Abstract: A liquid film evaporation type heat exchanger including a plurality of heat transfer units, with each unit including a plurality of flat heat transfer ducts of square cross section formed with a plurality of warm water passageways extending perpendicular to the direction of flow of a liquid medium, and a plurality of liquid distributing beams formed with a pluraity of cutouts. The heat transfer ducts and the liquid distributing beams being alternately arranged in the respective units, with the heat transfer units being arranged at locations spaced apart from each other in the direction of flow of the liquid medium. Vapor releasing ports are formed in positions between the adjacent heat transfer units. Each heat transfer duct has on either side surface thereof a porous material layer providing a heat exchange surface on which a film of the liquid medium is formed for evaporation.

Abstract: A falling film heat exchanger in which a continuous weld circumferentially joins each tube to the outer surface of the upper, and desirably also the lower, tubesheet. The welds seal the crevices between the tubes and tubesheet holes and prevent corrosion. Since the circumferential welds cannot be deposited if the tube ends extend more than about 2 inches past the tubesheet, extensions can be added by welding.

Abstract: This invention relates to shell and tube vertical falling film heat exchangers. More particularly, this invention is concered with an improved heat exchanger which has an insert or cap on the upper ends of the tubes to direct the liquid against the inner surfaces of the tubes to form a thin falling film, thereby increasing heat exchange.

Abstract: A falling film heat exchanger of the shell and tube type has the tubes positioned in concentric rings. A liquid distribution box is positioned above the tube upper ends. Short pipes extend downwardly from the box to feed liquid between the rings of tubes to distribute the liquid uniformly to the tubes. The box desirably rotates slowly. Also, the pipes desirably extend between upwardly extending tube ends so as to provide a uniform pool of liquid which overflows uniformly into the tubes.

Abstract: A falling film evaporation type heat exchanger of the shell-tube type which includes an outer shell or main body portion and a plurality of individual heat transfer tubes disposed therein, with the heat transfer tubes extending substantially in a vertical direction. A liquid refrigerant is caused to freely fall from upper portions of the heat transfer tubes along the outer peripheral surfaces of the tubes and the evaporation of the thin refrigerant film, formed on the outer peripheral surface of the heat transfer tubes effects the transfer.

Abstract: An assembly and method provide for the simultaneous heating of process inlet water from a clean water source, and condensing of a condensable gas using the process inlet water and a closed loop of condensing water. A plurality of pairs of condenser plates are disposed in an annular array in a vertical cylindrical vessel. First and second liquid inlets are disposed at the top of the vessel separated by a radially extending fixed baffle, and first and second liquid outlets are disposed at the bottom of the vessel separated by a radially extending fixed baffle. A condensable gas passes through the interiors of the pairs of condensing plates. Movable top and bottom baffles are rotatable through arcs to change the number of condensing plates operatively communicating the first liquid inlet with respect to the second liquid inlet, the liquid flowing between the first liquid inlet and outlet being always segregated from the liquid flowing between the second liquid inlet and outlet.

Abstract: Heat exchange between liquid (1) and air (2) is effected by causing the liquid (1) to flow, in the form of a liquid film (5) spreading under capillary action, between pairs (3) of vertically oriented band-shaped thin membranes (4a and 4b) held together by adhesive forces in the liquid film (5). The air flow (2) preferably is conducted in counterflow with the liquid flow (1) in gaps (6) surrounding the pairs of membranes (3). Exchange of heat between liquid and air occurs through the membrane walls (4a, 4b). The membranes (4a and 4b) preferably consist of a thin plastic film, for example matted polyester film.

Abstract: An ice cube forming tray for an ice making machine consisting of a plurality of side-by-side corrugated plates having alternating ridges and grooves, straight plates separating the corrugated plates and also providing outer borders to the corrugated plates, and triangular evaporator coils located in complementary mating engagement in the apices of the ridges and passing through complementary mating openings in the plates. The plates which are not corrugated, instead of being straight, may be of hollow diamond-shape to also carry refrigerant.

Abstract: This invention relates to the reheating of a cold cryogenic fluid by heat exchange with a warm liquid, commonly water. The cold cryogenic fluid first flows into a descending tube and then into a rising tube whereas the water trickles along the tubes and from an upper supply, as far as a base manifold. The invention is particularly applicable to the reheating and revaporization of liquified natural gas.

Abstract: A fluid flow assembly for solar heat absorbers, radiators and the like formed of a pair of tubular headers, defining respectively an inlet header and an outlet header, and placed in fluid flow communication by a plurality of tubular members disposed substantially coplanar and parallel, and connected at each end to one of the headers. The end portions of the tubular members project into the headers through a collective slot disposed in the sidewall of each header. The lengths of the tubular member projecting end portions progressively increase in the direction of fluid flow through the inlet header, the shortest projecting end portion being disposed upstream, and the lengths of the tubular member projecting end portions progressively decrease in the direction of fluid flow through the outlet header, the shortest projecting end portion being disposed downstream.

Abstract: A solar energy collector is disclosed which is comprised of a base and a solar energy absorbing element spaced from the base. The solar energy absorbing element has an accordian-like shape including angularly disposed upper ridges and lower valleys interconnected by generally planar surfaces. The lower valleys are positioned immediately adjacent the base. Fluid supply conduits are positioned between the solar energy absorbing element and the base immediately adjacent the upper ridges. The fluid supply conduits are adapted to supply fluid adjacent the solar energy absorbing element upper ridges which fluid may then flow along the planar surfaces until dropping off the lower valleys onto the base, whereby heat absorbed by the solar energy absorbing element is transferred to the fluid. A trough is provided for receiving the flow of heated fluid along the base.

Abstract: A heat exchanger having a horizontally-disposed, elongate shell with a partition extending lengthwise of the shell and interiorly thereof to form upper and lower compartments therein. The shell has end closures with at least one end closure having a flow passage communicating with the lower compartment of the shell for flow of fluid therethrough. A fluid port communicates with the upper compartment for delivering fluid thereto and passages at the edges of said upper compartment permit fluid flow from the upper compartment along the length thereof to wet the interior of the shell wall in the lower compartment. Fluid conduit means is positioned on the exterior of the shell for substantially the entire length thereof to place fluid in the conduit means in heat exchange relation with said shell wall.

Abstract: An evaporator unit for an ice making machine is formed of two vertical series of semi-cylindrical ice-forming molds joined tangentially back-to-back creating a cascade of fluid conduits between them through which refrigerant is passed. Water flows from a weir down over the exposed surfaces of the ice-forming molds until they become filled with ice whereupon hot gas is momentarily passed through the fluid conduits to release an assembly of ice pieces from the evaporator unit. Thereafter, the ice making cycle is repeated by continuing the water and refrigerant flow to produce another assembly of ice pieces.

Abstract: A condenser/evaporator heat exchanger comprising a plurality of vertically oriented panel units spaced moderately from one another. Each panel unit comprises a pair of thin film plastic sheets bonded to one another along a plurality of vertically extending bond lines transversely spaced from one another at regular intervals. The two sheets form between adjacent pairs of bond lines a plurality of vertical tubular condensing chambers adapted to receive pressurized steam. Brine is directed onto the outer surfaces of the panel units at the upper ends thereof, the brine descending down the outer surfaces of the panel units to be in heat exchange relationship with the steam inside the tubular condensing chambers.

Abstract: A heat exchange apparatus comprising a plurality of vertically aligned modular panel units, positioned adjacent to one another in a closed housing. Each panel unit comprises a perimeter frame and a plurality of vertical spacing elements. Two sheets of thin film plastic are placed on opposite sides of each panel unit and define with the spacing units vertical passageways within the panel unit. An evaporating liquid heat exchange medium, such as brine, is directed into the upper ends of the passageways against the inside surfaces of the sheets to form a falling liquid film. A gaseous condensing heat exchange medium, such as steam, is directed into the areas between adjacent panels to cause condensation in the form of water on the outside surface of the thin film sheets.

Abstract: An evaporator assembly for a freezing apparatus comprises freezing faces in the form of large planiform surfaces connected to an outer annulus having a contained volume, and the annulus runs along a substantial portion of the periphery of the freezing faces, the freezing faces and the annulus forming a central chamber. One portion of the annulus is attached to a segment having a narrowing cross section forming a contained volume, and a protruding liquid guide is attached to and runs substantially along the length of said segment.

Abstract: Apparatus for heating and maintaining the temperature of water in a hot water tank of a solar hot water system and method of making same are provided wherein such apparatus comprises a thermally insulating container disposed around and in spaced relation from the tank with the container having a bottom portion defining a sump for a heat transfer liquid employed in the system and a device for maintaining the level of such liquid in the sump beneath the tank during normal system operation to thereby assure maintenance of an air space substantially completely around the tank with the air space cooperating with the insulating container to assure the temperature of water in the tank is maintained with minimum loss; and, the apparatus may also employ a pressure sensitive shut-off device in the cold water supply to the tank which cooperates with the air space to assure operation of the system with substantially no likelihood of contamination of the cold water supply.

Abstract: A counterflow heat exchanger is described with two sets of heat exchanger passages separated by heat exchanger plates disposed in substantial parallelism within the exchanger and supported so that the passages extend substantially vertically. The heat exchanger may be employed as an air-to-air or as an air-to-water heat exchanger and can be used to remove moisture or pollutants from hot exhaust air by condensation within the exchanger passages. When employed as an air-to-water heat exchanger, the water is sprayed onto the surfaces of the upper ends of one set of passages so that it flows down their length, while air is transmitted into the lower end of the other set of passages and caused to flow upward.

Abstract: A low cost, preformed, synthetic resin, indirect air cooled atmospheric heat exchanger especially adapted for use in water cooling towers is provided which exhibits enhanced water cooling properties notwithstanding fabrication thereof from relatively inexpensive, corrosion-free polyvinyl chloride or like materials heretofore thought to have insufficient heat conductivity for practical use in heat exchangers.

Abstract: A primary fluid is circulated within vertical flexible tubes enclosed within a fluid-tight shell and a secondary fluid flows over the external tube walls. A secondary fluid admission chamber is formed in the top portion of the shell by a horizontal tube plate traversed by primary fluid distribution means. The upper end of each tube is fixed on a unit of revolution having a passage for the primary fluid and constituted by a sliding ring and two components. The first component has a frusto-conical external surface which cooperates with the internal wall of the ring. The second component has a cylindrical external surface provided with grooves which define passages for the downflow of secondary fluid with the internal wall of a tube-plate hole.

Abstract: A heat exchanger is composed of vertical tubes of cuspate, symmetrical aerofoil section. The chords are parallel to the air flow. The tubes are in parallel rows that interpenetrate so that each tube forms parallel-sided passages with two tubes leading it. The ratio of width to length of these passages if between 0.3 and 1.0. The tubes are spaced apart at various levels by means of inclined spacers. At the top of the tubes water is fed around them from a launder via a system of spacers. The spacers lower down serve to redistribute the water running down the flanks of the tubes. At the base there is an inclined platform on which the water is collected and fed to a launder. This water may be recirculated with additions to replace water lost by evaporation.