Vapor-Compression Evaporation System and Method

Abstract

According to one embodiment of the invention, a vapor-compression evaporation system includes a plurality of vessels in series each containing a feed having a nonvolatile component. A first set of the plurality of vessels includes vapor-compression evaporators and a second set of the plurality of vessels includes multi-effect evaporators. A mechanical compressor is coupled to the last vessel in the series of vapor-compression evaporators and is operable to receive a vapor therefrom. A turbine is coupled to, and operable to drive, the mechanical compressor. A pump is operable to deliver a cooling liquid to the mechanical compressor, and a tank is coupled to the mechanical compressor and is operable to separate liquid and vapor received from the mechanical compressor. A plurality of heat exchangers is coupled inside respective ones of the vessels, wherein the heat exchanger in the first vessel in the first set is operable to receive the vapor from the tank, and at least some of the vapor condenses therein. The heat of condensation provides the heat of evaporation to the first vessel in the first set, and at least some of the vapor inside the first vessel in the first set is delivered to the heat exchanger in the next vessel in the first set, whereby the condensing, evaporating, and delivering steps continue until the last vessel in the second set is reached.

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         39 . A heat exchanger apparatus, comprising: 
 a shell; and    a sheet assembly disposed within the shell, the sheet assembly comprising a plurality of sheets arranged such that the plurality of sheets define a plurality of passageways operable to communicate at least two fluids within the shell such that heat is transferred between the at least two fluids;    wherein the plurality of passageways are defined by pairs of adjacent and substantially parallel sheets; and    wherein a first one of the sheets includes a plurality of indentations operable to contact an adjacent second one of the sheets in order to maintain a passageway between the first and second sheets for communication of one of the at least two fluids.    
     
     
         40 . The heat exchanger apparatus of  claim 39 , wherein the plurality of indentations in the first sheet includes a dimple pattern including multiple instances of a particular pattern section, the particular pattern section including a plurality of dimples.  
     
     
         41 . The heat exchanger apparatus of  claim 40 , wherein each instance of the particular pattern section is formed by a dimple stamping process.  
     
     
         42 . The heat exchanger apparatus of  claim 40 , wherein each instance of the particular pattern section is formed by a hydroforming process.  
     
     
         43 . The heat exchanger apparatus of  claim 39 , wherein the plurality of indentations in the first sheet includes one or more ridges extending generally in a first direction and one or more ridges extending generally in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.  
     
     
         44 . The heat exchanger apparatus of  claim 39 , wherein the plurality of indentations in the first sheet includes a plurality of ridges extending generally in a first direction, the plurality of ridges formed by a plurality of rollers pressed against the first sheet.  
     
     
         45 . An apparatus for use in a heat exchanger, the apparatus being disposed within a shell and comprising: 
 a plurality of sheets arranged substantially parallel to each other such that the plurality of sheets define a plurality of passageways operable to communicate at least two fluids within the shell such that heat is transferred between the at least two fluids;    wherein each of the plurality of passageways is defined by a pair of adjacent sheets; and    one or more spacer members located between each pair of adjacent sheets and operable to maintain the one or more passageways defined by that pair of adjacent sheets.    
     
     
         46 . The apparatus of  claim 45 , wherein: 
 the plurality of passageways comprise one or more first passageways extending generally in a first direction and one or more second passageways extending generally in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and    the spacer members include one or more solid first spacers not allowing fluids to pass through and one or more second spacers having one or more openings allowing fluids to pass through.    
     
     
         47 . The apparatus of  claim 45 , wherein at least a portion of the spacer members have an I-beam cross-section.  
     
     
         48 . The apparatus of  claim 45 , further comprising: 
 a groove formed in a particular spacer members adjacent a particular sheet; and    a sealing member disposed in the groove and operable to provide a seal between the particular spacer member and the particular sheet.    
     
     
         49 . The apparatus of  claim 45 , wherein a particular spacer forms a ring adjacent an outer perimeter of a particular sheet, the particular spacer including a plurality of length spacer members coupled to a plurality of corner spacer members.  
     
     
         50 . The apparatus of  claim 49 , wherein each length spacer member and each corner spacer member of the particular spacer includes a groove, the grooves of the length spacer members and corner spacer members aligning such that a continuous sealing member may be inserted into the grooves.  
     
     
         51 . The apparatus of  claim 50 , wherein the groove formed in each corner spacer member is an O-ring or gasket.  
     
     
         52 . The apparatus of  claim 50 , wherein the groove formed in each corner spacer member is curved.  
     
     
         53 . The apparatus of  claim 49 , wherein: 
 each length spacer member is cut at each end an angle of approximately 22.5 degrees and each corner spacer member is cut at each end an angle of approximately 22.5 degrees such that the connection of a length spacer member with a corner spacer member forms an angle of approximately 45 degrees.    
     
     
         54 . The apparatus of  claim 45 , wherein a particular spacer forms a ring adjacent an outer perimeter of a particular sheet, the particular spacer including four length spacer members, each length spacer member being cut at each end an angle of approximately 45 degrees such that the connection of adjacent length spacer members forms an angle of approximately 90 degrees.  
     
     
         55 . The apparatus of  claim 45 , wherein the one or more spacer members are tubular members.  
     
     
         56 . The apparatus of  claim 55 , wherein the one or more spacer members are formed form metal and have a rectangular tubular cross-section.  
     
     
         57 . The apparatus of  claim 45 , wherein the one or more spacer members include: 
 a plurality of first linear spacer members extending in a first direction and providing a plurality of first passageways extending in the first direction, the plurality of first passageways allowing the flow of a first fluid; and    a plurality of second linear spacer members extending in a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction and providing a plurality of second passageways extending in the second direction, the plurality of second passageways allowing the flow of a second fluid.    
     
     
         58 . The apparatus of  claim 57 , wherein: 
 the one or more first linear spacer members are rigidly bonded to one side of each of the plurality of first sheets;    the one or more second linear spacer members are rigidly bonded to one side of each of the plurality of second sheets; and    the plurality of sheets are arranged in a stack with the plurality of first sheets alternating with the plurality of second sheets.    
     
     
         59 . The apparatus of  claim 57 , wherein the plurality of sheets are arranged in a stack, a portion of the stack including: 
 a first layer including a first sheet having a plurality of first linear spacer members rigidly bonded to a top side of the first sheet;    a second layer adjacent the first layer and including a second sheet and having a plurality of second linear spacer members rigidly bonded to a bottom side of the second sheet; and    a third layer adjacent the second layer and including a plurality of third linear spacer members; and    a fourth layer adjacent the third layer and including a plurality of fourth linear spacer members rigidly bonded to a top side of the fourth sheet.    
     
     
         60 . A heat exchanger apparatus, comprising: 
 a shell; and    a sheet assembly housed within the shell, the sheet assembly comprising a plurality of generally parallel sheets arranged in a stack such that the plurality of sheets define a plurality of passageways operable to communicate at least two fluids within the shell such that heat is transferred between the at least two fluids; and    a press plate located at a first end of the sheet assembly and operable to be moved by a pressing mechanism in a direction toward a second end of the sheet assembly in order to compress the sheet assembly.    
     
     
         61 . The heat exchanger apparatus of  claim 60 , wherein the pressing mechanism comprises a hydraulic mechanism.  
     
     
         62 . The heat exchanger apparatus of  claim 60 , wherein the pressing mechanism comprises a screw mechanism.  
     
     
         63 . The heat exchanger apparatus of  claim 60 , wherein: 
 each of the plurality of sheets has a face having a particular shape; and    the press plate has a face having a shape substantially the same as the particular shape.    
     
     
         64 . The heat exchanger apparatus of  claim 60 , wherein the sheet assembly includes an end plate rigidly coupled to the shell.  
     
     
         65 . A heat exchanger apparatus, comprising: 
 a shell having a cylindrical portion; and    a sheet assembly at least partially housed within the cylindrical portion of the shell, the sheet assembly comprising a plurality of generally parallel sheets arranged in a stack such that the plurality of sheets define a plurality of passageways operable to communicate at least two fluids within the shell such that heat is transferred between the at least two fluids; and    one or more baffles positioned between the sheet assembly and an inside surface of the cylindrical portion of the shell, the one or more baffles operable to cooperate with the plurality of sheets to direct the flow of at least one of the fluids.    
     
     
         66 . The heat exchanger apparatus of  claim 65 , wherein: 
 the sheet assembly has a substantially square cross-section including four sides;    the shell and sheet assembly define four chambers between the outer perimeter of the sheet assembly and the inner surface of the shell, including one chamber generally disposed between each of the four sides of the sheet assembly and the inner surface of the shell; and    a first pair of the four chambers provide passageways for a first fluid and a second pair of the four chambers provide passageways for a second fluid.    
     
     
         67 . The heat exchanger apparatus of  claim 66 , wherein at least one of the baffles is positioned in order to prevent fluid flow through one of the four chambers at a particular point along the length of the cylindrical portion of the shell.  
     
     
         68 . The heat exchanger apparatus of  claim 65 , wherein: 
 the shell includes a first fluid inlet and a first fluid outlet for communicating a first fluid through the shell; and    the one or more baffles are positioned at particular locations along the length of the cylindrical portion of the shell such that the volume of passageways for the first fluid decreases progressively from the first fluid inlet to the first fluid outlet.    
     
     
         69 . The heat exchanger apparatus of  claim 68 , wherein the heat exchanger apparatus is operable to transfer latent heat between the at least two fluids.  
     
     
         70 . The heat exchanger apparatus of  claim 65 , wherein: 
 the shell includes a first fluid inlet and a first fluid outlet for communicating a first fluid through the shell; and    the one or more baffles are positioned at particular locations along the length of the cylindrical portion of the shell such that the volume of passageways for the first fluid remains substantially constant from the first fluid inlet to the first fluid outlet.    
     
     
         71 . The heat exchanger apparatus of  claim 70 , wherein the heat exchanger apparatus is operable to transfer sensible heat between the at least two fluids.  
     
     
         72 . The heat exchanger apparatus of  claim 65 , further comprising: 
 a first heat exchanger region located along the length of the cylindrical portion of the shell, the first heat exchanger region including one or more first baffles positioned for facilitating the transfer of sensible heat between the at least two fluids;    a second heat exchanger region located along the length of the cylindrical portion of the shell, the second heat exchanger region including one or more second baffles positioned for facilitating the transfer of sensible heat between the at least two fluids; and    a third heat exchanger region located along the length of the cylindrical portion of the shell between the first and second heat exchanger regions, the third heat exchanger region including one or more third baffles positioned for facilitating the transfer of latent heat between the at least two fluids.    
     
     
         73 . The heat exchanger apparatus of  claim 72 , wherein: 
 the one or more first baffles are positioned at particular locations along a first portion of the cylindrical portion of the shell such that the volume of passageways for a first fluid remains substantially constant from a first fluid inlet to a first fluid outlet;    the one or more second baffles are positioned at particular locations along a second portion of the cylindrical portion of the shell such that the volume of passageways for the first fluid remains substantially constant from a second fluid inlet to a second fluid outlet; and    the one or more third baffles are positioned at particular locations along a third portion of the cylindrical portion of the shell such that the volume of passageways for the first fluid decreases progressively from a third fluid inlet to a third fluid outlet.    
     
     
         74 . The heat exchanger apparatus of  claim 65 , further comprising: 
 a first end plate and a second end plate coupled to opposite ends of the sheet assembly;    wherein each of the first end plate and the second end plate include at least one baffle operable to restrict flow of a first fluid beyond the ends of the sheet assembly but allow the flow of a second fluid beyond the ends of the sheet assembly.    
     
     
         75 . The heat exchanger apparatus of  claim 74 , wherein: 
 the shell includes a substantially hemispherical cap coupled to each end of the cylindrical portion of the shell; and    the at least one baffle associated with the first and second end plates prevent the first fluid from flowing into the hemispherical caps, but allow the second fluid to flow into the hemispherical caps.    
     
     
         76 . The heat exchanger apparatus of  claim 74 , further comprising an internal thermosiphoning system including the least one baffle associated with the first and second end plates operable to restrict flow of a first fluid beyond the ends of the sheet assembly but allow the flow of a second fluid beyond the ends of the sheet assembly.  
     
     
         77 . A heat exchanger apparatus, comprising: 
 a shell having a cylindrical portion; and    a sheet assembly at least partially housed within the cylindrical portion of the shell, the sheet assembly comprising a plurality of generally parallel sheets arranged in a stack such that the plurality of sheets define a plurality of passageways operable to communicate at least two fluids within the shell such that heat is transferred between the at least two fluids; and    one or more insertion devices operable to facilitate the insertion of the sheet assembly within the cylindrical portion of the shell.    
     
     
         78 . The heat exchanger apparatus of  claim 77 , wherein: 
 a bracket is coupled to a corner of the sheet assembly, the bracket extending along a substantial portion of the length of the sheet assembly; and    a particular insertion device is coupled to the shell and operable to interact with the bracket to facilitate the insertion of the sheet assembly within the cylindrical portion of the shell.    
     
     
         79 . The heat exchanger apparatus of  claim 78 , wherein: 
 the particular insertion device includes a track and a roller located in the track; and    the bracket is operable to roll over the roller to facilitate the insertion of the sheet assembly within the cylindrical portion of the shell.    
     
     
         80 . The heat exchanger apparatus of  claim 78 , wherein a sealant is located between the bracket and the corner of the sheet assembly to provide a fluid seal between the bracket and the corner of the sheet assembly.  
     
     
         81 . The heat exchanger apparatus of  claim 78 , wherein: 
 the bracket includes a protruding portion generally extending from the corner of the sheet assembly;    the particular insertion device includes one or more guiding members coupled to the shell; and    a sealant is located between the protruding portion of the bracket and at least one of the guiding members to provide a fluid seal between the bracket and the at least one guiding member.    
     
     
         82 . The heat exchanger apparatus of  claim 81 , wherein the sealant comprises an inflatable gasket.  
     
     
         83 . The heat exchanger apparatus of  claim 77 , wherein: 
 the shell assembly has a cross-section including a plurality of corners; and    the one or more insertion devices comprise a plurality of tracks, each track coupled to the shell and operable to receive one of the corners of the shell assembly.    
     
     
         84 . The heat exchanger apparatus of  claim 83 , wherein each of the plurality of tracks has a cross-section that substantially matches the cross-section of the corners of the shell assembly.  
     
     
         85 . The heat exchanger apparatus of  claim 83 , wherein: 
 each corner of the shell assembly forms an approximately 90-degree angle; and    each track has a cross-section including an approximately 90-degree angled portion operable to receive one of the corners of the shell assembly.    
     
     
         86 . The heat exchanger apparatus of  claim 83 , wherein: 
 each corner of the shell assembly forms an approximately 45-degree angle; and    each track has a cross-section including an approximately 45-degree angled portion operable to receive one of the corners of the shell assembly.    
     
     
         87 . The heat exchanger apparatus of  claim 83 , wherein: 
 each corner of the shell assembly is substantially curved; and    each track has a cross-section including a substantially curved portion operable to receive one of the substantially curved corners of the shell assembly.    
     
     
         88 . The heat exchanger apparatus of  claim 83 , further comprising a sealing member located between each track and corresponding corner of the sheet assembly.  
     
     
         89 . The heat exchanger apparatus of  claim 88 , wherein the sealing member comprises an inflatable gasket.  
     
     
         90 . An apparatus for use in a heat exchanger, the apparatus being disposed within a shell and comprising: 
 a plurality of sheets arranged substantially parallel to each other in a stack such that the plurality of sheets define a plurality of passageways operable to communicate at least two fluids within the shell such that heat is transferred between the at least two fluids;    wherein each of the plurality of passageways is defined by a pair of adjacent sheets; and    a plurality of corner members adjacent a plurality of corners defined by the stack of sheets;    a plurality of sealing devices located between the corner members and the corresponding corners defined by the stack of sheets; and    a plurality of tension devices coupled to the plurality of corner members and operable to maintain the sealing devices in compression between the corner members and the corresponding corners defined by the stack of sheets.    
     
     
         91 . The heat exchanger apparatus of  claim 90 , wherein the tension devices comprise tension rods.  
     
     
         92 . The heat exchanger apparatus of  claim 90 , wherein the sealing devices comprise gaskets.