Method and Apparatus to Effect Heat Transfer

Abstract

The disclosed methods and apparatus seek to effect heat transfer through the use of one or more conductive fin devices. In addition, the disclosed devices seek to reduce the discharge of pollutants from primary combustion processes using carbonaceous fuel sources by implementing secondary combustion features and other apparatus. With more effective heat capture and utilization, the disclosed heat exchange technologies provide methods and apparatus to reduce heat dissipation to atmosphere. The methods and apparatus have application in the areas of industrial incineration, power boilers, water heaters, residential and commercial solid fuel waste heat recovery appliances, and electric power generation. In addition, the technology could have application in the areas of solar systems, desalination systems, aircraft and vehicular engines, electric motors, turbines, oil pans on internal combustion engines, transmission cooling pans, cooling navigational and electronic systems, and computer cooling and power supply.

Description

FIELD OF ART[0001]The disclosed apparatus and methods relate generally to the field of plate-type heat exchangers which can be conjoined with secondary combustion devices, and more specifically to such apparatus which are stand-alone devices or incorporated into one or more systems of devices.BACKGROUND[0002]Mechanisms for conversion of energy contained in fuels to mechanical work or electric energy necessarily produce large quantities of byproduct heat or waste heat. Presently, technology may utilize one or more heat exchangers to effect heat transfer from one medium to another. Although engineers have attempted to understand and control the flow of heat through the use of thermal insulation, heat exchangers, and other devices, it is well known that inefficiency has commonly been accepted as the norm. For example, it is well known that most of the time the electrical efficiency of thermal power plants, which is defined as the ratio between the input and output energy, only amounts ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]The disclosed devices seek to effect heat transfer to be employed for one or more uses or to one or more media. In addition, the disclosed devices seek to reduce the discharge of pollutants from primary combustion processes by implementing secondary combustion processes. With more effective heat capture and utilization, the disclosed heat exchange technologies provide methods and apparatus to reduce heat dissipation to atmosphere.

[0023]In another embodiment, a heat exchanger comprises: one or more conductive plates having ribs which extend outwardly from a hollow or solid core, the core being capable of receiving and housing heat transferred by the ribs from an outermost edge of the plate. A portion of heat is transferred in the core to one or more uses or mediums in communication with the core. The outwardly extending ribs can be radial. Entropy controls may be utilized to prevent undesired heat loss and to pull heat back to the core. In accordance with this device, a plurality of heat exchangers can be connected in series to form an extended core to provide for a long distance transfer of heat.

Problems solved by technology

Mechanisms for conversion of energy contained in fuels to mechanical work or electric energy necessarily produce large quantities of byproduct heat or waste heat.

Although engineers have attempted to understand and control the flow of heat through the use of thermal insulation, heat exchangers, and other devices, it is well known that inefficiency has commonly been accepted as the norm.

In addition, it is often difficult to find useful applications for the large quantities of low quality waste heat from these systems so the solution has been to reject waste heat to the environment.

This of course results in dissipative heating of the water body which may also be an environmental detriment.

If sufficient cooling water is not available, the power plant would require cooling tower technology to reject waste heat to atmosphere.

Although waste heat can typically be recovered if a cogeneration system is used, the use of byproduct heat is often limited due to difficulties in heat transport and heat storage.

There are huge potentials of waste heat.

Mechanisms for conversion of energy contained in fuels can also produce unwanted pollutants.

In an actual combustion process, however, it is not uncommon for the combustion of the fuel to be incomplete, resulting in unoxidized compounds and unburned fuel in the products.

Although many types of technology are currently available for the production of energy and / or heat, it is asserted that only little progress to conventional technology has been achieved over the last centuries because of the availability of cheap fuel sources.

This can result in use of less fuel, which can lead to less pollution and a decrease in system operating costs.

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