Method and apparatus for reducing the impact of motion in a core-in-shell heat exchanger

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses for reducing the effects of motion in a core-in-shell type heat exchanger are provided. One apparatus includes: (a) a heat exchanger, wherein the heat exchanger includes an internal volume defined within a shell and a plurality of spaced apart cores disposed within the internal volume of the shell, wherein the internal volume is flooded with a vaporizing fluid; and (b) a separation vessel connected to the heat exchanger, wherein the separation vessel is located at higher elevation than the heat exchanger, wherein the separation vessel is connected to the heat exchanger in such a manner so as to deliver a hot feed stream to heat exchanger and the receive a non-vaporizing stream from the heat exchanger.

1 . A method for reducing the impact of motion in a heat exchanger comprising:
 a. flooding the heat exchanger with a vaporizing fluid, wherein the heat exchanger includes an internal volume defined within a shell and a plurality of spaced apart cores disposed within the internal volume of the shell;   b. introducing a hot process feed stream to an upper vessel, wherein the upper vessel is located above the heat exchanger, wherein the upper vessel is connected to the heat exchanger via a plurality of conductor pipes, wherein the conductor pipes include external pipes for connecting the upper vessel and the plurality of spaced apart cores, wherein the conductor pipes further include an internal diameter vapor riser, wherein the internal vapor riser is fixed to the top of the plurality of cores and floats inside the conductor pipe to allow for thermal expansion and contraction of the plurality of cores;   c. delivering the hot feed stream to a core within the internal volume of the shell via the conductor pipes, wherein the hot process feed stream undergoes indirect heat exchange with the vaporizing fluid thereby producing a warm liquid stream and a non-vaporized stream, wherein the non-vaporized stream includes a mixture of vapor and liquid; and   d. delivering the non-vaporized stream to the upper vessel via the conductor pipes to undergo disengagement.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the vaporizing fluid is a refrigerant. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper vessel includes slosh suppressing baffles. 
     
     
         4 . A method for reducing the impact of motion in a heat exchanger comprising:
 a. flooding the heat exchanger with a vaporizing fluid, wherein the heat exchanger includes an internal volume defined within a shell and a plurality of spaced apart cores disposed within the internal volume of the shell;   b. introducing a hot process feed stream to a separation vessel, wherein the separation vessel is located above the heat exchanger, wherein the separation vessel is connected to the heat exchanger via a plurality of external pipes;   c. delivering the hot process feed stream to a core within the internal volume of the shell via the external pipes, wherein the hot process feed stream undergoes indirect heat exchange with the vaporizing fluid thereby producing a warm liquid stream and a non-vaporized stream, wherein the non-vaporized stream is a mixture of vapor and liquid; and   d. delivering the non-vaporized stream to the separation vessel to undergo separation.   
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the vaporizing fluid is a refrigerant. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the separation vessel includes slosh suppressing baffles. 
     
     
         7 . A method for reducing the impact of motion in a heat exchanger comprising:
 a. flooding the heat exchanger with a vaporizing liquid, wherein the heat exchanger includes an internal volume defined within a shell and a plurality of spaced apart cores disposed within the internal volume of the shell;   b. introducing a hot process feed stream to a separation vessel, wherein the separation vessel is located at an elevation higher than the heat exchanger, wherein the separation vessel includes a liquid outlet and a vapor inlet;   c. delivering the hot feed stream to a core within the internal volume of the shell at or near the top of the core via the liquid outlet, wherein the hot feed stream undergoes indirect heat exchange with the vaporizing fluid thereby producing a warm liquid stream and a non-vaporized stream, wherein the non-vaporized stream is a mixture of vapor and liquid; and   d. delivering the non-vaporized stream to the separation vessel to undergo separation.   
     
     
         8 . The method according to claim  12 , wherein the vaporizing fluid is a refrigerant. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to claim  12 , wherein the separation vessel includes slosh suppressing baffles. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus comprising:
 a. a heat exchanger, wherein the heat exchanger includes an internal volume defined within a shell and a plurality of spaced apart cores disposed within the internal volume of the shell, wherein the internal volume is flooded with a vaporizing fluid; and   b. a separation vessel connected to the heat exchanger, wherein the separation vessel is located at higher elevation than the heat exchanger, wherein the separation vessel is connected to the heat exchanger in such a manner so as to deliver a hot feed stream to heat exchanger and the receive a non-vaporizing stream from the heat exchanger.