Heat Exchanger

Abstract

A heat exchanger which is used primarily in oil and gas operations to heat tanks of liquids, such as drilling mud, water, heavy oil or other such fluids from freezing or becoming too viscous to pump.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A tank and heat exchanger combination, said heat exchanger comprising:
 a heat transfer flange;   a heat transfer tube attached to a first surface of the heat transfer flange;   a pipe-like structure attached to a second surface of the heat transfer flange, the first surface is opposite to the second surface; and   a through hole formed in the heat transfer flange and extending from the first to the second side surface, wherein   the pipe-like structure communicates with the heat transfer tube via the through-hole.   
     
     
         2 . The tank and heat exchanger combination of  claim 1 , wherein
 said tank comprises a tank flange having an opening,   the heat transfer flange is attached to the tank flange,   the opening of said tank communicates with the through hole formed in the heat transfer flange,   the heat transfer tube is arranged inside of said tank, and   the pipe-like structure is arranged outside of said tank.   
     
     
         3 . The tank and heat exchanger combination of  claim 1 , wherein
 the heat transfer flange is attached to a surface of said tank,   the heat transfer tube is arranged inside of said tank, and   the pipe-like structure is arranged outside of said tank.   
     
     
         4 . The tank and heat exchanger combination of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a hose attached to the pipe-like structure, wherein the hose is configured to introduce a liquid into the heat transfer tube of said heat exchanger via the pipe-like structure.   
     
     
         5 . The tank and heat exchanger combination of  claim 1 , wherein
 said heat transfer tube is formed in a generally u-shape, and   a closed end of the generally u-shaped heat transfer tube is arranged away from the heat transfer flange.   
     
     
         6 . The tank and heat exchanger combination of  claim 1 , wherein
 the through hole comprises a first through hole and a second through hole,   the pipe-like structure comprises a first pipe-like structure and a second pipe-like structure,   the heat transfer tube comprises a first tube portion and a second tube portion,   the first tube portion communicates with the first pipe-like structure via the first through-hole, and   the second tube portion communicates with the second pipe-like structure via the second through-hole.   
     
     
         7 . The tank and heat exchanger combination of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a first hose; and   a second hose, wherein   the first hose is attached to the first tube portion,   the second hose is attached to the second tube portion, and   at least one of the first hose and the second hose is configured to introduce a liquid into the heat transfer tube of said heat exchanger.   
     
     
         8 . The tank and heat exchanger combination of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a coupling sandwiched between the hose and the pipe-like structure, wherein   the coupling is configured to attach and detach the hose from the pipe-like structure.   
     
     
         9 . The tank and heat exchanger combination of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the heat transfer tube is welded to the first surface of the heat transfer flange.   
     
     
         10 . The tank and heat exchanger combination of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the pipe-like structure is welded to the second surface of the heat transfer flange.   
     
     
         11 . The tank and heat exchanger combination of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the heat transfer flange comprises a bolt pattern matching a tank flange bolt pattern, and the tank flange is bolted to the heat transfer flange.   
     
     
         12 . A method of heating a tank, comprising:
 connecting a heat exchanger unit to said tank;   connecting a heat source to the heat exchanger unit, wherein
 the heat exchanger unit comprises: 
 a heat transfer flange; 
 a heat transfer tube attached to a first surface of the heat transfer flange; 
 a pipe-like structure attached to a second surface of the heat transfer flange; and 
 a through-hole formed in the flange and extending from the first to the second side surface, wherein the pipe-like structure communicates with the heat transfer tube via the through-hole, 
   connecting the heat transfer flange to a tank flange so that the heat transfer tube extends into the tank from the first surface of the heat exchanger unit and through an opening in the tank flange.   
     
     
         13 . The method of heating a tank of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the heat transfer flange is bolted to the tank flange, and a bolt pattern on the tank flange is configured to match a bolt pattern on the heat transfer flange.   
     
     
         14 . The method of heating a tank of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the tank flange includes an opening having a diameter configured to accommodate the heat transfer tube extending into the tank from the heat transfer flange.