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US 6,185,841 B1Granted
Enhanced heat transfer system
AssigneeKFx Inc.
InventorDavid Stewart Conochie
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for heating or cooling a solid material (93) in a process vessel (80) is disclosed. The Method includes supplying a working fluid to a vessel which holds a packed bed (93) of the solid material. The method is characterised by reversing the flow of the working fluid to enhance heat transfer between a heat exchange fluid and the solid material.
Claims27
A method of heating or cooling a solid material in a process vessel, which method comprises:
- (a) supplying a charge of the solid material to the vessel to form a packed bed;
- (b) supplying a working fluid to the vessel;
- (c) heating or cooling the solid material by heat exchange with a heat exchange fluid via internal heat transfer surfaces in the packed bed, whereby indirect heat exchange occurs between the heat transfer fluid and the charge and between the heat transfer fluid and the working fluid, and whereby direct heat exchange occurs between the working fluid and the charge;
- and
- (d) enhancing heat exchange during heating or cooling step (c) by reversing flow of the working fluid by:
- (i) causing the working fluid to flow in a first direction for a first period of time;
- (ii) causing the working fluid to flow in a second direction for a second period of time;
- and
- (iii) repeating steps (i) and (ii).
6 more elements
An apparatus for heating or cooling a charge of a solid material, which apparatus comprises:
- (a) a vessel defining an internal volume, the vessel having:
- (i) an inlet end having an inlet for the solid material;
- and
- (ii) an outlet end having an outlet for the solid material;
- (b) a plurality of heat transfer surfaces in the vessel;
- (c) an inlet for supplying a heat exchange fluid to the vessel for heating or cooling the solid material in the vessel by indirect heat exchange via the heat transfer surfaces;
- and
- (d) a working fluid flow control element for
- (i) causing the working fluid to flow in contact with the solid material in the vessel in a first direction for a first period of time;
- (ii) causing the working fluid to flow in contact with the solid material in the vessel in a second direction for a second period of time;
- and
- (iii) successfully reversing the flow of the working fluid for the first and second time periods.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.