Thermosiphon having improved efficiency

Abstract

The invention relates to an improved thermosiphon and to a method for transferring heat. The thermosiphon has a higher efficiency than existing thermosiphons because it does not rely on a pool-boiling evaporator but rather uses a forced-convection boiling evaporator. The inlet of the evaporator is located in its upper portion and is in fluid communication with a condenser. The fluid in its liquid phase enters the evaporator from its inlet in its upper portion and, by gravity, flows down the piping network of the evaporator, clinging on the inner surface of the tubes of the piping network. As the liquid flows down, it evaporates such that the fluid at the bottom of the evaporator is predominantly in a gaseous phase. The fluid in gaseous phase is then returned to the condenser.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention generally relates to the field of heat exchangers. More particularly, the invention relates to an improved thermosiphon. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] A thermosiphon is a type of heat exchanger. The thermosiphon induces movement in a fluid by creating density gradients in the fluid through the exchange of heat. Currents are then generated by gravity as denser regions in the fluid tend to fall and the lighter ones tend to rise. [0003] A closed-loop thermosiphon is one that forms a closed circuit within which the fluid circulates. The fluid is heated in one part of the circuit. If the density of the fluid varies inversely with temperature—which is generally the case—the heating causes it to rise to another part of the circuit that is cooled. The heated fluid releases its heat in this cooled part of the circuit. The circulating fluid then falls back down to the heated part of the circuit to start the cycle once again. [0004] The ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0026] The present invention increases the heat transfer obtained by the thermosiphon to such a level that it becomes a viable alternative to costlier heat pipes, thermal wheels and direct air heat exchangers. Furthermore, the thermosiphon does not require geometrical constraints that may be inconvenient such as with heat pipes and thermal wheels that require the exhaust and intake ducts to be side-by-side. Since it operates with gra

Problems solved by technology

Hence, thermosiphons necessitate minimal maintenance, further contributing to their cost-effectiveness.

Although a very interesting product, existing thermosiphons are often overlooked for many applications because the heating they produced is not important enough to justify their use.

This is due to their inherent design limitations.

Unfortunately, for an application such as transferring heat from air evacuated from a building, pool boiling is not very effective.

Consequently, the rate of evaporation is relatively low, impairing the efficiency of the thermosiphon.

Howev

Images