steel tubing and associated reduction in the service life of the system.
Thus, a need for an improved air-cooled heat exchanger, and improved finned tubes for use with the same, exists.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn one embodiment, the invention can be a method of forming a finned tube for an air-cooled condenser, the method comprising: extruding, from a first material, a first finned tube section comprising: a first tube having an inner surface forming a first cavity along a first longitudinal axis and an outer surface; and a first plurality of fins protruding radially outward from the outer surface of the first tube, the first plurality of fins integral with the first tube and extending substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis.
In another embodiment, the invention can be a method of forming a finned tube for an air-cooled condenser, the method comprising: providing a finned tube section comprising: an outer tube having an inner surface forming a cavity along a longitudinal axis and an outer surface; and a plurality of fins protruding radially outward from the outer surface of the outer tube, the outer tube formed of a first material; inserting an inner tube having an outer surface through the cavity of the outer tube, the inner tube having an inner surface forming a cavity; and expanding the inner tube so that the outer surface of the inner tube is in contact with the inner surface of the outer tube, the inner tube formed of a second material that is different than the first material.
In yet another embodiment, the invention can be a method of forming a finned tube for an air-cooled condenser, the method comprising: forming a plurality of finned tube sections, each of the finned tube sections comprising: a tube having an inner surface forming a cavity along a longitudinal axis and an outer surface; and a plurality of fins protruding radially outward from the outer surface of the tube; aligning the plurality of finned tube sections so that the longitudinal axes are in axial alignment and the plurality of fins of adjacent finned tube sections are angularly offset from one another; and coupling the plurality of finned sections together.
In still another embodiment, the invention can be a method of forming a tube bundle assembly for an air-cooled condenser comprising: forming a plurality of finned tubes in accordance with one of the methods described in the three paragraphs immediately preceding above; arranging the plurality of finned tubes in a substantially vertical and side-by-side orientation; coupling a top end of the outer tube of each of the plurality of finned tubes to a top header pipe and coupling a bottom end of the outer tube of each of the plurality of finned tubes to a bottom header pipe; wherein a hermetic fluid path is formed through the cavity of the inner tube of each of the plurality of finned tubes from an inlet header cavity of the top header pipe to an outlet header of the bottom header pipe.
In even another embodiment, the invention can be a method of condensing steam in a power generation plant comprising: introducing steam into the inlet header cavity of the tube bundle assembly formed by the method described in the immediately preceding paragraph, the steam flowing downward through the hermetic fluid paths of the plurality of finned tubes; flowing air upward along the plurality of finned tubes of the tube bundle assembly, thermal energy being transferred from the steam to the air through the plurality of finned tubes, thereby condensing the steam; and condensate gathering in the outlet header cavity of the bottom header pipe.
In a further embodiment, the invention can be a finned tube for an air-cooled condenser comprising: an extruded first finned tube section comprising: a first tube having an inner surface forming a first cavity along a first longitudinal axis and an outer surface; and a first plurality of fins protruding radially outward from the outer surface of the first tube, the first plurality of fins integral with the first tube and extending substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis; and wherein the extruded finned section is formed of a first material.
In a yet further embodiment, the invention can be a finned tube for an air-cooled condenser comprising: an outer tube having an inner surface forming a cavity along a longitudinal axis and an outer surface; a plurality of fins protruding radially outward from the outer surface of the outer tube, the outer tube formed of a first material; an inner tube extending through the cavity of the outer tube, the inner tube having an inner surface forming a cavity and an outer surface, the outer surface of the inner tube being in contact with the inner surface of the outer tube, the inner tube formed of a second material that is different than the first material.
In a still further embodiment, the invention can be a finned tube for an air-cooled condenser comprising: a plurality of finned tube sections, each finned tube section comprising: an outer tube having an inner surface forming a cavity along a longitudinal axis and an outer surface, the outer tube formed of a first material; and a plurality of fins protruding radially outward from the outer surface of the outer tube; and an inner tube extending through the cavities of the outer tubes to couple the plurality of finned tube sections together, the inner tube having an inner surface forming a cavity and an outer surface, the outer surface of the inner tube being in contact with the inner surfaces of the outer tubes, the inner tube formed of a second material that is different than the first material.
In an even further embodiment, the invention can be a finned tube for an air-cooled condenser comprising: a plurality of finned tube sections, each finned tube section comprising: an outer tube having an inner surface forming a cavity along a longitudinal axis and an outer surface, the outer tube formed of a first material; and a plurality of fins protruding radially outward from the outer surface of the outer tube; and the plurality of finned tube sections coupled together in a manner so that the longitudinal axes are in axial alignment and the plurality of fins of adjacent finned tube sections are angularly offset from one another.
In other embodiments, the invention can be a tube bundle assembly for an air-cooled condenser comprising: a plurality of finned tubes in accordance with any one of the immediately preceding four paragraphs, the plurality of finned tubes arranged in a substantially vertical and side-by-side orientation; a top end of each of the plurality of finned tubes coupled to a top header pipe and a bottom end of each of the plurality of finned tubes coupled to a bottom header pipe; and wherein a hermetic fluid path is formed through each of the plurality of finned tubes from an inlet header cavity of the top header pipe to an outlet header of the bottom header pipe.
In yet another embodiment, the invention can be a power generation plant comprising: at least one tube bundle assembly according to the immediately preceding paragraph, the top header pipe operably coupled to a source of steam generated during a power generation cycle; and a blower for flowing air upward along the plurality of finned tubes of the tube bundle assembly
In a still further embodiment, the invention can be an air-cooled condenser comprising: at least one tube bundle assembly comprising: a tube bundle comprising a plurality of finned tubes arranged in a substantially vertical and side-by-side orientation, each of the plurality of finned tubes comprising a cavity; a top header pipe comprising an inlet header cavity operably coupled to a source of steam; a bottom header pipe comprising an outlet header cavity for collecting condensate; wherein top ends of the plurality of finned tubes are coupled to the top header pipe and the bottom ends of the plurality of finned tubes are coupled to the bottom header pipe; and the top header pipe having a transverse cross-section having a minor axis and a major axis, the minor axis of the transverse cross-section of the top header pipe extending substantially horizontal.
In another embodiment, the invention can be a vertical bundle air-cooled condenser comprising: at least one tube bundle assembly comprising: a tube bundle comprising a plurality of finned tubes arranged in a substantially vertical and side-by-side orientation, each of the plurality of finned tubes comprising a cavity; a top header pipe comprising an inlet header cavity operably coupled to a source of steam; a bottom header pipe comprising an outlet header cavity for collecting condensate; top ends of the plurality of finned tubes coupled to the top header pipe and the bottom ends of the plurality of finned tubes coupled to the bottom header pipe; and a shell having an open top end and open bottom end, the at least one tube bundle assembly positioned within the shell.
In even another embodiment, the invention can be a power generation plant comprising: the vertical bundle air-cooled condenser according to any one of the two immediately paragraphs; and wherein the vertical bundle air-cooled condenser forms part of a Rankine cycle fluid circuit for producing power.
In a further embodiment, the invention can be an air-cooled condenser comprising: at least one tube bundle assembly comprising: a tube bundle comprising a plurality of finned tubes arranged in a substantially vertical and side-by-side orientation, each of the plurality of finned tubes comprising a cavity; a top network of pipes operably coupled to a source of steam; a bottom network of pipes for collecting condensate; wherein top ends of the plurality of finned tubes are coupled to the top network of pipes and the bottom ends of the plurality of finned tubes are coupled to the bottom network of pipes; and the top network of pipes and the bottom network of pipes having one or more pipes having a transverse cross-section having a minor axis and a major axis, the minor axis of the transverse cross-section of the top header pipe extending substantially horizontal.
Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:
The following description of the illustrated embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.
Referring first to
The finned tube section 100A generally comprises a tube 110A and a plurality of fins 111A extending radially outward from the tube 110A. The tube 110A comprises an inner surface 112A that forms a cavity 113A and an outer surface 114A from which the plurality of fins 111A protrude/extend. The cavity 113A extends along a longitudinal axis A-A. In certain embodiments (i.e., embodiment in which an inner tube is not needed), the cavity 113A acts as a tube-side fluid path in which the inner surface 112A is exposed to the tube-side fluid. In embodiments in which an inner tube is used (described later with respect to
The tube 110A also comprises an outer surface 114A. The plurality of fins 111A protrude radially outward from the outer surface 114A of the tube 110A. In one embodiment, the finned tube section 100A is formed by an extrusion process. As a result, the plurality of fins 111A are integral with the tube 110A. More specifically, in one such embodiment, both the tube 110A and the plurality of fins 11A are simultaneously formed in a single extrusion process using a first material, such as an extrudable metal or metal alloy. In one specific embodiment, the finned tube section 100A (including both the plurality of fins 111A and the tube 110A) are formed of a material having a coefficient of thermal conductivity. Suitable materials include, for example, aluminum or aluminum alloy. The utilization of an extruded finned tube section 100A allows for the compaction and simplification of the overall heat exchanger, as compared with the state of the art cross flow designs.
While forming the entirety of the finned tube section 100A by a single extrusion step is preferred in certain embodiments, the invention is not so limited in other embodiments. In certain other embodiments, the tube 110A may be extruded in one step and the fins 11A may be extruded subsequently or prior thereto during a separate step, and then subsequently coupled (directly or indirectly) to the tube 110A through brazing, welding, thermal fusion, mechanical coupling, or other processes. In still other embodiments, the tube 110A and the fins 111A can be formed separately by techniques other than extrusion, such as machining, bending, pressing, die-cutting, stamping, and/or combinations thereof.
In the exemplified embodiment, each of the plurality of fins 111A extends substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis A-A and covers the entire length of the tube 110A, wherein the length is measured from the first end 115A to the second end 116A. Moreover, each of the plurality of fins 111A extends radially outward from the outer surface 114A of the tube 110A in a linear fashion from a base portion 117A to a distal end 118A. The base portions 117A can be thicker than the remaining portions of the fins 11A, thereby promoting stability and conductive heat transfer into the fins 111A. In the illustrated embodiment, the fins 111A are linear in their longitudinal extension. However, in alternate embodiments, the fins 111A may be extruded or otherwise formed with an undulating (wave) geometry to promote heat transfer.
As can best be seen in
Referring now to
As exemplified, the finned tube 200 comprises two finned tube sections 100A, 100B. Finned tube section 100A is described above with reference to
As mentioned above, the finned tube 200 comprises a first finned tube section 100A and a second finned tube section 100B arranged in axial alignment. The first finned tube section 100A and the second finned tube section 100B are aligned adjacent one another so that the longitudinal axes A-A of the first and second finned tube sections 100A, 100B are substantially aligned and coaxial. When so aligned, the first end 115B of the second tube 110B of the second finned tube section 100B abuts the second end 116A of the first tube 110A of the first finned tube section 100A.
While the first and second finned tube sections 100A, 100B are aligned so that their longitudinal axes A-A are aligned, the first and second finned tube sections 100A, 100B (which are adjacent finned tube sections in the finned tube 200) are rotated relative to one another so that corresponding ones of their fins, 111A, 111B are angularly offset from one another. This can improve heat transfer from the tube-side fluid (e.g., steam) to the shell-side fluid (e.g., air). The angular offset, in one embodiment is 1° to 20°. In another embodiment, the angular offset is 5° to 10°.
This concept will be described below with respect to an example to ensure understanding. Assume that the first finned tube section 100A was placed in proper alignment and position in an angular/rotational position in which one of its fins 111A were angularly located at each of the cardinal points (N, S, E, & W). The second finned tube section 100B would then be position in axial alignment with the first finned section 100A in an angular/rotational position in which none of its fins 111B were located at the cardinal points. Rather, the second finned section 100B would be in an angular/rotational position in which one of its fins 111B is offset from each of the cardinal points by the angular offsets described above, such as for example 5° to 10°. In alternate embodiments, however, the fins 111A, 111B of the first and second finned sections 100A, 100B may be angularly aligned if desired.
Once the first finned tube section 100A and second finned tube section 100B are aligned and rotationally oriented as described above, the first and second finned tube sections 100A, 100B are coupled together, thereby forming the finned tube 200. The exact technique used to couple, either directly or indirectly, the first finned tube section 100A and second finned tube section 100B together will depend on the material(s) of which the first finned tube section 100A and second finned tube section 100B are constructed. Suitable connection techniques include mechanical fastening in which gaskets or other materials can be used achieve a hermetic interface, welding, brazing, thermal fusing, threaded connection, use of a coupler sleeve, a tight-fit connection, and/or combinations thereof. As described below with respect to
While the finned tube 200 is exemplified as having only two finned tube sections 100A, 100B, the finned tube 200 can be formed of more or less finned tube sections 100A as desired. In embodiments of the finned tube 200 in which more than two finned tube sections 100A, 100B are used, the aforementioned rotational offset can be implemented between each pair of adjacent finned tube sections.
Referring now to
The air-cooled condenser 1000 generally comprises a shell 300 and a tube bundle assembly 400. The tube bundle assembly 400 is positioned within an internal cavity 301 of the shell 300. The shell 300 has an open top end 302 and an open bottom end 303 As a result, cool air can flow into the open bottom end 302, flow through the internal cavity 301 where it flows adjacent the finned tubes 200 and becomes warmed, and exists the shell 300 as warmed air. A blower 304, in the form of a fan or other mechanism capable of inducing air flow, can be provided either above and/or below the tube bundle assembly 400. While a single blower 304 is illustrated, more blowers can be implemented as desired to meet functional demands. In other embodiments, the blower may be omitted.
The tube bundle assembly 400 generally comprises a tube bundle 500 formed by a plurality of the finned tubes 200, a top header pipe 410, a bottom header pipe 420, and a plurality of feeder pipes 430. Each of the plurality of the finned tubes 200 of the tube bundle 500 are oriented in a substantially vertical orientation so that the longitudinal axes A-A (
Each of the finned tubes 200 of the tube bundle 500 is coupled to and fed steam from the top header pipe 410, which is in turn operably coupled to a source of steam, such as turbine in a Rankine cycle power generation circuit. Similarly, each of the finned tubes 200 of the tube bundle 500 is coupled to the bottom header pipe 420 so that condensate can gather and be fed back into the Rankine cycle fluid circuit of the power generation plant. In the exemplified embodiment, a top end 201 of each of the finned tubes 200 of the tube bundle 500 is fluidly coupled to the top header pipe 410 by a separate upper feeder pipe 430. Similarly, a bottom end 202 of each of the finned tubes 200 of the tube bundle 500 is fluidly coupled to the bottom header pipe 420 by a separate lower feeder pipe 430. As a result, a hermetic fluid path is formed through the cavity 113A (
The top header pipe 410 extends along a longitudinal axis B-B (
The top header pipe 410 is located above the tube bundle 500 while the bottom header pipe 420 is located below the tube bundle 500. The top and bottom header pipes 410, 420, however, are specifically designed so as to create minimal impedance and/or obstruction to the vertical flow of air entering and exiting the tube bundle 500. In order to accomplish this, each of the top and bottom header pipes 410, 420 is designed to have a transverse cross-section having a major axis AMAJ and a minor axis AMIN. Moreover, each of the top and bottom header pipes 410, 420 is oriented so that the minor axis AMIN extends substantially perpendicular to the direction of the air flow through the tube bundle 500. Thus, in the exemplified embodiment, the minor axis AMIN extends substantially horizontal while the major axis AMAJ extend substantially vertical. The major axis AMAJ has a length that is larger than the length of the minor axis AMIN for both the top and bottom header pipes 410, 420. In one such embodiment, the major axis AMAJ has a length that is at least twice the length of the minor axis AMIN for both the top and bottom header pipes. By designing and orienting the transverse cross-sections of the top and bottom header pipes 410, 420 to have the aforementioned major axis AMAJ and minor axis AMIN, the top and bottom header pipes 410, 420 achieve two criteria: (1) adequate flow area for the tube side fluid; and (2) maximum opening between the adjacent headers to minimize friction loss to the entering (bottom header) and exiting (top header) air (see
In one embodiment, the top and bottom header pipes 210, 220 (along with the horizontal sections of the feeder pipes 430) each have an obround transverse cross-section. The obround shape allows for a large internal flow area for steam while affording ample space for the air to enter and exit the tube bundle 500 via spaces between the header pipes 410, 420 (and horizontal sections of the feed pipes 430). The obround transverse cross section with the flat (long) sides vertical is a preferred arrangement when the tube side fluid is low pressure steam or vapor. As mentioned above, the top header pipe 510 serves as the inlet for the vapor (exhaust steam) (see
As can be seen in
Referring back to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring first to
The inner tube 700 extends along an axis has an outer surface 702 and inner surface 701, which forms cavity 703. The inner tube 700 extends from a bottom end 705 to a top end 704 along the longitudinal axis C-C.
Referring now to
Once the inner tube 700 is so positioned, the inner tube 700 is diametrically expanded by applying a force F. Diametric expansion of the inner tube can be achieved by a variety of methods, including hydraulic pressure.
The diametric expansion of the inner tube 700 continues until the outer surface 702 of the inner tube 700 is in substantially conformal surface contact with the inner surfaces 112A, 112B of the finned tube sections 100A, 100B, thereby forming the finned tube 2000. As a result the interstitial space 750 disappears and there are substantially no gaps and/or voids between the outer surface 702 of the inner tube 700 and the inner surfaces 112A, 112B of the finned tube sections 100A, 100B. In embodiments using the inner tube 700, the tubes 110A, 110B can be considered outer tubes.
The inner tube 700 couples the finned tube sections 100A, 100B together and thus can be used instead of or in conjunction with the other coupling techniques discussed above for
Comparison of a conventional (inclined bundle) air-cooled condenser (
The design concepts disclosed herein can be used in a wide variety of coolers that seek to employ air as the cooling medium. Its application to design air cooled condensers to condense exhaust steam in power plants will lead to reduced cost and reduced land area requirement. Additional advantages of the present invention are: (1) modular installation; (2) reduced site construction effort compared to the A-frame design; (3) significantly reduced quantity of structural steel required to erect the system; and (4) ability to reduce fan power consumption by adding an exhaust stack (chimney) to the design.
As used throughout, ranges are used as shorthand for describing each and every value that is within the range. Any value within the range can be selected as the terminus of the range. In addition, all references cited herein are hereby incorporated by referenced in their entireties. In the event of a conflict in a definition in the present disclosure and that of a cited reference, the present disclosure controls.
While the invention has been described with respect to specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the above described systems and techniques. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Thus, the spirit and scope of the invention should be construed broadly as set forth in the appended claims.
Claims
1. An air-cooled condenser comprising:
- a shell defining an internal cavity having an open top end and open bottom end;
- a tube bundle assembly disposed in the cavity of the shell;
- the tube bundle assembly comprising a horizontally elongated top header pipe, a horizontally elongated bottom header pipe, and a plurality of vertical heat exchange tubes each fluidly coupled to the top and bottom pipes by respective upper and lower feeder pipes.
2. The air-cooled condenser according to claim 1 wherein the top and bottom header pipes are spaced apart and vertically axially aligned with each other in a common vertical plane.
3. The air-cooled condenser according to claim 2, wherein the top and bottom header pipes are oriented parallel to each other.
4. The air-cooled condenser according to claim 2, wherein the tubes are arranged in a horizontally aligned first row of tubes above the bottom header pipe and below the top header pipe.
5. The air-cooled condenser according to claim 4, wherein the tubes are oriented parallel to each other.
6. The air-cooled condenser according to claim 5, wherein tops of each tube lie in a common upper horizontal plane and bottoms of each of the tubes lie in a common lower horizontal plane.
7. The air-cooled condenser according to claim 4, wherein the first row of tubes includes an outermost peripheral pair of tubes each laterally offset from the top and bottom header pipes and the common vertical plane, and a central tube extending linearly between the top and bottom header pipes along the common vertical plane.
8. The air-cooled condenser according to claim 7, wherein the peripheral pair of tubes are each fluidly coupled to the top and bottom header pipes by L-shaped upper and lower feeder pipes.
9. The air-cooled condenser according to claim 8, wherein the central tube is fluidly coupled to the top and bottom header pipes by straight upper and lower feeder pipes.
10. The air-cooled condenser according to claim 9, further comprising an intermediate pair of tubes, one each of the intermediate pair of tubes arranged between one of the peripheral tubes and the central tube.
11. The air-cooled condenser according to claim 10, wherein the intermediate pair of tubes are each fluidly coupled to the top and bottom header pipes by L-shaped upper and lower feeder pipes.
12. The air-cooled condenser according to claim 11, wherein each of the top and bottom header pipes has a vertically elongated obround transverse cross-sectional shape defining a minor axis oriented perpendicular to the common vertical plane and a major axis oriented parallel to the common vertical plane.
13. The air-cooled condenser according to claim 12, wherein each of the top and bottom header pipes comprises a pair of opposing flat vertical sides, an arcuate top extending between the vertical sides, and an arcuate bottom extending between the vertical sides.
14. The air-cooled condenser according to claim 13, wherein the upper and lower feeder pipes of each of the peripheral and intermediate tubes are fluidly connected to one of the flat vertical sides of the top and bottom header pipes.
15. The air-cooled condenser according to claim 14, wherein the upper feeder pipes of the intermediate tubes are fluidly connected to one of the flat vertical sides of the top header pipe below the upper feeder pipes of the peripheral tubes.
16. The air-cooled condenser according to claim 15, wherein the lower feeder pipes of the intermediate tubes are fluidly connected to one of the flat vertical sides of the bottom header pipe above the upper feeder pipes of the peripheral tubes.
17. The air-cooled condenser according to claim 11, wherein the upper and lower feeder pipes of the intermediate tubes are nested inside the upper and lower feeder pipes of the peripheral tubes.
18. The air-cooled condenser according to claim 4, further comprising a horizontally aligned second row of vertical heat exchange tubes, the tubes in the second row each fluidly coupled to the top and bottom pipes by respective upper and lower feeder pipes oriented parallel to the upper and lower feeder pipes of the first row of tubes.
19. The air-cooled condenser according to claim 1, wherein the shell of the air-cooled condenser has a rectangular cuboid form with rectilinear transverse cross section.
20. The air-cooled condenser according to claim 1, wherein the shell further comprises a plurality of laterally open air entry windows arranged between the top and bottom ends of the shell to draw ambient cooling air transversely through the tubes into the internal cavity.
21. The air-cooled condenser according to claim 20, further comprising a blower disposed in the internal cavity at the top end of the shell, the blower operable to draw ambient cooling air into the internal cavity from the bottom end and air entry windows, and discharge the ambient cooling air through the top end.
22. The air-cooled condenser according to claim 21, wherein steam flows from the top header pipe downward through the tubes, exchanges heat with the ambient cooling air to condense the steam, and the steam condensate is collected in the bottom header pipe from the tubes.
23. The air-cooled condenser according to claim 1, wherein:
- each of the heat exchanger vertical tubes comprises a first finned tube section comprising a first plurality of vertically-extending external longitudinal fins protruding radially outward from an outer surface of the tube, and a second finned tube section comprising a second plurality of vertically-extending external longitudinal fins protruding radially outward from the outer surface of the tube;
- wherein the first finned tube section and the second finned tube section are discrete structural elements;
- wherein a first end of the first finned section is abutted to a second end of the second finned tube section; and
- the discrete first finned tube section and the second finned tube section arranged and rotated relative to each other so that the first and second plurality of longitudinal fins are angularly offset from one another.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 5, 2019
Publication Date: Sep 19, 2019
Inventors: Krishna P. Singh (Hobe Sound, FL), Indresh Rampall (Cherry Hill, NJ), Joseph Gerald Leo Rajkumar (Cherry Hill, NJ), Frank David Sanderlin (San Diego, CA)
Application Number: 16/432,505