Abstract: An improved shower-cabin comprising a base provided with a drain for evacuating waste water, and a heat recuperator incorporated into this base. The recuperator comprises a waste water tank connected to the cabin drain and a coil mounted in this tank. The heat of the waste water passing through the tank may be recovered for heating or pre-heating an incoming cold water flowing through the coil.

Abstract: A method for heat treating a continuous flow of milk. Within a short period of time after milking the animal the still-warm milk is preheated in a regenerative heat exchanger. The preheated milk is then heated to, preferably, a pasteurization temperature. The heated milk is maintained at the pasteurization temperature for a required pasteurization time and is then passed through the regenerative heat exchanger to preheat the newly collected milk. The pasteurized milk, its temperature lowered by passage through the regenerative heat exchanger, is the preferably cooled before passing into a cooled storage tank.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with the ultra-high temperature treatment of liquids, such as milk, with a minimum of thermal damage. The present invention provides a method and apparatus for indirect ultra-high temperature treatment of a liquid in which the flow rate of a liquid through a holding tube (20) is capable of being varied and in which the holding temperature of the liquid is selected between the characteristic holding temperature for that liquid and a temperature above the said characteristic holding temperature by a temperature control means (28).The invention provides a method and apparatus for ultra-high temperature treatment which reduces the thermal damage to a product when variable plant throughputs are employed.

Abstract: A process for separation of raw milk by centrifugal separation into cream, which is cooled in a first heat exchanger, and into skim milk which is heated to pasteurization and cooled by regenerative heat exchange in a second heat exchanger, is described. The characteristic feature is that the feed of raw milk is separated into two part streams, of which the first is heated in the second heat exchanger to separation temperature, while the second part stream is heated in the first heat exchanger and is then combined with the first part stream and centrifugally separated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for evaluting the performance of a heat exchanger are described. Water is supplied to the heat exchanger at a known mass flow rate and temperature. The water is directed to traverse a flow path of the heat exchanger. The water is then heated and redirected into another flow path of the heat exchanger in heat exchange relation with the first flow path. The temperature change of the water over a flow path is measured to determine the performance of the heat exchange. The water flow rate and incoming water temperature may be fixed to make a single discharge temperature measurement sufficient to calculate heat exchager performance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the atmosphere in a controlled environment including passing air into a cooling means to remove humidity and back into the environment and exchanging heat from the air entering the cooling means to the air exiting the cooling means, to increase dehumidification by a cooling recovery process.

Abstract: A soft drink beverage pasteurizing system, utilizing heat transfer units, is diclosed. The transfer units being operable to raise the temperature of the beverage to effect pasteurization and operable by suitable temperature controls, to recirculate the beverage through one of the heat transfer units in the event pasteurization temperature is not achieved. Moreover, any tendency of the temperature to raise above pasteurization temperature is prevented by reducing the temperature of the fluid that transfers heat to the beverage.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for decreasing the energy consumed by shower baths. The apparatus comprises a heat exchanger used to preheat incoming cold water with hot drain water and a local hot water heater used to elevate the temperature of the hot water feed to levels above about 170.degree. F. The local heater and heat exchanger cooperate to result in energy savings of approximately 50% or more.

Abstract: An air conditioning system is disclosed for adjusting air temperature and humidity to a predetermined level for the air supply to a paint spray booth. The system includes a multi-section sprayed surface heat exchanger combined with a bypass passage such that a portion of the air flow to be conditioned passes through the multi-section heat exchanger and the remainder of the flow bypasses the same, and is recombined and mixed downstream with the conditioned air to produce a mixture which is at the proper dry bulb temperature and relative humidity. Each multisection heat exchanger may be shut off to increase the proportion of bypass flow. Modulation of the cooling and heating effect of each of the heat exchangers is achieved by modulating valve controlling the flow of heating or cooling medium. Similarly, the humidification effect is controlled by valving controlling a number of water spray nozzles.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for decreasing the energy consumed by shower baths. The apparatus comprises a heat exchanger used to preheat incoming cold water with hot drain water and a local hot water heater used to elevate the temperature of the hot water feed to levels above about 170.degree. F. The local heater and heat exchanger cooperate to result in energy savings of approximately 50% or more.

Abstract: This invention relates in general to an industrial heat exchanger package unit for transferring heat energy between cool intake air flowing into an industrial process, and hot exhaust air flowing out of an industrial process. Each package units specifically includes, integral finned heat pipe heat exchangers, face and bypass damper assemblies, tilted base frames, bypass ducts, supply inlet filter assemblies, and supply inlet louver assemblies which are arranged in such a manner as to provide a percentage of total volume control over the amount of supply or exhaust air introduced into the heat exchange chambers.

Abstract: Body heat given off by cows in an enclosed barn during periods of outside temperature requiring residential heating is utilized as the heat source in a first refrigeration circuit, and heat absorbed from the milk is used as the source for a second refrigeration circuit. Water used in the residential heating system absorbs heat from the refrigerants of both circuits in a double tube condenser. One circuit may also be used as a pre-heater for domestic hot water.

Abstract: A building element which inhibits the change of the interior temperature of a building beyond prescribed limits approximating room temperature. A rigid porous matrix structure is provided in thermal communication with the building interior. A store of phase change material impregnates the matrix structure. The phase change material has a melting point within the temperature limits so that the material melts when the interior temperature of the building exceeds the temperature limits. Melting of the material absorbs heat and reduces the interior temperature of the building, until the material is entirely melted. Conversely, the material freezes when the interior temperature of the building falls below the temperature limits to release heat and increase the interior temperature until the stored material is entirely frozen. The store of phase change material is sealed within the matrix structure so that the material undergoes repeated changes in phase between liquid and solid.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for cooling system compressed air dehumidifiers includes an inner body forming a dehumidifying passage provided with a cooler, an outer body surrounding the inner body and forming a precooling passage along the outer periphery of the inner body, an air supply port opened in the outer body through which compressed air is led into the precooling passage from one end thereof, a communicating hole opened in the inner body to guide the air led into the precooling passage out through its other end into the dehumidifying passage through one end thereof, and a plurality of heat transmitting pipes extending through the precooling passage in order to form an air-flow passage which guides the compressed air out of the other end of the dehumidifying passage to an air discharge port provided in the outer body.

Abstract: A flow of hot combustion gas from an open gas turbine plant surrenders heat via an intermediate forced-flow circuit to a vapor circuit system in which a hydrocarbon working medium flows. The forced-flow intermediate circuit uses a liquid heat vehicle such as a mixture of diphenyl and diphenyl oxide to transfer heat from the hot exhaust gas of the open gas turbine plant to the working medium of the vapor circuit system. This heat vehicle is passed through a plurality of successively connected tubes in the exhaust gas duct so as to reduce the amount of leakage should a leak occur in the tubes and, thus, the chance of an explosion.The waste heat transferred to the vapor circuit system can be used to drive a compressor of a refrigerating circuit, e.g. used to cool a flow of natural gas in a pipeline located in an arctic region.

Abstract: A building such as a barn with a heat exchanging ventilating system including an exhaust duct with a fan drawing spent air from the center of the building and a pair of intake ducts respectively located above and below said exhaust duct, there being conductive heat transfer walls common with the exhaust duct and respectively with the air intake ducts, the air intake ducts also having inlets for outside fresh air, and the outlet ends of the intake ducts extending horizontally to direct air to the outside walls in the building for circulating the fresh air to the outside walls.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for separating heat hardenable constituents from an aqueous solution of thermohardenable fiber binder material by insolubilizing the constituents through the application of both heat and pressure are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in an apparatus for ammonia feed in copying equipment with a cold trap, for freezing out ammonia and water from air extracted from the immediate vicinity of a developing chamber, in particular from pre-chambers, together with a rectifying column for releasing ammonia from the frozen-out ammonia-water mixture and recycling the gaseous ammonia into the developing chamber, the improvement comprising heat exchanger means,With two heat-conducting channels adjacent each other through which the extracted air flows counter-currently, a cold source inSaid heat exchanger means, said source being at a transition position between said channels and surrounded thereby, heat source meansAdapted to heat said heat exchanger means, outlet means on said heat exchanger means, means connecting said outlet means on said heat exchanger means to said rectifying column, and means connecting said rectifying column to said developing chamber.

Abstract: There is described a solar energy converter employing a stationary mirror which reflects and focuses solar radiation onto a bank of contiguous radiation concentrators through which a liquid is selectively passed as the focussed radiation passes thereacross as the elevation of the sun changes during the day.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to recover energy from used or foul air and to return the energy into fresh air to reduce the energy input to a ventilation system. Ventilator apparatus is adapted to maintain fluid flow through a first heat exchanger, positioned in a fresh air passage, and through a second heat exchanger, positioned in an exhaust passage, at a controlled rate to afford maximum or controlled heat transfer efficiency for pre-cooling or pre-heating fresh air drawn into the system. Control apparatus is provided to maintain flow of fluid through the heat exchangers such that the sum of the mass flow of fresh air times the specific heat of the fresh air, plus the mass flow of the exhaust air times the apparent specific heat of exhaust air, is equal to two times the mass flow of fluid times the specific heat of the fluid.

Abstract: A gangable solar energy collector module utilizes an insulative housing containing a plurality of hollow interior conduits confronting the sun, separated from one another by slots, and overlying an energy absorbing tank which is connected with the conduits to permit flow of heat transfer medium therebetween. The conduits and underlying energy absorbing tank are positioned between supply and return ducts which extend beneath the conduits so that solar energy passing through the slots strikes the ducts and is either absorbed or reflected upwardly toward the conduits for absorption by the conduits. Each supply and return duct has a central segment within the insulative housing and has a terminal segment at each end of the central segment, each terminal segment being thermally insulated from the central segment and extending through and outwardly from the housing to permit a plurality of such collectors to be ganged by series connecting all supply ducts and series connecting all return ducts.

Abstract: A solar energy collector connectable with a fluid-circulating system is contained in a plenum within an insulative housing and has a plurality of generally parallel, heat-absorbing conduits extending between intake and outlet manifolds and confronting the sun or other heat source through a transparent window, each conduit being separated from an adjacent conduit by an intervening slot. Positioned below the conduits is a heat-absorbing tank which is connected in fluid-flow relationship with the outlet manifold and also with the circulation system so that a heat-transfer medium may flow continuously between the energy collector and the circulation system. The tank receives radiant energy through the slots and after absorbing some of the radiation reflects the remaining portion upwardly to the conduits to thereby increase radiation intensity on and heat absorption by the conduits. Multiple reflections between tank and conduits further increase energy absorption both by tank and conduit.

Abstract: A process for open-cycle air conditioning which affords economy of external power both with respect to cost and energy consumption by providing a low-temperature heater and a high-temperature heater for regenerating the sensible heat exchanger and desiccant when the apparatus is used for cooling and the enthalpy exchanger when the apparatus is used for heating. The power source for the low-temperature heater can utilize solar energy, waste boiler heat, waste process heat, nuclear reactor heat and the like. The power source for the high-temperature heater can be an open flame burner or other conventional heater.

Abstract: A plurality of parallel heat exchange tubes are grouped together and connected at the ends to form a bank. One or more banks are positioned so that one end lies in a supply air stream and the other end lies in an exhaust air stream. Each bank of tubes is sealed and contains a working fluid of the type having a liquid phase and a vapor phase. At one end of each tube, the working fluid absorbs heat from one of said air streams to effect vaporization of said fluid, the vaporized fluid flows to the cooler end of said tube where said vaporized fluid gives up heat to the cooler air stream and condenses in the tube. The condensed fluid then flows back to the warmer end by means of gravity.One end of the lowest tube in each bank includes a reservoir connected thereto which communicates with the normally cooler air path and includes a heating coil operatively associated therewith for providing a modulated control of the system responsive to the temperature of the enclosed space being ventilated.

Abstract: A system for recovering the waste heat normally exhausted into the atmosphere by chemical or other processing plants. The invented system comprises a substantially self-contained apparatus for receiving hot exhaust gases and extracting the waste heat therefrom for some beneficial use, such as pre-heating inlet air in an inlet plenum. The system may include temperature and pressure controls which enhance the safety and efficiency of the system's operation, and further may include flow controls in a multiple burner installation so that the desired fuel air ratios and heat distribution may be achieved. By building the present invention as a substantially self-contained and self-supporting assembly, on site installation time and the required alternation of pre-existing on site equipment may be minimized, thereby affecting substantial economic savings by minimizing the resulting down time of the processing plant.

Abstract: A Stirling engine adapted for automotive propulsion is disclosed using an improved preheater construction in the external heating circuit.The preheater construction is comprised of discrete cubicle modules arranged annularly about the engine burner with their inner faces in contiguous edge contact to define a close cylindrical space. The modules are totally ceramic with alternating orientation of finned ceramic wall fused together to define a cross-flow matrix. Static seal strips of woven ceramic material encased in a folded metal foil strip are retained against all of the edges of each module to facilitate cross-flow fluid connections.

Abstract: An air conditioning system comprising a heat exchanger using the conduction principle to impart a portion of the heating or cooling from the air exhausted from a building or facility to a make-up air supply and a heat pump which provides supplemental heating or cooling for the make-up air supply to bring it to the desired temperature for use in the building or facility.

Abstract: A ventilating system which affords recuperative heat exchange between the supply air and the spent air and which incorporates a refrigerating machine as a heat pump which may be operated either to supplement the recuperative heat exchange or to cool the supply air without recuperative heat exchange between the supply air and the spent air. The system includes a heat exchanger in the supply-air duct and a second heat exchanger in the spent-air duct. The two heat exchangers are interconnected in a fluid circuit so that during the heating season, the fluid is heated by the spent air to warm the supply air. When the refrigerating machine is operting as a heat pump, the fluid discharged from the supply-air heat exchanger is passed through the evaporator and the fluid passing from the spent-air exchanger to the supply-air exchanger is passed through the condenser.

Abstract: A heat transfer apparatus for cooling a hot process gas to a temperature close to its dew point without condensation. The hot gas passes through a first chamber while air to be heated passes in an adjacent second chamber. A series of fluid containing tubes extend back and forth between the two chambers. The fluid continuously flowing through the tubes extracts heat from the hot gas and transfers it to the air to be heated.

Abstract: A liquid feed stock containing oil is deodorized in a semicontinuous process wherein the feed stock, in a first evacuated chamber, undergoes heat exchange with a deodorized stock in a second evacuated chamber, said stocks being circulated in their respective chambers by upwardly flowing steam introduced into each chamber between a partition, separating the two chambers, and a guide plate parallel to said partition and spaced therefrom, whereafter said feed stock is passed through a succession of steam heating stages to heat said feed stock to successively higher temperatures thereby deodorizing the feed stock and then withdrawn as deodorized stock and recirculated as deodorized stock to said second evacuated chamber to undergo heat exchange with said feed stock.

Abstract: A heat exchanger system and ducting arrangement therefor includes a pair of heat exchanger units defining an elongated space between them, and individually having a first fluid flow path and a second fluid flow path therethrough for transferring heat from a relatively hot fluid to a relatively cool fluid, a bifurcated inlet channel for delivering the hot fluid to the heat exchanger units, a pair of exhaust conduits for conducting the hot fluid away from the heat exchanger units after heat is extracted therefrom during its travel through the first fluid flow paths, an elongated duct for delivering the cool fluid to the elongated space and from there oppositely outwardly to the heat exchanger units, and a pair of outlet manifolds for conducting the relatively cool fluid away from the heat exchanger units after it is beneficially heated during its travel through the second fluid flow paths.

Abstract: A ventilation system for rotating water feeds particularly useful in water-cooled generators is equipped with bypass means arranged to extend between coaxial feed duct means and discharge duct means defining a centrally located axis of rotation. The bypass means includes at least one inlet which is located to open in the space around the axis of rotation with outlet means of the bypass means opening into the discharge duct means to vent air or gas bubbles.

Abstract: In a heat exchanger unit having a heating section and a regenerative section, the product to be heat treated is first passed through the regenerative section to preheat the product, thence through the heating section and then back through the regenerative section to recover heat from the product. In the regenerative section, the return flow of the product is counter-current to its incoming flow; but when the exchanger unit is to be heated, as for cleaning or sterilizing, a liquid other than the product is passed through the regenerative and heating sections in the same path as the product flow except that the incoming and return flows of the liquid through the regenerative section are concurrent to each other.

Abstract: Thermal pollution from industrial manufacturing and electric generation plants is avoided by incorporating in the water-cooling system of such plants a heat exchanger to allow the heat load, which would otherwise be injected into the source of external water supply, to be exchanged through the cooling tower to the atmosphere. In a preferred embodiment, the system incorporates a counterflow heat exchanger so that the temperature of all water exhausted into the source of external water supply is within the few degrees of the temperature of the external water supply.

Abstract: Recuperative heat exchangers are disposed in the supply and exhaust ducts of a ventilating system. To reduce frost build-up at the exit end of the exhaust-duct heat exchanger, the heat exchanger is disposed so that the exhaust air flows through it alternately from one end to the other, and vice-versa, when the temperature is below freezing. The reversal of flow of the exhaust air is accompanied by a reversal of the flow of heat exchange medium so that the efficiency of heat exchange is not adversely affected. Several systems of heat exchange are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for sterilizing liquids by brief heating, comprising exposing a pressurized stream of already sterilized liquid to a pressure reduction, an evaporable partial quantity of the liquid being induced to assume vapor form while the remaining part of the liquid quantity is cooled, introducing vapor thus formed into a compressor in which said vapor is compressed and is heated due to said compression and is mixed with and condensed in a stream of pressurized liquid which is supplied to the compressor and, by being mixed with ward condensate, is raised to a temperature which is equal to or exceeds that required for sterilization, and maintaining the sterilization temperature of the said heated and pressurized stream of liquid for the length of time required for sterilization, whereupon the liquid is subjected to the initially-mentioned pressure reduction during which an evaporable part quantity of the liquid is evaporated and is again subjected to the treatment cycle while the remaining

Abstract: A method of operating recuperative heat exchange means in the supply and exhaust ducts of a ventilation installation exposed to sub-freezing atmospheric condition so that the heat exchanger in the exhaust duct is allowed to ice up and is periodically defrosted. The method operates to control the temperature in the spent-air heat exchanger in various ways, including raising the input temperature of the the exchange medium to reduce the cooling effect on the spent air, or by reducing the flow of heat exchange medium to achieve the same result.