Integrated heat exchange system

Abstract

The invention provides a method and apparatus for integrating the tube side streams in a plurality of plate fin and tube or finned tube exchangers to accomplish more efficient heat transfer or a more compact design.

1 . A method for operating a heat exchanger of the plate fin and tube or finned tube type that can be used in heat transfer system that comprises:
 a. providing a first working fluid on the finned exterior side of two or more heat transfer devices,   b. providing a second working fluid flowing in separate circuits within the tube circuits of the plurality of heat transfer devices,   c. feeding the first working fluid to the exterior finned side of a heat transfer zone or zones to transfer heat to or from the first working fluid thereby heating or cooling the first working fluid to a higher or lower temperature,   d. feeding the second working fluid into a header of one coil feeding a group of tubes to be heated or cooled by the first working fluid in the first heat transfer device as well as feeding fluid to other heat transfer device(s).   
   
   
       2 . A method for operating a heat exchanger of the plate fin and tube or finned tube type that can be used in heat transfer system that is comprised of a plurality of heat exchange devices having a finned exterior side working fluid streams against multiple tube side circuits, the multiple tube circuits being interconnected to more effectively feed a plurality of heat transfer devices. 
   
   
       3 . A method of circuitry of a plate fin and tube or finned tube exchanger that allows for more effective heat transfer by providing a working fluid in separate integrated circulation paths where the exchanger supply or return manifolds are interconnected between a multiple of heat exchangers with the fluid being supplied to multiple coils thru the connection of one coil. 
   
   
       4 . A method of construction and design allowing complex circuitry of a plate finned and tube or finned tube exchanger utilizing multiple tube side circuits that are integrated to accomplish a simplified supply and return circuit than would be possible with multiple tube side fluid streams arranged in series without integrating the circuitry. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first working fluid and the second working fluid have the same composition. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  where the second working fluid contains water, a glycol brine, an alcohol brine, a formate solution, or contains more than 5% by weight of a component listed by ASHRAE. 
   
   
       7 . A method for designing an energy recovery system by integrating the tube side streams in a plurality of plate fin and tube or finned tube exchangers to accomplish more efficient heat transfer or a more compact design. 
   
   
       8 . The method of designing a heat transfer system to simplify the heat exchange of any gas turbine inlet air heating or cooling application or exhaust heat recovery system or other device that produces a waste heat exhaust or is a source of process heat by integrating the tube side streams in a plurality of plate fin and tube or finned tube exchangers. Alternatively the arrangement may produce more efficient refrigeration at locations requiring refrigeration or cooling.