Regeneration Patents (Class 165/909)
  • Patent number: 5740857
    Abstract: This invention for use with a water-using system is directed to a heat recovery and storage device adapted to recover heat from warm waste liquid and transfer it to cooler supply water where the flows of both waste liquid and supply water are intermittent and not necessarily contemporaneous, and to store the warmed supply water until required for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Inventors: John G. Thompson, Wilfred L. Harris, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5573058
    Abstract: Air-conditioning installation for room spaces (1), comprising a heat transfer device (4) for preheating supply air (A) by transferring heat from exhaust air (B) into the supply air; heating means including a heating source (11) for further heating the supply air; cooling means including a cooling source (14) for cooling the supply air; and adjusting means (16, 17, 18, 21, 32, 33, 34) for sensing the temperature of the supply air and for controlling the heat transfer device and the heating and cooling means on the basis of the sensed temperature. To simplify the structure of the installation, the heating and cooling sources (11, 14) are connected to the heat transfer device (4) so that the preheating, further heating and cooling of the supply air take place through the common heat transfer device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: ABB Flakt Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Ingmar Rolin
  • Patent number: 5567390
    Abstract: A catalytic oxidizer having an interactive dilution control system for continuous treatment of air hydrocarbon vapor mixture having a shell vessel for enclosing a central volume of generally circular cross-section, a combined catalyst chamber and spiral heat exchanger integrally connected and coaxially positioned within the shell vessel, also of cylindrical configuration, for providing a continuous transverse flow path from an inlet header to the exhaust header including a spiral heat exchanger for providing counter-flow heating of vapor, a catalyst chamber centrally positioned in said shell vessel an inlet plenum, a central core for containing a catalyst means, and an exhaust plenum; and interactive dilution control apparatus for automatically maintaining a concentration of inlet vapor at a selected optimum operating level including a microprocessor control sub-system for sensing the temperature in each zone of the catalyst chamber connected to the dilution control means; by-pass apparatus connecting the exh
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Inventor: James M. Cleary
  • Patent number: 5515909
    Abstract: A flow switching apparatus has a simple structure and enables a rapid flow switching operation between two systems of flow, e.g., flows in which two kinds of fluid each having a temperature different from each other flows without causing any gas leakage. The apparatus comprises: a casing 18 partitioned by partition walls 5, 6 and 7 into four chambers among which two are defined as fixing chambers 2a and 2b connected to flows of two systems in which the flow directions of fluid are fixed and the remaining two are defined as switching chambers 4c and 4d connected to two systems of flow in which the flow directions of fluid are alternately switched. Communicating holes 8ac 8bc 8ad and 8bd are formed in the partition wall 7 and communicate each of the fixing chambers 2a and 2b with the switching chambers 4c and 4d.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Nippon Furnace Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryoichi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 5458187
    Abstract: An air exchanger for continuously exchanging indoor air with outdoor air to provide a constant supply of fresh air into a structure which includes a heat exchanger having a continuous structure which defines adjacent first and second sets of channels which open toward opposite sides of the air exchanger. The air exchanger draws outdoor air through the first set of channels in a first direction and indoor air through the second set of channels in a second, counter-direction. Heat is transferred between the indoor and outdoor air streams such that when the outdoor air enters the room, its temperature approaches the indoor temperature and indoor heating or cooling effects are minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventor: George B. Davis
  • Patent number: 5453259
    Abstract: A regenerative thermal oxidizer system is useful for treating a waste gas stream that contains volatile organic compounds. Two regenerators each contain heat exchange material that is arranged within the regenerators to recover heat generated by the oxidation of the volatile organic compounds. A first regenerator is in heating service and is used to preheat the waste gas stream before it enters an oxidation chamber where the volatile organic compounds are oxidized. From the oxidation chamber, the waste gas stream enters a second regenerator in cooling service where a portion of the heat generated by the oxidation reactions is recovered. When it is necessary to reverse the flow of waste gas through the regenerative thermal oxidizer, a trap for adsorbing volatile organic compounds is engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: Smith Engineering Company
    Inventor: Melanius D'Souza
  • Patent number: 5421171
    Abstract: Cooling apparatus comprises a cooling chamber such as a freezing tunnel having a pipeline for introducing liquid nitrogen into it and an exhaust passage for cold nitrogen vapor. The exhaust passage extends through a rotary regenerative heat exchanger. Downstream of the heat exchanger is a fan operable to draw the exhaust gas through the heat exchanger. A second passage extends through the heat exchanger and is arranged for the flow therethrough of relatively warm air, whereby, in operation, the air is able to transfer heat to the exhaust gas in the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Assignee: The BOC Group plc
    Inventor: David G. Wardle
  • Patent number: 5345996
    Abstract: An adjustable, energy saving, high speed, air bubble and water heating system extracts waste heat from the exhaust of a water heater on a swimming pool, hot tub, or spa to heat air and/or water. The use of the waste heat results in accelerated heating of the water and creation of heated air bubbles without any additional heat energy requirements. The temperature of the water and air bubbles is independently controllable via manual controls or automatic thermostat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Inventor: Robert H. Druien
  • Patent number: 5326537
    Abstract: A catalytic oxidizer having a combined central catalyst chamber and a spiral heat exchanger for treatment of air hydrocarbon vapor mixture including an outer shell of circular cross section having a tangentially directed longitudinal inlet aperture, a parallel exhaust aperture, an end cover plate and having a catalytic chamber centrally and coaxially positioned in the outer shell including an inlet port and an outlet port, the catalytic chamber including an upstream plenum, a catalyst core member and a downstream plenum, having perforated partitions for separating the catalyst core member from the inlet plenum and the exhaust plenum, and a coaxial spiral plate heat exchanger surrounding the catalytic chamber including a spiral inlet passage formed by coiled plates connected at one end to the inlet aperture and at the other end to an outlet associated with the inlet plenum defining a first heat exchange region, the coiled plates being spaced apart to create an intermediate spiral exhaust passage, the heat exch
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Inventor: James M. Cleary
  • Patent number: 5301745
    Abstract: An installation for heat recovery from warm household drain water produced at household water consumption points, comprising a distributor tank, a first pipeline system which delivers warm household drain water from the consumption points to the distributor tank, a drain water channel, a heat exchange tank, and a second pipeline system which conveys warm household drain water to the heat exchange tank. The distributor tank has a first outlet leading into the drain water channel with a shut-off device which opens when the household drain water is below a predetermined temperature, and a second outlet into the second pipeline system when the household drain water in the distributor tank is above the predetermined temperature. Within the heat exchange tank is a coil containing cold drinking water which is heated by the household drain water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Inventors: Klaus Seib, Hans W. Thomas, Rudolf S. Kodron
  • Patent number: 5279356
    Abstract: These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in a heat recovery system to recover the heat potential and including a plurality of heat exchanger assemblies from exhaust or waste gas at a temperature of from 500 to 2500.degree. F. wherein the heat exchanger assemblies include induced draft fans for controlling the flow of exhaust or waste gas therethrough as a heating medium for diverse fluids passing in indirect heat transfer relationship at descending temperature levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: American Hydrotherm Corporation
    Inventor: Alfred Bruhn
  • Patent number: 5226477
    Abstract: This invention relates to a system for recuperation and utilization of exhaust heat from a reformer, in which a plurality of arc passageways are formed respectively on the opposite outside walls of the reformer body with a plurality of arc-shaped steel sheet or zinc-plated steel sheet, said arch passageways together with the bottom chamber under the reformer body serve as preheating duct, and at least one air inlet above each passageway is disposed above the top of the reformer. Under the effect of a blower, the air above the reformer top passes through the said preheating duct, and absorbs the heat dispersed from the reformer body. The preheated air makes indirect heat exchange with the flue gas through a heat pipe excharger. The temperature of the air after heat exchange rises from the environmental to about 220.degree. C. and the air is then introduced to the reformer and auxiliary boiler for combustion. The temperature of the flue gas drops from about 300.degree. C. to about 160.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: China Petro-Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Hanlong Yuan, Jingcheng He, Dingquan Liu, Zisong Zheng, Yigang Yang, Zuowei Hu, Xiaoying Li
  • Patent number: 5220955
    Abstract: Heat exchange apparatus comprises first and second heat exchange units 2, 4 with spiral pathways, each unit having a central volute which contains a respective impeller 18, 24. The pathways of each unit are separated by flexible metallic strips 14/15/16. The impellers are driven by a common motor 26 therebetween. The apparatus is intended for use in heat exchange between air streams, for example between an air stream extracted from a building and an air stream extracted from outside. Mixing of the air streams is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1993
    Assignee: Dunsley Heat Limited
    Inventor: Keith H. Stokes
  • Patent number: 5193610
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for defrostable ventilation systems which include an element for the transfer of heat from warm exhaust air (taken from inside a building) to cooler exterior fresh air which is drawn into the building, the system using warm interior air as defrost air for defrosting the system during cool weather. The present invention in particular provides an apparatus whereby, during a defrost cycle, the interior defrost air may circulate through both of the fresh air and exhaust air paths for delivery back into the building, i.e. the warm interior air may be confined to circulate from the interior of the building into the ventilation apparatus and back to the interior of the building. The apparatus can thus use interior air as defrost air while diminishing or avoiding the creation of a negative air pressure in the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Inventors: Rene Morissette, Daniel Forest, Michel Julien
  • Patent number: 5178210
    Abstract: The vapor pump constituted by a mass and heat exchanger comprises an outer enclosure, a set of exchanger tubes disposed inside the enclosure and extending lengthwise therein, opening out at one of the ends in a first radial plane and at their other ends in a second radial plane, which radial planes include means for positioning and supporting the tubes and for closing the empty spaces in the section of the enclosure situated outside the tubes, thereby defining between said radial planes both a first gaseous fluid flow circuit inside the tubes, and a distinct counterflow second fluid flow circuit inside the enclosure but outside the tubes. One of the first and second gaseous fluids constituted by moist hot combustion products from a thermal process while the other gaseous fluid is constituted by new combustion air. Humidifier means are provided for humidifying the air inserted into the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Assignee: Gaz de France
    Inventors: Remi Guillet, Georges Baeckeroot
  • Patent number: 5148858
    Abstract: A water discharge conduit is disposed in a downwardly inclined direction for receiving a flow of waste water at an upper end, for example, from baths, showers and the like. A water trap is disposed below the conduit in parallel relation and has an intake union to receive a flow of hot waste water from the discharge conduit and a discharge union at an opposite end for discharging the waste water back into the conduit. A plurality of pipes extends through the horizontally disposed water trap for conducting fresh water therethrough in heat exchange relation with the flow of hot waste water in the water trap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Assignee: Telavag Energiteknikk A/S
    Inventor: Hans A. Ovretveit
  • Patent number: 5143149
    Abstract: A heat recovery system with a heat exchanger and a mixing valve. A drain trap includes a heat exchanger with an inner coiled tube, baffle plate, wastewater inlet, wastewater outlet, cold water inlet, and preheated water outlet. Wastewater enters the drain trap through the wastewater inlet, is slowed and spread by the baffle plate, and passes downward to the wastewater outlet. Cold water enters the inner tube through the cold water inlet and flows generally upward, taking on heat from the wastewater. This preheated water is fed to the mixing valve, which includes a flexible yoke to which are attached an adjustable steel rod, two stationary zinc rods, and a pivoting arm. The free end of the arm forms a pad which rests against a valve seat. The rods and pivoting arm expand or contract as the temperature of the incoming preheated water changes. The zinc rods expand more than the steel rod, flexing the yoke and rotating the pivoting arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Inventor: James W. Kronberg
  • Patent number: 5131457
    Abstract: A plant having a combustion chamber can employ at least one heat pipe. The heat pipe is mounted to exchange heat between flue gas in a flue gas path and combustion air in a combustion air path. A protection system has a dual passage for separately conducting the flue gas and the combustion gas. The dual passage has a wall separating the flue gas path from the combustion air path. The heat pipe is mounted through the wall. A sensor is mounted about the heat pipe for providing a temperature signal signifying the temperature at the heat pipe. A damper is coupled to the sensor and communicates with the dual passage for mixing relatively cooler air with the flue gas in the dual passage, upstream of the heat pipe, in response to the temperature signal violating a predetermined limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1992
    Assignee: Foster Wheeler Energy Corporation
    Inventor: Francis D. Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 5127470
    Abstract: An apparatus for heat recovery from an exhaust gas with waste heat from a heat machinery unit, which comprises a pair of first and second chemical heat-storing units, each comprising a vessel containing a reactant material capable of releasing a reaction-susceptible material upon heating with an exhaust gas and emitting the heat of reaction upon combination with the reaction-susceptible material and a heat exchanger piping provided in the vessel and through which a heat transfer medium is passed. The high temperature gas from the heat machinery unit is applied to the vessel in one of the first and second chemical heat-storing units, thereby resulting in a reaction for leasing the reaction-susceptible material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1992
    Assignees: Hitachi Ltd., Hitachi Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Inaba, Kenji Tokunaga, Akihiro Shimizu, Tetsuzo Kuribayashi
  • Patent number: 5117563
    Abstract: In a device for recuperating heat from a clothes drier, the combination of a heat exchanger with cross streams comprising a pack of facially opposed heat exchange surfaces defining therebetween a plurality of open ended channels in which a stream of a relatively cold medium - air - is passed through one set of channels in heat exchange relationship with a second air stream from a drier passing through another set of channels, such channels terminating in a surface area corresponding to the hypothenuse section of a triangular corner closed box able to catch fluid from said exchanger, the four boxes at inlets and outlets forming hermetic cells with tight joints and able to separate humid air from dry warm air and including motor means of air circulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1992
    Inventor: Alain Castonguay
  • Patent number: 5101772
    Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for burning a waste gaseous stream having a residual heating value represented by a heat of combustion of from 50 to 900 BTU/SCF. to heat an intermediate heat transfer fluid, and to use the thus heated heat transfer fluid to heat diverse fluids in a plurality of serially arrayed heat exchangers at descending temperature levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Assignee: American Hydrotherm Corp.
    Inventor: Alfred Bruhn
  • Patent number: 5086831
    Abstract: An arrangement for the catalytic oxidation of the harmful components in a cooled carrier gas from a technical process. The arrangement includes two parallel gas ducts which are connected at one end through a bend and whose other ends are connected to gas lines for the carrier gas and for purified gas. The gas ducts are connected to each other through a three-stage thermal energy return unit. The exchanger stage of the thermal energy return units are arranged spaced from each other and are composed of individual heat tubes whose number increases from exchanger stage to exchanger stage. The size ratio of the heat-exchanging surfaces of heating part to cooling part of each exchanger stage decreases in flow direction of the carrier gas from exchanger stage to exchanger stage. The catalyst is integrated in the gas duct for the carrier gas immediately downstream of the heating part of the last exchanger stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1992
    Assignee: GEA Luftkuhler GmbH
    Inventors: Paul Paikert, Werner Rudowski, Clemens Ruff
  • Patent number: 5085271
    Abstract: A heat accumulation system has a plurality of chemical heat accumulation units arranged in parallel and each incorporating reaction vessels containing, respectively, a chemical heat accumulating material such as zeolite and a reaction medium such as water. Any surplus heat which could not be used in the regeneration of the chemical heat accumulation material in one system is utilized for evaporation of a reaction medium in the other unit. Disclosed also is a method of operating this system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1992
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michio Yanadori, Toshihiko Fukushima, Yoshifumi Kunugi
  • Patent number: 5080164
    Abstract: During a heat treatment in continuous flow of a product mixture consisting of a liquid containing solid particulates, the mixture is heated to a certain desired temperature in one or more heat exchange sections, held at this temperature in a heat-holding section for a certain time, and then cooled to the desired end temperature in one or more heat exchange sections. The residence time of the solid particulates in the heat-holding section is regulated separately and independently of the residence time of the liquid in the heat-holding section, while the solid particulates are constantly flowed round by the liquid. If there are solid particulates of various sizes in the liquid, the residence time of the various size fractions of solid particulates is regulated separately depending on the size of the solid particulates in a particular fraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Assignee: Stork Amsterdam B.V.
    Inventor: Willem F. Hermans
  • Patent number: 5070934
    Abstract: Ventilation device for the simultaneous ventilating and exhausting an enclosed room having the capacity for the recovery of heat from the exhaust media current. The exhaust media current is given a longer flow path than the ventilation media current; particularly the flow path of the exhaust media current at the exit side of the heat exchanger has a flow deflection which includes an arc measure of more than 90.degree. degrees and preferably of about 150.degree.. Further, the flow paths of both the exhaust and the ventilation media current extend from their inlets to at least the heat exchanger in an ascending direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Assignee: Siegenia-Frank KG
    Inventor: Ekhard Kucharczyk
  • Patent number: 5036906
    Abstract: The independent unit for heat exchange particularly for the ventilation of a room or premises is configured like a box (12) wherein are formed two passages (40 and 42) having an undulated shape and wherein circulate in counter-current air drawn in the room and rejected to the outside and outer air introduced into the room. The invention applies particularly to the ventilation and air conditioning of the premises or rooms of a building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Inventor: Eugeniusz M. Rylewski
  • Patent number: 5036907
    Abstract: In flat heat exchangers for ventilating dwellings, swimming pools, public premises, etc., which are used for air entering and leaving, problems arise when the air entering has low temperature. This results in a cold corner (A) appearing in the heat exchanger and its efficiency thus being reduced. The object of the present invention is to reduce the effect of the cold corner by introducing throttling means (9) along a number of the channels (3) for air leaving. The throttling means (9) are of equal size along one and the same channel, but different in the different channels (3), the channel (3) with the smallest throttling means (9) being located closest to the inlet for the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Assignee: PM-LUFT
    Inventor: Witek Leven
  • Patent number: 5027891
    Abstract: A method of transferring heat between process liquor streams such as streams of caustic liquor in the Bayer process for producing alumina from bauxite, utilizing a heat pipe arrangement for heat exchange. The process streams respectively pass in contact with one surface of a first heat-exchange wall and one surface of a second heat-exchange wall while being isolated from the second surfaces of the two walls; these second walls are exposed to a closed volume (also isolated from both process streams) containing a heat transfer fluid that vaporizes below the temperature of the hotter process stream and condenses above the temperature of the cooler process stream. The heat transfer fluid vaporizes at the exposed surface of the wall contacted by the hotter stream, and condenses at the exposed surface of the wall contacted by the cooler stream, thereby transferring heat (as heat of vaporization) from the former stream to the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1991
    Assignee: Alcan International Limited
    Inventors: George D. Fulford, David R. Chinloy
  • Patent number: 5018281
    Abstract: The present invention entails a heat exchanger system for a tobacco curing and drying structure that is designed to utilize the heat associated with exhaust air leaving the structure to heat fresh incoming air being directed into the structure. In particularly, the present invention entails a top mounted heated exchanger system including a pair of laterally spaced counterflow heat exchange modules connected to the barn and to a fresh air transfer duct that leads back into the curing and drying structure. Heated exhaust air is routed through the exchange modules before being exhausted to the atmosphere. Counterflowing, but separated, fresh air traveling through the same heat exchange modules is heated by the exhaust air before being introduced into the curing and drying structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1991
    Inventor: S. Thomas Bulluck, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4993484
    Abstract: An air to air heat exchange system for removing undesirable air from an enclosed structure. The heat exchanger provides for the removable of air containing pollutants, toxics gases and odors while providing for the recovery of heat from the exhaust air. The system utilizes a plurality of tubes within a larger tube so that air can flow freely over and around the smaller tubes thus providing for maximum heat transfer between the incoming air in the smaller tubes and the exhaust air in the larger tube. The smaller tubes, if used for the incoming air, permit the air to be distributed to various selected locations throughout the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Kirkwood Community College Facilities Foundation
    Inventor: Jack E. Neuzil
  • Patent number: 4934451
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for conditioning air is disclosed. The invention captures condensation from an evaporator coil and pumps the chilled condensation through a coil to precool the air before the air flows over the evaporator coil. During a heating cycle, the invention captures waste heat from the furnace with a radiator system which includes through the coil to warm the air as it flows through the air handling unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Inventor: James R. Colvin
  • Patent number: 4922808
    Abstract: An effective radon ventilator which adapts to laundry dryer vents. The unit vents radon gas from houses at the point of greatest concentration, the basement or ground level, as well as venting other objectionable fumes. The ventilator houses a fan and a flow damper to vent both airborne radon gas/fumes and laundry dryer vapors. A heat transfer device enables energy efficient operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1990
    Inventor: Stephen D. Smith
  • Patent number: 4905579
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for exchanging air within building in order to exhaust air contaminated with radon gas or other pollutants. The apparatus includes a heat reclaim exchanger to recapture building heat which is dimensioned to be mountable between standard spaced and sized floor joists of a dwelling basement ceiling. A solar panel is used to produce electric power for system operation and cooperates with a trickle charge unit including a storage battery to provide power when there is insufficient light energy available to operate the device. A control unit operates one or more fans or blowers to provide a positive differential pressure within a basement area with respect to outside air pressure so as to inhibit and arrest the influx of radon or other gaseous pollutant into the basement or other confined space of device use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Inventor: Richard E. Dame
  • Patent number: 4876986
    Abstract: A compact and maintenance-free means and method of regenerating the sensible heat from flue gases of fossil fuel furnaces by heat exchange through two circular layers of rock beds rotating under two semi-circular mantles with the first mantle applying hot flue gases to the beds and the second withdrawing preheated ambient air needed for combustion by said furnaces. When used for power plant flue gas treatment, layers of acid-resistant pipes containing boiler feedwater are sandwiched between the two rock bed layers to usefully recover the heat units arising from moisture condensation. The enormous water of condensation collects flyash and sulphur dioxide thus removing these pollutants from the stack gases. The heavy rock beds rotate slowly beneath the fixed mantles in a circular, pan-shaped, steel vessel floating on and cooled by a circular pond of water. Friction of rotation is minimal and gas leakage principally prevented by liquid seals. When flue gas temperature rises, as above 600 degrees F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1989
    Assignee: Energy Conservation Partnership, Ltd.
    Inventor: Arthur F. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4852640
    Abstract: A recuperative heat exchanger having a heat exchamber core composed of a plurality of spaced apart plate members is disclosed. The core is disposed for receiving high temperature exhaust gases. A case member is positioned around the heat exchanger core. The case member has an exhaust gas inlet opening and an exhaust gas discharge opening. The plates of the core are secured to the case member at the exhaust gas inlet opening. A jacket is positioned in a spaced apart relationship around the case member. The jacket has an intake opening and an exhaust opening. The intake opening of the jacket is in alignment with the exhaust gas inlet opening of the case member and the exhaust opening in the jacket is in alignment with exhaust gas discharge opening in the case member. The case member is secured to the jacket at the exhaust gas discharge. The core and case member of the heat exchanger are capable of expansion and contraction in the jacket during the operation of the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1989
    Assignee: Exothermics-Eclipse Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce A. McKenna
  • Patent number: 4844020
    Abstract: There is disclosed a heat recovery system for recovering the heat potential of a gaseous stream having a temperature of from 500.degree. to 2500.degree. F. utilizing a primary heat exchanger through which is passed a heat transfer salt mixture in indirect heat transfer relationship with the hot gaseous stream to recover the heat potential to use such primary heat transfer salt mixture in a plurality of serially arrayed heat exchangers as a heating medium for diverse fluids at descending temperature levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignee: American Hydrotherm Corp.
    Inventor: Alfred Bruhn
  • Patent number: 4842048
    Abstract: A system for drawing the open air indoors comprises an an open-air flow pipe and an open-air distribution pipe of which the respective one ends are made to communicate with each other. The open-air flow pipe is laid underground while its other end is made to communicate with an intake port provided above the ground. The other end of the open-air distribution pipe is made to communicate with the room of a building. The open air with which heat is exchanged under the ground during passing the open-air flow pipe and the open-air distribution pipe is drawn indoors, thereby allowing the room to be air-conditioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Assignee: Sapporo Alna Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuo Higaki
  • Patent number: 4841733
    Abstract: A temperature and humidity control system for natatoriums. The system provides a constant volume of air circulation which is used to control temperature and humidity in the natatorium while inhibiting the accumulation of moisture on the surfaces defining the natatorium. Usually, ambient air is introduced into the system and moisture latent air discharged from the system under controlled conditions. When the humidity of the ambient air is too great the system operates in a self-contained cycle. Return air from the natatorium flowing through the system is treated to maximize its relative humidity. Subsequently, it flows across a cooling coil. This cooled air flows through a heat exchange module where it is placed in exchange relationship with the air being drawn from the natatorium. It cools the air drawn from the natatorium to maximize its relative humidity and this air in turn flows across the refrigeration coil removing substantial quantities of moisture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Inventors: David R. Dussault, Richard E. Dussault
  • Patent number: 4830093
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for recovery of waste heat of the type having a first heat exchanger which transfers heat to a working fluid and a second heat exchanger which transfers heat from the working fluid is disclosed. The improvement comprises the provision of at least one storage tank for the working fluid having a volume calculated by the flow rate of the working fluid multiplied by a time difference between the time in which the combusiton chamber has its peak fuel requirement and a next subsequent time at which a maximum amount of waste heat is available to the combustion chamber. This minimum capacity can be obtained by the provision of one tank or several tanks having a combined storage capacity which meets or exceeds the calculated volume. Preferably the storage tank, or combination of storage tanks, is positioned between the heat exchangers so as to receive heated working fluid from the first heat exchanger and provide heated working fluid to the second heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Inventor: Richard C. Price
  • Patent number: 4821793
    Abstract: A heat exchanger unit to be positioned in the floor area of a bathtub or shower stall which extracts heat from spent shower or bath water, transferring that heat to water yet to be supplied to the shower or bathtub, reducing the amount of hot water required from a water heater for comfortable bathing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Inventor: Robert D. Sheffield
  • Patent number: 4776391
    Abstract: An exhaust gas containing sulfur trioxide is passed through a first heat exchanger which cools the gas to a temperature which is above the sulfur trioxide dewpoint, so that condensation of sulfur trioxide does not occur in the first heat exchanger, but below a material limit operating temperature of a second heat exchanger, which further cools the gas below the sulfur trioxide dewpoint, whereby the first heat exchanger is protected against corrosion and the second heat exchanger is protected against thermal damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1988
    Assignee: Heat Exchanger Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald F. Warner
  • Patent number: 4770231
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for recovering heat in an isotopic exchange installation between a liquid and a gas and to an installation for performing this process. The liquid and gas are present in co-current in at least one isotopic exchange reactor, the liquid being vaporized at the inlet of each reactor and condensed during the cooling of the vapor and gaseous phases at the outlet of each reactor. This process is characterized by the recovery of the heat extracted from the vapor and gaseous phases during the cooling at the outlet of each isotopic exchange reactor and by using the thus recovered heat for contributing to the vaporization of the liquid and to the preheating of the gas at the inlet of another isotopic exchange reactor of the installation. The invention applies to a tritium extraction and/or production installation, as well as to the extraction of a isotope from hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Michel Rostaing, Etienne Roth
  • Patent number: 4763721
    Abstract: In the heat exchange of gases, e.g., flue gas, to cool or heat same, the gas is contacted directly with a heat transfer liquid in a first direct-contact heat exchanger, the gas is then subjected to a temperature dependent process step, e.g., SO.sub.2 absorption with a physical solvent, and the resultant process gas is reheated or recooled in a second direct-contact heat exchanger using the change in enthalpy that the heat transfer liquid has undergone in the first direct contact heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Hans Becker
  • Patent number: 4763725
    Abstract: A counter flow heat exchanger comprising a plurality of tubes disposed in a bundle array or tube within tube configuration to enhance heat transfer between high and low pressure tubes in the array or tube in tube configuration. Also disclosed are a method of increasing the heat transfer capacity of a tube bundle heat exchanger and a liquid helium temperature refrigerator or a reliquefier utilizing the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Inventors: Ralph C. Longsworth, William A. Steyert
  • Patent number: 4745965
    Abstract: A separate type heat exchanger characterized in that the evaporation section heated by the hot fluid is formed by fitting a plurality of the evaporation pipes horizontally between the vapor header pipe and the condensed liquid header pipe, the condensation section cooled by the cold fluid is formed above said evaporation section by fitting a plurality of the condensation pipes between the vapor header pipe and the condensed liquid header pipe, both vapor header pipes are connected through the vapor pipe and both condensed liquid header pipes are connected through the condensed liquid pipe to form a circulation path, and said path contains the working fluid is sealed within said path which circulates by evaporating at the evaporation section and condensing at the condensation section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1988
    Assignee: Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akiji Katsura, Shiro Endo, Tatsuya Koizumi, Junji Sotani, Yuichi Kimura
  • Patent number: 4744409
    Abstract: A valve assembly for use with air treatment apparatus is disclosed. The assembly includes shutter valves disposed in the air flow channels and actuatable by the flow of air therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1988
    Inventor: Erling Berner
  • Patent number: 4742865
    Abstract: A method is provided to control an energy recovery system to achieve an increase of the statistical average system recovery efficiency. The system includes at least one fluid accumulator tank (6, 20, 30) and at least one heat exchanger (10, 25) for waste process fluid or gas. According to the invention the flows through the primary or secondary side of the heat exchanger (10, 25) is at each time continuously controlled by a parameter being a function of both the actual temperature and the actual fluid volume in said accumulator tank (6, 20, 30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1988
    Inventor: Jacob Weitman
  • Patent number: 4741390
    Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus which produces a particularly high-quality fresh air atmosphere in large industrial plant buildings, the high-quality atmosphere being provided to the lower two meters of height with simultaneous heat recovery from the exhaust air and exhaust air purification. The apparatus includes a feed air tower which, as a component built in series, eliminates many of the costly ventilation ducts, reduces fuel costs to a low level, and prevents remixing with poor air from the upper layers of the air in the plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1988
    Inventor: Christian Koch
  • Patent number: 4727931
    Abstract: Apparatus for exchanging contaminated room air with fresh outdoor air and a method for operating same is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing having a pair of substantially parallel air passageways sealed from one another and providing fluid communication between the room and the outdoors. A heat recovery rotor is disposed in the air passageways in an inclined orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1988
    Inventor: Erling Berner
  • Patent number: 4705101
    Abstract: Flue gas is passed through a first heat exchanger, a wet scrubber, and a second heat exchanger. The first heat exchanger supplies heated liquid to the second heat exchanger to reheat the flue gas. The first heat exchanger comprises, and the second heat exchanger ideally comprises, a plurality of fluoroplastic-covered metal tubes extending through a fluoroplastic-lined gas passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1987
    Assignee: Heat Exchanger Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald F. Warner