Vapor flow-diverting devices that re-direct upwardly flowing vapor, for example, in a downward direction across condenser tubes disposed in the upper or top section of a vapor-liquid contacting apparatus, are described. These devices are particularly beneficial in tubular condensers within distillation columns and may be used in combination with other associated equipment (e.g., a deflector plate and divider plate) as well as in combination with the tube surface enhancements to improve the heat transfer coefficient.

A double-tube heat exchanger includes an outer tube and an inner tube forming a first annular gap. The outer tube is provided with an inlet connection and an outlet connection for inletting and outletting a first fluid flowing in the first annular gap. The inner tube includes a first inlet connection and a second outlet connection for inletting and outletting a second fluid flowing in the inner tube for an indirect heat exchange with the first fluid. One of the tube sections is integrally formed with an assembly wall which joints a first end of the outer tube to the inner tube, to seal the first annular gap at the first end of the outer tube. A second annular gap is exposed to the air and is in fluid communication neither with the first annular gap nor with the inner tube, and is partially surrounded by the first annular gap.

A double-tube heat exchanger includes an outer tube and an inner tube forming a first annular gap. The outer tube is provided with an inlet connection and an outlet connection for inletting and outletting a first fluid flowing in the first annular gap. The inner tube includes a first inlet connection and a second outlet connection for inletting and outletting a second fluid flowing in the inner tube for an indirect heat exchange with the first fluid. One of the tube sections is integrally formed with an assembly wall which joints a first end of the outer tube to the inner tube, to seal the first annular gap at the first end of the outer tube. A second annular gap is exposed to the air and is in fluid communication neither with the first annular gap nor with the inner tube, and is partially surrounded by the first annular gap.

Various methods and systems are provided for an exhaust gas recirculation cooler including a plurality of cooling tubes. In one example, an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler includes a plurality of cooling tubes positioned within a housing of the EGR cooler, each cooling tube of the plurality of cooling tubes extending between and directly coupled to tube sheets of the EGR cooler at ends of each cooling tube, where at least one end of one or more cooling tubes of a first portion of the plurality of cooling tubes, inward of a tube sheet coupled to the at least one end, includes a compliant region, where the first portion is positioned proximate to an exhaust inlet of the EGR cooler.

Unit (11) for feeding a reducing solution from the tank to the exhaust duct of an endothemiic engine is provided. The unit comprises a supporting head (13) arranged for being associated to an aperture provided in a reducing solution tank and a heating device (15) for heating the reducing solution contained in the tank. The heating device (15) extends from the supporting head (13) and is provided with a duct (17) for a heating fluid. The duct (17) is defined by a side wall (31) which, when the unit (11) is in use, is internally in contact with the heating fluid passing through the duct (17) and externally in contact with the reducing solution present in the tank. At least one portion of the wall (31) of the duct (17) is non-smooth inside and/or outside the duct.

Unit (11) for feeding a reducing solution from the tank to the exhaust duct of an endothemiic engine is provided. The unit comprises a supporting head (13) arranged for being associated to an aperture provided in a reducing solution tank and a heating device (15) for heating the reducing solution contained in the tank. The heating device (15) extends from the supporting head (13) and is provided with a duct (17) for a heating fluid. The duct (17) is defined by a side wall (31) which, when the unit (11) is in use, is internally in contact with the heating fluid passing through the duct (17) and externally in contact with the reducing solution present in the tank. At least one portion of the wall (31) of the duct (17) is non-smooth inside and/or outside the duct.

A heat pipe includes a container in which a corrugated portion is formed, the container having a hollow portion formed therein that is sealed, a wick structure provided on an inner peripheral surface of the hollow portion and a working fluid enclosed in the hollow portion. The wick structure has a vapor channel penetrating therethrough in a longitudinal direction of the hollow portion, the wick structure producing a capillary force. The wick structure is a sintered body of a powder metal material and projected into a crest portion of the corrugated portion. The wick structure is provided at a region in the crest portion of the corrugated portion and at a position of a trough portion of the corrugated portion.

A heat pipe includes a container in which a corrugated portion is formed, the container having a hollow portion formed therein that is sealed, a wick structure provided on an inner peripheral surface of the hollow portion and a working fluid enclosed in the hollow portion. The wick structure has a vapor channel penetrating therethrough in a longitudinal direction of the hollow portion, the wick structure producing a capillary force. The wick structure is a sintered body of a powder metal material and projected into a crest portion of the corrugated portion. The wick structure is provided at a region in the crest portion of the corrugated portion and at a position of a trough portion of the corrugated portion.

A subterranean ground heat exchange system, a method of installation, and a grout composition therefor. The grout composition is a pumpable slurry formed of from about 70 to about 85 parts by weight natural flake graphite and from about 30 to about 15 parts by weight bentonite. The solids content of the pumpable grout slurry is preferably at least 35% by weight and is more preferably at least 40% by weight. The ground exchange apparatus preferably utilizes an improved supply and return header comprised of supply and return ports which are provided through the vertically extending outer wall of a header housing. The header also includes an interior supply conduit which extends from the supply port into the interior of the header housing and includes a bend positioned in the interior of the housing for directing the heat transfer fluid downwardly.

A subterranean ground heat exchange system, a method of installation, and a grout composition therefor. The grout composition is a pumpable slurry formed of from about 70 to about 85 parts by weight natural flake graphite and from about 30 to about 15 parts by weight bentonite. The solids content of the pumpable grout slurry is preferably at least 35% by weight and is more preferably at least 40% by weight. The ground exchange apparatus preferably utilizes an improved supply and return header comprised of supply and return ports which are provided through the vertically extending outer wall of a header housing. The header also includes an interior supply conduit which extends from the supply port into the interior of the header housing and includes a bend positioned in the interior of the housing for directing the heat transfer fluid downwardly.