Composite ceramic cellular structure and heat recuperative apparatus incorporating same
AssigneeGTE Sylvania Incorporated
InventorsChester J. Dziedzic, Joseph J. Cleveland
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Abstract
Layered composite cross-flow ceramic recuperators having minimal leakage between layers and consequent high efficiencies are utilized for industrial waste heat recovery in an apparatus in which the ceramic recuperator is surrounded by a metallic housing adapted for coupling to the metallic fittings of existing furnaces, calciners, ovens and preheaters. The ceramic recuperators are formed from stacks of bi-sectioned ribbed layers, the sections of each layer being sealed together to minimize leakage of the heat transfer fluids between layers, and thus to increase the efficiency of the heat transfer.
Claims16
A composite cross-flow recuperative ceramic cellular structure, having first and second pairs of opposing faces defining cell openings for the passage of heat transfer fluids, respectively, in directions transverse to one another, the first fluid transferring heat to the second fluid during passage through the cells, whereby each pair of faces has in operation a hot face and a cold face, the hot face of the first pair being the inlet face for the first fluid, and the hot face of the second pair being the outlet face for the second fluid,
- characterized in that the ceramic cellular structure is a composite of a plurality of sectioned stacked ribbed layers, the layer sections in abutting relationship, the layers stacked so that the ribs of alternate layers are transverse to one another, and sealing means between abutting layer sections, the sealing means substantially preventing leakage of heat transfer fluids between adjacent layers.
A heat recuperative apparatus comprising a cross-flow recuperative ceramic cellular structure, having first and second pairs of opposing faces defining cell openings for the passage of first and second heat transfer fluids, respectively, in directions transverse to one another, the first fluid transferring heat to the second fluid during passage through the cells, whereby each pair of faces has in operation a hot face and a cold face, the hot face of the first pair being the inlet face for the first fluid, and the hot face of the second pair being the outlet face for the second fluid, a metallic housing surrounding the cellular structure, the housing defining openings communicating with the structure cell openings, the housing openings adapted for coupling to external fluid conduits, and means for maintaining a seal between the cellular structure and the housing to promote passage of the heat transfer fluids through the structure cells;
- characterized in that the ceramic cellular structure is a composite of a plurality of sectioned stacked ribbed layers, of a material having a melting temperature greater than a preselected temperature of operation of the apparatus, the layer sections in abutting relationship, the layers stacked so that the ribs of alternate layers are transverse to one another, and sealing means between abutting layer sections, the sealing means substantially preventing leakage of heat transfer fluids between adjacent layers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.