Heat exchange system and method

A thermal energy transfer system for transferring heat energy to a first fluid from a second fluid, the system comprising:

• a first fluid circuit including an inlet, an outlet and a middle portion in between, the first fluid circuit structured to allow the first fluid to flow from the first fluid circuit inlet to the first fluid circuit outlet;
• a second fluid circuit including an inlet, a outlet and a middle portion in between, the second fluid circuit structured to allow the second fluid to flow from the second fluid circuit inlet to the second fluid circuit outlet;
• a heat exchanger wherein the middle portions of the first fluid and second fluid circuits extend and are in adjacent, thermally-conductive contact for facilitating heat transfer from the second fluid to the first fluid, the heat exchanger floodable in a determined proportion within the second fluid circuit middle portion;
• a second fluid circuit control valve on the second fluid circuit downstream of the heat exchanger, for controlling a second fluid flow rate of the second fluid through the second fluid circuit, where the proportion of the heat exchanger that is flooded within the second fluid circuit middle portion can be selectively calibrated;
• and
• a stabilization circuit having a re-circulation inlet linked to the first fluid circuit between the heat exchanger and the first fluid circuit outlet, and a re-circulation outlet in the heat exchanger,
• a portion of heated first fluid exiting the heat exchanger flowing from the re-circulation inlet directly into the heat exchanger through the re-circulation outlet in the heat exchanger
• where the heated first fluid is admixed with a partially warmed first fluid flowing within the heat exchanger whereby the first fluid temperature at the first fluid circuit outlet will be stabilized.

A method of heating a first fluid with a second fluid within a heat exchange system, the method comprising the steps of:

• circulating the first fluid through a first fluid circuit including an upstream end, a downstream end, and a flooded section of a heat exchanger therebetween;
• circulating the second fluid through a second fluid circuit including an upstream end, a downstream end, and a condensing section of the heat exchanger therebetween, wherein within the heat exchanger the first and second fluid circuits are in adjacent, thermally-conductive contact whereby heat from the second fluid is transferred to the first fluid;
• condensing the second fluid within the flooded heat exchanger to form a condensate occupying from 0% to 100% of the condensing section within the heat exchanger;
• selectively adjusting the heat exchange capacity of the heat exchanger unit by adjusting the flow rate of the second fluid through the heat exchanger to vary the volume of the condensate in the condensing section;
• pre-heating the first fluid, within a pre-heating region in the heat exchanger, with heat from the condensate;
• and
• stabilizing the temperature of the first fluid leaving the heat exchanger by re-circulating a portion of the first fluid in the downstream end of first fluid circuit end directly back into the heat exchanger where the re-circulated portion mixes with first fluid leaving the pre-heating region in the heat exchanger.