Heating apparatus and method for industrial use

Abstract

An industrial apparatus has a circuit ( 2 ) in which an operating fluid circulates. The circuit ( 2 ) has a means ( 20 ) for heating the operating fluid and being deprived of an evaporator, and a circulating line ( 31 ) in which a heat transfer fluid circulates; the circulating line ( 31 ) being closed on itself; the flow rate of the heat transfer fluid in the circulating line ( 31 ) being between 10 and 500 m 3 /h. A first heat exchanger ( 901 ) places the circuit ( 2 ) and the circulating line ( 31 ) in thermal communication. An industrial heater ( 92 ) has a second heat exchanger ( 902 ) in which the circulating line ( 31 ) passes, wherein the heating means ( 20 ) has a piston pump ( 21 ).

1 . An industrial apparatus comprising:
 a circuit in which an operating fluid circulates; said circuit comprising a means for heating the operating fluid and being deprived of an evaporator,   a circulating line in which a heat transfer fluid circulates; the circulating line being closed on itself; the flow rate of the heat transfer fluid in said circulating line being between 10 and 500 m 3 /h,   a first heat exchanger; the first heat exchanger placing said circuit and said circulating line in thermal communication,   an industrial heater comprising a second heat exchanger in which the circulating line passes,   
       wherein the heating means includes a piston pump. 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said heat transfer fluid is other than water. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said first heat exchanger is a tube bundle exchanger. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus comprises a capacity control means for controlling the flow rate of the operating fluid in the circuit; said capacity control means comprising a motorised valve situated along the circuit. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus comprises a steam generator; or a dryer; that in turn comprises said heater, which receives heat from the circulating line and uses the heat for a predetermined process. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus comprises a distiller; or an emulsifier; or a pasteuriser that in turn comprises said heater, which receives heat from the circulating line and uses the heat for a predetermined process. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus comprises a reactor for carrying out a chemical reaction; said reactor in turn comprises said heater, which receives heat from the circulating line and uses the heat for a predetermined process. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus comprises an electric motor for driving the piston pump; said electric motor comprising/being a magnetic asynchronous electric motor. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the operating fluid is R1233ZD(E). 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus comprises a control unit for regulating the temperatures and pressure required to keep in a liquid phase the operating fluid circulating in circuit. 
     
     
         11 . A heating method involving the apparatus according to  claim 1 , comprising the following steps:
 circulating a operating fluid in the circuit;   heating the operating fluid that circulates in said circuit;   carrying out a transmission of heat from the operating fluid to the heat transfer fluid that recirculates in the first circulating line,   providing the heat coming from the heat transfer fluid in the heater situated along the circulating line.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the operating fluid has a pressure between 6 and 8 bar.