CN104603568A - Auxiliary Catheter Assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A heat transfer system includes a primary heat transfer assembly for transferring heat therefrom to a thermal energy consuming system, thermal insulation for minimizing heat loss from the primary heat transfer assembly, and an auxiliary conduit assembly comprised of auxiliary conduit tubing for assisting the flow of a heat transfer fluid therethrough, the auxiliary heat transfer fluid being heated by heat loss from the primary heat transfer assembly.

Description

Auxiliary Catheter Assembly

References to related applications

This application hereby claims priority to US Provisional Patent Application No. 61/678,138, filed August 1, 2012, entitled "Auxiliary Conduit Assembly." The disclosures in the aforementioned patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

technical field

Generally, the present invention relates to auxiliary catheter assemblies.

Background technique

A heat transfer system, or system for providing heat or thermal energy, may include conduits, such as pipes designed for flow of a heat transfer fluid therein. Heat transfer systems or systems for providing heat or thermal energy may also include heat exchangers, heat recovery steam generators, boilers, condensers, economizers or deaerators.

Contents of the invention

According to some embodiments, there is provided a heat transfer system comprising a primary heat transfer assembly for transferring heat therefrom to a thermal energy consuming system, thermal insulation for transferring heat from the primary heat transfer assembly heat loss is minimized, and an auxiliary conduit assembly consisting of auxiliary conduit tubing for the flow therethrough of an auxiliary heat transfer fluid that may be supplied from the primary heat transfer assembly heat loss heating. The secondary conduit tubing may at least partially surround the primary heat transfer assembly. The auxiliary conduit assembly may include a plurality of conduits. The plurality of conduits may comprise at least one of the following components: a plurality of microtubes, a plurality of relatively small conduits, and a plurality of conduits having a rectangular cross-section.

According to some embodiments, the auxiliary catheter assembly may include coiled tubing. The auxiliary catheter assembly may include a serpentine coiled tubing. The auxiliary conduit assembly may include at least partially cylindrical tubing. The auxiliary conduit conduit may cover or under the thermal insulation. The auxiliary conduit tubing may be embedded within the thermal insulation.

According to some embodiments, the heat energy consumption system may include at least one of the following: a system including a steam turbine, a system including a steam turbine, a system including a gas turbine, Industrial systems, water vapor consuming processes used in the chemical industry or other industries, dryers, solid desiccant systems, absorption refrigerators, air conditioning systems, power generation systems, power generation systems, water vapor generation systems, steam generation systems, Thermal energy generation systems and systems for boosting power generation systems.

According to some embodiments, the primary heat transfer assembly may include a central fluid channel through which the primary heat transfer fluid at the first temperature flows, and a peripheral channel through which the primary heat transfer fluid at the second temperature flows. A fluid channel, the peripheral fluid channel surrounds the central fluid channel. Said thermal insulation may be arranged intermediate said central fluid channel and surrounding fluid channels. The heated auxiliary heat transfer fluid may be used to provide thermal energy to the same or a different thermal energy consuming system than the thermal energy consuming system receiving thermal energy from the primary heat transfer assembly.

According to some embodiments, the primary heat transfer components may include at least one of piping, annular components, heat exchangers, heat recovery steam generators, boilers, condensers, economizers, and deaerators.

According to some embodiments, there is provided a heat transfer system comprising a primary heat transfer conduit formed by a conduit in which the flow of a primary heat transfer fluid passes to a thermal energy consumption system, and an auxiliary a conduit assembly consisting of secondary conduit tubing for the flow therein of an auxiliary heat transfer fluid heated by the lost heat from the primary heat transfer conduit, said secondary heat transfer fluid from the primary heat transfer conduit The lost heat of the conduits is caused by the unintentional loss of the main heat transfer conduits.

According to some embodiments, there is provided a heat transfer system comprising a primary heat transfer assembly for transferring heat, including a central fluid channel in which a primary heat transfer fluid flows at a first temperature, the primary a peripheral fluid channel in which heat transfer fluid flows at a second temperature, said peripheral fluid channel surrounding said central fluid channel, and thermal insulation for minimizing heat loss from said primary heat transfer component, and an auxiliary conduit assembly consisting of auxiliary conduit passages for flow therethrough of an auxiliary heat transfer fluid heated by escaping heat from the primary heat transfer assembly .

According to some embodiments, there is provided a thermal energy system comprising a primary heat transfer assembly for transferring heat, for providing thermal energy to said primary heat transfer assembly for consuming a thermal energy source from said primary a first heat dissipation system of thermal energy from heat transferred by the heat transfer assembly, thermal insulation for minimizing heat loss from said primary heat transfer assembly, and an auxiliary conduit assembly consisting of auxiliary conduit tubing, the The auxiliary conduit conduit is used to flow therethrough an auxiliary heat transfer fluid heated by the lost heat of the primary heat transfer assembly and to dissipate heat from the auxiliary conduit assembly The thermal energy of the heat is the second thermal energy consumption system.

According to some embodiments, there is provided a thermal energy system comprising a primary heat transfer assembly for transferring heat, for providing thermal energy to the primary heat transfer assembly for consuming a thermal energy source from thermal energy dissipation system for the heat transferred by the heat transfer assembly, thermal insulation for minimizing heat loss from said primary heat transfer assembly, and an auxiliary conduit assembly consisting of auxiliary conduit tubing, said auxiliary Conduit conduits for the flow therethrough of an auxiliary heat transfer fluid heated by the lost heat of the primary heat transfer components, and heating means for supplying thermal energy to the thermal energy consuming system, derived from Thermal energy from the heat transferred by the auxiliary conduit assembly may be provided to the heating means.

According to some embodiments, there is provided a method for transferring heat, the method comprising transferring heat from a primary heat transfer component to a thermal energy consuming system, thermally insulating said primary heat transfer component such that heat from heat loss is minimized, providing an auxiliary conduit assembly comprised of auxiliary conduit tubing for assisting the flow of heat transfer fluid therethrough and heating said auxiliary conduit with lost heat from said primary heat transfer assembly. heat transfer fluid.

According to some embodiments, there is provided a method of providing heat to a thermal energy system, the method comprising transferring heat from a primary heat transfer component to a first heat energy consuming system, thermally insulating said primary heat transfer component such that heat loss therefrom is minimized, providing an auxiliary conduit assembly comprised of auxiliary conduit tubing for assisting the flow of a heat transfer fluid therethrough, heating said primary heat transfer assembly with lost heat from said primary heat transfer assembly The auxiliary heat transfer fluid, and the heat from the auxiliary conduit assembly is transferred to the second heat energy consumption system.

Description of drawings

The present invention can be fully understood and appreciated through the following detailed description and in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

1A-1G are simplified schematic diagrams of a heat transfer system including auxiliary conduit assemblies constructed and operative in accordance with one embodiment disclosed herein;

2A-2G are simplified schematic diagrams of a heat transfer system including an auxiliary conduit assembly constructed and operative in accordance with one embodiment disclosed herein;

3A-3C are simplified schematic diagrams of a heat transfer system including an auxiliary conduit assembly constructed and operative in accordance with one embodiment disclosed herein;

Figure 4 is a simplified schematic diagram of a heat transfer system including an auxiliary conduit assembly constructed and operative in accordance with one embodiment disclosed herein; and

Figures 5A and 5B are simplified schematic illustrations of a thermal energy system including an auxiliary conduit assembly constructed and operative in accordance with one embodiment disclosed herein.

Detailed ways

In the following description, various aspects of the invention will be described. For purposes of explanation, specific structure and details are provided in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details described herein. Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the present invention.

Reference is now made to Figures 1A-1G, which are simplified schematic illustrations of a heat transfer system including an auxiliary conduit assembly constructed and operative in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1A , a heat transfer system 100 may include a primary heat transfer assembly 102 . The primary heat transfer assembly 102 may include a cylindrical tube 112 , as shown in FIGS. 1A-1G , or any other fluid conduit for allowing a primary heat transfer fluid 114 to flow through a primary heat transfer channel 118 . The primary heat transfer assembly 102 may include thermal insulation for minimizing heat loss from the primary heat transfer assembly 102 . In the embodiment of FIGS. 1A-1F , the thermal insulation includes a thermal insulation layer 120 that surrounds the cylindrical conduit 112 . Alternatively, the thermal insulation layer 120 may be located under the cylindrical pipe, such as shown in the embodiment of Fig. 2G.

The thermal insulation layer 120 may be made of any suitable material, for example, ceramic material and/or microporous insulating material. The thermal insulation layer 120 may be formed in any suitable manner, for example, as a single unit as shown in Figures 1A-1G, or as multiple insulating components (not shown).

Despite the thermal insulation layer 120, some of the heat may inadvertently escape the thermal insulation layer 120, or heat may dissipate from the primary heat transfer assembly 102 to the surrounding environment. The heat loss of the thermal insulation layer 120 may occur due to various reasons, for example, the material composition or density of the thermal insulation does not have sufficient insulating capacity. In addition to this, defects existing on said portions of the thermal insulation layer 120 may be unintentionally created, thereby allowing heat to escape from the defective portions. In some embodiments, heat loss from the thermal insulation layer 120 typically occurs where the primary heat transfer fluid 114 has a relatively high temperature, such as, for example, greater than about 100°C. In some embodiments, heat loss from the thermal insulation layer 120 may occur where the temperature of the primary heat transfer fluid 114 is less than 100°C.

According to one embodiment disclosed herein, an auxiliary conduit assembly 130 may be provided to utilize the heat loss that is transferred from the primary heat transfer assembly 102 to the secondary conduit passage 136 of the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134 . The auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134 is heated by the lost heat. The auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134 enters the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 at an initial temperature, may be heated by the dissipated heat, and exits the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 at an elevated temperature.

The heated auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134 can be utilized by any heat consumer system, as will be further described in Figures 5A and 5B.

Both the primary heat transfer fluid 114 and/or the auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134 may comprise any suitable heat transfer fluid, such as, for example, a gas, typically air, ammonia, or carbon dioxide or a fluid containing carbon dioxide; or a liquid, Examples include oil, water, molten salts; or current collectors such as synthetic organic heat transfer fluids. In some embodiments, the primary heat transfer fluid 114 and/or the secondary heat transfer fluid 134 may comprise fluids that undergo a phase transition at relatively low temperatures, such as at about -10°C or less, or at A temperature of about -20°C or lower, so as to ensure that the fluid remains flowing under harsh environmental conditions, such as in cold environments, where the ambient temperature can be reduced to below 0°C. The heat transfer fluid 114 and the auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134 may comprise the same fluid or may comprise different fluids.

The primary heat transfer fluid 114 may flow within the primary heat transfer assembly 102 at any suitable temperature, typically a relatively high temperature. In a non-limiting example, the temperature of the primary heat transfer fluid 114 may be in the range of approximately 100-1000°C. In a non-limiting example, the temperature of the primary heat transfer fluid 114 may be in the range of approximately 250-1000°C. In a non-limiting example, the temperature of the primary heat transfer fluid 114 may be in the range of approximately 400-1000°C. In a non-limiting example, the temperature of the primary heat transfer fluid 114 may be in the range of approximately 600-1000°C.

According to an embodiment disclosed herein, the auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134 may enter the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 at ambient temperature and may be heated substantially only by the heat dissipated by the primary heat transfer assembly 102 . The ambient temperature may be the ambient temperature surrounding the primary heat transfer assembly 102 .

According to one embodiment, the auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134 may enter the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 at a lower temperature than the primary heat transfer fluid 114 .

According to one embodiment, the auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134 may enter the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 at substantially the same temperature as the primary heat transfer fluid 114 or at a higher temperature than the primary heat transfer fluid 114. The auxiliary catheter assembly 130 described above.

The primary heat transfer fluid 114 can flow in the same direction as the auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134, as shown in FIG. 5B, or flow in the opposite direction to the auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134, as shown in FIG. 1A. Show.

The auxiliary catheter assembly 130 may be constructed in any suitable configuration. According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A , the auxiliary catheter assembly 130 may include a plurality of conduits 140 . Each conduit 140 is formed by an auxiliary conduit channel 136 . The plurality of tubes 140 may surround the outer surface 142 of the thermal insulation layer 120 and the tubes 140 may extend at least partially therealong. The auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134 may be introduced into some or all of the auxiliary conduit channels 136 of the plurality of conduits 140 . The heat dissipated from the primary heat transfer fluid 114 is transferred to the auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134 through the pipe 112 and the thermal insulation layer 120, and the plurality of pipes 140 of the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 internal flow.

The plurality of conduits 140 may be positioned to the primary heat transfer assembly 102 in any suitable manner. For example, the pipe 140 can be welded to the thermal insulation layer 120 .

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1B , another external conduit 144 may cover the external surface 142 of the thermal insulation layer 120 . The plurality of pipes 140 may be attached to the outer pipe 144 in any suitable manner, such as by welding. In this embodiment, the heat dissipated by the primary heat transfer fluid 114, through the pipe 112 and the thermal insulation layer 120 and the outer pipe 144, is transferred to the auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134, in the auxiliary conduit The assembly 130 flows within a plurality of conduits 140 .

The plurality of conduits 140 are spaced apart from each other, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B . Alternatively, the plurality of conduits may be in physical contact with each other (not shown).

According to one embodiment, the plurality of conduits 140 may comprise a plurality of relatively small conduits, typically consisting of conduits having diameters in the range of about a few centimeters.

According to one embodiment, the plurality of conduits 140 may include microtubes or capillaries (not shown), which generally consist of channels having diameters ranging from about 1 cm to several hundred microns or less.

In some embodiments, configuring the secondary conduit assembly 130 to have a surface with a relatively maximum distance to the primary heat transfer assembly 102 allows heat to be transferred across the surface and thus provides heat transfer from the primary heat transfer assembly 102. Efficient heat transfer from the transfer assembly 102 to the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 . For example, where heat transfer assembly 102 is described as comprising conduits 112, the use of conduits 140 comprising relatively small conduits or microtubes or capillaries, or conduits with rectangular cross-sections (not shown), can increase the 148 of the surface. Thus, the entire surface 148 of the duct 140 has a relatively maximum distance to the primary heat transfer component 102 . Heat lost in the primary heat transfer assembly 102 is efficiently transferred to the secondary conduit assembly 130 with minimal heat loss from the secondary conduit assembly 130 into the external ambient of the secondary conduit assembly 130 . Accordingly, other configurations of the secondary conduit assembly 130, as shown in Figures 1C-5B, may consist of a surface 148 configured for maximum distance from the primary heat transfer assembly, thereby providing Efficient heat transfer from the heat transfer assembly to the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 .

The primary heat transfer assembly 102 may be constructed in any suitable configuration to allow the flow of the primary heat transfer fluid 114 therein. For example, the primary heat transfer assembly 102 may include a tapered or spherical conduit or multiple conduits, eg, as shown in FIGS. 2A-2G .

The auxiliary conduit assembly 130 may be configured in any suitable configuration to transfer heat lost from the primary heat transfer assembly 102 to the auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134 . Some further exemplary configurations of the auxiliary catheter assembly 130 are described in FIGS. 1C-1G .

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1C , the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 may include at least one coil conduit 150 configured to at least partially surround the outer surface 142 of the thermal insulation layer 120 . As shown in FIG. 1B, an external conduit may be provided, such as external conduit 144, upon which the coil conduit 150 may be placed.

The heat dissipated by the primary heat transfer fluid 114 is transferred through the thermal insulation layer 120 (and through the conduit 112 and/or external conduit 144, when provided) to the secondary heat transfer fluid 134, which Flows in the auxiliary catheter channel 136 of the coil conduit 150 of the auxiliary catheter assembly 130 .

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1D , the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 may include a serpentine coil conduit 154 configured to extend longitudinally along the outer surface 142 of the thermal insulation layer 120 and configured to at least partially surround the The outer surface 142 of the thermal insulation layer 120 is described. In some embodiments, the serpentine coil tubing 154 may be a continuous tubing. As shown in FIG. 1B, an external conduit may be provided, such as external conduit 144, upon which the serpentine coil conduit 154 may be placed.

The heat dissipated by the primary heat transfer fluid 114 is transferred through the thermal insulation layer 120 (and through the conduit 112 and/or external conduit 144, when provided) to the secondary heat transfer fluid 134, which Flows in the auxiliary catheter channel 136 of the serpentine coil conduit 154 of the auxiliary catheter assembly 130 .

The coil tube 150 in FIG. 1C and the serpentine coil tube 154 in FIG. 1D are both relatively long because both the coil tube 150 and the serpentine coil tube 154 are coiled around the outer surface 142 of the thermal insulation layer 120 or external piping 144 . Thus, the auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134, flowing in the auxiliary conduit passage 136, may be heated to a relatively high temperature by the escaping heat.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1E , the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 may include a partially cylindrical conduit 156 configured to partially surround the outer surface 142 of the thermal insulation layer 120 .

As depicted in FIG. 1B, an external conduit, such as external conduit 144, may be provided upon which the portion of conduit 156 may be placed. The partially cylindrical conduit 156 may be disposed on the outer surface 142 or on the outer conduit 144 at any suitable location. In some embodiments, more than one partially cylindrical conduit 156 may be disposed on the outer surface 142 or on the outer conduit 144 in any suitable location.

The heat dissipated by the primary heat transfer fluid 114 is transferred through the thermal insulation layer 120 (and through the conduit 112 and/or external conduit 144, when provided) to the secondary heat transfer fluid 134, which Flows in the auxiliary conduit channel 136 of the partially cylindrical conduit 156 of the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 .

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1F , the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 may include a cylindrical conduit 160 configured to surround the outer surface 142 of the thermal insulation layer 120 . As shown in FIG. 1B, an external conduit, such as external conduit 144, may be provided upon which the cylindrical conduit 160 may be placed.

The heat dissipated by the primary heat transfer fluid 114 is transferred through the thermal insulation layer 120 (and through the conduit 112 and/or external conduit 144, when provided) to the secondary heat transfer fluid 134, which It flows in the auxiliary conduit channel 136 of the cylindrical pipe 160 of the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 .

As mentioned above, the auxiliary catheter assembly 130 may include a plurality of tubes 140 in FIG. 1A , a coiled tube 150 in FIG. 1C , a serpentine coiled tube 154 in FIG. 1D , a partially cylindrical tube in FIG. 1E Type pipe 156 and the cylindrical pipe 160 among accompanying drawing 1F. The auxiliary conduit assembly 130 may be constructed of any suitable material to allow the flow of the auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134 therein and to transfer heat dissipated by the primary heat transfer assembly 102 to the auxiliary heat transfer fluid. 134. In one non-limiting example, multiple tubes 140 in FIG. 1A , coiled tubes 150 in FIG. 1C , serpentine coiled tubes 154 in FIG. 1D , partially cylindrical tubes 156 in FIG. 1E Any of the cylindrical conduits 160 in FIG. 1F may be constructed of metal, such as carbon steel, stainless steel, or aluminum.

According to one embodiment, the secondary conduit assembly 130 may provide thermal insulation to prevent heat loss from the secondary conduit assembly 130 to the surrounding environment, while allowing heat dissipated from the primary heat transfer assembly 102 to be absorbed therein. For example, a layer of thermal insulation 162 provides an intermediate cylindrical conduit 160 (FIG. IF) and the surrounding environment.

According to another embodiment of FIG. 1A, the cylindrical pipe 112 may not be provided and the primary heat transfer fluid 114 may flow in direct contact with the inner surface 164 of the thermal insulation layer 120, as shown in FIG. 1G. It should be noted that in other embodiments of FIGS. 1B-1F , the cylindrical conduit 112 may not be provided and the primary heat transfer fluid 114 may flow in direct contact with the interior surface 164 of the thermal insulation layer 120 . In some embodiments, a jacket (not shown) may be located at least partially below the interior surface 164 to ensure relatively laminar flow of the primary heat transfer fluid 114 .

Reference is now made to Figures 2A-2G, which are simplified schematic illustrations of a heat transfer system including auxiliary conduit assemblies constructed and operative in accordance with one embodiment disclosed herein. As shown in FIG. 2A , the heat transfer system 100 may include an annular tubing assembly 200 , which may form a primary heat transfer assembly 202 . The annular conduit assembly 200 may include a central fluid conduit 206 comprised of a central fluid passage 208 . Central fluid channel 208 may be surrounded by peripheral fluid conduit 216 made up of peripheral fluid channel 218 . The central fluid channel 208 and peripheral fluid channel 218 may be substantially coaxially aligned.

The central fluid channel 208 and peripheral fluid channel 218 are configured for fluid flow therethrough.

In some embodiments, the primary heat transfer fluid 114 may flow through the central fluid channel 208 and the peripheral fluid channel 218 . In some embodiments, the primary heat transfer fluid 114 may flow through the central fluid channel 208 at a first temperature and flow through the peripheral fluid channel 218 at a second temperature. In some embodiments, the first temperature of the primary heat transfer fluid 114 may be higher than the second temperature. In a non-limiting example, the first temperature may be in the range of approximately 400-1000°C and the second temperature may be in the range of approximately 25-350°C. In some embodiments, the first temperature of the primary heat transfer fluid 114 may be lower than the second temperature. In some embodiments, the first temperature of the primary heat transfer fluid 114 can be substantially the same as the second temperature.

In some embodiments, the primary heat transfer fluid 114 flowing through the central fluid channel 208 and circumferential fluid channel 218 may comprise the same fluid (eg, gas or liquid).

In other embodiments, the primary heat transfer fluid 114 flowing through the central fluid channel 208 may comprise a different fluid than the primary heat transfer fluid 114 flowing through the circumferential fluid channel 218 .

According to the embodiment shown in Figures 2A-2G, thermal insulation may be provided to minimize heat loss from the primary heat transfer assembly 202. The thermal insulation may include a central thermal insulation layer 222 provided between the central fluid channel 208 and the peripheral fluid channel 218 . The central thermal insulation layer 222 can thermally insulate the main heat transfer fluid 114 flowing through the central fluid passage 208 and can prevent the main heat transfer fluid 114 flowing through the central fluid passage 208 from heat exchange between the primary heat transfer fluid 114 flowing through the central fluid channel 218, wherein the primary heat transfer fluid 114 flowing through the central fluid channel 208 is substantially at the first temperature, and the primary heat transfer fluid 114 flowing through the peripheral fluid channel The primary heat transfer fluid 114 flowing therethrough in 218 is substantially at the second temperature.

The central thermal insulating layer 222 can be made of any suitable material, for example, ceramic material and/or microporous insulating material. The central thermal insulation layer 222 may be formed in any suitable manner, for example, as a single unit as shown in Figures 2A-2G, or as multiple insulating components (not shown).

According to other embodiments, the central thermal insulation layer 222 is not provided and heat may be transferred from the central fluid channel 208 to the circumferential fluid channel 218 and vice versa.

The annular duct assembly 200 is constructed of thermal insulation to minimize heat loss from the primary heat transfer assembly 202 . The thermal insulation may include the central thermal insulation layer 222 and/or any other thermal insulation, such as a peripheral thermal insulation layer 300, as shown in Figures 3B and 3C.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A-2F , the thermal insulation layer 222 surrounds the surrounding fluid conduit 216 . Alternatively, the thermal insulation layer 222 may underlie the surrounding fluid conduit 216, as shown, for example, in FIGS. 3B and 3C.

As noted above, despite thermal insulation, some of the heat may inadvertently escape the thermal insulation, or heat may dissipate from the primary heat transfer assembly 202 to the surrounding environment.

According to one embodiment, the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 may be provided to utilize the lost heat transferred from the annular duct assembly 200 to the auxiliary heat transfer flow in the auxiliary conduit channel 136 of the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 . Fluid 134. The auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134 is heated by the lost heat. The heated auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134 may be utilized by any heat consumer system, further described in FIGS. 5A and 5B.

According to one embodiment, the auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134 may enter the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 at ambient temperature and may be heated substantially only by the heat dissipated by the primary heat transfer assembly 202 .

According to one embodiment, the secondary heat transfer fluid 134 may enter the secondary conduit assembly 130 at a temperature that is lower than or substantially equal to the temperature of the primary heat transfer fluid 114 .

The auxiliary catheter assembly 130 may be constructed in any suitable configuration. According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2A , the auxiliary catheter assembly 130 may include a plurality of conduits 140 . Each conduit 140 is formed by an auxiliary conduit channel 136 . The plurality of tubes 140 may surround the outer surface 242 of the thermal insulation layer 222 and the tubes 140 may extend at least partially therealong. The auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134 may be introduced into some or all of the auxiliary conduit channels 136 of the plurality of conduits 140 . The heat dissipated from the primary heat transfer fluid 114 is transferred to the auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134 through the central fluid conduit 206 and the thermal insulation layer 222 , in the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 flow within a plurality of conduits 140 .

The plurality of tubes 140 may be positioned to the primary heat transfer assembly 202 in any suitable manner. For example, the pipe 140 can be welded to the thermal insulation layer 222 .

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2B , another external conduit 244 may cover the external surface 242 of the thermal insulation layer 222 . The plurality of pipes 140 may be attached to the outer pipe 244 in any suitable manner, such as by welding. In this embodiment, the heat dissipated by the primary heat transfer fluid 114 is transferred to the secondary heat transfer fluid 134 through the central fluid conduit 206 and the thermal insulation layer 222 and outer conduit 244, which Flow in the plurality of pipes 140 of the auxiliary conduit assembly 130.

The plurality of conduits 140 are spaced apart from each other, as shown in Figures 2A and 2B. Alternatively, the plurality of conduits may be in physical contact with each other (not shown).

According to one embodiment, the plurality of conduits 140 may include microtubes or capillaries (not shown), which generally consist of channels having diameters ranging from about 1 cm to several hundred microns or less.

In some embodiments, configuring the secondary conduit assembly 130 to have a surface with a relatively maximum distance to the primary heat transfer assembly 202 allows heat to be transferred across the surface and thus provides heat transfer from the primary heat transfer assembly 202. Efficient heat transfer from the transfer assembly 202 to the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 . For example, where the heat transfer assembly 202 includes a central fluid conduit 206, the use of conduits 140 comprising relatively small conduits or microtubes or capillaries, or conduits with a rectangular cross-section (not shown), can increase the The outer surface 148 of each pipe. Thus, the entire exterior surface 148 of the duct 140 has a relatively maximum distance to the primary heat transfer component 202 . Heat lost in the primary heat transfer assembly 202 is efficiently transferred to the secondary conduit assembly 130 with minimal heat loss from the secondary conduit assembly 130 into the external ambient of the secondary conduit assembly 130 . Accordingly, other configurations of the secondary conduit assembly 130, as shown in Figures 1C-5B, may consist of an outer surface 148 configured for maximum distance from the primary heat transfer assembly, thereby providing Effective heat transfer from the primary heat transfer assembly to the secondary conduit assembly 130 described above.

The primary heat transfer assembly 202 may be constructed in any suitable configuration to allow the flow of the primary heat transfer fluid 114 therein. For example, the primary heat transfer assembly 202 may include a conical or spherical conduit or conduits (not shown).

The auxiliary conduit assembly 130 may be configured in any suitable configuration to transfer heat lost from the primary heat transfer assembly 202 to the auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134 .

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2C , the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 may include at least one coil conduit 150 configured to at least partially surround the outer surface 242 of the thermal insulation layer 222 . As shown in FIG. 2B, an external conduit may be provided, such as external conduit 244, upon which the coil conduit 150 may be placed.

The heat dissipated by the primary heat transfer fluid 114 is transferred to the secondary heat transfer fluid 134 through the thermal insulation layer 222 (and through the central fluid conduit 206 and/or outer conduit 244, when provided). , which flows in the auxiliary catheter channel 136 of the coil conduit 150 of the auxiliary catheter assembly 130 .

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2D, the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 may include a serpentine coil conduit 154 configured to extend longitudinally along the outer surface 242 of the thermal insulation layer 222 and configured to at least partially surround the The outer surface 242 of the thermal insulation layer 222 is described above. As shown in Figure 2B, an external conduit, such as external conduit 144, may be provided upon which the serpentine coil conduit 154 may be placed.

The heat dissipated by the primary heat transfer fluid 114 is transferred to the secondary heat transfer fluid 134 through the thermal insulation layer 222 (and through the central fluid conduit 206 and/or outer conduit 244, when provided). , which flows in the auxiliary catheter channel 136 of the serpentine coil conduit 154 of the auxiliary catheter assembly 130 .

Both the coil tube 150 in FIG. 2C and the serpentine coil tube 154 in FIG. 2D are relatively long because both the coil tube 150 and the serpentine coil tube 154 are coiled around the outer surface 242 of the thermal insulation layer 222 . Thus, the auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134, flowing in the auxiliary conduit passage 136, may be heated to a relatively high temperature by the escaping heat.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2E , the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 may include a partially cylindrical conduit 156 configured to partially surround the outer surface 242 of the thermally insulating layer 222 .

As depicted in Figure 2B, an external conduit, such as external conduit 244, may be provided upon which the portion of conduit 156 may be placed. The partially cylindrical conduit 156 may be disposed on the outer surface 242 or on the outer conduit 244 at any suitable location. In some embodiments, more than one partially cylindrical conduit 156 may be disposed on the outer surface 242 or on the outer conduit 244 in any suitable location.

The heat dissipated by the primary heat transfer fluid 114 is transferred to the secondary heat transfer fluid 134 through the thermal insulation layer 222 (and through the central fluid conduit 206 and/or outer conduit 244, when provided). , which flows in the auxiliary conduit channel 136 of the partially cylindrical conduit 156 of the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 .

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2F , the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 may include a cylindrical conduit 160 configured to surround the outer surface 242 of the thermally insulating layer 222 .

As shown in Figure 2B, an outer conduit, such as outer conduit 144, may be provided around which the cylindrical conduit 160 may be provided.

The heat dissipated by the primary heat transfer fluid 114 is transferred to the secondary heat transfer fluid 134 through the thermal insulation layer 222 (and through the central fluid conduit 206 and/or outer conduit 244, when provided). , which flows in the auxiliary conduit channel 136 of the cylindrical pipe 160 of the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 .

As mentioned above, the auxiliary catheter assembly 130 may include a plurality of tubes 140 in FIGS. 2A and 2B , a coil tube 150 in FIG. 2C , a serpentine coil tube 154 in FIG. Partial cylindrical conduit 156 and cylindrical conduit 160 in Figure 2F. The auxiliary conduit assembly 130 may be constructed of any suitable material to allow the flow of the auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134 therein and to transfer heat dissipated by the primary heat transfer assembly 202 to the auxiliary heat transfer fluid. 134. In a non-limiting example, the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 may be constructed of metal, such as carbon steel, stainless steel, or aluminum.

According to one embodiment, the secondary conduit assembly 130 may provide thermal insulation to prevent heat loss from the secondary conduit assembly 130 to the surrounding environment, while allowing heat dissipated from the primary heat transfer assembly 202 to be admitted therein. For example, a layer of thermal insulation 262 provides an intermediate cylindrical conduit 160 (FIG. 2F) and the surrounding environment.

According to another embodiment of FIG. 2A, the central fluid conduit 206 may not be provided and the primary heat transfer fluid 114 may flow in direct contact with the inner surface 264 of the thermal insulation layer 222, as shown in FIG. 2G. It should be noted that in other embodiments of FIGS. 2B-2F , the central fluid conduit 206 may not be provided and the primary heat transfer fluid 114 may flow in direct contact with the interior surface 264 of the thermal insulation layer 222 . In some embodiments, a jacket (not shown) may be located at least partially below the interior surface 264 to ensure relatively laminar flow of the primary heat transfer fluid 114 .

Reference is now made to Figures 3A-3C, which are simplified schematic illustrations of a heat transfer system including an auxiliary conduit assembly constructed and operative in accordance with one embodiment disclosed herein. As shown in FIG. 3A, the heat transfer system 100 may include an annular tubing assembly 200, which may form a primary heat transfer assembly 202, as shown in FIGS. 2A-2G. FIG. 3A is substantially similar to FIG. 2B , although in FIG. 3A the plurality of conduits 140 of the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 may be embedded in the thermal insulation layer 222 . Thus, the heat dissipated by the primary heat transfer fluid 114 is transferred to the secondary heat transfer fluid 114 through the thermal insulation layer 222 (and through the central fluid conduit 206 and/or outer conduit 244, when provided). The fluid 134 flows in the auxiliary conduit channels 136 of the plurality of conduits 140 of the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 . According to some embodiments, the conduits 140 may comprise microtubes or capillaries, as described above. These micropipes or capillaries may be embedded in the thermal insulation layer 222 so as to easily receive the escaping heat dissipated from the thermal insulation layer 222 .

According to some embodiments, the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 is formed in any suitable configuration and may be at least partially embedded within the central thermal insulation layer 222 as shown in FIGS. 2C-2G . The auxiliary conduit assembly 130 is embedded in the thermal insulation layer 222 to fix the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 to the central thermal insulation layer 222 . In addition, by embedding the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 into the thermal insulation layer 222, the escape heat dissipated from the thermal insulation side surface 222 can be easily transferred to the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 therein.

According to some embodiments, similar to FIG. 2A, the external conduit 244 may not be provided.

Referring back to Figure 3B, it can be seen that the thermal insulation described can be provided in any suitable location. Thermal insulation may include a surrounding thermal insulation layer 300 . The surrounding thermal insulation layer 300 may be under the surrounding fluid conduit 216, as shown in FIG. middle. In some embodiments, the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 may be embedded in the surrounding thermal insulation layer 300 . Heat may dissipate from the primary heat transfer fluid 114, through the surrounding thermal insulation layer 300 (and through the central fluid conduit 206, if provided), in the central fluid channel 208 and/or surrounding flow in fluid channel 218. The heat may be transferred to an auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134 flowing within an auxiliary conduit channel 136 of the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 .

In some embodiments, the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 may be beneath the surrounding thermal insulation layer 300 . Heat may be dissipated from the primary heat transfer fluid 114 to flow in the central fluid channel 208 and/or peripheral fluid channels 218 (and through the central fluid conduit 206, if provided). The heat may be transferred to an auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134 flowing within an auxiliary conduit channel 136 of the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 . In Fig. 3B, the secondary catheter assembly 130 is depicted as including a conduit 140, although any other configuration, such as that shown in Figs. 2C-2G or any other suitable configuration, may be provided.

As shown in FIG. 3C, the thermal insulation may include a surrounding thermal insulation layer 300, which may be placed between the surrounding fluid passage 218 and the surrounding environment surrounding the ring assembly 200, as shown in FIG. 3B . The thermal insulation may also include a central thermal insulation layer 222, which may be positioned between the central fluid channel 208 and the surrounding fluid channels 218, as shown in FIG. 3A.

The auxiliary conduit assembly 130 may be placed in any suitable location, such as being at least partially embedded in any of the following: the surrounding thermal insulation layer 200 and/or the central thermal insulation layer 222 and/or at least partially within the thermal insulation layer 200 The insulation perimeter underlies and/or at least partially covers said central thermal insulation layer 222 . In Fig. 3C, the auxiliary catheter assembly 130 includes a conduit 140, it will be appreciated that any other configuration may be provided, such as that shown in Figs. 2C-2G or any other suitable configuration.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 1A-3C , the primary heat transfer assembly is configured as a conduit, as shown in primary heat transfer assembly 102 , or a plurality of conduits, such as primary heat transfer assembly 202 . In some embodiments, the primary heat transfer component may include any suitable conduit for flow of a heat transfer fluid therethrough.

In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 4, the primary heat transfer component may be configured in any suitable manner for transferring heat or for providing heat or thermal energy. Non-limiting examples may include heat exchangers, heat recovery steam generators, boilers, condensers, economizers, or deaerators. Typically, primary heat/thermal energy transfer/providing components include some form of thermal insulation to prevent heat dissipation therein.

As noted above, despite thermal insulation, some of the heat may inadvertently escape said thermal insulation, or heat may dissipate from said primary heat transfer component to the surrounding environment. The heat loss of the thermal insulation described can occur for various reasons, for example, the material composition or density of the thermal insulation does not have sufficient insulating capacity. In addition, defects present on said thermally insulated parts may be unintentionally produced, allowing heat to escape from the defective parts.

According to one embodiment disclosed herein, an auxiliary conduit assembly 130 may be provided to utilize the heat loss that is transferred from the primary heat transfer assembly 102 to the secondary conduit passage 136 of the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134 . The auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134 is heated by the lost heat. The heated auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134 can be utilized by any heat consumer system, as will be further described in Figures 5A and 5B.

Figure 4 is an embodiment of a primary heat transfer assembly 350 for transferring heat or for providing heat. As shown in FIG. 4 , the primary heat transfer component is constituted by heat exchanger 354 . The heat exchanger 354 may be formed in any suitable configuration, such as a conventional shell and tube configuration, for example. The heat exchanger 354 is generally covered by thermal insulation at least part of the outer surface 356 of the heated region 357 of the heat exchanger 354 . Said thermal insulation may consist of a thermal insulation layer 358 covering at least part of the outer surface 356 of the heat exchanger 354 .

In some embodiments, the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 may be embedded within the thermal insulation layer 358 .

Embedding the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 into the thermal insulation layer 358 can fuse the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 to the thermal insulation layer 358 . Besides, by embedding the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 in the thermal insulation layer 358, the escaping heat dissipated from the thermal insulation layer 358 can be easily transferred to the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 therein.

In some embodiments, the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 may underlie the thermal insulation layer 358 or may at least partially cover the outer surface 362 of the thermal insulation layer 358 , as shown in FIG. 4 .

In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4 , the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 is embedded within the thermal insulation layer 358 comprising a plurality of conduits 366 arranged in the same configuration as the conduits of FIG. 1A 140 similar. The auxiliary conduit assembly 130 covers the thermal insulation layer 358, and the thermal insulation layer 358 includes a plurality of pipes 368, the plurality of pipes 368 having a configuration similar to that of the pipe 140 in FIG. 1A.

According to some embodiments, the conduits 366 and 368 may comprise microtubes or capillaries, as described above.

According to some embodiments, the auxiliary catheter assembly 130 may be formed in any suitable configuration, such as that shown in FIGS. 2C-2G .

The heat dissipated from the heating area 357 is transferred to the auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134 flowing in the auxiliary conduit channel 136 of the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 through the thermal insulation layer 358 .

As described above in FIGS. 1A-4 , the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 may be provided to utilize the lost heat from the auxiliary heat transfer fluid transferred to the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 by the primary heat transfer assembly. 134. The heat received by the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 may be used to provide heat and/or thermal energy to a heat consuming system or a heat consuming system.

According to some embodiments, a heat energy system may be provided, which includes a main heat transfer assembly, the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 and a heat consumption system or energy consumption system using the heat provided by the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 . Exemplary thermal energy systems are depicted in Figures 5A and 5B, and it will be appreciated that heat/thermal energy consumption can be achieved using either a heat consumption system or a heat energy consumption system that uses the lost heat of the primary heat transfer components.

In FIG. 5A , thermal energy system 400 may include primary heat transfer assembly 102 . The primary heat transfer component 102 can be constructed as a conduit 112 (FIGS. 1A-1G).

As shown in FIG. 5A, the thermal energy system 400 may include a main heat transfer assembly 102, and it will be appreciated that the main heat transfer assembly may be composed of a main heat transfer assembly 202 including an annular duct assembly 200, as shown in the attached Figures 2A-2G or 3A-3C. The auxiliary catheter assembly 130 is shown in FIG. 5A, which includes the pipeline 140 shown in FIGS. Shown in Figure 1C-4.

Prior to entering the primary heat transfer assembly 102 , the primary heat transfer fluid 114 flowing within the conduit 112 may be initially heated by any suitable heat source, such as by thermal energy source 404 . The thermal energy source may be any suitable source for heating the heat transfer fluid 114 . In a non-limiting example, the thermal energy source may include a fossil fuel system, a renewable energy system, such as a geothermal energy system, a wind energy system, a wave energy system, or a solar energy system.

The thermal energy of the primary heat transfer fluid 114 may be provided to any first heat energy consumption system 410. The first heat energy consumption system 410 may include any heat energy consumption system utilizing the primary heat transfer fluid 114. In a non-limiting embodiment, the first heat energy consumption system 410 may include steam turbines, steam turbines, gas turbines, industrial systems, chemical industry or other industries Used water vapor consuming processes, dryers, solid desiccant systems, or absorption chillers, air conditioning systems, power generation systems such as electricity generation systems, water vapor generation systems, steam generation systems or thermal energy generation systems. In some embodiments, the first thermal energy consumption system 410 may be used itself or may be part of a system for boosting to add thermal energy to an already existing power generation system. For example, when the power demand is high relative to the power conventionally generated by the power generation system and additional thermal energy is required to ensure the supply of the high power demand, the first thermal energy consumption system 410 can be used to boost Power system.

In some embodiments, the auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134 may enter the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 at an initial temperature, such as ambient temperature, for example, without heating. In some embodiments, the auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134 may enter the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 after being heated to the initial temperature by any suitable heat source, which may be compatible with the thermal energy source used to heat the primary heat transfer fluid 114 404 same or different.

Heat loss from the primary heat transfer fluid 114, through the thermal insulation layer 120 (and through the tubing 112 and/or the outer tubing 144, when provided), can be transferred to the secondary conduit assembly Auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134 flowing in 130 .

The auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134, which may be heated by the heat dissipated by the primary heat transfer fluid 114, exits the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 at an elevated temperature. The elevated temperature of the auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134 exiting the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 is higher than the initial temperature of the auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134 . The initial temperature is the temperature of the auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134 when entering the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 .

The thermal energy of the auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134 may be provided to any second heat consuming system 420 . The second heat energy consumption system 420 may include any heat energy consumption system utilizing the auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134 . In a non-limiting embodiment, the second heat energy consumption system 420 may include a steam turbine, a steam turbine, a gas turbine, an industrial system, a chemical industry or other industries Water vapor consuming processes, dryers, solid desiccant systems, or absorption chillers, air conditioning systems, power generation systems such as power generation systems, water vapor generation systems, steam generation systems or thermal energy generation systems used in water vapor consuming processes. In some embodiments, the second thermal energy consumption system 420 may be used itself or may be part of the system for boosting to add thermal energy to an already existing power generation system. For example, when the power demand is high relative to the power conventionally generated by the power generation system and additional thermal energy is required to ensure the supply of the high power demand, the second thermal energy consumption system 420 can be used to boost Power system.

In some embodiments, the first thermal energy consumption system 410 and the second thermal energy consumption system 420 may be separate systems. In some embodiments, the first thermal energy consumption system 410 and the second thermal energy consumption system 420 may be embodied in the same system.

In some embodiments, thermal energy from the heated auxiliary conduit assembly 130 may be provided to a heating device designed to provide heat in any suitable manner. The heating device can be used to provide heat or thermal energy to the first heat consumption system 410 and the second heat consumption system 420 . An exemplary heating device may refer to the preheating unit 474 in FIG. 5B.

In some embodiments, the second thermal energy consumption system 420 may be included in a thermal energy system, such as the embodiment shown in FIG. 5B.

In Figure 5B, a thermal energy system 450 is provided. The thermal energy system 450 may include the main heat transfer assembly 202, the main heat transfer assembly 202 includes the annular pipe assembly 200 and the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 in FIG. 2A or any other suitable configuration, as shown in FIG. 1A- shown in 4.

As depicted in FIG. 5A , the primary heat transfer fluid 114 may be heated to the first temperature. The heat energy of the primary heat transfer fluid 114 can be provided to the first heat energy consumption system 410 by any suitable means, such as through a heat exchanger 460 or any other suitable means for transferring heat energy. The thermal energy of the primary heat transfer fluid 114 may heat a corresponding heat transfer fluid 464 flowing in the heat exchanger 460 .

The primary heat transfer fluid 114 exits the heat exchanger 460 at a second temperature, which may be lower than the first temperature. In some embodiments, the primary heat transfer fluid 114 may then be directed to another system or may be discarded. In some embodiments, the primary heat transfer fluid 114 can be directed to the surrounding fluid channels 218, as shown in FIG. 5B. Thereafter, the primary heat transfer fluid 114 may flow out of the annular duct assembly 200 . In some embodiments, the primary heat transfer fluid 114 can be directed to another system or can be discarded. In some embodiments, the primary heat transfer fluid 114 can be directed to the thermal energy source 404 for reheating, as described in Figure 5B.

A corresponding heat transfer fluid 464 may be provided by a storage tank 470 or any other suitable source. Before entering the heat exchanger 460, the corresponding heat transfer fluid 464 may be preheated in a heating device, such as a preheating unit 474 configured in any suitable manner. The preheated corresponding heat transfer fluid 464 may then enter the heat exchanger 460 and may be heated by the thermal energy of the primary heat transfer fluid 114, as described above. The thermal energy of the now heated corresponding heat exchange fluid 464 (heated by the thermal energy of the primary heat transfer fluid 114 ) can be provided to the first heat energy consuming system 410 . In some embodiments, the first heat energy consumption system 410 may include the heat exchanger 460 .

According to some embodiments, the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 may be provided to utilize heat lost from the primary heat transfer assembly 202 for heating the auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134 flowing therein. As noted above, the auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134 enters the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 at an initial temperature. The initial temperature may be higher than ambient temperature, lower than ambient temperature or substantially equal to ambient temperature.

The auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134 receives the heat dissipated from the primary heat transfer assembly 202 and is thus expelled from the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 at an elevated temperature.

In some embodiments, the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 at an elevated temperature may be introduced into the preheating unit 474 to provide high heat to heat the corresponding heat transfer fluid 464 . It can therefore be seen that the thermal energy provided by the auxiliary conduit assembly can reduce the thermal energy required by the preheating unit 474 to heat the corresponding heat transfer fluid 464 before entering the heat exchanger 460 . Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the described auxiliary conduit assembly 130 may operate as an economizer, which may include means for reducing energy consumption, or for performing other useful functions, such as preheating fluid.

In some embodiments, the corresponding heat transfer fluid 464 may be heated only in the preheating unit 474 by thermal energy provided by the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 . In some embodiments the corresponding heat transfer fluid 464 may be partially heated in the preheating unit 474 by thermal energy provided by the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 and partially heated by any other suitable thermal energy source, such as, for example, a boiler .

The corresponding heat transfer fluid 464 may comprise any suitable heat transfer fluid, such as a gas, typically air, helium or carbon dioxide or a carbon dioxide-containing fluid, or a liquid, such as oil, water, molten salt, or an organic fluid such as Synthetic organic heat transfer fluid. In some embodiments, the corresponding heat transfer fluid 464 may comprise a fluid that is capable of changing phases at relatively low temperatures, for example at -10°C or lower, at -20°C or lower temperature, so as to ensure that the fluid still flows under harsh environmental conditions, for example, in a cold environment, the ambient temperature can be lower than 0°C.

In some embodiments, the corresponding heat transfer fluid 464 and auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134 may be the same fluid. In some embodiments, the corresponding heat transfer fluid 464 and auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134 may also be different fluids.

In some embodiments, the auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134 may be provided to the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 from the storage tank 470 .

In some embodiments, the auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134 can be configured as a corresponding heat transfer fluid 464 . The auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134 can be supplied from a storage tank 470 .

In some embodiments, the corresponding heat transfer fluid 464 entering the heat exchanger 460 may only include the auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134, so that no heat transfer fluid 464 passes from the storage tank 470 to the preliminary Heat unit 474 flow. In some embodiments, the heat transfer fluid 464 entering the heat exchanger 460 may include in part the auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134 and in part the corresponding heat transfer fluid 464 flowing directly from the storage tank 470 .

The embodiments described herein are intended to be exemplary aspects of implementing the various aspects of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention in any way. In a non-limiting example, the primary heat transfer fluid 114 may be air heated by the thermal energy source 404 . The thermal energy source 404 may include a solar system (not shown), wherein the primary heat transfer fluid 114 may be heated by concentrated solar radiation by a solar receiver (not shown). The air may be heated to a first temperature of 650° C. by the solar receiver and may flow in the central fluid channel 208 . The air exhausted from the central fluid channel 208 may be introduced into the heat exchanger 460 for providing heat to the corresponding heat transfer fluid 464 . The air exiting the central fluid channel 208 is at 600° C. due to the inadvertent loss of heat from the heat transfer assembly 202 as described.

The air exits the heat exchanger 460 at a second temperature, which may be 100°C, and may flow into the ambient fluid channel 218 and back to the solar receiver for reheating.

The corresponding heat transfer fluid 464 may comprise water and may exit the storage tank 470 at ambient temperature (eg, 25°C). The water may flow from the storage tank to the heat exchanger 460 through the preheating unit 474 . The water can enter the heat exchanger 460 at a temperature of 120°C and can be heated to a temperature of 540°C by the thermal energy of the air as water vapor. The steam may be provided to the first heat energy consumption system 410, and the first heat energy consumption system 410 may include a steam turbine.

The water entering the heat exchanger 460 from the storage tank 470 is preheated to 120° C. in the preheating unit 474 with ambient temperature. According to one embodiment, the auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134 is heated by heat lost from the primary heat transfer assembly 202 and provides a portion of the thermal energy used to preheat the water in the preheating unit 474 . In this embodiment, the auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134 is water. The water is introduced into the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 at an initial temperature including ambient temperature. In some embodiments, the water may be supplied to the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 from the storage tank 470 . In some embodiments, the water may be supplied to the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 from any other suitable source.

The water can be heated to an elevated temperature, ie 70°C, by the heat lost from the primary heat transfer assembly 202 . The water at said elevated temperature is introduced into a preheating unit 474 which may further heat said water to 120°C by any suitable means before entering said heat exchanger 460 temperature.

In some embodiments, the water entering the heat exchanger 460 may only include the auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134 , so there is no flow of water from the storage tank 470 to the preheating unit 474 . In some embodiments, the water entering the heat exchanger 460 may comprise partly the auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134 and partly flow water directly from the storage tank 470 .

According to some embodiments, the main heat transfer fluid 114 and/or the auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134 and/or the corresponding heat transfer fluid 464 can refer to any one of the embodiments of FIGS. 1A-5B , or can be composed of any A suitable heat transfer device replaces, for example, a solid.

According to some embodiments, such as any one of the embodiments of FIGS. 1A-5B , the primary heat transfer fluid 114 may be omitted and the thermal energy provided to the The auxiliary conduit assembly 130 and transfer to the second heat energy consumption system 410 through any suitable means, for example, through electric energy or radiation.

According to some embodiments, such as any one of the embodiments of FIGS. 1A-5B , the auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134 may be omitted and thermal energy may be provided by the auxiliary conduit assembly 130 and transferred to the first The second heat energy consumption system 410 uses any suitable means, such as electricity or radiation, for example.

According to some embodiments, such as any of the embodiments of FIGS. 1A-5B , the temperature of the primary heat transfer fluid 114 may be lower than the temperature of the secondary heat transfer fluid 134 . In some embodiments, the primary heat transfer fluid 114 may be used to cool the secondary heat transfer fluid 134 . The cooled auxiliary heat transfer fluid 134 may be used in any suitable system, such as an air conditioning system, for example.

It may be noted that the terms "heat transfer system" or "heat transfer assembly" disclosed herein may include any system for transferring and/or providing heat and/or thermal energy.

Various exemplary embodiments of devices, systems, and methods have been described herein. It should be noted that these illustrated embodiments have been described for purposes of illustration only and not limitation. Other embodiments are possible and covered herein and will be apparent from the teachings herein. Thus, the breadth and scope of the disclosure herein should not be limited by any of the various embodiments described above, but is only limited by the appended claims, which obtain What is disclosed herein and its equivalents are supported. Moreover, the subject matter and embodiments disclosed herein may include methods, systems and devices, which may further include any and all elements/features from any other disclosed methods, systems and devices, including those associated with Replace any and all features corresponding to the control. In other words, features from one and/or other disclosed embodiments may be interchanged with features from other disclosed embodiments and, in turn, with yet another other embodiment correspond to each other. Furthermore, one or more features/elements of the disclosed embodiments may be removed and still result in patentable subject matter (thus enabling further embodiments of the disclosed subject matter ).

Claims (45)

1. a heat transfer system, it comprises:

Main heat trnasfer assembly, it is for passing to thermal energy consumption system by heat wherein;

Heat insulation, minimizes so it escapes with the heat in described main heat trnasfer assembly; And

Subsidiary conduit assembly, it is made up of subsidiary conduit passage, and this subsidiary conduit passage is used for auxiliary heat transfer fluid flowing through wherein, the heat heating that described auxiliary heat transfer fluid is escaped by described main heat trnasfer assembly.

2. system according to claim 1, wherein said subsidiary conduit passage is at least partly around described main heat trnasfer assembly.

3. system according to claim 1, wherein said subsidiary conduit assembly comprises multiple pipeline.

4. system according to claim 3, wherein said multiple pipelines comprise following at least one of them: multiple microtubule, multiple relatively little pipeline and multiple pipeline with rectangular cross section.

5. system according to claim 1, wherein said subsidiary conduit assembly comprises coil pipeline.

6. system according to claim 1, wherein said subsidiary conduit assembly comprises snakelike coil pipeline.

7. system according to claim 1, wherein said subsidiary conduit assembly comprises the pipeline of at least part of column type.

8. system according to claim 1, the heat insulation described in wherein said subsidiary conduit passage covers or under described heat insulation.

9. system according to claim 1, wherein said subsidiary conduit passage is embedded among described heat insulation.

10. system according to claim 1, wherein said thermal energy consumption system comprise following at least one of them: comprise the system of steam turbine, comprise the system of water vapour turbine, the system comprising combustion gas turbine, industrial system, the water vapour that uses in chemical industries or other industry consume technique, drier, solid drier system, Absorption Refrigerator, air handling system, electricity generation system, power generation system, water vapour generation systems, steam generating system, thermal energy generation system and the system for boosting electricity generation system.

11. systems according to claim 1, wherein said main heat trnasfer assembly comprises:

Central fluid channel, it is for the main heat transfer fluid flowing wherein in the first temperature; And

Surrounding fluid passage, it is for the main heat transfer fluid flowing wherein in the second temperature, and described surrounding fluid passage is around described central fluid channel.

12. systems according to claim 11, wherein said heat insulation is placed in the centre of described central fluid channel and surrounding fluid passage.

13. systems according to claim 1, the auxiliary heat transfer fluid after wherein said heating is used for heat energy to be supplied to thermal energy consumption system, and this thermal energy consumption system can be identical or different with the thermal energy consumption system of the heat energy receiving described main heat trnasfer assembly.

14. systems according to claim 1, wherein said main heat trnasfer assembly comprise following at least one of them: pipeline, ring-shaped component, heat exchanger, heat recovery steam generator, boiler, condenser, economizer or oxygen-eliminating device.A kind of heat transfer system, it comprises:

Main heat trnasfer conduit, gasoline channel is formed, and flows through wherein arrive thermal energy consumption system for main heat transfer fluid;

Heat insulation, it minimizes for making the heat of described main heat trnasfer conduit escape; And

Subsidiary conduit assembly, it has subsidiary conduit passage to form, and this subsidiary conduit passage is used for the flowing of auxiliary heat transfer fluid, and described auxiliary heat transfer fluid is heated by the heat being not intended to escape of main heat trnasfer conduit.

16. systems according to claim 15, wherein said subsidiary conduit passage is at least partly around described main heat trnasfer assembly.

17. systems according to claim 15, wherein said subsidiary conduit assembly comprises multiple pipeline.

18. systems according to claim 17, wherein said multiple pipelines comprise following at least one of them: multiple microtubule, multiple relatively little pipeline and multiple pipeline with rectangular cross section.

19. systems according to claim 15, wherein said subsidiary conduit assembly comprises coil pipeline.

20. systems according to claim 15, wherein said subsidiary conduit assembly comprises snakelike coil pipeline.

21. systems according to claim 15, wherein said subsidiary conduit assembly comprises the pipeline of at least part of column type.

22. systems according to claim 15, the heat insulation described in wherein said subsidiary conduit passage covers or under described heat insulation.

23. systems according to claim 15, wherein said subsidiary conduit passage is embedded among described heat insulation.

24. systems according to claim 15, wherein said thermal energy consumption system comprise following at least one of them: comprise the system of steam turbine, comprise the system of water vapour turbine, the system comprising combustion gas turbine, industrial system, the water vapour that uses in chemical industries or other industry consume technique, drier, solid drier system, Absorption Refrigerator, air handling system, electricity generation system, power generation system, water vapour generation systems, steam generating system, thermal energy generation system and the system for boosting electricity generation system.

25. systems according to claim 15, wherein said main heat trnasfer conduit comprises central fluid channel and surrounding fluid passage, and described surrounding fluid passage is around described central fluid channel.

26. systems according to claim 25, wherein said heat insulation is placed in the centre of described central fluid channel and surrounding fluid passage.

27. systems according to claim 15, the auxiliary heat transfer fluid after wherein said heating is used for heat energy to be supplied to thermal energy consumption system, and this thermal energy consumption system can be identical or different with the thermal energy consumption system of the heat energy receiving described main heat trnasfer assembly.

28. 1 kinds of heat transfer systems, it comprises:

Main heat trnasfer assembly, it is for transmitting heat wherein, and described main heat trnasfer assembly comprises:

Central fluid channel, it is for the main heat transfer fluid flowing wherein in the first temperature;

Surrounding fluid passage, it is for the main heat transfer fluid flowing wherein in the second temperature; And

Heat insulation, it minimizes for making the heat of described main heat trnasfer assembly escape; And

Subsidiary conduit assembly, it is made up of subsidiary conduit passage, and described subsidiary conduit passage is used for auxiliary heat transfer fluid flowing wherein, and described auxiliary heat transfer fluid has the heat that escapes of described main heat trnasfer assembly to heat.

29. systems according to claim 28, wherein said subsidiary conduit passage is at least in part around described central fluid channel or at least in part around described surrounding fluid passage.

30. systems according to claim 28, wherein said subsidiary conduit assembly comprises multiple pipeline.

31. systems according to claim 30, wherein said multiple pipelines comprise following at least one of them: multiple microtubule, multiple relatively little pipeline and multiple pipeline with rectangular cross section.

32. systems according to claim 28, wherein said subsidiary conduit assembly comprises coil pipeline.

33. systems according to claim 28, wherein said subsidiary conduit assembly comprises snakelike coil pipeline.

34. systems according to claim 28, wherein said subsidiary conduit assembly comprises the pipeline of at least part of column type.

35. systems according to claim 28, the heat insulation described in wherein said subsidiary conduit passage covers or under described heat insulation.

36. systems according to claim 28, wherein said subsidiary conduit passage is embedded among described heat insulation.

37. systems according to claim 28, heat energy is supplied to thermal energy consumption system by wherein said main heat transfer fluid.

38. according to system according to claim 37, wherein said thermal energy consumption system comprise following at least one of them: comprise the system of steam turbine, comprise the system of water vapour turbine, the system comprising combustion gas turbine, industrial system, the water vapour that uses in chemical industries or other industry consume technique, drier, solid drier system, Absorption Refrigerator, air handling system, electricity generation system, power generation system, water vapour generation systems, steam generating system, thermal energy generation system and the system for boosting electricity generation system.

39. systems according to claim 28, wherein said heat insulation is placed in the centre of described central fluid channel and surrounding fluid passage.

40. according to system according to claim 37, and the auxiliary heat transfer fluid after wherein said heating is used for heat energy to be supplied to thermal energy consumption system, and this thermal energy consumption system can be identical or different with the thermal energy consumption system of the heat energy receiving described main heat trnasfer assembly.

41. systems according to claim 28, wherein said main heat trnasfer assembly comprise following at least one of them: pipeline, ring-shaped component, heat exchanger, heat recovery steam generator, boiler, condenser, economizer or oxygen-eliminating device.

42. 1 kinds of heat energy systems, it comprises:

Main heat trnasfer assembly, for transmitting heat wherein;

Heat energy, for being supplied to described main heat trnasfer assembly by heat energy;

First thermal energy consumption system, for consuming the heat energy of the heat from described main heat trnasfer component passes;

Heat insulation, minimizes for making the heat of described main heat trnasfer assembly escape; And

Subsidiary conduit assembly, it is made up of subsidiary conduit passage, and described subsidiary conduit passage is used for auxiliary heat transfer fluid flowing wherein, and described auxiliary heat transfer fluid is heated by the heat that escapes of described main heat trnasfer assembly; And

Second thermal energy consumption system, it is for consuming the heat energy of the heat from described subsidiary conduit component passes.

43. 1 kinds of heat energy systems, it comprises:

Main heat trnasfer assembly, for transmitting heat wherein;

Heat energy, for being supplied to described main heat trnasfer assembly by heat energy;

Thermal energy consumption system, for consuming the heat energy of the heat from described main heat trnasfer component passes;

Heat insulation, minimizes for making the heat of described main heat trnasfer assembly escape; And

Subsidiary conduit assembly, it is made up of subsidiary conduit passage, and described subsidiary conduit passage is used for auxiliary heat transfer fluid flowing wherein, and described auxiliary heat transfer fluid is heated by the heat that escapes of described main heat trnasfer assembly; And

Heater, it is for being supplied to described thermal energy consumption system by heat energy,

The heat energy coming from the heat of described subsidiary conduit component passes is provided to described heater.

44. 1 kinds of methods for transferring heat, it comprises:

Heat from main heat trnasfer assembly is passed to thermal energy consumption system;

Carry out heat insulation thus heat wherein escaped minimizing to described main heat trnasfer assembly;

There is provided the subsidiary conduit assembly formed with subsidiary conduit passage, described subsidiary conduit passage is used for auxiliary heat transfer fluid flowing wherein; And

With the auxiliary heat transfer fluid escaped described in heat heating of described main heat trnasfer assembly.

45. 1 kinds for heat energy being supplied to the method for heat energy system, it comprises:

The first thermal energy consumption system is given from main heat trnasfer component passes by heat;

Carry out heat insulation thus heat wherein escaped minimizing to described main heat trnasfer assembly;

There is provided the subsidiary conduit be made up of subsidiary conduit passage assembly, described subsidiary conduit passage is used for auxiliary heat transfer fluid flowing wherein;

With the auxiliary heat transfer fluid escaped described in heat heating of described main heat trnasfer assembly; And

The heat of described subsidiary conduit assembly is passed to the second thermal energy consumption system.

46. 1 kinds of heat transfer systems, it comprises:

Main heat trnasfer assembly, it is for passing to thermal energy consumption system by heat wherein;

Heat insulation, minimizes so it escapes with the heat in described main heat trnasfer assembly; And

Subsidiary conduit assembly, it is heated by the heat that escapes of described main heat trnasfer assembly.