Multiple mode hybrid heat exchanger

Abstract

A multiple mode hybrid heat exchanger apparatus includes a frame assembly, an indirect heat exchange section, a spray system, an intermediate distribution basin, a direct heat exchange section, a vertical passage, a lower air inlet, a cold water collection basin, and a fan. The direct heat exchange section is disposed below the indirect heat exchange section. The vertical passage is defined by the frame and the direct heat exchange section. The lower air inlet is defined by a plurality of openings in the direct heat exchange section and configured to provide an inlet for air into the vertical passage. The cold water collection basin is disposed below the direct heat exchange section. The fan is to induce a flow of air through the lower air inlet. The multiple mode hybrid heat exchanger is selectably configured to operate in an evaporative mode, a dry mode, and an adiabatic mode.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A multiple mode hybrid heat exchanger apparatus, comprising:
 a direct heat exchange section comprising a first side and a second side;   an indirect heat exchange section comprising a first side and a second side;   a liquid distribution assembly comprising a first spray system disposed above the indirect heat exchange section and a second spray system disposed above the direct heat exchange section, wherein each of the first spray system and the second spray system includes a first side and a second side;   one or more air inlets, wherein the one or more air inlets comprise first and second air inlets in the direct heat exchange section;   a liquid collection basin disposed below the direct heat exchange section;   a fan to induce an airflow through the apparatus;   wherein the apparatus is configured to selectively operate in an evaporative mode, a dry mode, and/or an adiabatic mode:
 wherein in the evaporative mode, at least one of the first side and the second side of the first spray system and at least one of the first side and the second side of the second spray system are activated; 
 wherein in the dry mode, the first spray system and the second spray system are deactivated; and 
 wherein in the adiabatic mode, the first spray system is deactivated, the second spray system is activated, and air passes across the spray of liquid from the second spray system. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the direct heat exchange section is disposed below the indirect heat exchange section. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the indirect heat exchange section is located downstream of the direct heat exchange section's airflow. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first side and the second side of the first spray system and the first side and the second side of the second spray system are independently controlled. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more air inlets further comprise third and fourth air inlets disposed between the direct heat exchange section and the indirect heat exchange section. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the fan is positioned on the top of the apparatus. 
     
     
         7 . A multiple mode hybrid heat exchanger apparatus, comprising:
 a direct heat exchange section comprising a first side and a second side;   one or more indirect heat exchange sections, wherein each of the one or more indirect heat exchange sections comprises a first side and a second side;   a liquid distribution assembly comprising a first spray system disposed above the first indirect heat exchange section and a second spray system disposed above the direct heat exchange section;   one or more air inlets, wherein the one or more air inlets comprise first and second air inlets in the direct heat exchange section;   a passage that extends through at least the direct heat exchange section;   a fan to induce an airflow through the apparatus;   wherein the apparatus is selectively controlled to operate in an evaporative mode, a dry mode, and/or an adiabatic mode:
 wherein in the evaporative mode, the first spray system is activated to supply a spray of liquid to the first indirect heat exchange section and the second spray system is activated to supply a spray of liquid to the direct heat exchange section; 
 wherein in the dry mode, the first spray system and the second spray system are deactivated; and 
 wherein in the adiabatic mode, the first spray system is deactivated, the second spray system is activated to supply a spray of liquid to the direct heat exchange section. 
   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the one or more indirect heat exchange sections comprise a first indirect heat exchange section and/or a second indirect heat exchange section and the passage further extends through the first indirect heat exchange section and/or the second indirect heat exchange section. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the one or more air inlets further comprise third and fourth air inlets disposed between the direct heat exchange section and the one or more indirect heat exchange sections. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , further comprising one or more dampers disposed in the passage, louvers disposed in the third and/or fourth air inlets to control airflow through the third and/or fourth inlets, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein each of the first spray system and the second spray system includes a first side and a second side that are independently controlled. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein in the evaporative mode, at least one of the one or more dampers is vertically closed to prevent air from the passage from passing through the one or more indirect heat exchange sections. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein in the evaporative mode, the louvers are opened to facilitate airflow through the one or more indirect heat exchange sections without passing through the direct heat exchange section. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein in the adiabatic mode, at least one of the one or more dampers is horizontally closed to facilitate airflow through the one or more indirect heat exchange sections after passing through the direct heat exchange section. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein in the adiabatic mode, the louvers are closed to prevent airflow through the one or more indirect heat exchange sections without passing through the direct heat exchange section. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein in the dry mode, at least one of the one or more dampers is horizontally closed to facilitate airflow through the one or more indirect heat exchange sections after passing through the direct heat exchange section. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein in the dry mode, the louvers are opened to facilitate airflow through the one or more indirect heat exchange sections without passing through the direct heat exchange section. 
     
     
         18 . A multiple mode hybrid heat exchanger apparatus, comprising:
 a direct heat exchange section comprising a first side and a second side;   an indirect heat exchange section comprising a first side and a second side;   a liquid distribution assembly comprising a first spray system disposed above the indirect heat exchange section and a second spray system disposed above the direct heat exchange section, wherein each of the first spray system and the second spray system includes a first side and a second side that are independently controlled;   one or more air inlets, wherein the one or more air inlets comprise first and second air inlets in the direct heat exchange section;   wherein the apparatus is configured to selectively operate in an evaporative mode, a dry mode, and/or an adiabatic mode:
 wherein in the evaporative mode, the first and/or second side of the first spray system and the first and/or second side of the second spray system are activated; 
 wherein in the dry mode, the first and/or second side of the first spray system and the first and/or second side of the second spray system are deactivated; and 
 wherein in the adiabatic mode, the first and/or second side of the first spray system is deactivated, the first and/or second side of the second spray system is activated, and air passes across the spray of liquid from the first and/or second side of the second spray system. 
   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein the direct heat exchange section is disposed below the indirect heat exchange section. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein the indirect heat exchange section is located downstream of the direct heat exchange section's airflow. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is a gas cooler. 
     
     
         22 . A multiple mode hybrid heat exchanger apparatus, comprising:
 a direct heat exchange section;   an indirect heat exchange section comprising a coil assembly and configured to cool or condense a gas that flows through the coil assembly;   a spray system;   one or more air inlets, wherein the one or more air inlets comprise first and second air inlets in the direct heat exchange section;   a liquid collection basin disposed below the direct heat exchange section;   a fan to induce an airflow through the apparatus;   wherein the apparatus is a gas cooler and is configured to selectively operate in an evaporative mode, a dry mode, and/or an adiabatic mode:   wherein the evaporative mode of operation includes:
 activation of the spray system to spray liquid over the indirect heat exchange section to wet one or more coils of the coil assembly; 
 air enters the apparatus through the one or more air inlets and passes over the one or more wetted coils; and 
 heat from the gas flowing through the one or more coils is transferred to the liquid sprayed over the one or more coils; 
   wherein the dry mode of operation includes:
 deactivation of the spray system; and 
   wherein the adiabatic mode of operation includes:
 activation of the spray system to spray liquid over the direct heat exchange section and bypass the indirect heat exchange section; 
 air enters the apparatus through the one or more air inlets and passes across the spray of liquid.