Heat transfer method and apparatus

A heat transfer device comprising:

• heat transfer means for altering the temperature of a liquid, said heat transfer means having a heat transfer surface, the temperature of said heat transfer surface varying from the temperature of said liquid;
• said liquid flowing over said heat transfer surface;
• and
• gas discharge means for discharging a stream of gas bubbles into said liquid, said bubble stream discharge located relative to said heat transfer surface so as to cause said stream of bubbles to pass along said heat transfer surface in close proximity thereto, whereby said stream of bubbles improves heat transfer between said heat transfer surface and said liquid and assists in cleaning from said heat transfer surface any foreign matter which may have collected thereon.

A method of cooling and conditioning air, comprising:

• moving air along a predetermined flow path;
• providing a cooling stage in said flow path of said air, said cooling stage cooling said air by spraying water into said moving air;
• circulating water through heat transfer means to chill said water, said heat transfer means having a heat transfer surface over which said water flows;
• maintaining said heat transfer surface at a temperature less than the temperature of said water by circulating a heat exchange fluid in relation to said heat transfer surface, said heat exchange fluid having a temperature less than the temperature of said water;
• discharging air into said water to form a stream of air bubbles in said water and locating said air stream discharge so as to cause said stream of air bubbles to pass along said heat transfer surface in close proximity thereto, whereby said bubble air stream improves heat transfer between said heat transfer surface and said water and assists in cleaning from said exterior surfaces of said heat transfer surface any foreign matter which may have collected thereon;
• and
• circulating said cooled water to said cooling stage for spraying therefrom.

A system for cooling and conditioning air, said system comprising:

• means for directing air along a predetermined flow path;
• air washer means located in said flow path having spray means for spraying water into said moving air;
• heat transfer means for chilling water, said heat transfer means having a heat transfer surface over which said water flows, said heat transfer surface having a temperature less than the temperature of said water, said heat transfer means having heat exchange fluid for chilling said heat transfer surface by circulating said heat exchange fluid in relation to said heat transfer surface, said heat exchange fluid itself having a temperature less than the temperature of said water;
• air discharge means for discharging a stream of air bubbles in said water, said air stream discharge located so as to cause said stream of air bubbles to pass along said heat transfer surface in close proximity thereto, whereby said stream of air bubbles improves heat transfer between said heat transfer surface and said water and assists in cleaning from said heat transfer surface any foreign matter which may have collected thereon;
• and
• circulating means for circulating said chilled water to said air washer spray means for spraying therefrom.

A system for cooling and conditioning air, said system comprising:

• means for directing air along a predetermined flow path;
• air washer means located in said flow path having spray means for spraying water into said moving air, said air washer spray means including a water spray pipe and collector means for collecting water sprayed from said water spray pipe;
• chilling basin means having a water supply inlet and a water discharge outlet, said water in said chilling basin means flowing from said inlet to said outlet, said chilling basin further having barrier wall means disposed so as to cause said water to flow along a serpentine path;
• circulating means for circulating said water from said collector means to said chilling basin means;
• refrigerating means for mechanically chilling said water in said chilling basin means, said refrigerating means having in said chilling basin means a plurality of substantially vertical evaporator panels having a longitudinal extent, said evaporator panels formed with two substantially planar exterior surfaces and disposed in substantially parallel relation to each other;
• air discharge means for discharging streams of air bubbles in said water in said chilling basin means, said air stream discharge located so as to cause said streams of air bubbles to pass along said exterior surfaces of said evaporator panels in close proximity thereto, said air discharge means including a plurality of bubbler tubes having openings through which air is discharged to form said bubbles, an air blower, a manifold into which said blower introduces positive air pressure, and a connecting pipe communicating with said manifold and extending to communicate with said bubbler tubes, said bubbler tubes extending in substantially parallel relation to each other and in substantially parallel relation to said evaporator panels, each of said evaporator panels being located an equal distance from each of the adjacentmost pair of bubbler tubes, whereby at least some of said streams of air bubbles from one bubbler tube pass along adjacent exterior surfaces of two evaporator panels, said bubbler tubes immediately upstream of said water discharge outlet being spaced a sufficient distance from said outlet so as to substantially eliminate air bubbles from entering said outlet;
• and
• recirculating means for recirculating said chilled water to said water spray pipe for spraying therefrom.

A method of cooling and conditioning air, comprising:

• moving air along a predetermined flow path;
• providing a cooling stage in said flow path of said air, said cooling stage cooling said air by spraying water into said moving air;
• circulating water through heat transfer means to chill said water, said heat transfer means being located adjacent said cooling stage, said heat transfer means having a heat transfer surface over which said water flows;
• maintaining said heat transfer surface at a temperature less than the temperature of said water by circulating a heat exchange fluid in relation to said heat transfer surface, said heat exchange fluid having a temperature less than the temperature of said water;
• discharging air into said water to form a stream of air bubbles in said water and locating said air stream discharge so as to cause said stream of air bubbles to pass along said heat transfer surface in close proximity thereto, whereby said bubble air stream improves heat transfer between said heat transfer surface and said water and assists in cleaning from said exterior surfaces of said heat transfer surface any foreign matter which may have collected thereon;
• and
• circulating said cooled water from said heat transfer means to said adjacently located cooling stage for spraying therefrom.

A system for cooling and conditioning air, said system comprising:

• means for directing air along a predetermined flow path;
• air washer means located in said flow path having spray means for spraying water into said moving air;
• heat transfer means for chilling water, said heat transfer means being located adjacent said air washer means, said heat transfer means having a heat transfer surface over which said water flows, said heat transfer surface having a temperature less than the temperature of said water, said heat transfer means having heat exchange fluid for chilling said heat transfer surface by circulating said heat exchange fluid in relation to said heat transfer surface, said heat exchange fluid itself having a temperature less than the temperature of said water;
• air discharge means for discharging a stream of air bubbles in said water, said air stream discharge located so as to cause said stream of air bubbles to pass along said heat transfer surface in close proximity thereto, whereby said stream of air bubbles improves heat transfer between said heat transfer surface and said water and assists in cleaning from said heat transfer surface any foreign matter which may have collected thereon;
• and
• circulating means for circulating said chilled water from said heat transfer means to said adjacently located air washer spray means for spraying therefrom.

A system for cooling and conditioning air, said system comprising:

• housing means including means for directing a predetermined quantity of air moving through said housing means along a predetermined flow path;
• air washer means located in said housing means and within said predetermined flow path of said moving air, said air washer means having spray means for spraying water into said moving air;
• heat transfer means for chilling water, said heat transfer means being located in said housing means adjacent said air washer means and within said predetermined flow path of said moving air, said heat transfer means having a heat transfer surface over which said water flows, said heat transfer surface having a temperature less than the temperature of said water, said heat transfer means having heat exchange fluid for chilling said heat transfer surface by circulating in relation to said heat transfer surface, said heat exchange fluid itself having a temperature less than the temperature of said water;
• and
• circulating means associated with said housing means for circulating said chilled water from said heat transfer means to said adjacently located air washer spray means for spraying therefrom.