Firetube heat exchanger

Abstract

A firetube having an elongated cylindrical shell is characterized by a plurality of circular rows of elongated U-shaped fins, each having a bottom surface, preferably curved along a radius or flat, secured to the inner surface of the cylindrical shell and two flat, planar, preferably parallel sides extending upwardly from the bottom surface, with the fins in each row aligned substantially parallel along the axis of the cylindrical shell.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]Firetube heat exchangers are well known for converting heat from hot gases of combustion to a material, typically a liquid, exposed to the outside surface of the firetube. Such heat exchangers are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,913,289 and 6,675,746. These as well as other previously described firetube heat exchangers have been relatively expensive or difficult to manufacture. In addition, some firetube heat exchangers have been less effective in transferring heat from the hot gases of combustion passing through the interior of the firetube to the outside surface for heating the liquid. It is to an improved, highly efficient, and relatively economically manufactured firetube design that the apparatus described herein is directed.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION[0002]Embodiments of the firetube heat exchanger described herein comprise an elongated cylindrical shell having a fluid inlet end, a fluid outlet end and a fin assembly secured on the inner surface of ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0002]Embodiments of the firetube heat exchanger described herein comprise an elongated cylindrical shell having a fluid inlet end, a fluid outlet end and a fin assembly secured on the inner surface of the shell. The fin assembly comprises a plurality of circular rows of elongated U-shaped fins, each fin having a bottom surface secured to the inner surface of the shell with two generally flat, planar sides extending upwardly from the bottom fin surface. The fins in each row are aligned substantially parallel along the axis of the cylindrical shell, and the fins of one or more rows of fins may be offset angul

Problems solved by technology

These as well as other previously described firetube heat exchangers have been relatively expensive or difficult to manufacture.

In addition, some firetube heat exchangers have been less effective in transferring heat from the hot gases of combustion passing through the interior of the firetube to the outside surface for heating the liquid.

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