Annular axial flow ribbed heat exchanger

A heat exchanger comprising:

• an outer shell having an outer surface and an inner surface, the outer shell defining a generally cylindrical wall extending along an axis between a first and second end,
• a tubular member positioned adjacent to the inner surface of the outer shell so as to form an annular gap therebtween, the tubular member having at least a portion in contact with the inner surface of the outer shell so as to provide a first set of one or more axially-extending spaces in the annular gap provided between the inner surface of the outer shell and the tubular member, the tubular member extending along said axis between opposed axial ends and having a first circumferential end and a second circumferential end, the first circumferential end abutting said second circumferential end so as to define an annular, tubular form, the tubular member following the circumference of the inner surface of said outer shell, and defining an open, interior space;
• the tubular member having first and second spaced apart walls defining a first flow passage therebetween for the flow of a first fluid through said heat exchanger, the first flow passage extending from said first circumferential end to said second circumferential end and defining a maximum circumferential length generally corresponding to the distance between the first circumferential end and the second circumferential end of said tubular member;
• an inlet opening extending through the outer shell and the first sidewall of said tubular member proximal to said first circumferential end of said tubular member, the inlet opening being in fluid communication with said first flow passage for delivering said first fluid to said first flow passage;
• an outlet opening extending through the outer shell and the first sidewall of the tubular member proximal to said second circumferential end, the outlet opening being in fluid communication with the first flow passage for discharging said first fluid from said first flow passage;
• a second fluid flow passage comprising at least the first set of one or more axially-extending spaces formed between the inner surface of said outer shell and the tubular member, the second fluid flow passage having open, axially spaced ends for the flow of a second fluid through said heat exchanger;
• wherein said inlet opening and said outlet opening are arranged at respective opposed axial ends of said tubular member, the first flow passage having both circumferential and axial flow directions so that fluid entering through the inlet opening in said first circumferential end of the tubular member at one axial end thereof flows the maximum circumferential length and axial length of the tubular member before exiting the heat exchanger through the outlet opening at said second circumferential end of the tubular member at the opposed axial end thereof;
• and
• wherein the inlet and outlet openings in said tubular member are substantially aligned in the axial direction when said first and second circumferential ends are arranged in their abutting, juxtaposed relationship;
• wherein said first and second circumferential ends of said tubular member are in the form of corresponding angled ends, each angled end defining an acute, outermost corner.