Systems and methods for managing heat transfer in a fluid handling device

Abstract

Systems and methods for reducing temperature variations induced by fluid handling equipment in process fluids by separating heat-producing portions of the control equipment from portions of the equipment which handle or are in close proximity to a fluid flow path. In one embodiment, the fluid handling components are contained in a first enclosure, while the heat-generating components are contained in a second enclosure. An air gap is maintained between the two enclosures to provide thermal isolation of the fluid handling components from the heat-generating components. In one embodiment, the air gap is maintained by connecting the two enclosures using insulating spacers. Interconnects between components in the two enclosures may be routed through an insulating tube that is sealed at each end to prevent heat transfer through the tube.

1 . A fluid handling device comprising:
 one or more fluid handling components contained in a first enclosure;   one or more heat generating components contained in a second enclosure; and   one or more interconnects coupling one or more of the fluid handling components to one or more of the heat generating components;   wherein the first and second enclosures are positioned to maintain an air gap between the first and second enclosures.   
   
   
       2 . The fluid handling device of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more spacers coupled between the first and second enclosures to maintain the air gap between the first and second enclosures. 
   
   
       3 . The fluid handling device of  claim 2 , wherein the spacers comprise an insulating material. 
   
   
       4 . The fluid handling device of  claim 3 , wherein the insulating material comprises polypropylene. 
   
   
       5 . The fluid handling device of  claim 3 , wherein the spacers comprise tubes. 
   
   
       6 . The fluid handling device of  claim 1 , further comprising a conduit coupled between the first and second enclosures, wherein one or more of the interconnects are routed through the conduit. 
   
   
       7 . The fluid handling device of  claim 6 , wherein the conduit comprises an insulator. 
   
   
       8 . The fluid handling device of  claim 6 , wherein the conduit is sealed at a first end coupled to the first enclosure and at a second end coupled to the second enclosure. 
   
   
       9 . The fluid handling device of  claim 1 , wherein the first enclosure is constructed of an thermally insulating material. 
   
   
       10 . The fluid handling device of  claim 9 , wherein the thermally insulating material comprises plastic. 
   
   
       11 . The fluid handling device of  claim 1 , wherein the second enclosure is constructed of a thermally conductive material. 
   
   
       12 . The fluid handling device of  claim 12 , wherein the thermally conductive material comprises metal. 
   
   
       13 . The fluid handling device of  claim 12 , wherein the second enclosure includes an inner metal housing and a plastic outer housing. 
   
   
       14 . The fluid handling device of  claim 1 , wherein the first enclosure is sealed. 
   
   
       15 . The fluid handling device of  claim 1 , wherein the second enclosure is sealed. 
   
   
       16 . The fluid handling device of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid handling components contained in the first enclosure include one or more flow measurement sensors and a flow control valve. 
   
   
       17 . The fluid handling device of  claim 16 , wherein the fluid handling components contained in the first enclosure further include a restrictive flow element and wherein the flow measurement sensors are configured to measure a pressure drop across the restrictive flow element. 
   
   
       18 . The fluid handling device of  claim 1 , wherein the heat generating components contained in the second enclosure include an electronic control system. 
   
   
       19 . The fluid handling device of  claim 1 , wherein an insulating material is positioned in the air gap between the first and second enclosures. 
   
   
       20 . The fluid handling device of  claim 1 , wherein the air gap between the first and second enclosures is between about 0.75 inches and 1.25 inches.