SUBMERGED, CONDENSING, DIRECT CONTACT, PHASE SHIFTING HEAT TRANSFER PROCESS

Abstract

A heat transfer process focused for heat transfer with a potentially scaling, fouling, solids laden or otherwise aggressive fluid employing direct thermal contact between said fluid and an immiscible, phase shifting working media wherein said phase shifting proffers the employ of the latent heat of vaporization for protraction of the heat transfer process. Wherein further said phase shifts modify the working media density therein motivating the immiscible, direct contact fluid dynamics.

Claims

1. A method for heating a fluid comprising: heating, boiling and vaporizing a liquid working media; direct contact introduction of vaporous heated bubbles of said liquid working media into a fluid; wherein said heated bubbles ascend within said fluid while transferring heat to said fluid via direct contact therewith; thermal energy is transferred from said ascending heated bubbles which affects condensation of said liquid working media within said heated bubbles creating vaporous working media resulting in provision of latent heat of vaporization to a direct contact heating process; condensation of said vaporous working media promotes higher net density of said heated bubbles thereby slowing and eventually reversing ascension of said heated bubbles and ultimately resulting in descending bubbles; and said descending bubbles continue direct contact transference of heat into said fluid until primarily liquid working media bubbles exit a lower level of said fluid, whereupon said liquid working media is again heated, vaporized and reintroduced into said fluid for continued direct contact heating thereof.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said working media is primarily immiscible with said fluid.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein density of a liquid phase of said working media is greater than density of said fluid.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein a liquid phase of said working fluid has a boiling point greater than a required heating temperature of said fluid.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein a liquid phase of said working media has minimal solubility for solutes or suspended solids entrained within said fluid.

6. A method for heating and extracting thermally affected solids from solids-bearing fluid comprising; heating, boiling and vaporizing a liquid working media; direct contact introduction of vaporous heated bubbles of said liquid working media into a solids-bearing fluid; wherein ascension of said heated bubbles within said solids-bearing fluid wherein said solids-bearing fluid is heated heats via direct contact with said rising heated bubbles and wherein an increase in temperature of said solids-bearing fluid engenders solids formation from said solids-bearing fluid; thermal energy is transferred from said ascending heated bubbles which affects condensation of said liquid working media within said heated bubbles creating vaporous working media resulting in latent heat of vaporization to a direct contact heating of said solids-bearing fluid and facilitating extraction of solids from said solids-bearing fluid; condensation of said vaporous working media promotes higher net density of said heated bubbles thereby slowing and eventually reversing ascension of said heated bubbles and ultimately resulting in descending bubbles; and said descending bubbles continue direct contact transference of heat into said solids-bearing fluid further facilitating solids extraction from said solids-bearing fluid until said descending bubbles exit a lower level of said solids-bearing fluid, whereupon said descending bubbles become said liquid working media which is again heated, vaporized and reintroduced into said solids-bearing fluid for continued direct contact heating and solids extraction thereof.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein solids extracted by heating said solids-bearing fluid collect in one or more catchment regions of a vessel wherein said catchment regions are serviced by porting for external conveyance of said extracted solids.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein said working media is primarily immiscible with said solids-bearing fluid.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein density of a liquid phase of said working media is greater than density of said solids-bearing fluid.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein a liquid phase of said working fluid has a boiling point greater than a required solids extraction heating temperature of said solids-bearing fluid.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein a liquid phase of said working media has minimal solubility for solids entrained within said solids-bearing fluid.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0046] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of one embodiment of the present invention wherein hot vaporous bubbles of a phase shifting media ascend in immiscible, direct contact heating, with an overlaying cooler fluid body to be heated;

[0047] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of the present invention wherein the direct contact fluid dynamics of the working media and the fluid being heated is motivated by thermally driven density differentials between the working media and cooler fluid minimizing the need for pumping appliances, conveyances and associated energy requirements; and

[0048] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment wherein solids form and/or gather within the fluid as it heats. As a consequence of the fluid dynamics being generally centralized in the direct contacting process, the thermally formed solids generally settle downward in the outer, less dynamic region of the process. Said solids therein settle downward into one or more collection regions which are serviced for solids discharge by one or more externally oriented conveyance ports.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0049] The present invention is directed to improved methods and systems for, among other things, heat transfer process. The configuration and use of the presently preferred embodiments are discussed in detail below. It should be appreciated, however, that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts that can be embodied in a wide variety of contexts other than heat transfer process. Accordingly, the specific embodiments discussed are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention, and do not limit the scope of the invention.

[0050] The present invention will be described with respect to various embodiments in a specific context, namely as a heat transfer process and associated embodiments which can be used for heating a fluid, wherein said fluid may be potentially aggressive, scaling or otherwise generative of solids by employ of direct contact heat exchange between at least one immiscible, phase shifting working media wherein the liquid phase of said working media is of a higher density than the fluid being heated and wherein further the boiling temperature of the working media is higher than the desired heating temperature of the cooler fluid to be heated. Wherein further solutes or solids in the fluid to be heated are essentially insoluble in the working media. Wherein further the direct contacting fluid dynamics are primarily motivated by thermally induced phase shifting density variation between the working media and the fluid being heated.

[0051] There are many features of the heat transfer process, device implementations or embodiments disclosed herein, of which one, a plurality, or all features or steps may be employed in any implementation or embodiment.

[0052] In the following descriptions, reference is made to the accompanying Figures which form a part hereof, and which show by way of illustration, possible enactments of the invention. It should be understood that other implementations and embodiments may be utilized, and structural, as well as procedural, changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. As a matter of convenience, various components will be described using exemplary materials, sizes, shapes, dimensions, and the like. However, the invention is not limited to the stated implementations and examples and other configurations are possible and within the teachings of the present disclosure.

[0053] A heat transfer process and some associated embodiments are described herein with respect to implementations in specific contexts. Furthermore, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific implementations disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures or processes for carrying out similar purposes such as, but not limited to, cooling of a fluid pursuant to similar employ of the art described in the present disclosure. It should be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

[0054] Referring now to FIG. 1 which incorporates at least one contacting vessel 100 encompassing at least two immiscible fluid/liquids of differing density. Wherein fluid 102 has a lower density and is to be heated and liquid working media 104 is a higher density liquid phase of one or more phase shifting working medias. Wherein further the liquid phase of working media 104 has a boiling temperature higher than the desired heating temperature of fluid 102 and liquid working media 104 has minimal solubility for solids entrained within fluid 102. Vessel 100 also incorporates at least one inlet conveyance 106 for conferring cool fluid 102 into vessel 100 and at least one outlet conveyance 108 for discharge of heated fluid 102 from vessel 100.

[0055] As a consequence of immiscibility and density differential, collection of liquid working media 104 ensues below fluid 102 herein illustrated as stratum layer 110. One or more heating appliance(s) 112 are immersed and in direct thermal contact with the liquid working media 104 of the stratum layer 110. Thermal contact between heating appliance(s) 112 and the liquid working media 104 of the stratum layer 110 results in vaporization 114 of the liquid working media 104. Heated, low density vaporous bubbles 116 of working media 104 buoy upward 118 into the overlaying body of fluid 102 and continue to rise 120 in direct, immiscible contact with fluid 102. The temperature difference between the hotter ascending bubbles 120 and the surrounding cooler fluid 102 promotes heat transfer 122 from the bubbles 120 into the surrounding fluid 102. As thermal energy exits bubbles 120 the vaporous working media 104 in the bubbles 120 condenses within the bubble envelopes into liquid working media 104 proffering the copious thermal energy release of the enthalpy of vaporization of working media 104, therein markedly protracting heat transfer 122 into the surrounding fluid 102.

[0056] As heat transfer 122 fosters condensation of vaporous working media 104 into liquid working media 104 the net density of bubbles 120 increases, thereby slowing and eventually reversing the ascent of bubbles 120 in fluid 102.

[0057] The now descending bubbles 124, continue to transfer heat into the surrounding fluid 102 wherein protraction of heat transfer proffered by condensation of vaporous working media 104 into liquid working media 104 continues. The net density of descending bubbles 124 increases as liquid 104 accumulates within the envelope of bubbles 124. Said increase of bubble 124 density fosters downward acceleration and higher relative velocity between the descending bubbles 124 and surrounding fluid 102 thereby enhancing convective heat transfer between bubbles 124 and the surrounding fluid 102.

[0058] The descending bubbles 124 return 126 to the stratum layer 110 of liquid working media 104 wherein the returning working media 104 is reheated to regenerate vaporous bubbles 114 which rise 116 and re-enter 118 fluid 102 and the heat transfer process cycle continues.

[0059] The simple and novel features of the process and embodiment described herein purvey heating a potentially aggressive fluid 102 through the employ of immiscible direct contact between said fluid and a phase shifting, working media 104 wherein further the primary direct contact flow dynamics are motivated by density differentials associated with thermally induced phase shifting in bubbles of working media 104.

[0060] A process illustration of another embodiment of the invention is illustrated on FIG. 2. This embodiment incorporates at least one contacting vessel 200 encompassing at least two immiscible fluids/liquids of differing density. Wherein fluid 202 has a lower density and is to be heated and liquid working media 204 is a higher density liquid phase of one or more phase shifting working medias. Wherein further the liquid phase of working media 204 has a boiling temperature higher than the desired heating temperature of fluid 202 and liquid working media 204 has minimal solubility for solutes or solids entrained within fluid 202. Vessel 200 also incorporates at least one inlet conveyance 206 for conferring cool fluid 202 into vessel 200 and at least one outlet conveyance 208 for discharge of heated fluid 202 from vessel 200.

[0061] As a consequence of immiscibility and density differential, liquid working media 204 settles to a collection sump 210 in the lower region of vessel 200 wherein said sump 210 underlies fluid 202. Liquid working media 204 conveys 212 from sump 210 of vessel 200 to one or more external heating appliances 214 for heating and vaporization 216. Hot vaporous working media 204 is conveyed 218 back into vessel 200 and buoys upward 220 into fluid 202. Bubbles of hot vaporous working media 204 rise upward 222 in immiscible direct thermal contact with fluid 202. The temperature difference between the hotter ascending bubbles 222 and the surrounding cooler fluid 202 promotes heat transfer 224 from the bubbles 222 into the surrounding fluid 202. As thermal energy exits bubbles 222 the vaporous working media 204 in the bubbles condenses within the bubble envelopes into liquid working media 204 proffering the copious thermal energy release of the enthalpy of vaporization of working media 204, therein markedly protracting heat transfer 224 into the surrounding fluid 202.

[0062] As heat transfer 224 fosters condensation of vaporous working media 204 into liquid working media 204 the net density of bubbles 222 increases, thereby slowing and eventually reversing the ascent of bubbles 222 in fluid 202.

[0063] The now descending bubbles 226, continue to transfer heat 224 into the surrounding fluid 202 wherein protraction of heat transfer proffered by condensation of vaporous working media 204 into liquid working media 204 continues. The net density of descending bubbles 226 increases as liquid working media 204 accumulates within the envelope of bubbles 226. Said increase of bubble 226 density fosters downward acceleration and higher relative velocity between the descending bubbles 226 and surrounding fluid 202 thereby enhancing convective heat transfer between the bubbles 226 and the surrounding fluid 202.

[0064] The descending bubbles 226 return 228 to the sump 210 wherein the returning working media 204 is conveyed 212 to one or more external heat appliances 214 wherein the liquid working media 204 is reheated to regenerate vaporous bubbles 216 of working media 204. Vaporous working media 204 is conveyed 218 into vessel 200 for direct contact heating of fluid 202 and continuation of the heat transfer process cycle.

[0065] The simple and novel features of the process and embodiment described herein purvey heating a potentially aggressive fluid 202 through the employ of immiscible, direct contact between said fluid 202 and an externally heated phase shifting, working media 204 wherein the primary flow dynamics are motivated by density differentials associated with thermally induced phase shifting of bubbles of working media 204.

[0066] A process illustration of another embodiment of the invention is illustrated on FIG. 3. This embodiment facilitates heat transfer into one or more solids bearing fluids 302 wherein said solids form and/or precipitate as a consequence of heating fluid 302. This embodiment incorporates at least one contacting vessel 300 encompassing at least two immiscible liquids/fluids of differing density: fluid 302 being of a lower density and entrained with thermally sensitive solids, liquid working media 304 being a higher density, phase shifting, working media. Wherein further the liquid phase of working media 304 has a boiling temperature higher than the desired heating temperature of fluid 302 and liquid working media 304 has minimal solubility for solids entrained within fluid 302. Vessel 300 also incorporates at least one inlet conveyance 306 for conferring cool fluid 302 into vessel 300 and at least one outlet conveyance 308 for discharge of heated fluid 302 from vessel 300. Vessel 300 further incorporates one or more solids collection regions 330 serviced by one or more external conveyance ports 332 for solids collected in collection regions 330.

[0067] As a consequence of immiscibility and density differential, collection of the working media 304 ensues below fluid 302 herein illustrated as stratum layer 310. One or more heating appliances 312 are in thermal contact with the liquid media 304 of the stratum layer 310. Thermal contact between heating appliance 312 and the liquid working media 304 of the stratum layer 310 results in vaporization 314 of the liquid working media 304 of the stratum layer 310. Vaporous bubbles 316 of working media 304 buoy upward 318 into the overlaying body of fluid 302 and continue to rise 320 in direct contact with fluid 302. The temperature difference between the hotter ascending bubbles 320 and the surrounding cooler fluid 302 promotes heat transfer 322 from the bubbles 320 into the surrounding fluid 302. As thermal energy exits bubbles 320 the vaporous working media 304 in the bubbles condenses into liquid working media 304 proffering the copious energy release of the enthalpy of vaporization of working media 304, therein markedly protracting the heat transfer 322 into the surrounding fluid 302.

[0068] As heat transfer 322 fosters condensation of vaporous working media 304 into liquid working media 304 within the bubble envelopes, the net density of bubbles 320 increases, thereby slowing and eventually reversing the ascent of bubbles 320 in fluid 302.

[0069] The now descending bubbles 324, continue to transfer heat into the surrounding fluid 302 wherein protraction of heat transfer proffered by condensation of vaporous working media into liquid working media continues. The net density of descending bubbles 324 increases as liquid working media 304 accumulates within the envelope of bubbles 324. Said increase of bubble 324 density fosters downward acceleration and higher relative velocity between the sinking bubbles 324 and surrounding fluid 302 therein enhancing heat transfer convection between the bubbles 324 and the surrounding fluid 302.

[0070] The descending bubbles 324 return 326 to the stratum layer 310 of liquid 304 wherein the returning working media 304 is reheated 314 to regenerate vaporous bubbles 316 of working media 304 and the heat transfer process into fluid 302 continues as bubbles 318 ascend into fluid 302.

[0071] Solids 328 engendered in the heat transfer process 322 or otherwise entrained within fluid 302 settle for collection in one or more catchment regions 330 in vessel 300 wherein said catchment regions 330 are serviced by one or more conveyance ports 332 for solids removal from the heat transfer process 322.

[0072] The simple and novel features of the process and embodiment described herein purvey heating a potentially aggressive, solids engendering fluid 302 through the employ of direct contact heating between said liquid and an immiscible, phase shifting, working media 304 wherein primary flow dynamics are motivated by density differentials associated with thermally induced phase shifting of working media 304.

[0073] While the present system and method has been disclosed according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that other embodiments have also been enabled. Even though the foregoing discussion has focused on particular embodiments, it is understood that other configurations are contemplated. In particular, even though the expressions “in one embodiment” or “in another embodiment” are used herein, these phrases are meant to generally reference embodiment possibilities and are not intended to limit the invention to those particular embodiment configurations. These terms may reference the same or different embodiments, and unless indicated otherwise, are combinable into aggregate embodiments. The terms “a”, “an” and “the” mean “one or more” unless expressly specified otherwise. The term “connected” means “communicatively connected” unless otherwise defined.

[0074] When a single embodiment is described herein, it will be readily apparent that more than one embodiment may be used in place of a single embodiment. Similarly, where more than one embodiment is described herein, it will be readily apparent that a single embodiment may be substituted for that one device.

[0075] In light of the wide variety of methods for heat transfer process known in the art, the detailed embodiments are intended to be illustrative only and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention. Rather, what is claimed as the invention is all such modifications as may come within the spirit and scope of the following claims and equivalents thereto.

[0076] None of the description in this specification should be read as implying that any particular element, step or function is an essential element which must be included in the claim scope. The scope of the patented subject matter is defined only by the allowed claims and their equivalents. Unless explicitly recited, other aspects of the present invention as described in this specification do not limit the scope of the claims.

[0077] To aid the Patent Office and any readers of any patent issued on this application in interpreting the claims appended hereto, the applicant wishes to note that it does not intend any of the appended claims or claim elements to invoke 35 U.S.C. 112(f) unless the words “means for” or “step for” are explicitly used in the particular claim.