Abstract: A heat exchanger having a first heat exchanger tube and a second heat exchanger tube is disclosed. The first heat exchanger tube can have a first leg, a second leg, and a bend section, and the bend section of the first heat exchanger tube can include three or more bends, each of the three or more bends having a corresponding bend angle that is less than or equal to approximately 90 degrees. The second heat exchanger tube can have a first leg, a second leg, and a bend section, and the bend section of the second heat exchanger tube can include three or more bends, each of the three or more bends having a corresponding bend angle that is less than or equal to approximately 90 degrees.

Abstract: The present invention overcomes many of the disadvantages of prior art mobile oil field heat exchange systems by providing an oil-fired heat exchange system. The present invention is a self-contained unit which is easily transported to remote locations. The present invention includes a single-pass tubular coil heat exchanger contained within a closed-bottom firebox having a forced-air combustion and cooling system. The rig also includes integral fuel tanks, hydraulic and pneumatic systems for operating the rig at remote operations in all weather environments. In a preferred embodiment, the oil-fired heat exchanger system is used to heat water on-the-fly (i.e., directly from the supply source to the well head) to complete hydraulic fracturing operations. The present invention also includes systems for regulating and adjusting the fuel/air mixture within the firebox to maximize the combustion efficiency. The system includes a novel hood opening mechanism attached to the exhaust stack of the firebox.

Abstract: A pipeline heater comprising a plurality of flameless catalytic IR emitters positioned about a section of pipe in a substantially diamond-shaped configuration, the diameter of the pipe section being greater than the diameters of the heater inlet and outlet manifolds in order to increase the residence time of the fluid within the heater. The pipeline heater may comprise a single or multiple passes of the pipe section therethrough, each pass having a plurality of catalytic emitters positioned thereabout in a substantially diamond-shaped configuration.

Abstract: A steam generating diffuser comprising a plurality of heat exchange tubes arranged to form a horizontally disposed, longitudinally elongated open-ended divergent duct. A refractory lining is laid up around the inner surface of the divergent duct so as to protect the heat exchange tubes. The inlet of each heat exchange tube is connected to a lower water distribution header disposed beneath the duct and the outlet of each heat exchange tube is connected to an upper steam and water distribution header disposed above the duct. Each tube provides a fluid flow path between the lower and upper headers which is continuously upwardly directed.

Abstract: A low pressure steam generator comprising a horizontal coil of tubing having a single upper steam outlet header and a pair of lower water inlet headers on opposite sides of the coil. Curved taps connect the successive turns of the coil with the steam header, and curved taps connect the water headers alternately to the coil turns to give a structure which is resistant to differential thermal expansion and which is minimally susceptible to surging, pressure variation, and entrainment of water in the steam input.

Abstract: A steam generator for a steam power plant, comprising a furnace for generating hot gases and a gas pass in communication therewith, the gas pass having a sectionalized chamber for hot gas cooling. The entire gas pass together with the chamber constitute a single construction unit built up of water walls arranged one above another in height and bent in a horizontal plane so that each element of each water wall has a different number of bends. The adjacent water walls are interconnected through the top points of the bends forming sections of the entire gas pass together with the sections of the cooling chamber. This results in the formation of a system of rigidly interconnected sections which constitutes the basis of the steam generator structure featuring high rigidity and a high bearing capacity. This allows obviating any additional appliances for fastening the generator and, hence, diminishing materially the metal requirements and simplifying both the erection and operation of the steam generator.

Abstract: A heater for heating a multiphase feedstock in which a single tube or multiple tube passes are disposed in a housing and bent into a series of contiguous loops arranged in substantially horizontally disposed superposed layers. Each layer consists of two substantially parallel straight portions respectively connecting the corresponding ends of two curved portions. A plurality of burners are provided in the housing for heating the feedstock as it passes through the entire length of the tube.

Abstract: A low pressure steam generator including a water tube structure of plural, substantially annular coaxial portions each connected individually by separate conduits to a steam header above and a water header below. The portions coact with suitable baffle means to comprise a combustion chamber, but are significantly spaced to allow combustion products to pass between them from a burner directing a flame axially within the chamber, and the greater part of the combustion products are directed upward by the baffle means to bathe the steam header outside the combustion chamber as well. Means are provided for maintaining the water to be vaporized at a suitable level, and the whole is enclosed in a suitable housing to the top and bottom of which the headers are secured. The tube structure may be a continuous helix or an array of discrete annuli.