Perforated fin heat exchangers and catalytic support

A method for heat exchange between a first fluid and a second fluid, comprising the steps of:

• providing a tube having a plurality of fins contacting the outer surface of the tube and oriented generally normal to the tube, each fin comprising perforations to permit the flow of a fluid therethrough, the plurality of fins not extending through the tube;
• flowing a first fluid inside the tube in a direction that is essentially parallel to the tube;
• and
• flowing a second fluid through the fins in a direction that is essentially parallel to the tube to promote the exchange of heat between the first fluid and the second fluid, at least one of the fins comprising a material for facilitating a change in the composition of the second fluid.

A heat exchanger comprising:

• a tube adapted to permit the flow of a first fluid inside the tube;
• a plurality of fins, each fin contacting the outer surface of the tube and oriented generally normal to the tube, each fin comprising perforations to permit the flow of a fluid therethrough in a direction that is essentially parallel to the tube;
• a container surrounding the tube and fins, the container arranged to direct the flow of a second fluid through the fins in a direction that is essentially parallel to the tube to promote the exchange of heat between the first fluid and the second fluid;
• and
• at least one internal fin contacting the interior surface of the tube and oriented generally normal to the tube, the internal fin comprising perforations to permit the flow of a fluid in a direction that is essentially parallel to the tube, the plurality of fins contacting the outer surface of the tube and the at least one internal fin contacting the interior surface of the tube not extending through the tube;
• at least one of the fins contacting the outer surface of the tube, or at least one of the internal fins, comprising a material for facilitating a change in the composition of a fluid flowing through the heat exchanger.

A heat exchanger comprising:

• a tube adapted to permit the flow of a first fluid inside the tube;
• a plurality of fins, each fin contacting the outer surface of the tube and oriented generally normal to the tube, each fin comprising open perforations to permit the flow of a fluid therethrough in a direction that is essentially parallel to the tube;
• and
• a container surrounding the tube and fins, the container arranged to direct the flow of a second fluid through the fins in a direction that is essentially parallel to the tube to promote the exchange of heat between the first fluid and the second fluid,
• the heat exchanger being incorporated in a fuel processor for converting hydrocarbon fuel into a mixture comprising hydrogen.

In a fuel processor for converting hydrocarbon fuel into a mixture comprising hydrogen, a method for heat exchange between a first fluid and a second fluid, comprising the steps of:

• providing a tube having a plurality of fins contacting the outer surface of the tube and oriented generally normal to the tube, each fin comprising open perforations to permit the flow of a fluid therethrough;
• flowing a first fluid inside the tube in a direction that is essentially parallel to the tube;
• and
• flowing a second fluid through the fins in a direction that is essentially parallel to the tube to promote the exchange of heat between the first fluid and the second fluid.

A heat exchanger comprising:

• a tube adapted to permit the flow of a first fluid inside the tube;
• a plurality of fins, each fin contacting the outer surface of the tube and oriented generally normal to the tube, each fin comprising perforations to permit the flow of a fluid therethrough in a direction that is essentially parallel to the tube;
• and
• a container surrounding the tube and fins, the container arranged to direct the flow of a second fluid through the fins in a direction that is essentially parallel to the tube to promote the exchange of heat between the first fluid and the second fluid, at least one fin not affixed to the tube and making contact effective for heat exchange when the fin is at a temperature other than ambient temperature.

A method for heat exchange between a first fluid and a second fluid, comprising the steps of:

• providing a tube having a plurality of fins contacting the outer surface of the tube and oriented generally normal to the tube, each fin comprising perforations to permit the flow of a fluid therethrough;
• flowing a first fluid inside the tube in a direction that is essentially parallel to the tube;
• and
• flowing a second fluid through the fins in a direction that is essentially parallel to the tube to promote the exchange of heat between the first fluid and the second fluid;
• and
• providing at least one internal fin contacting the interior surface of the tube and oriented generally normal to the tube, the internal fin comprising perforations to permit the flow of a fluid in a direction that is essentially parallel to the tube, the plurality of fins contacting the outer surface of the tube and the at least one internal fin contacting the interior surface of the tube not extending through the tube;
• at least one of the fins contacting the outer surface of the tube, or at least one of the internal fins, comprising a material for facilitating a change in the composition of a fluid flowing through the heat exchanger.

A method for heat exchange between a first fluid and a second fluid, comprising the steps of:

• providing a tube having a plurality of fins contacting the outer surface of the tube and oriented generally normal to the tube, each fin comprising perforations to permit the flow of a fluid therethrough;
• flowing a first fluid inside the tube in a direction that is essentially parallel to the tube;
• and
• flowing a second fluid through the fins in a direction that is essentially parallel to the tube to promote the exchange of heat between the first fluid and the second fluid, at least one fin not affixed to the tube and making contact effective for heat exchange when the fin is at a temperature other than ambient temperature.