Air-liquid heat exchanger

Abstract

A heat exchanger is comprised of a plurality of chambers, wherein each of the plurality of chambers has a repeating pattern of shapes wherein each of the plurality of chambers consists of two opposite deflectors, wherein each deflector is a mirror image of its opposite deflector but shifted approximately half a the wall length. Each of the deflectors is defined by a specific sequence of components starting with a rounded wall from which extends a shear barrier and the wall is terminated by a diverter. The diverter, along with the shear barrier, forms a low pressure zone which creates a vortex. A coil for carrying a liquid wherein the coil consists of a long winding pipe forming tube bundles passing through all of the plurality of chambers.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger is comprised of a plurality of chambers, wherein each said plurality of chambers having a repeating pattern of shapes wherein each said plurality of chambers consists in a pair of deflectors wherein each one is a mirror image of its opposite deflector but shifted approximately half a said wall length and all of said plurality of chambers causing multiple passes by same air through multiple sections of a coil consisting in a long winding pipe, containing a heat transfer liquid, wherein said coil passing through all said plurality of chambers; and wherein repeated passage of same air increases turbulence colliding onto said tubes and between said tubes by passing from a large area to a smaller area between said tubes and returning to a larger area after passing between said tubes; each said deflector redirecting said air stream and causing a uniform redistribution of air molecules along said coil section; each said wall length being defined by a specific sequence of components starting with a rounded wall from which extends a shear barrier and said wall terminated by a diverter, and; said diverter, along with said shear barrier, forming a low pressure zone which creates a vortex; an inlet and an outlet for said air.

2. The heat exchanger of claim 1 wherein air enters by way of an inlet into said plurality of chambers; said air is then divided in two air streams so that said air streams enter two separate but parallel of said plurality of chambers; said air streams interacting with said walls; said air streams passing through said coil which carries a heat transfer liquid; said air streams following a doubled-up rounded section that brings said air streams into a second half of said plurality of chambers and said coil member, said air streams reaching an outlet and exiting said heat exchanger.

3. The heat exchanger of claim 1 wherein the flow of liquid inside said coil starting at a point in said heat exchanger where air temperature is at its lowest and said flow finishing where said air temperature is at its highest.

4. The heat exchanger of claim 1 wherein air is heated by way of a solar heat panel.

5. The heat exchanger of claim 2 wherein the flow of liquid inside said coil starting at a point in said heat exchanger where air temperature is at its lowest and said flow finishing where said air temperature is at its highest.

6. The heat exchanger of claim 2 wherein air is heated by way of a solar heat panel.

7. A heat exchanger wherein a high velocity air stream enters through an inlet into said heat exchanger; said air stream enters an antechamber wherein the air stream crosses a first tube bundle, is then divided by a divider so that said air stream travels in two separate parallel paths, wherein in each path, the air stream strikes an initial deflector which directs said air stream into one of a plurality of chambers; in said plurality of chambers, a portion of said air stream interacts with a curved wall while another portion of said air stream creates a venturi effect which sucks air from a low pressure zone wherein said low pressure zone is defined by a space between a shear barrier and a diverter; said air stream crossing tube bundles along said deflector as it continues into the next chamber and all the way to an outlet.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] FIG. 1 Isometric view of the exchanger.

[0042] FIG. 2 Cutaway top view of the exchanger.

[0043] FIG. 3 Isometric see through view of the exchanger.

[0044] FIG. 5 Top view of the solar air-heater.

[0045] FIG. 6 Cutaway front view of the double pipe.

[0046] FIG. 7 Schematic view of the entire system.

[0047] FIGS. 8A-B illustrate how the positioning and the presence of each coil tube bundle section is effective in causing a large amount of used air to come into turbulence.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] A heat exchange system for use in liquid-gas heat exchange using solar energy is comprised of three (components: A solar heater panel (10), a double pipe (28), and a heat exchanger (14). Other components include a water pump (13) and a water tank (17).

[0049] Except for the fact that it uses air instead of water, the solar air-heater panel (10), is similar to solar liquid-heater panels. Sunlight passes through a sheet of transparent glass (16) and heats up a back panel (18) painted a dark color so as to generate as much heat as possible. There is a single circuitous path (20) defined by wall members (22) that snakes across the panel (10). The air is forced, by way of a fan (24), pushing air into an entry (23), passing over a plurality of baffles (26) which mixes the air so that it is evenly warmed up with minimal temperature variations, and coming out at an exit point (25). The air-heater panel (10) does not form part of this invention, it is just introduced here to show the general context of use of the invention.

[0050] The double pipe (28) consists in a small diameter inner pipe (30) that runs inside an outer pipe (32). Both pipes (30, 32) are separated by a layer of insulating material (34). The outer pipe (32) also has an layer of insulating material (34) surrounding its exterior. The inner pipe (30) carries hot air coming from the solar air-heater panel (10), and the outer pipe (32) carries cooler air coming from the air-liquid heat exchanger (14). The double pipe (28) also does not form part of the invention and is shown here as an example of possible use in this context.

[0051] From the double pipe (28), the air moves, by way of an inlet (17), into the heat exchanger (14) which is located inside an insulated container (11). The air stream immediately enters an ante-chamber (41) where the air stream crosses a first tube bundle (51), is then divided by a divider (40) so that it travels in two separate parallel paths, wherein each path strikes an initial deflector (43) which directs the air stream into a chamber (42). In these chambers (42), the air stream interacts with a deflector (47) which is comprised of a curved wall (45), a shear barrier (44) and a diverter (46) located at the end of the curved wall (45). The air stream first crosses a section of tube bundle (36) along a curved wall (45). An inner low pressure zone (48) is located between the shear barrier (44) and the diverter (46) which forms part of the end of the deflector (47). As the air stream goes passing the deflector (47), it creates a venturi effect which sucks air out of the low pressure zone (48) (hence its name). Of course, when the pressure gets too low, the fast moving air enters into the low pressure zone to create a vortex which results in turbulence in the air flow.

[0052] The deviation of the air by the deflector (44), by ripple effect, produces a thrust on the air flowing closer to the coil (38). The overall effect is to uniformly distribute air across the width of the tube bundle (36). After passing between the tube bundle (36), the air stream continues into the next chamber (42). From there, the process is repeated with the air stream passing through the coil (38) with maximum turbulence.

[0053] The process is repeated in over 8 sections crossing the coil (38) until it hits the doubled-up rounded section (50) which bring air into a next series of chambers (42).

[0054] During its travel in the new chamber (42), the air again crosses the coil (38) 8 times before it exits the heat exchanger (14) by way of an outlet (19) where the two parallel paths of air reunite and go back to the solar heater panel (10) to pick up heat before returning to the exchanger (14).

[0055] The flow of liquid inside the coil (38) starts at the bottom of the exchanger (14), where the heat of the air is low, and ends at the top of the exchanger, (14) where the air is at its warmest.

[0056] In the case of heat transfer from air to liquid, with so much turbulence, each air molecule has a chance to make contact with the coil (38) and exchange its heat. In the case of transfer from hot liquid to air, the heat reaches each air molecule since they all make contact with the coil (38).

[0057] Air travel inside the exchanger (14) is measured in tenths of a second, which implies high speed and high volume of air. As long as there is an ample supply of hot air or that the available air can be heated up rapidly with a large array of solar heater panels (10) or other sources of hot air that can form as a result of some industrial process, this exchanger (14) can be the solution for capturing heat and turning it into something useful that can be used in some other part of a given industrial process or even be shared with a neighboring industry or factory.

[0058] The exchanger (14) as described hereinabove, is preferably surrounded on its six sides by the container (11) to reduce heat loss during the heat transfer operation. This container (11) does not form part of the invention and is shown here as an example of possible use in this context.

[0059] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.