Abstract: Device for the emergency removal of the heat dissipated by a fast breeder nuclear reactor when shut down, comprising a liquid-liquid heat exchanger immersed in the vessel of the reactor and a liquid-air exchanger for the cooling of the secondary liquid of the latter exchanger. The liquid-liquid comprises a casing composed of a sleeve (18,19) having openings (21,22) for the natural circulation of the cooling fluid of the reactor in contact with the tubes (25) of a nest (20) disposed in the casing of the exchanger. Each of the tubes (25) includes a straight input section and a long straight return section, separated by a helically wound section forming a loop with a low number of turns, inclined to a small extent with respect to the horizontal plane. The coil diameter of the tubes (25) is constant and identical for all the tubes and very slightly less than the interior diameter of the sleeve (18,19).The invention applies in particular to liquid sodium-cooled fast breeder nuclear reactors.

Abstract: A heat exchanger comprising a bundle of flexible tubes extended longitudinally and asymmetrically through a flexible tubing of larger diameter to form a tube-in-tube assembly which is wound helically into a coil of desired size, opposing end portions of the coil being provided with suitable fittings for permitting independent connection of the outer tubing to one fluid source and the bundle of flexible tubes to another fluid source.

Abstract: A waste-heat tank which is constructed as a pressure tank, is charged with coolant, and is connected after a pressure gasification. The waste-heat tank has a cooled feed device or tubular-fin-tubular construction which includes an ash container. The waste-heat tank also has a gas/liquid heat exchanger which includes equally long tubular elements which serve as heat transfer surfaces and are integrated into tubular or planar wall units. Each element of the tubular elements is formed of a tube having an axis which is located extending generally parallel to the container axis of the waste-heat tank. Each element itself is guided in a winding manner. Each tube opens via a feed tube into the finger-like end portion of the feed device. The finger-like end portion is coated with refractory material. Each tube is arranged in an individual tubular or channel-like chamber about a polygonal, preferably hexagonal, tubular or channel-like inner space arrangement.

Abstract: The oxygenater heat exchanger disclosed utilizes a heat transfer tube having several tube legs arranged in closely spaced, parallel relation. A resilient central core fits resiliently within the tube legs and cooperates with spiral ribs on the tube and with the housing to form blood flow spiral passages down around the exterior of each of the tube legs. The blood inlet is positioned to enhance efficient heat exchange.

Abstract: A heat exchanger is provided which has a heat exchanger coil made from a continuous length of tubing arranged in an alternating series of conical helical and reverse conical helical winds wherein the medium to be heated flows downwardly through the coil and the heated medium from which heat energy is to be transferred flows upwardly around the coil in counter flow fashion to provide for a compact and efficient heat exchanger. Two methods of constructing such a coil are disclosed which utilize one or more mandrels to form the tubing into the approximately shaped coil.

Abstract: A PVC conduit about 4" in diameter and a little more than 40 feet long is adapted for being seated in a hole in the earth and surrounds a coaxial copper tube along its length that carries Freon between a heat pump and a distributor at the bottom. A number of wavy conducting tubes located between the central conducting tube and the wall of the conduit interconnect the distributor with a Freon distributor at the top arranged for connection to the heat pump. The wavy conducting tubing is made by passing straight soft copper tubing between a pair of like opposed meshing gears each having four convex points in space quadrature separated by four convex recesses with the radius of curvature of each point slightly less than that of each concave recess.

Abstract: A heat exchange apparatus which utilizes the solar heat, hot spring water or underground water comprises a cylindrical main body, an internal cylinder placed in the main body, a blower provided in an upper part of the internal cylinder, an air intake, a number of radially arranged air exhaust tubes, ring shaped upper and lower heat exchange compartments, and chambers formed between heat exchange compartments, on and under the upper and lower heat exchange compartment, upper and lower chambers are connected by coil tubes placed in heat exchange compartments, the outer coil tubes and inner coil tubes are successively connected so that each of connected coil tubes has the same overall length, which improves efficiency of heat exchange between air and water which are caused to move in a counterflow fashion.

Abstract: The heat exchanger has a vertical central tube and a concentric jacket between which support plates extend radially and axially. The support plates carry a bunch of heat exchanger tubes and the jacket is formed near the top and bottom ends with apertures for a heat-yielding medium which flows around the heat exchanger tubes. Separating plates are disposed in registration with the support plates to subdivide the annular chamber extending around the upper end of the central tube and provide a continuation of the flow paths for the heat-yielding medium. These separating plates prevent a circulation of flows between the flow paths defined by the support plates during shut-down.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and to a heat exchanger (8) intended in particular for performing the process, for operating a high-pressure boiler (1), having consuming units (3', 3", 3'") connected to the high-pressure boiler (1), the condensate from which units is returned to a condensate tank (5). By means of a feed water pump (7), feed water is fed to the boiler (1) and the condensate and the feed water are then fed to a heat exchanger (8) upstream of the condensate tank (5). According to the invention, the hot condensate is fed to the free space of the heat exchanger (8), and the feed water which is to be heated is pumped to the heat exchanger (8), passed helically from the cold to the warm zone in the heat exchanger (8) and carried from the heat exchanger (8) into the boiler (1). As a result of this heating up of the feed water, the heat contained in the condensate becomes economically useable, resulting in substantial savings in heat medium for the boiler.

Abstract: A spiral heat exchanger includes a vessel, a plurality of concentric sheet metal spirals situated in the vessel and defining first and second spiral flow channels for respective first and second fluids for effecting a heat exchange therebetween; first and second closure plates extending perpendicularly to the vessel axis and covering the spirals at opposite spiral edges thereof; and mounting bars pressing the closure plates against axially opposite edges of the spirals. The first closure plate defines a first axially oriented opening and the second closure plate defines a second axially oriented opening providing, in the first flow channel, an inlet and an outlet for the first fluid. The vessel comprises a cylindrical vessel shell entirely surrounding the spirals.

Abstract: The heat exchanger has a hollow coil through which a liquid is to flow, having a series of adjacent, essentially parallel turns, between which turns members having apertures for the flow of a fluid therethrough, elongated heat conducting paths and in compressed and deformed condition are disposed, for clamping contact with the turns and pressure contact with each other. Examples of such members are woven mesh having strands and expanded metal foil. The members extend across the space encompassed by the turns and thus conduct heat between the turns and a fluid passed through the mesh members in the direction of the axis of the coil, i.e. perpendicular to the planes of the coil turns. The members and coil turns are maintained in compressing contact by a perforated plate at each end of the coil, which plates engage the adjacent members.

Abstract: A heating exchanging device comprising a first fluid retaining means; at least two opposed substantially V-shaped support plates, the plates being within the retaining means and having a plurality of holes; a plurality of heating tubes passing through said matrix of holes as to define a spiral path, and an upper support frame in parallel with a lower support frame for supporting said V-shaped support plates. The device may further comprise an I-shaped support plate disposed between said V-shaped support plates and connected centrally thereto, the upper and lower support frames being essentially centrally connected by the I-shaped plate and being connected proximate opposed terminal portions thereof by the V-shaped support plates. The support frame preferably has a steel core covered with an outer tube of fluorocarbon resin, the tube being heated and shrunk to provide intimate contact with the core.

Abstract: A multi-circuit arrangement for a wound coil heat exchanger and a method for making it are disclosed. The coil circuits are wound from a continuous length of spine fin tubing; locations are determined for breaking into the wound, continuous length of tubing to form adjacent circuits; the tubing is cut; the cut ends are pulled toward the manifold and downwardly so that adjacent ends angle toward each other; and transition tubes are secured to the cut ends, the tubes crossing each other to form an "X" configuration.

Abstract: A solar rocket absorber of rhenium tubes is used to provide heated liquid hydrogen to a thruster. The rhenium tubes are wrapped in a closed shape having an opening for receiving solar radiation for heating the liquid propellant. The vessel of rhenium tubes is held by a carbon shell which is further encased in a reradiation shield to prevent heat loss.

Abstract: Apparatus in the form of a multi-unit cooler for cooling liquid samples of steam or water in boiler water feed systems or other process apparatus for the purpose of testing or measuring various inorganic and other components of the cooled samples as for example oxygen content, carbonates, sulfates, etc.

Abstract: A water boiler which has a tank with a cylindrical circumferential wall, a cover and a convexly outwardly curved bottom, and at least one heat exchanger is in the tank, the heat exchanger being formed by at least one pipe coil of spiral or meandering development, the turns of which lie in a plane parallel to or in the direction of the axis of the tank, and the circumferential wall has at least one connection socket which is closed by a plate with the forward and return runs of the heat exchanger extending in sealed fashion through said plate.

Abstract: An improved single-pass, radiant tube for steam cracking hydrocarbons is capable of self-absorbing differential thermal expansion during furnace operation by virtue of tube sections being offset.

Abstract: A compact multiple coil heat exchanger having a high heat transfer density is provided to include at least an inner coil formed from a continuous tube into a plurality of contiguous turns about a common axis in a spiral arrangement and having a pitch in one direction and an outer coil formed from the continuous tube into a plurality of overlapping turns concentrically about the inner coil in a spiral arrangement having an opposite pitch. Further, a coil-forming apparatus and continuous coil-forming method is directed to form a multiple coil heat exchanger from a continuous tube using a coil-forming die rotatably mounted on a support frame. The coil-forming die includes a continuous spiral thread constructed to receive and laterally support the continuous tube while fabricating the multiple coil heat exchanger according to the continuous coil-forming method of this invention.

Abstract: A portable appliance for quick chilling and heating of fluids, such as beverages, without dilution. The appliance comprises a pour-through, gravity operated heat exchanger, an intake reservoir connected to its upper end, and a discharge tap connected to its lower end. It operates without application of electric or mechanical power, and may be used both indoors or in the field.

Abstract: A gas cooler and process are provided for the efficient extraction of heat from a hot raw gas stream containing entrained matter from the partial oxidation of a hydrocarbonaceous or carbonaceous fuel, and the simultaneous production of a separate stream of superheated steam. The gas cooler comprises a closed vertical pressure vessel with an upper central outlet through which the superheated steam is removed. A refractory lined hot gas inlet chamber is attached to the bottom of the pressure vessel. A plurality of bundles of helical tubes through which the hot gas flows are spaced in the vessel. The hot gas enters at the bottom of the vessel and the cooled gas leaves at the bottom of the helical coil. A portion of the vessel is filled with boiler feed water so that the bundles of helical tubes are partially submerged. Concurrent and countercurrent indirect heat exchange between boiler feed water and the gas stream takes place in the evaporator section to produce saturated steam.

Abstract: A fired heater for a coal liquefaction process is constructed with a heat transfer tube having U-bends at regular intervals along the length thereof to increase the slug frequency of the multi-phase mixture flowing therethrough to thereby improve the heat transfer efficiency.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the transfer of heat by means of hollow filaments which extend in the form of a helix and/or a spiral and are provided in more than two layers. The apparatus may be made up of a multilayer winding. The outer diameter of the hollow filaments is preferably 0.05-1 mm and the wall thickness is 5-20% of the outer diameter. The invention also relates to the use of this heat exchanger in various heating systems.

Abstract: A tertiary heat exchanger having three sets of adjacent ducting, two stacked within the third, all of which carrying heat exchange mediums so that the heat carried by one medium in any set of a ducting is efficiently transferred to the other two. Two of the three sets of ducting are tubing and this tubing is spirally coiled in a container within the third set of ducting. The two sets of tubing are in alternating layers and the fluid flow of the heat exchange mediums are in opposite directions in each adjacent layer of the tubing. Outlet channels are provided at various points along the helical path of a ducting so as to alter the effective length of a ducting.

Abstract: A heat exchanger with at least one main tube, closed off at one end, into which compressed air, which is to be heated, is admitted and, after being heated, is removed. The main tube has at least two channel guideways which are separated from one another in the longitudinal direction. U-shaped or curved compressed air lines project from the main tube and contact the hot gases. Each compressed air line is connected at one end to the channel guideway of the main tube into which compressed air is admitted, and at its other end with the channel guideway through which the heated compressed air is removed. The compressed air lines are formed primarily from hollow bodies, which extend in the direction of flow of the hot gas and which preferably are tapered at the inflow and outflow ends in order to aid the flow.

Abstract: A header for a large heat transfer tube bundle having verticle U-bends. The header provides a four pass system employing the upper ends of the tubes for the first and third passes and the lower ends for the second and fourth passes. The header is arranged with a central divider and two boxes, one on either side of the divider. The boxes separate portions of the tubes from the main header cavities for the third and fourth passes. Condensate is removed after both the second and fourth passes. The first pass includes an inverted U-shaped configuration of tubes to increase available tube side heat to the outer sides of the tube bundle. The boxes include a gasket arrangement for separating portions of the tube bundle into various passes. A diffuser is also employed to better distribute incoming flow to the inverted U-shaped configuration of the first pass tubes.

Abstract: A centrifugal circulation pump for a fluid heat carrier where the pump has a housing including a centrifugal impeller, an inlet pipe for admitting a first heat carrier into the housing and a discharge pipe for discharging the first heat carrier from the housing. A heat transfer means in the form of a tubular coil is positioned in the housing through which a second heat carrier flows. The centrifugal impeller moves the first heat carrier with a swirl motion in a direction parallel to the turns of the coil whereby heat is exchanged between the first and second heat carriers.

Abstract: A vent condenser that includes an inner tube, an outer shell mounted on and surrounding the inner tube, a middle shell having an annular body and a closed upper end mounted with the body thereof radially spaced between the inner tube and the outer shell, and a helical heat exchange tube mounted in the space between the inner tube and the middle shell in engagement with the body of the middle shell and with the inner tube. A helical channel is formed between the middle shell, the inner tube, and spaced convolutions of the helical tube. Cooling fluid is directed through the helical tube. Discharge from the deaerator vent passes up the inner tube to return along the helical channel to be cooled in indirect heat exchange relation with the cooling fluid in the helical tube to condense water therefrom and to separate the water from noncondensable gases.

Abstract: A gas cooler and process are provided for extracting heat from the hot raw gas stream from the partial oxidation of a hydrocarbonaceous or carbonaceous fuel, and the simultaneous production of a separate stream of saturated or superheated steam, or separate streams of both. The gas cooler comprises a vertical pressure vessel with an upper central outlet through which saturated steam may be removed and a closed bottom. A refractory lined hot gas inlet chamber is attached to the bottom of the pressure vessel. A coaxial vertical water-tight cylindrically shaped central chamber is supported within the vessel and defines an annular elongated passage with the inside walls of the vessel. A plurality of bundles of helical tubes through which the hot gas flows are spaced in the annular passage and are serially connected to a helical bundle of gas tubes that is supported in the central chamber.

Abstract: A triple pass heat exchanger for use in a solar energy heating or cooling system includes an assembly of four helically wound lengths of tubing. The helical tubes are arranged relative to each other in a substantially concentric manner so that the first tube is innermost, the second tube outward to the first tube, the third tube outward to the second tube and the fourth tube outward to the third tube. The first and third tubes are coupled in flow communication at a first common inlet and a first common outlet, and the second and fourth tubes are coupled in flow communication at a second common inlet and a second common outlet. A first liquid heat transfer medium flows through the first and third tubes and a second liquid heat transfer medium flows through the second and fourth tubes. A shell encloses the assembly within an inner chamber defined by the shell.

Abstract: A refrigeration system for cooling a beverage as the beverage is drawn from a container filled with water which has an evaporator coil carried adjacent the wall thereof which extends from adjacent the top of the container to the bottom of the container. When a refrigerant is circulated through the evaporator coil, an ice bank is built up on the inner wall of the container. A beverage dispensing coil is centrally located with the container and is connected between a faucet and the container from which the beverage is to be drawn. A helical support coil extends from adjacent the top of the container to the bottom and encircles the beverage dispensing coil. A temperature sensor is threaded inside the helical copper support coil so that any time the ice bank builds up closely adjacent thereto, it will turn off the compressor. A motor driven power paddle is used for circulating the water within the container.

Abstract: A high efficiency fast recovery electric fluid heating system includes a closed elongated housing having thermostatically controlled high-wattage electric immersion heating elements extending from the housing ends into the interior thereof. The housing is adapted to be filled with fluid to be heated by the heating elements and has a fluid inlet at one end and a fluid outlet at the other. A helical tubular member extends within the housing from end to end thereof in coaxial spaced relationship to the heating elements and has its ends extending externally of the tank to provide inlet and outlet connections for supply of fluid thereto. An elongated open-ended tubular member is disposed within the helical tubular member and around the heating elements to define a confined fluid heating space within the housing.

Abstract: An improved heat exchanger in which the tube bundle therein comprises a plurality of tubes supported intermediate their ends by at least one annular enlargement disposed around and frictionally secured to the outer surface of at least one of the tubes with the annular enlargement contacting the outer surface of each tube next adjacent thereto. Means are also provided for encircling and maintaining the tubes in spaced relation in contact with the annular enlargements. Method of constructing the tube bundle for the heat exchanger is also disclosed.

Abstract: A thermal storage heater system for heating fluids includes a storage tank for accumulating and storing energy in the form of a quantity liquid heated to a high temperature by an electric immersion heating element in the tank. A source of a first fluid to be heated is connected to the inlets of pilot and primary heat exchangers immersed in the high temperature liquid for transferring heat to the first fluid. A first circuit connects the outlet of the pilot heat exchanger to a point of use. A second fluid circuit connects the outlet of the primary heat exchanger to the point of use and includes a spring-loaded pressure sensitive check valve responsive to the flow rate in the first circuit for regulating the flow of fluid through the primary heat exchanger in response to a change in flow indicative of insufficient heating of the fluid by the pilot heat exchanger. The system includes an additional heat exchanger for heating a second fluid to be heated.

Abstract: In a heat exchanger of the type in which hot exhaust gases transfer heat to water or the like flowing through a helical heat exchange coil, the use, as a significant improvement to the efficiency of the heat exchange occurring therebetween, of a conduit for the water having external helical fluting such that the hot gases circulate along two paths, rather than only one, and thus are more effectively able to transfer heat to the water.

Abstract: Apparatus for connecting tube banks in a shell and tube heat exchanger comprises a tube sheet co-extensive with the ends of a pair of adjoining tube banks into which tube sheet a plurality of aligned U-bends are fitted at their ends. The U-bends are positioned to connect each tube end in one bank with its mirror image tube end in the adjoining bank.

Abstract: A thin-walled resilient sleeve is disposed between each group of support plates and a pipe at the center of the pipe coils. One end of the sleeve is secured to the central pipe while the other end of the sleeve is secured to the support plates.The sleeves enable the support plates, which in operation become hotter than the pipe coils, to expand towards the central pipe, with a consequent appreciable reduction in heat expansion of the pipe coils and therefore in bending stressing thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is a heat transfer apparatus adapted for installation in a mobile liquid container such as a railroad tank car. The apparatus includes inlet and outlet ports at opposite ends of a continuous finned pipe. The continuous finned pipe extends within the container to provide a surface for conductive heat transfer from the heat transfer fluid flowing through the pipe to the contents of the container.The continuous finned pipe is provided with shock absorbers and flexible loop portions to prevent damage to the apparatus from inertial shocks to the container. A preferred embodiment is designed particularly for use in railroad tank cars adapted to carry molten sulfur. The apparatus is used to remelt the sulfur, which has solidified in transit, for unloading. The present invention accomplishes this purpose in a shorter time period, more economically and with lower construction and maintenance expense than prior art apparati.

Abstract: A portable appliance for quick chilling and heating of fluids, such as beverages, without dilution. The appliance comprises a pour-through, gravity operated heat exchanger, an intake reservoir connected to its upper end, and a discharge tap connected to its lower end. It operates without application of electric or mechanical power, and may be used both indoors or in the field.

Abstract: A helical coil of tubing is disposed in a cylindrical tank in spaced relation thereto so as to act as a baffle for the products of combustion introduced thereinto by creating a tortuous passageway in said tank. The helical coil has its end portions arranged in spaced parallel sections defining supporting skids extending longitudinally of the helical coil and thereby supporting the same in said tank. The tank is positioned in a secondary larger cylindrical tank and the fluid to be heated, such as oil, is circulated through the helical coil, the skid-like parallel communicating portions thereof forming the supports and in the area between the tanks to obtain a highly efficient heat transfer.

Abstract: A heat exchanger disposed in the piping of the drain line of a shower bath closet for conducting heat from the spent shower bath water to the water entering the cold water inlet of the shower bath. The heat exchanger has at least two concentric helical coils through which the incoming water flows and over which the spent bath water flows. A central core baffle directs the spent water between the helical coils for good transfer of heat. The spent water preheats the incoming cold water thereby reducing the amount of hot water required from the water heater.

Abstract: A heat exchanger, particularly for use in heat pumps, either as an evaporator or as a condenser or both, comprises for the flow of a refrigerant one or more pipes helically coiled around a core pipe. This structure is mounted inside a mantle-pipe which serves for the flow of a heat carrying medium, such as water, and is helically coiled around a vertical axis or bent to another compacted shape making the center line of the turns of the helically coiled pipe or pipes extend horizontally or at a slight inclination to the horizontal. The refrigerant is fed to one end of the helically coiled pipe or pipes and then flows back through the core pipe. The heat carrying medium flows through the mantle-pipe in the same general direction as the flow of refrigerant through the helically coiled pipes.

Abstract: Tubes are positioned in a shell of a heat exchanger, hot fluid flowing through the tubes. An inlet of each of the tubes for hot fluid is opened to a separate section which is provided with a clearance from a thick tube sheet secured to the shell. An inlet and outlet port of each of the tubes are positioned alternately at the tube sheet. By the provision of the separate section and alternate positioning of inlets and outlets of tubes, thermal stress arising in the thick tube sheet is made very small.

Abstract: A liquid reservoir has a rectangular shell in which crossed first and second partitions form first, second, third and fourth rectangular liquid chambers. The partitions are impervious between the first and fourth chambers and apertured between the first and second, second and third, and third and fourth chambers. Liquid flows serially through the first, second, third and fourth chambers via the apertured partitions and such flowing liquid is subjected to a heat exchange in the first, second, third and fourth chambers.

Abstract: A heat exchanger is provided, comprising a housing defining a cavity therein, the housing having an inlet and outlet for feeding fluid into, and removing fluid from, the cavity of the housing, a pair of fixed spaced head plates fixed to the housing at either end of the cavity to preclude passage of fluid past the plates between the housing and plates, a pair of second head plates, one for each fixed head plate and secured to the side of the fixed head plate remote the other fixed spaced head plate, at least one of which second plates being removably secured to the fixed head plates, a gasket positioned between the fixed head plates and second plates, the housing further comprising covers for covering the head plates and providing a space between the head plates and cover, a pair of spacer plates secured to the housing between the fixed head plates, each spacer plate positioned adjacent each fixed head plate, the spacer plates permitting fluid within the cavity to flow therethrough, each of the fixed and secur

Abstract: This invention relates to a multi-pass helical coil thermal fluid heater of improved thermal efficiency. The thermal fluid is heated while being circulated within concentric helical coils of the heater which are arranged in such a manner to improve overall thermal efficiency and simplify construction. Provision is also made for preheating of the thermal fluid and the heater combustion air to further improve thermal efficiency.

Abstract: A heat exchanger having an outer shell member and having a helically wound volute member which is double walled and includes a finned outer tube and a close-fitting inner tube, and the heat exchanger further including a core member which extends through the helical volute member and closes its central aperture to confine the flow of liquid in the outer shell member to flow through the fins, rather than pass through the aperture through the center of the helical volute member. The fins on the double walled volute member are wound as close to touching the core member as possible and the diameter of the core member and of the outer shell member is such that the fins closely fit the space between them. Both the finned tube and the inner tube pass completely through the shell member, and the finned outer tube is soldered to the shell so that any leakage between the tubes will pass outside the heat exchanger shell member rather than mixing the heat exchanger liquids.

Abstract: A heat exchanger having an openable casing for the removable reception of a fluid carrying coil for a first fluid. The coil includes a straight section surrounded by helical turns. The helical turns contacting the interior surface of the casing to thereby form a complimentary helical fluid flow path for a second fluid. The casing is provided with an inlet and an outlet for the second fluid, the first fluid entering one end of the coil and exiting from the other end of the coil.

Abstract: A heat-reclaiming system is especially adapted for reclaiming heat from used laundry water. It comprises a heat exchanger providing for heat transfer from warm used laundry water to cold incoming water intended for use as fresh laundry water. The heat exchanger is formed with interior ducts and an outer shell. The interior ducts, preferably concentric coils hydraulically in parallel, define a space for the transport through the heat exchanger of the cold incoming water. The outer shell encloses the ducts, and the ducts and shell together define a space providing for the transport through the heat exchanger of the warm used laundry water. The flows of the warm and cold water through the heat exchanger are generally in opposite directions. Maximum heat-transfer efficiency is accomplished by simultaneously pumping both the shell and the duct sides of the exchanger at design flow condition, and maximizing the log mean temperature difference across the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A counterflow heat exchanger comprises facing parallelly coaxially extending upper and lower tube plates wherebetween extends a tube nest including a plurality of tubes. The tubes, which are distributed substantially in a polar symmetry arrangement, have at one end an S-like bent portion and the thermal exchange zone defining rectilinear portion of the tube nest is enclosed within an annular interspace defined between an inner jacket and an outer shroud fixed to the tube plates.

Abstract: A methanol-synthesis reactor has a housing receiving a catalyst packing and coils of cooling tubes surrounding a core tube and disposed in helical radially spaced layers coaxial with the core tube. According to the invention, the internal diameters of the cooling tubes are from 4 to 50 mm, the distance between neighboring tubes in a direction transverse to the axis and the direction of fluid flow through the catalyst packing is between 2 and 20 times the smallest longitudinal dimension of the catalyst particles and the distance between neighboring tubes measured in the direction of the synthesis gas flow is less than 10 times the transverse distance.