Modular air cooled condenser flow converter apparatus and method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mechanical draft cooling tower that employs air cooled condenser modules. The aforementioned cooling tower operates by mechanical draft and achieves the exchange of heat between two fluids such as atmospheric air, ordinarily, and another fluid which is usually steam. The aforementioned cooling tower utilizes a modular air cooled condenser concept wherein the air cooled condensers utilize heat exchange deltas and uniquely designed fluid flow dividers.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A multi-delta air cooled condenser for cooling an industrial fluid or the like, comprising:
 a first street that comprises a first air cooled condenser module;   a second street comprising a second air cooled condenser module;   a first central duct that is in fluid communication with said first air cooled condenser module and said second air cooled condenser module;   a third street comprising a third air cooled condenser module; and   a second central duct that is in fluid communication with said third air cooled condenser module.   
     
     
         2 . The air cooled condenser according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first flow divider connected to said first central duct, comprising:   cylindrical lower base portion that receives the flow of industrial fluid;
 an upper diffusion region that extends from said cylindrical base portion wherein said upper diffusion region is generally non-cylindrical in geometry; 
 a first port disposed on said upper diffusion region that allows for the flow of industrial fluid there through; and 
 a first conduit connected to said first port, wherein said first conduit is in fluid communication with said first air cooled condenser module; 
 a second port disposed on said upper diffusion region that allows for the flow of industrial fluid there through; and 
 a second conduit connected to said first port, wherein said first conduit is in fluid communication with said second air cooled condenser module; 
 a second flow divider connected to said second central duct, comprising:
 a cylindrical lower base portion that is receives the flow of industrial fluid; 
 an upper diffusion region that extends from said cylindrical base portion wherein said upper diffusion region is generally non-cylindrical in geometry; 
 a third port disposed on said upper diffusion region that allows for the flow of industrial fluid there through; and 
 
 a third conduit connected to said third port, wherein said third conduit is in fluid communication with said third air cooled condenser module. 
   
     
     
         3 . The air cooled condenser according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a fourth air cooled condenser module disposed on said first street;   a fifth air cooled condenser module disposed on said second street;   a sixth air cooled condenser module disposed on said third street;
 a third flow divider connected to said first central duct, comprising:
 a cylindrical lower base portion that is receives the flow of industrial fluid; 
 an upper diffusion region that extends from said cylindrical base portion wherein said upper diffusion region is generally non-cylindrical in geometry; 
 a fourth port disposed on said upper diffusion region that allows for the flow of industrial fluid there through; and 
 
 a fourth conduit connected to said third port, wherein said fourth conduit is in fluid communication with said fourth air cooled condenser module. 
   a fourth flow divider connected to said second central duct, comprising:
 a cylindrical lower base portion that is receives the flow of industrial fluid; 
 an upper diffusion region that extends from said cylindrical base portion wherein said upper diffusion region is generally non-cylindrical in geometry; 
 a fifth port disposed on said upper diffusion region that allows for the flow of industrial fluid there through; and 
 a fifth conduit connected to said fifth port, wherein said fifth conduit is in fluid communication with said fifth air cooled condenser module; 
 a sixth port disposed on said upper diffusion region that allows for the flow of industrial fluid there through; and 
 a sixth conduit connected to said sixth port, wherein said sixth conduit is in fluid communication with said sixth air cooled condenser module. 
   
     
     
         4 . The air cooled condenser according to  claim 1 , wherein said upper diffusion region of the first flow divider is generally square in geometry. 
     
     
         5 . The air cooled condenser according to  claim 2 , wherein said upper diffusion region of the second flow divider is generally square in geometry. 
     
     
         6 . The air cooled condenser according to  claim 2 , wherein said second conduit is an elbow conduit. 
     
     
         7 . The air cooled condenser according to  claim 2 , wherein said third conduit is an elbow conduit. 
     
     
         8 . The air cooled condenser according to  claim 3 , wherein said upper diffusion region of the third flow divider is generally square in geometry. 
     
     
         9 . The air cooled condenser according to  claim 3 , wherein said upper diffusion region of the fourth flow divider is generally square in geometry. 
     
     
         10 . The air cooled condenser according to  claim 3 , further comprising a flow vane disposed within said first flow divider. 
     
     
         11 . The air cooled condenser according to  claim 10 , further comprising a flow vane disposed within said second flow divider. 
     
     
         12 . The air cooled condenser according to  claim 11 , further comprising a flow vane disposed third flow divider. 
     
     
         13 . The air cooled condenser according to  claim 12 , further comprising a flow vane disposed third flow divider. 
     
     
         14 . A quick connection coupling for use with an air cooled condenser, comprising:
 a collar having a first half and; a second half hingedly connected to said first half;   an internal sealing piece having a circumference that is disposed within said first half and said second half;   a sealing member that encircles the circumference; and   a releasable attachment member that releasably attaches said first half to said second half.   
     
     
         15 . The quick connection according to  claim 14 , wherein said sealing member is an O-ring. 
     
     
         16 . The quick connect according to  claim 14 , wherein said attachment member is adjustable. 
     
     
         17 . The quick connect according to  claim 16 , wherein said attachment member is a nut and bolt. 
     
     
         18 . The quick connection coupling according to  claim 14 , wherein said first half and said second half are configured to capture and retain first and second mating conduits. 
     
     
         19 . The quick connection according to  claim 18 , wherein said first half and said second half retain a first flange of said first conduit and a second flange of said second conduit. 
     
     
         20 . A method of retaining a first conduit and a second conduit wherein each conduit has a flange, comprising:
 inserting the first and second conduit into a connection coupling, comprising:   
       a collar having a first half; a second half hingedly connected to said first half;
 an internal sealing piece having a circumference that is disposed within said first half and said second half; 
 a sealing member that encircles the circumference; and 
 a releasable attachment member that releasably attaches said first have to said second half; 
 
       encircling each conduit with the internal sealing piece; 
       engaging each flange with the first half and the second half such that the conduits are retained; and
 tightening the attachment member such that the collar sealingly retains the conduits.