US 5,820,362 AGranted

Fluid control

AssigneeThe G. C. Broach Company

InventorGeorge C. Broach

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Abstract

A furnace for heating a process fluid stream which includes means for efficiently controlling a flow of the process fluid stream through an adjunct loop of the fluid stream. The adjunct loop comprises a heat exchange system in which a portion of the process fluid stream collects heat from flue gases being emitted from the furnace and donates heat to combustion air being used in the furnace. Valve means is positioned downstream of a pump and in connection with the fluid stream in order to constantly replenish a small portion of fluid in the adjunct loop with fresh process fluid. The positioning of the valve means downstream of the pump permits more efficient control of the heat exchange system. One form of valve means may be a valve which will permit a small amount of fluid to continue to flow between the fluid stream and the adjunct loop during a non-operating mode of the adjunct loop heat exchange component.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A furnace for heating a process fluid stream, comprising:

a burner supplied with fuel and combustion air for supplying process heat to the furnace,
an inlet line of a process fluid stream for presenting the process fluid stream to the furnace,
an outlet line of a process fluid stream in communication with said inlet line,
an adjunct loop component for circulating in non-contact relation with flue gases emanating from the furnace a portion of the fluid stream thru the furnace in communication with said inlet line and said outlet line, comprising:
means for collecting heat from flue gases being exited from the furnace, and
means for donating heat to combustion air entering the the furnace,
pump means operably positioned in communication with said adjunct loop component for circulating the fluid stream toward said means for collecting heat from the flue gases, and
valve means in communication with the adjunct loop downstream of the pump means, the valve means operable for controlling circulation of the fluid stream thru the adjunct loop.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.