A heat exchanger for exchanging heat between a first medium and a second medium has a body comprising a pair of header plates, a pair of distribution plates, and a pair of case body lateral panels. Input and output header plates have a plurality of orifices, with a flow path assembly extending between each input header plate orifice and the corresponding output header plate orifice. Each flow path assembly includes at least one chamber assembly, having a corresponding medium directing component, disposed between a pair of tubular segments. Input and output distribution plates have a plurality of orifices. A first medium inlet side tank engages with the input header, a first medium output side tank engages with the output header plate, a second medium inlet side tank engages with the input distribution plate, and a second medium output side tank engages with the output distribution plate.

A shell and tube heat exchanger having a shell having an inner surface that defines a heat exchange zone, a refrigerant pool zone is arranged in the heat exchange zone, and a plurality of tube bundles are arranged in the heat exchange zone above the refrigerant pool zone. The tube bundles have first and second wall members that define a tube channel, and a plurality of tubes arranged in the tube channel. Each of the first and second wall members have a first end that extends to a second end that is spaced from the refrigerant pool zone. The plurality of tube bundles is spaced one from another so as to define one or more vapor passages. A refrigerant distributor is positioned above the tube channel. The refrigerant distributor delivers a refrigerant onto the plurality or tubes toward the refrigerant pool zone.

A shell and tube heat exchanger having a shell having an inner surface that defines a heat exchange zone, a refrigerant pool zone is arranged in the heat exchange zone, and a plurality of tube bundles are arranged in the heat exchange zone above the refrigerant pool zone. The tube bundles have first and second wall members that define a tube channel, and a plurality of tubes arranged in the tube channel. Each of the first and second wall members have a first end that extends to a second end that is spaced from the refrigerant pool zone. The plurality of tube bundles is spaced one from another so as to define one or more vapor passages. A refrigerant distributor is positioned above the tube channel. The refrigerant distributor delivers a refrigerant onto the plurality or tubes toward the refrigerant pool zone.

Incremental dehumidification of a volume of air in an indirect evaporative cooler. Dehumidification processes are incorporated with the cooling processes, such that within each circuit a volume of air follows through the indirect evaporative cooler and includes dehumidification as well as cooling of the volume of air. Subsequent circuits of the volume of air, which commence at a lower starting temperature than the prior circuit, result in further dehumidification of the air.

Water temperature conservation for increasing efficiency of an indirect evaporative cooling apparatus. A heat exchanger of the indirect evaporative cooling apparatus includes a dry passage separated from a wet passage by a membrane, the dry passage including an intake portion, an outlet portion, and a loop portion. Water captured from condensation during a dehumidification process can be stored and/or used to wet the wet passage of the heat exchanger to enhance evaporative function. Stored water can be maintained at a relatively lower temperature than the environment, helping to maintain a lower internal apparatus temperature and to further cool circulating air.

Incrementally cooling and dehumidifying a volume of air that is substantially at its dew point. Developing a pressure differential within an indirect evaporative cooler between a dry passage and ambient air and/or a wet passage and ambient air, to evaporate liquid outside the dry passage and condense liquid within the wet passage. A pressure differential can be developed by selectively pushing and/or blocking air at predetermined portions of the wet and dry passages.

Incrementally cooling and dehumidifying a volume of air that is substantially at its dew point. Developing a pressure differential within an indirect evaporative cooler between a dry passage and ambient air and/or a wet passage and ambient air, to evaporate liquid outside the dry passage and condense liquid within the wet passage. A pressure differential can be developed by selectively pushing and/or blocking air at predetermined portions of the wet and dry passages.

Dynamically cycling of air in an indirect evaporative cooler. A heat exchanger includes a dry passage separated from a wet passage by a membrane, the dry passage including an intake portion, an outlet portion, and a loop portion. By selectively passing intake air from the intake portion and/or recirculation air from the loop portion using a mixing valve, air is moved into and through the loop portion. The air within the heat exchanger can be selectively passed outside through the outlet portion and/or recirculated by the mixing valve. In this manner air is able to be circulated a number of loop circuits through the loop portion, enabling cooling and/or dehumidifying of air.

A heat exchanger includes a core tube extending in a shell space, several tubes wound around the core tube, and a liquid distributor. The liquid distributor is arranged above the tubes in the shell space and applies a liquid phase of a first medium to the tubes. The liquid distributor has distributor arms projecting in the radial direction from the core tube, an annular channel extending above the distributor arms in a circumferential direction of the shell and a collector tank formed by the core tube. The annular channel and the collector tank are each designed to collect the first medium. The distributor arms form at least one first container and at least one second container separated from the first container.

A heat exchanger includes a core tube extending in a shell space, several tubes wound around the core tube, and a liquid distributor. The liquid distributor is arranged above the tubes in the shell space and applies a liquid phase of a first medium to the tubes. The liquid distributor has distributor arms projecting in the radial direction from the core tube, an annular channel extending above the distributor arms in a circumferential direction of the shell and a collector tank formed by the core tube. The annular channel and the collector tank are each designed to collect the first medium. The distributor arms form at least one first container and at least one second container separated from the first container.