Heat Transfer System
AssigneeSchlumberger Technology Corporation
InventorsAndrew Clarke, Debora Campos de Faria, David Snoswell
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A heat transfer device, such as a heat exchanger, has dimensions and flow speed such that Reynolds number for the flow is in a range from 1 to 1000. The device uses a working fluid which is in a state of elastic turbulence. This enhances transfer of heat to or from the working fluid. In some embodiments the fluid is an emulsion with a disperse phase which changes between liquid and solid so that its latent heat of fusion contributes to the amount of heat carried by the working fluid.
Claims20
A method of moving heat into or out of a flowing fluid, comprising:
- pumping the fluid through a heat transfer device wherein the heat transfer device comprises:
- a chamber for through flow of fluid and wherein a chamber wall in contact with the flowing fluid is an interface through which heat energy is transferred to or from the flowing fluid, wherein the chamber contains an array of spaced obstructions compelling the streamlines of the flowing fluid to repeatedly change direction in order to flow through gaps between the obstructions;
- the fluid contains a solute which enables the fluid to display elastic turbulence;
- the flow rate of the fluid in the chamber is such that the flowing fluid is in a state of elastic turbulence, and
- the viscosity of the fluid, the flow rate of the fluid within the chamber and the width of the gaps between obstructions gives a Reynolds number (Re) for the flow which is in a range from 1 to 1000.
A system for moving heat energy comprising:
- a heat transfer device including a chamber for through flow of fluid wherein a chamber wall is an interface through which heat energy is transferred to or from the flowing fluid, a fluid and a pump for pumping the fluid through the chamber, wherein:
- the chamber contains an array of spaced obstructions compelling the streamlines of flowing fluid to repeatedly change direction in order to flow through gaps between the obstructions;
- the fluid contains a solute which enables the fluid to display elastic turbulence;
- and
- the system is configured so that the viscosity of the fluid, the flow rate of the fluid within the chamber and the width of the gaps between obstructions gives a Reynolds number (Re) for the flow which is in a range from 1 to 1000.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.