Heat exchanger with integral internal temperature sensor
AssigneeGraham Corporation
InventorsJames Richard Lines, Alan Earl Smith, Lawrence Michael Saupe, Lance Lee Frens
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A heat exchange method and apparatus having a cooled fluid flowing in contact with a first surface of a heat exchange wall and a cooling fluid flowing in contact with a second surface of the wall. At least one temperature sensor is located to directly monitor the temperature of the first surface. Flow of the cooling fluid is throttled when the temperature of the first surface drops at least 50 degrees below the freezing temperature of the cooled fluid.
Claims15
A method of operating a heat exchanger including a heat transfer wall having a first surface and an opposite second surface comprising:
- a) passing a cooled fluid in contact with the first surface of the heat transfer wall and passing a cooling fluid in contact with the second surface of the heat transfer wall;
- b) directly monitoring the temperature of the first surface of the heat transfer wall;
- and
- c) adjusting the flow of one of the cooled fluid and cooling fluid in response to the temperature of the first surface.
A method of operating a heat exchanger encompassing a tube wall having inner and outer surfaces, comprising:
- a) flowing a cooling fluid through the tube and in heat exchange contact with the inner surface of the tube wall at a first flow rate;
- b) passing a cooled fluid in heat exchange contact with the outer surface of the tube wall;
- c) measuring the temperature of the outer surface of the tube wall;
- and
- d) decreasing the flow of the cooling fluid to a second flow rate in response to the temperature of the outer surface falling at least 50 degrees below the freezing temperature of the cooled fluid to prevent the freezing of the cooled fluid onto the outer surface.
A heat exchange apparatus comprising:
- a) a housing containing flow paths for a cooled fluid and a cooling fluid, the housing having a heat transfer wall with a first surface for contacting the cooled fluid and a second surface for contacting the cooling fluid;
- b) monitoring means for directly monitoring the temperature of the first surface of the heat transfer wall;
- and
- c) adjusting means acting responsive to the temperature of the first surface for adjusting the flow of one of the cooled fluid and cooling fluid through the heat exchanger so as to prevent the freezing of the cooled fluid onto the first surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.