Abstract: An apparatus for distributing a liquid-vapor mixture into two or more separate streams or paths involving a hollow vessel having a fluid inlet means; at least two pipe means each of which have one end extending into the vessel, each pipe means being in fluid communication with a different pass of a heat-exchanger system having at least two passes, each pipe means providing a different path for liquid-vapor flow from the hollow vessel; at least one aperture in that part of each of the pipe means extending into the vessel and restrictive means located in the vessel to restrict fluid flow directly into the top openings of the pipe means. In an additional embodiment, each of the pipe means is in fluid communication with a different chemical reaction zone.Improved methods of distributing a liquid-vapor mixture are also disclosed.

Abstract: A lightweight flat plate heat exchanger comprised of two or more essentially parallel flat plates which are formed and arranged to provide fluid flow passages between the plates. New combinations of plastic plates include the usage of transparent plastic foam and honeycomb structures. Improved shapes of flow passages include the usage of flow nozzles, flow diffusers, and jet pumps to increase fluid flow and heat transfer. The invention includes the usage of transparent plastic foam plates which are shaped to concentrate solar energy onto plastic tubes. Clear plastic tubes containing black heat transfer fluid are included. The invention includes the usage of spiral flow channels within plastic foam plates. Six different embodiments of the invention are included. Five of the embodiments could be used as efficient lightweight solar collectors.

Abstract: A catalytic vapor phase oxidation reactor which comprises a fixed-bed shell and tube heat exchange apparatus in which a bundle of a multiplicity of tubes filled with at least one type of oxidizing catalyst are disposed in a shell and these tubes are passed through the apertures formed in at least one perforated shield plate to partition the inside of the shell into at least two heat transfer medium feed zones and in such a manner that each of the tubes passing through the perforated shield plate is not in direct contaction with the shield plate but the outer surface of the tube and the inner surface of the aperture are spaced apart by a distance of between 0.2-5 mm, supplying feed gas to the tubes of the reactor, and conducting exothermic catalytic vapor phase oxidation while controlling the temperatures for the heat transfer medium in each of the zones so that the temperature difference between each of the zones can be maintained between 0.degree.-100.degree. C.

Abstract: An improved condenser including a longitudinal extending baffle and a series of transversely extending baffle plates creating a desired flow path for vapor to be cooled which is introduced into a shell. The condenser is characterized by high efficiency performance resulting from improved heat transfer coefficients and better purging of non-condensable gases because of the novel baffle arrangement.

Abstract: The device includes inside a cylindrical casing with a horizontal axis and parallel to said axis and symmetrical about the longitudinal plane of symmetry:a. in its lower portion, a pair of separator devices which remove the water from the water and steam emulsion which is to be superheated;b. in its upper portion, a pair of detachable nests of tubes which constitute the superheaters; andc. members forming channels which allow part of the water and steam emulsion to rise on either side of the separators and of the superheaters near the inside surface of the casing, then to drop back between them to enter the inlets of the separators near to the plane of symmetry.Application to supplying a high-power turbine with superheated steam.

Abstract: A heat exchanger type condenser for separating water and other polutants from a vaporous mixture and a method of making the condenser is disclosed utilizing a hollow cylindrical vessel with inlet and outlet means. Conduit means having transversely extending heat exchanger fins are located in the vessel with the heat exchanger fins being square or rectangle when viewed in end view. Upper and lower baffle guides with baffles extending between the guides surround the heat exchanger fins in the vessel. The lower baffle guide has perforations formed therein so that the material that is condensed out of the mixture is immediately separated and drained. The conduit means has an entry and exit means that completely seals the inside of the conduit from the inside diameter of the cylindrical vessel. The cylindrical vessel has inlet and outlet means that help seal the inside of the cylinder from the surrounding atmosphere.

Abstract: A multitubular heat exchanger used in a power plant is provided with a bundle of U-shaped heat transfer tubes and a vent tube. The vent tube is located between an upper portion and a lower portion of the bundle of U-shaped heat transfer tubes. A steam flow guide plate is located above a hole of the vent tube and below the upper portion of the bundle of U-shaped heat transfer tubes. The steam flow guide plate obstruct a downward steam flow from the upper portion of the bundle toward the vent tube.

Abstract: A metallic heat exchanger for heat transfer between a first medium flowing in tubes and a second medium flowing about the tubes and within an outer housing, the device including internal walls which divide the housing into three chambers with outlets and inlets to define a single continuous passage, the tubes extending through the chambers such that counter-flow heat exchange occurs in the first chamber, parallel flow heat exchange in the second chamber, and counter-flow heat exchange in the third chamber.

Abstract: The heat exchanger comprises an outer cylindrical casing and an inner cylindrical sleeve coaxially mounted therein. Dry superheated steam circulates in the jacket between the outer casing and the inner sleeve, and may be extracted at any convenient point along the casing. Wet steam is introduced into the inner casing whose lower portion comprises a separation baffle for removing water from the wet steam and whose upper portion has nests of heat exchanging tubes for superheating the steam.

Abstract: The tubes adjacent the shell inlet in a shell-and-tube heat exchanger or similar device are protected against erosion by the incoming shell-side fluid by tube shields which are fixed at one end to a tube sheet or baffle and slidably supported at the other end by a transverse bar or similar supporting member attached to an adjacent tube sheet or baffle. In exchangers having staggered tubes, the exposed tubes in the second row may be protected by tube shields which depend from the tube shields protecting tubes in the first row or from their supporting members and which extend adjacent the exposed tubes in the second row.

Abstract: An apparatus for distributing a liquid-vapor mixture into two or more separate streams or paths involving a hollow vessel having a fluid inlet means; at least two pipe means each of which have one end extending into the vessel, each pipe means being in fluid communication with a different pass of a heat-exchanger system having at least two passes, each pipe means providing a different path for liquid-vapor flow from the hollow vessel; at least one aperture in that part of each of the pipe means extending into the vessel and restrictive means located in the vessel to restrict fluid flow directly into the top openings of the pipe means. In an additional embodiment, each of the pipe means is in fluid communication with a different chemical reaction zone.Improved methods of distributing a liquid-vapor mixture are also disclosed.

Abstract: Additional waste heat recovery from a high temperature reaction effluent is effected by cooling the effluent in a shell and tube heat exchanger, having continuous tubes, with the shell being divided into two sections. In the first section, the effluent is cooled by indirect heat transfer with water at a pressure to generate medium pressure steam, and in the second section, the effluent is cooled by water which is at a pressure to generate low pressure steam or a pressure to effect preheating thereof without vaporization. Heat recovery is effected with a minimum pressure drop.

Abstract: A finned tube bundle heat exchanger utilized for heat transfer between a pair of countercurrent circulating liquids, such as for an oil cooler, wherein a bundle of tubes for the flow of one liquid therethrough pass through spaced openings in a plurality of fins or plates which are in heat transfer contact therewith. The fins are provided with a plurality of slits extending over a substantial portion of the fin surface to provide fluid flow directing openings and/or act to interrupt the fluid boundary layer on the surface of each fin and enhance the heat transfer characteristics of the finned tube bundle.

Abstract: A tube and shell heat exchanger having compact, high performance characteristics in which the core unit comprising tube assembly, headers and baffles is removably installed in a shell and has a cushioned mounting therein. A use of resilient O-rings on the headers is contemplated as well as a use of flexible, resilient baffles, one of which wraps the core unit and acts as a seal by-pass member.

Abstract: Condenser for a gaseous media such as steam, comprising a plurality of longitudinal tubes, generally several thousands, through which a coolant passes. Steam is passed around these tubes, and the tubes are braced at selected locations in longitudinal direction by means of brace plates or the like, and the steam is passed from the periphery of the heat exchanger and toward the interior thereof during condensaton. The condenser comprises a casing or shell and one or more nests of tubes and means for circulating steam around the entire or greater part of the periphery, and within each tube nest, an air-cooler device is placed centrally or substantially centrally, which air-cooler extends along the entire length of the tube nest. The brace plates are provided with flow channels effective to distribute the gaseous media about the condenser in response to fluctuation in condensing capacity along the tube nests.

Abstract: A shell and tube heat exchanger includes a tube bundle having a stationary tube sheet near one end thereof; a second tube sheet near the other end thereof; a plurality of tubes extending between the stationary tube sheet and the second tube sheet; a plurality of segmented transverse baffles located between the stationary tube sheet and the second tube sheet, the cut of each transverse baffle being located about 180.degree. from those on the adjacent transverse baffles; a double segmented auxiliary baffle located near at least one end of the tube bundle, the cut of the double segmented baffle extending substantially parallel to the cut on the adjacent transverse baffle and the auxiliary and transverse baffles being located at substantially equal intervals; and a longitudinal baffle member extending from the cut of the transverse baffles adjacent the auxiliary baffles to the corresponding cut on the auxiliary baffles.