Microstructured apparatus for heating a fluid

Abstract

In a microstructure apparatus for heating a fluid with an inner body received in an outer tube, circumferential micro-passages are formed into the inner surface of the outer tube or the outer surface of the inner body so as to form a flow passage which is provided with inlet and outlet flow structures and heating means are incorporated into the inner body for heating the fluid conducted through the micro-structured flow passages.

1 . A microstructure apparatus for heating a fluid, comprising an inner body ( 1 ) having an outer surface and including a heating structure, 
 an outer tube ( 2 ) concentrically surrounding said inner body ( 1 ) and having an inner surface in sealing contact with said inner body ( 1 ),    a microstructure formed in one of the inner surface of the outer tube ( 2 ) and the outer surface of the inner body ( 1 ) so as to form a fluid flow passage ( 5 ) between the inner body ( 1 ) and the outer tube ( 2 ), and    connectors in communication with said fluid flow passage ( 5 ) for conducting a fluid to and from said fluid flow passage ( 5 ).    
   
   
       2 . A microstructure apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said microstructure is in the form of a groove ( 5 ) extending thread-like around the inner body ( 1 ).  
   
   
       3 . A microstructure apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said microstructure is a groove ( 5 ) formed like an internal thread into the inner surface of the outer tube ( 2 ).  
   
   
       4 . A microstructure apparatus according to  claim 1 , whereby sealing rings ( 3 ) are disposed between the inner body ( 1 ) and the outer tube ( 2 ) at least one end of the outer tube.  
   
   
       5 . A microstructure apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a fluid admission connector and a fluid discharge connector are provided at opposite ends of the outer tube ( 2 ) and a screw-like flow passage forms the only communications path between the fluid admission and discharge connectors.  
   
   
       6 . A microstructure apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one intermediate tube ( 7 ) is disposed between the inner body ( 1 ) and the outer tube ( 2 ) and each intermediate tube ( 7 ) is provided with a microstructure forming a screw thread-like passage between the intermediate tube ( 7 ) and a radially adjacent tube or body, the passages being in communication with one another by communication openings ( 8 ) extending through said intermediate tubes ( 7 ) so as to join the flow passages in a series flow arrangement.  
   
   
       7 . A microstructure apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the connectors ( 4 ) are in communication with longitudinal fluid inlet and outlet passages ( 6 ) extending over the length of the outer tube ( 2 ) at radially opposite sides and providing for communication between the circumferential fluid flow passages ( 5 ″) and providing for parallel flow arrangement for the circumferential passages between the inlet and outlet passages ( 6 ).  
   
   
       8 . A microstructure apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one enlarged cross-sectional area is provided in said fluid flow passage forming a reaction chamber between the inlet and outlet connectors ( 4 ).  
   
   
       9 . A microstructure apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the channel walls formed by the microstructure flow passages ( 5 ) have a rough surface.  
   
   
       10 . A microstructure apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the channel walls are provided with a porous coating.  
   
   
       11 . A microstructure apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the channels formed by said microstructure are provided with a wear-resistant coating.  
   
   
       12 . A microstructure apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the channels formed by said microstructure are provided with a corrosion resistant coating.  
   
   
       13 . A microstructure apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein at least parts of the microstructure apparatus consist of a catalytically active material.  
   
   
       14 . A microstructure apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the channels formed by said microstructures  5  are coated with a catalytically active material.  
   
   
       15 . A microstructure apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the heating structure is an electric resistance heating element.  
   
   
       16 . A microstructure apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein said inner body ( 1 ) is an inner tube and the heating element is arranged in the inner tube.  
   
   
       17 . A microstructure apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the heating element is an integral component of the inner body ( 1 ).  
   
   
       18 . A microstructure apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the inner body ( 1 ) is in the form of a resistance heating element.