Reduced volume heat exchangers

Abstract

A heat exchanger for delivery of heat transfer fluid to a process heat transfer surface is provided, the heat exchanger is in contact with a process fluid and the heat transfer surface comprises at least five heat transfer conduits each having a cross sectional area for the flow path of less than 2000 square millimetres wherein the linear velocity of the heat transfer fluid through the heat transfer conduits is from 0.5 to 20 m·s −1 and adapted so that the temperature of the heat transfer fluid changes by at least 1° C. when the system is operating at design load, the exchanger enables more accurate temperature measurement and control in physical and chemical reactions. Also provided is a heat transfer system in which the heat transfer conduit for passage of the heat transfer fluid is attached to an expansion plate which is in contact with the heat transfer surface and enables independent movement of the heat transfer conduit and the heat transfer surface as their temperature change due to changes in temperature and/or pressure.

1 . A heat exchanger for delivery of heat transfer fluid to a process heat transfer surface which is in contact with a process fluid wherein the heat transfer surface fluid is delivered in at least five heat transfer conduits each having a cross sectional area for the flow path of less than 2000 square millimetres wherein the linear velocity of the heat transfer fluid through the heat transfer conduits is from 0.5 to 20 m·s −1  and adapted so that the temperature of the heat transfer fluid changes by at least 1° C. when they system is operating at design heat load.  
   
   
       2 . A heat exchange according to  claim 1  in which the time taken for the heat transfer fluid to pass through the heat exchanger as measured in seconds is not greater than twice length of the heat transfer surface when said length is measured in metres.  
   
   
       3 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1  in which the conduits have a cross sectional area for the flow path of less than 180 square millimetres.  
   
   
       4 . (canceled)  
   
   
       5 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1  where the heat transfer fluid is delivered in 5 or more separate heat transfer fluid conduits where the total inventory of gas, liquid or solid to be heated or cooled within the device is less than 1000 litres.  
   
   
       6 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1  where the heat transfer fluid is delivered in 3 or more separate heat transfer fluid conduits per 1000 litres of gas, liquid or solid to be heated where the total inventory of said gas, liquid or solid within the heat transfer device is greater than 1000 litres.  
   
   
       7 . (canceled)  
   
   
       8 . (canceled)  
   
   
       9 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1  wherein the linear velocity of the heat transfer fluid through the heat transfer conduit is between 0.5 and 5 m·s −1  for liquid cooled systems when the heat exchanger is operating at full design load and between 2 and 20 m·s −1  for gas cooled systems when the heat exchanger is operating at full design load.  
   
   
       10 . (canceled)  
   
   
       11 . (cancelled)  
   
   
       12 . (canceled)  
   
   
       13 . (canceled)  
   
   
       14 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , whereby the heat transfer fluid flows within independent conduits which are not in direct contact with the gas, liquid or solid which is being heated or cooled and that the heat transfer fluid conduit is bonded, fused, glued, brazed, welded or soldered to the surface which serves as the containment barrier for the gas, liquid or solid which is being heated or cooled.  
   
   
       15 - 58 . (canceled)  
   
   
       59 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1  wherein the heat transfer fluid conduit or conduits is held to the surface which serves as the containment barrier for the gas, liquid or solid which is being heated or cooled by means of clamps, springs, wires, natural shape of the conduit or some other form mechanical fixing and a layer of a soft, thermally conductive material such as conductive grease, fluid, conductive wool, fibrous conductive mat or a mixture thereof is provided between the transfer fluid conduit and the surface which serves as the containment barrier for the gas, liquid or solid which is being heated or cooled.  
   
   
       60 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1  wherein the conduit for the heat transfer fluid is mounted on an expansion plate to permit independent movement of the heat transfer conduit in relation to the containment barrier for the gas, liquid or solid which is being heated or cooled.  
   
   
       61 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1  which uses a variable area heat transfer surface.  
   
   
       62 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1  in which the residence time of the heat transfer fluid is less than 6 seconds.  
   
   
       63 . A heat transfer system for the transfer of heat between a process fluid and a heat transfer fluid across a heat transfer surface comprising a heat transfer conduit for passage of the heat transfer fluid attached to an expansion plate said expansion plate being in contact with the heat transfer surface said expansion plate enabling independent movement of the heat transfer conduit and the heat transfer surface.  
   
   
       64 . A heat transfer system according to  claim 63  wherein the heat transfer fluid is delivered in at least five heat transfer conduits each having a cross sectional area for the flow path of less than 2000 square millimetres wherein the linear velocity of the heat transfer fluid through the heat transfer conduits is from 0.5 to 20 m·s −1  and adapted so that the temperature of the heat transfer fluid changes by at least 1° C. when they system is operating at full design load.  
   
   
       65 . A heat transfer system according to  claim 63  whereby the heat transfer fluid flows within independent conduits which are not in direct contact with the gas, liquid or solid which is being heated or cooled and that the heat transfer fluid conduit is bonded, fused, glued, brazed, welded or soldered to the surface which serves as the containment barrier for the gas, liquid or solid which is being heated or cooled.  
   
   
       66 . A heat transfer system according to  claim 63  where the heat transfer fluid flows within independent conduits which are not in direct contact with the gas, liquid or solid which is being heated or cooled and the heat transfer fluid conduit is held to the surface which serves as the containment barrier for the gas, liquid or solid which is being heated or cooled by means of clamps, springs, wires, natural shape of the conduit or some other form mechanical fixing and the gap between the heat transfer fluid conduit and the surface which serves as the containment barrier for the gas, liquid or solid which is being heated or cooled is filled by means of a soft, thermally conductive material such as conductive grease, fluid, conductive wool, fibrous conductive mat or a composite of several of these materials.