Abstract: A heat exchanger for cooling a hot, high pressure gas and utilizing the heat removed therefrom for generating hot water comprising a first and a second vertically elongated pressure containment vessels, the second vessel disposed coaxially within the first vessel so as to establish an annular space between the outer surface of the second vessel and the inner surface of the first vessel. A gas inlet pipe penetrates through the bottom of the first vessel opening into the second vessel at the bottom thereof and a gas outlet pipe penetrates through the top of the first vessel opening into the second vessel at top thereof, thereby providing a passageway for the hot gas to flow through the second vessel. Water is circulated through the annular space between the first and second vessels and heated therein as it absorbs heat lost by the hot gas passing through the second vessel.

Abstract: A plurality of double walled tubes are so disposed between a pair of spaced apart tube sheets so that the outer wall terminates adjacent one tube sheet and the inner wall terminates adjacent the other tube sheet and a shell portion enclosing the space between the tube sheets is removably attached to the tube sheets.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for isolating a heat exchanger core from external ducting coupled to the heat exchanger manifolds. A flexible metal bellows of the externally pressurized type is utilized at each juncture between the inlet and outlet air ducts and the associated integral core manifolds. Similar arrangements are provided at the opposite side of the heat exchanger core where blind ducts are incorporated for balancing of the compression load forces and for access to the manifolds for inspection and maintenance.

Abstract: A high pressure, high temperature reactor device having a pair of spaced tube sheets for supporting a tube nest, one tube sheet being formed with a bellows to compensate for expansion and contraction of the tube nest longitudinally during temperature changes and the second tube sheet supporting the opposite end tubes of the tube nest, with injector tubes mating with each reactor tube and projecting through the reactor shell.

Abstract: A solar energy collector wherein the absorber means comprises a black liquid absorber for converting solar energy to thermal energy and absorbing the thermal energy. The solar energy collector includes an upper cover having a plurality of raised chamber modules each having surfaces angularly disposed to the cover surface for collecting and transmitting solar energy to the black liquid absorber. Means are provided for exposing the black liquid absorber to solar radiation and comprise an upper and lower surface means transparent to solar energy and defining a plurality of elongated channel means for conveying the black liquid absorber therebetween. Inlet means are provided for introducing the black liquid abosrber to the channel means and outlet means are provided for conveying away the black liquid absorber and absorbed thermal energy.

Abstract: An inflatable solar energy collector utilizes flexible materials and is adapted to be inflated by a flow of pressurized gas therethrough. Inflation positions a solar energy collecting panel at an appropriate predetermined angle for effectively collecting solar energy. The solar collector includes an enclosure defining a generally tubular configuration, and the energy collecting panel extends in a planar and chord-like manner through the interior of the enclosure. Wall portions of the enclosure comprise solar radiation transparent material to allow incident solar radiation to pass therethrough onto the energy collecting panel. A second panel of solar radiation transparent material is operatively sealed to the energy collecting panel in selected positions to define a gas conducting conduit extending over the energy collecting panel. A flow of pressurized gas is conducted into the gas conducting conduit and removes the solar radiation absorbed by the energy collecting panel in the form of heat.

Abstract: An apparatus of the heat exchanger type embodying a plurality of plates arranged in spaced parallel relation with one another to define a stack of exchanger plates. The stack of plates are arranged to define fluid and vapor passages with separators being positioned in said passages to maintain the plates in spaced relation. The stack of plates are positioned between pressure plates which have top, bottom, and side covers either supported thereon or connected thereto with the entire assembly held together by suitable clamp plates. The side covers utilize fluidic means to apply pressure to the pressure plates so that said heat exchanger utilizes the general principle of nearly equalized pressure between outside and interior surfaces.

Abstract: A bellows arrangement for forming a gas leakage resistant pressure seal between ceramic heat exchange tubes has an elongated metallic bellows defining a central passageway with first and second ends. A metallic tube passes through the bellows and freely moves with respect to the second end of the bellows while defining a gas chamber between the tube and bellows. Axial expansion of the bellows under the influence of the internal pressure when such pressure is higher than the external pressure which may be the atmosphere acts to apply a force at the interface between the bellows assembly and the ceramic heat exchange tube which is proportional to the internal pressure of the heat exchange tube, thereby accommodating movement of the heat exchange tube and providing a pressure seal that is leak resistant.

Abstract: A fluid-fluid heat exchanger comprises a plurality of flexible synthetic tubes extending in a curved path between a pair of headers with the tubes being maintained in a plurality of spaced apart superimposed layers by a plurality of spaced apart generally radially disposed spacers.

Abstract: An apparatus for heat exchange between two fluid streams comprising a pressure shell, tube sheets, and a bundle of exchange tubes. At least one of the tube sheets is connected to the pressure shell by a flexible joint capable of absorbing thermal expansions and of carrying the load of the tube bundle, the flexible joint comprising a substantially cylindrical skirt element and an annular sheet connected with simple joints and connected to the tube sheet and the pressure shell, respectively.

Abstract: A heat exchanger in which a plurality of tubes are supported by tube sheets within a shell having inlet and outlet heads connected to its ends. One of the heads and tube sheets are secured directly to one end of the shell while the other tube sheet and head form a floating head assembly which is connected to the other end of the shell by an expansion joint to permit relative movement between the head assembly and the shell. A first heat exchange fluid is passed into the inlet head and through the tubes before discharging from the outlet head, and a second heat exchange fluid is passed through the shell in a heat exchange relation to the first heat exchange fluid. A load is applied to the head assembly in the direction of the shell to preload the tubes in compression, and movements of the head assembly relative to the shell in excess of a predetermined amount are prevented.

Abstract: This disclosure teaches a heater which is especially well suited to handling large flows of a process stream at low pressure losses. A cylindrical sleeve, having a first end and a second end, is mounted by means of a bellows in a cylindrical shell having a first end and a second end each corresponding with that of the sleeve. The first ends converge to form a convection input passage therebetween, the second ends diverge to form a radiant zone therebetween. Hot gas passes between the shell and the sleeve through the radiant zone and then the convection input zone, the process stream passes through the inner flow space. A baffle is mounted within the sleeve in its first end to channel the process stream into a convection output passage boardered inwardly by the baffle and outwardly by the sleeve. Extended surface projects from the sleeve into the convection input zone and additional extended surface projects from the sleeve into the convection output passage.

Abstract: This disclosure teaches a heater which is especially well suited to handle large flows of a process stream at low pressure losses. A cylindrical sleeve is mounted by means of a bellows inwardly of a cylindrical shell to separate an inner hot gas flow space from an annular outer process flow space. The sleeve encloses an entrance combustion zone and has an exit end. A baffle is mounted inwardly of the sleeve with a closed end projecting into the exit end of the sleeve to channel the hot gas into an annular convection space bordered outwardly by the sleeve. Extended surface projects from the sleeve into the process flow space and additional extended surface projects from the sleeve into the convection space.

Abstract: The tank wall is provided with a cylindrical collar in which a perforated tube base is mounted; the base having a set of tubes passing through in gas-tight relation. A thin sheet metal membrane is secured peripherally on the tube base to form an enclosed gas-tight chamber through which the tubes pass. The membrane is also perforated to permit passage of the tubes in a gas-tight relationship. The enclosed chamber permits monitoring of the imperviousness of the connections between the tubes and the tube base.