# US 7,407,600 B2 · Heat-transfer systems

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- Number: US 7,407,600 B2
- Document ID: US7407600B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 10/886,298
- Filed: 2004-07-06
- Published: 2005-01-20
- Granted: 2008-08-05
- Earliest claimed: 2003-07-07
- Assignees: Dupont Tale + Lyle Bio Products Company, LLC
- Inventors: Edward Eaton; Scot D. Kudcey
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7407600B2

## CPC

- F28D 15/00: Heat-exchange apparatus with the intermediate heat-transfer medium in closed tubes passing into or through the conduit walls {; Heat-exchange apparatus employing intermediate heat-transfer medium or bodies (F28D17/00, F28D19/00, F28D20/00 take precedence)}
- B01J 19/0013: {Controlling the temperature of the process}
- B01J 19/002: {Avoiding undesirable reactions or side-effects, e.g. avoiding explosions, or improving the yield by suppressing side-reactions}
- B01J 47/00: Ion-exchange processes in general; Apparatus therefor (ion-exchange chromatography processes or apparatus B01D15/08)
- C09K 5/10: Liquid materials
- B01J 2219/0009: Coils
- B01J 2219/00103: in a heat exchanger separate from the reactor
- B01J 2219/00265: Preventing flame propagation
- F28D: HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT (fluid heaters having heat generating means and heat transferring means F24H; furnaces F27; details of heat-exchange apparatus of general)
- B01J: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
- C09K: MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE

## Abstract

An improved system for transferring heat, utilizing diols, specifically 1,3-propanediol (PDO). The system reduces the energy consumption, maintenance costs, corrosion, toxicity, and the risk of fire associated with such heat-dependent processes. Unlike traditional hydrocarbon heating fluids, diols do not require draining and replacement if a purifier is installed in the system. Business methods are also disclosed.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A heat-transfer process comprising the steps of:
(a) selecting at least one endothermic industrial process, wherein long chain hydrocarbon heat-transfer fluids circulate among heater means for heating such heat-transfer fluids and heat transfer means for transferring heat to such endothermic industrial process, wherein such heat-transfer fluids circulate at temperatures of about 150° C. to about 225° C.;
(b) substantially removing such long-chain hydrocarbon heat transfer fluids from such circulation;
(c) introducing, into such circulation, heat-transfer fluids comprising 1,3-propanediol; and
(d) operating such heat transfer process serving such endothermic industrial process with such introduced heat-transfer fluids.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The heat-transfer process, according to claim 1, wherein such introduced heat-transfer fluids, further comprise at least one water-miscible fluid adapted to permit essentially full solubility in water of such heat-transfer fluids.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The heat-transfer process, according to claim 1, wherein such introduced heat-transfer fluids have a thermal conductivity of at least 0.09 Btu/hr-ft-F.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The heat-transfer process, according to claim 1, further comprising the step of assisting ion exchange purification of such introduced heat-transfer fluids.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The heat-transfer process, according to claim 1, further comprising the step of assisting membrane filtration of such introduced heat-transfer fluids.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The heat transfer process, according to claim 1, wherein such step of selecting comprises the step of selecting at least one endothermic industrial process, wherein long-chain hydrocarbon heat-transfer fluids circulate among heater means for heating such heat-transfer fluids and heat transfer means for transferring heat to such endothermic industrial process, wherein such heat-transfer fluids circulate at temperatures of about 150° C. to about 215° C.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The heat transfer process, according to claim 6, wherein such step of selecting comprises the step of selecting at least one endothermic industrial process, wherein long-chain hydrocarbon heat-transfer fluids circulate among heater means for heating such heat-transfer fluids and heat transfer means for transferring heat to such endothermic industrial process, wherein such heat-transfer fluids circulates at temperatures of about 150° C. to about 200° C.

### Claim 8

A heat-transfer process comprising the steps of:
(a) selecting at least one endothermic industrial process whose typical design circulates long-chain hydrocarbon heat-transfer fluids among heater means for heating such heat-transfer fluids and heat transfer means for transferring heat to such endothermic industrial process, wherein such heat-transfer fluids circulate at temperatures of about 150° C. to about 225° C.;
(b) introducing, into such circulation, heat-transfer fluids comprising 1,3-propanediol; and
(c) operating such heat transfer process serving such endothermic industrial processing with such introduced heat-transfer fluids.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The heat-transfer process, according to claim 8, wherein such introduced heat-transfer fluids have a thermal conductivity of at least 0.09 Btu/hr-ft-F.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The heat-transfer process, according to claim 8, further comprising the step of assisting ion exchange purification of such introduced heat-transfer fluids.

### Claim 11 (depends on 8)

The heat-transfer process, according to claim 8, further comprising the step of assisting membrane filtration of such introduced heat-transfer fluids.

### Claim 12 (depends on 8)

The heat-transfer process, according to claim 8, wherein such step of selecting comprises the step of selecting at least one endothermic industrial process whose typical design circulates long-chain hydrocarbon heat-transfer fluids among heater means for heating such heat-transfer fluids and heat transfer means for transferring heat to such endothermic industrial process, wherein such heat-transfer fluids circulate at temperatures of about 150° C. to about 215° C.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The heat-transfer process, according to claim 12, wherein such step of selecting comprises the step of selecting at least one endothermic industrial process whose typical design circulates long-chain hydrocarbon heat-transfer fluids among heater means for heating such heat-transfer fluids and heat transfer means for transferring heat to such endothermic industrial process, wherein such heat-transfer fluids circulate at temperatures of about 150° C. to about 200° C.