Heat exchanger

Abstract

A heat exchanger comprises a conduit with an interior surface which defines a first flow passage. A first plurality of fins project inwardly from the interior surface of the conduit. The first plurality of fins are angled relative to a longitudinal axis (X) of the conduit so as to form helical flowpaths for fluid flowing through the first flow passage. A second flow passage disposed outwardly of the interior surface and radially outwardly of the first plurality of fins.

1 . A heat exchanger comprising:
 a conduit with an interior surface, wherein the interior surface defines a first flow passage;   a first plurality of fins projecting inwardly from the interior surface of the conduit, wherein the plurality of fins are angled relative to a longitudinal axis (X) of the conduit so as to form helical flowpaths for fluid flowing through the first flow passage; and   a second flow passage disposed outwardly of the interior surface and radially outwardly of the plurality of fins.   
     
     
         2 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of fins are straight along their length. 
     
     
         3 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of fins are at least partially curved along their length. 
     
     
         4 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of fins are corrugated along their length. 
     
     
         5 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of fins are distributed circumferentially around the interior surface of the conduit. 
     
     
         6 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of fins are distributed circumferentially around less than 50% of the interior surface of the conduit. 
     
     
         7 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the second flow passage extends around less than 50% of the circumference of the conduit. 
     
     
         8 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the conduit further comprises an exterior surface, and wherein the second flow passage is disposed between the interior surface and exterior surface of the conduit. 
     
     
         9 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein a second plurality of fins project into the second flow passage, wherein, optionally, the second plurality of fins are aligned with and/or are extensions of said first plurality of fins. 
     
     
         10 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the conduit cross-section has a maximum diameter of less than 200 mm. 
     
     
         11 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the conduit further comprises an outlet, and wherein an angle formed between the first plurality of fins and the longitudinal axis (X) of the conduit is between 10° and 45°, optionally wherein the angle formed is between 10° and 20°. 
     
     
         12 . A system comprising:
 a heat exchanger that includes:
 a conduit with an interior surface, wherein the interior surface defines a first flow passage; 
 a first plurality of fins projecting inwardly from the interior surface of the conduit, wherein the plurality of fins are angled relative to a longitudinal axis (X) of the conduit so as to form helical flowpaths for fluid flowing through the first flow passage; and 
 a second flow passage disposed outwardly of the interior surface and radially outwardly of the plurality of fins; and 
   a matrix with an inlet disposed downstream of the first flow passage to receive the flow from the first flow passage.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the matrix is one of a heat exchanger matrix or an ozone converter matrix. 
     
     
         14 . A method of operating the heat exchanger of  claim 1 , the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a first fluid flow to an inlet of the first flow passage, and a second fluid flow to an inlet of the second flow passage;   swirling the fluid flow in the helical flowpaths in the first flow passage; and   exchanging heat between the first fluid flow and the second fluid flow.   
     
     
         15 . A method of operating the system of  claim 12 , the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a first fluid flow to an inlet of the first flow passage, and a second fluid flow to an inlet of the second flow passage;   swirling the fluid flow in the helical flowpaths in the first flow passage;   exchanging heat between the first fluid flow and the second fluid flow; and   admitting the first fluid flow into the inlet of the matrix.