Heat exchange – With first fluid holder or collector open to second fluid – Separate external discharge port for each fluid
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-07
2001-06-05
Lazarus, Ira S. (Department: 3743)
Heat exchange
With first fluid holder or collector open to second fluid
Separate external discharge port for each fluid
C165S111000, C165SDIG002
Reexamination Certificate
active
06241009
ABSTRACT:
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the field of industrial and utility power generation vapor condensers and, in particular, to a new and useful heat pipe vent condenser (HPVC) integrated into a heat pipe steam condenser for the condensation of steam and concurrent removal of unwanted, non-condensable gases.
Vent condensers are used to separate and drain the condensable portion of a multi-component vapor flow. Non-condensable gases are exhausted from the vent condenser. Vent condensers typically have a shell and tube or a U-tube heat exchanger with a coolant flow over the tube side to condense the condensable portion of the multi-component vapor flow.
A heat pipe steam condenser has several modules of heat pipes stacked in series to receive a flow of steam. As the working vapor, usually in the form of steam, moves through the modules, water vapor content in the gas space is reduced through condensation to water on the outside surfaces of the heat pipes at the evaporator ends thereof, while the concentration of non-condensable gases increases.
At one or more points within the heat pipe steam condenser, usually at the back-end of the last condenser module where the non-condensable gas fraction is greatest, the non-condensable gases are aspirated through a separate vent condenser. The gases are aspirated prior to exhausting these gases to a downstream eductor or other suitable device for maintaining the non-condensable gas flow through the vent condenser. The purpose of the vent condenser is to remove as much of the working vapor as possible from the vapor flow mixture that the operating temperature of the heat pipe will permit. This minimizes the energy and flow requirements of the eductor and minimizes the working vapor loss from the heat pipe steam condenser.
All known prior vent condensers have been installed externally to the heat pipe steam condenser. Such vent condensers normally use a coolant supply, such as cold water, to condense the working vapor on heat exchanger surfaces before exhausting non-condensable gas portions from the system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an integrated condensable gas recovery system to eliminate connections and piping between vent condensers and heat pipe steam condensers. It is a further object of the invention to provide a heat pipe condenser system which does not require a separate coolant and is not subject to freezing.
Accordingly, an integrated heat pipe vent condenser for a heat pipe steam condenser is provided wherein the vent condenser is located within a heat pipe steam condenser module. The integrated vent condenser has a plurality of heat pipes with evaporator ends positioned within a vent condenser casing located in a vapor duct of the heat pipe steam condenser. The vapor flow through the steam duct enters the vent condenser casing and travels through the casing in a path defined by a plurality of baffles, releasing heat to the evaporator ends of the heat pipes and causing condensable gases to condense on the baffles and evaporator ends surfaces. Condensed gases are drained through a downcomer. Non-condensable gases are exhausted from the casing to an eductor, manifold, or other exhaust system for disposal.
The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4033406 (1977-07-01), Basiulis
patent: 4036290 (1977-07-01), Kelly
patent: 4149588 (1979-04-01), Waters
patent: 4226282 (1980-10-01), Kunsagi et al.
patent: 4379485 (1983-04-01), Fisher, Jr. et al.
patent: 4381817 (1983-05-01), Brigida et al.
patent: 4640344 (1987-02-01), Pravda
patent: 4928753 (1990-05-01), Kotaka
Baraona R. C.
Hudson Products Corporation
Lazarus Ira S.
McKinnon Terrell
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