US2402881A - Heat exchanger - Google Patents

Description

3725, 1946? v A. J. FAusEK ETAL A. I 2,402,881

HEAT XGHANGER Filed Jan. 2, 1943 v 2 sheets-sheet i.

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l Patented June `25, 1946 HEAT EXCHAN GER Arthur J. Fausekv and rwng F. Fausek,

. Clayton, Mo.

A pplicatonJanuary2,1343, Serial No. 471,130

This invention relates. generally to heat exchangers and more specically to heat exchangers of the type comprising a multiplicity of tubes arrangedwithin a housing, through which tubes and housing'fluid, gas, or other medium, whose temperature is to be changed, passes, Ithe predominant object of the invention being to provide a heat exchanger of the type mentioned,

which includes tubes of such form and arrange-- ment that a maximum of heat exchangeis obtained in a housing of relatively small diameter and reduced height and which tubes may be conveniently removed for repair or replacement.

Prior to this invention heat exchangers of the y general type to which the structure of the present -A invention relates were deficient in two major re spects, these points of deficiency being, first, that when the tubes were long and straight the heat exchanger was necessarily of `very great height or length, in order to obtain the desired heat exchange, and, secondly, that when other than straight tubes were employed, or when an excessive number of shorter straight tubeswere used, the height or length of the heat exchanger was reduced but the task of removing tubes for repair or replacement was rendered most difficult.

` The prime purpose of this invention, therefore, .is to provide a heat exchanger whichv is of such unique construction and arrangement that the structure is of vminimum height and the tubes thereof may be conveniently removed for repair or replacement, such result being a consequence of the form of the tubes and their arrangement within the housing of the heat exchanger.

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of thevimproved heat exchanger, conductors leading to and from the heat exchanger being broken away.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical section taken through the heat'exchanger shown inFig. 1. por'- tions of the structure being broken away in orderlto permit of the view being drawn to a larger sca e.

6 claims. l(o1. 257-220) tubes .after its nal shape has been imparted thereto.

The improved heat exchanger disclosed herein may be employed for the purposeof changing temperatures of various mediums which are capable of flowing, and in order to disclose one embodiment of the invention for purposes of illustration, merely, we illustrate in the drawings a heat exchanger of the improved construction and arrangement which is adapted particularly for use in increasing the temperatures of nitrogen and oxygen. Thel limproved heat exchanger isl designated generally in the drawings bythe reference character A and it. comprises an outer housing I which includes, a top member 2, a bottom member 3, and a shell i of tubular or other suitable shape. The top member 2 and the bottom member 3 are secured to top and bottom portions of the shell li in any suitable manner to provide'fluid and gas-tight joints -at the points of connection between said top and bottom mem'- bers and the shell, the bottom member 3 being provided with a boss 5 provided with a screwthreaded opening which communicates with the interior of the housingand receives a nitrogen inlet conductor 6, and the top member 2 being 4 provided with a boss 'I provided with a screwthreaded opening that communicates with the interior of the housing/and receives a nitrogen outlet conductor 8.

Arranged within the upper portion of the housing I is a manifold 9 for high pressurel air, said manifold having a portion extended through an opening formed through the wallof the shell d to provide an exterior inlet conductor it which conducts high pressure air to the manifold 9.

f Aiso,` arranged in the lower portion of the housing I is a similar manifold II for'high. pressure air which likewise includes a portion that eX- tends through an opening formed through the Y wall of the shell S, this portion providing an ex- Fig. 3 nis' a horizontal section taken approxi- I mately on line 3 3 of Fig. 2. y

Fig. i is a plan view of a section'of one of the baiiies forming a part of the heat exchanger i1- 'lustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a section of another of the baies of the improved heat exchanger.

Fig. 6 is an elevation on a reduced scale of one of the tubes of the heat exchanger illustrating the form thereof before nal shaping of said tube.

Fig. is a sectional-plan view of the tube lilterior outlet conductor I2 which conducts high pressure air from. the manifold Il. Preferably, though not necessarily, the portions of the manifolds 9 4and II which are located within the housing I are of circular formation with the inlet-and outlet conductors III and l2 leadingto the circular portions of the respective manifolds. Also, the `ioints between'the surfaces of the inlet and outlet conductors I0 and I2 and the walls of the openings through which said conductors pass. are

suitably sealed to render said joints uid and N gaa-tight. g l

.Extended between the manifold Sand the many Fig. 8 is a sectional-plan view 'of one of the w ifold il is a plurality of-high pressure air pipes i3- a 3 each of which is connected into the manifold 9 at its upper end and is similarly connected into the manifold I I at its lower end. The manifolds 9 and I I are provided with outwardly extended, hollow bosses I4 which communicate with the interiors of the manifolds and receive opposite en d portions of the pipes I3, said end portions of the pipes being soldered or otherwise secured to the bosses to provide iluid and gas-tight contact therebetween; Each of the pipes I3 has a tortuous formation, being made .up of a multiplicity of return bends and connecting portions between said return bends, as shown in Fig. 6, which eX- tend continuously throughout substantially the entire length of the pipe. Also, the undulant portion of each pipe, made up of the return bends and the connecting portions therebetween, is curved transversely, as shown in Fig. 3, so as to provide for the close nesting of a multiplicity of said pipes in the relativelysmall space provided within the housing I.

The importance of the transverse curvature of the pipes I3 which permits of said pipes being nested within the housing I, as shown in Fig. 3, will be realized if it be considered how very much larger in diameter the housing would have to b'e if an equal number of uncurved pipes were arranged radially within a housing.' Also, in such anI imagined arrangement much space within the housing would be unoccupied by pipes, and much of the medium passed through the housing furthe purpose-of changing the temperature thereof wouldnot come into close contact with the pipes, with the result that the heat exchanging operation 'would not be efficiently performed. In the structure of the present invention, however, the pipes I3, because of the-curvature thereof and the consequent closely nested condition of said pipes within the housing, substantially iill the entire space within the housing I so that medi1nn passing through the housing exteriorly of the pipes I3 for the purpose of changing the temperature thereof, must necessarily move in close contact with said pipes I3, with the consequence that the heat exchanging operation is very effectively performed.

Another important feature of the present invention is that in spite of the closely nested condition of thepipes I3 any one of said pipes may be conveniently removed for repair or replacement. Such removal of a pipe may be accomplished by disconnecting the opposite end portions of the pipe from the manifolds 9 and I I and then rotating the pipe to be removed laterally to move same in a curved path, out of its positionv in the nest of pipes. In this connection it is Ypointed out that the shell I is' made up ofa pair of semicircular sections which are soldered' or otherwise secured together at opposed butt joints 4' which extend longitudinally of the shell from end to end, as shown in Fig. 3. Because of this arrangement the paired sections of the shell may be disconnected at the joints 4' and separated after the top, and bottom members 2 and 3 have been removed, to give free access to lthe nested pipes I3.

Arranged in the upper portion of the housing I, immediately below the manifold 9, is an oxygen manifold I5, and arranged in the lower portion of the housing I, immediately above the manifoldv II is a similar oxygen manifold I6. The manifoldsV I and I6 correspond in construction to the manifolds 9 and II in that the porfold I6 includes a portion which extends through an opening formed through the Wall of the shell 4 to proiu'de an oxygen inlet conductor I1, while the manifold I5 includes a similar part extended through an opening formed through the Wall of the shell 4 which provides an oxygen outlet conductor I8, the contacting points of the surfaces of the inlet and outlet oxygen conductors and the walls of the openings being suitably sealed. The oxygen manifolds I5 and I6 have formed thereon outstanding, hollow bosses I3 which commuhicate with the interiors of said manifolds.

Arranged within the housing I of the heat exchanger A is a plurality of oxygen pipes 20 which extendbetween, and are connected, at their opposite ends, into the manifolds I5 and I6, each oxygen pipe 20 having its opposite .end portions received by corresponding bosses I9 of the manifolds I5 and I6 and said end portions of the oxygen pipe being secured by solder, or otherwise, to said bosses so as to provide uid and gas-tight contact therebetween. As in the case of the high pressure air pipes I3 each of the oxygen4 pipes 20 has a tortuous formation, being made up of a plurality of return bends and connecting por- .tions between said return bends which extend continuously throughout substantially the entire length of the oxygen pipe. Also, as in the case corresponding portions of the high pressure air pipes, and because the high pressure air pipes are of heavier wall thickness to hold the high pressure air. As shown in Fig. 3, the oxygen pipes 20 are nested with respect to the high'pressure air pipes I3 within the housing I, each oxygen pipe being arranged in curved alinement relative to one of the high pressure air pipes.

Arranged within the housing I and suitably supported therein, is a plurality of baffles 2l and 22. The bailles 2l and 22 are disposed within lthe housing I in staggered relation so as to cause nitrogen passing upwardly through the housing to follow a. tortuouscourse, thereby preventing l short-circuiting of said nitrogen through the housing, and causing it to move in contact with a maximum number of portions of the high pressure air pipes I3. Each of the ballles 2l and 22 is made upof a pair of semic'ircular sections. as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, these sections being arranged in abutting relation at their spaced straight, inner edges 2l' and 22' to provide the complete baille. Also, each baille section includes an inner edge 23 or 24 between the spaced straight, inner edges 2l or 22', which is curved to correspond with thecurvature of the outer edge 25 or 26 of the baille section. The arrangement of the bales within the housing is such that the inner curved edges 23 of the bales 2| are spaced a substantial distance in anoutward direction from the axis of the housing-I, while the outer curved edges of the baffles 22 are spaced inwardly a considerable distance from the inner .face of the wall of the shell l of the housing I.

Because of this arrangement the nitrogen passing upwardly through the housing will follow a tortuous path, as Amentioned above, the body of nitrogen flowing around the outer edges 26 of the baffles 22 and around the inner edges 2 5 of the baliies 2| as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 2.

Additionally the inner, curved edges 24 of the baffles 22 and the outer curved edges 25 of the bailles 2| are provided with notches 21, portions of the high pressure air pipes through the notches of the bailles 22 and portions of the oxygen pipes extending through the notches of the baffles 2 I.

By referring to Figs. 2 and 3 it will be noted.

that the arrangement of the innerportions of the high pressure' air pipes I3 is such that a well is provided vertically and centrally within the bank of high pressure air pipes, and in order to block oi this well so that nitrogen may not short-circuit therethrough, an elongated bag 28, formed of canvas or other suitable material, which is filled with rockwool or other suitable insulating materiaLis disposed in said bag. The bag 28 is formed of a flexible material, suchA as canvas, so that it may adjust itself to the inner portions of the high pressure air pipes and thus effectively seal off the well in which it is arranged. The bag may be supported in any suitable manner, or the contact thereof with the high pressure air pipes may be relied onfor the support of said bag.

From the foregoing, and from the drawingsforming a -part of this specification, it is thought that the operation of the improved heat exchanger will be obvious, the nitrogen entering the apparatus by way of the inlet conductor 6 and passing tortuously4 in an upward direction through thehousing, in contact with the high pressure air pipes I3, for discharge from theapparatu's by Way of the outlet conductor 8. Also, the oxygen passes into the apparatus by way of the inlet conductor I'I and passes upwardly through the pipes 20 for discharge from the apparatus by way of the outlet conductor IB. While the high pressure air passes into the apparatus by way of the inlet conductor I Il and passes downwardly through the pipes .I3 for discharge I3 extending from the apparatus by Way of the outlet conductor` I2. In the operation of the particular apparatus illustrated in the drawings the high pressure air will enter the apparatus at room temperature and leave theapparatus at from 120 C. to 185 C., while the nitrogen and the 'oxygen will enter the apparatus at from '-1859 C. to 170 C. and will leave the apparatus at room temperature. These temperature figures are approximate as during existence of different conditions there may be some variance in connection with the incoming and outgoing temperatures of the mediums passing through the apparatus.

The length and form of pipes provide a maximum of heat exchange in as small a diameter and as short a height as possible, thereby conserving on material and weight. Additionally, the lengths of the'pipes in the 4various units make possible graduated temperature zones without being influenced unduly by metal mass, and the undulant form of the individual pipes allows for free expansion and contraction of said pipes, thus eliminating any tendency that expansion and contraction of the pipes would pull the ends of the pipes loose from the manifolds at their points of attachment thereto. Also, instead of removing a pipe to be repaired or replaced from the nest of pipes by `rotating said pipe laterally out of the nest of pipes, as has been previously explained herein, such a pipe may be removed from thetop or bottom of the apparatus.

It is pointed out that heat exchangers of the improved construction of varying capacities may be produced by merely employing Ihousings of dir lferent diameters so as to permit of the employment of high pressure air pipes of greater or less number. By` so increasing the capacity of the heat exchanger an apparatus of increased capacity may be provided Without increasing the height of the apparatus.

We claim:

1. A heatexchanger comprising a housing having inlet and outlet Ameans for passage of a medium into,` through, and out of -said housing, a pair of spaced apart manifolds disposed within said housing and provided respectively with inlet and outlet means, a plurality of pipes arranged within said housing and connected at their opposite ends into said manifolds for passage through the manifolds and pipes of a second medium, a second pair of spaced apart manifolds disposed within said housing and provided respectively with inlet and outlet means, and a plurality of pipes arranged within said housing and connected at their opposite ends into said second pair of manifolds for passage through the second pair of manifolds and the pipes connected thereto of a third medium, each of the pipes connected tothe first-mentioned pair of manifolds and each'of the pipes connected to the secondmentioned pair of manifolds being provided with return bends and .connecting portions between said return bends which give to the pipe a tortuous formation in the direction of the length of the pipe and said tortuous portion of the pipe being curved transversely of the pipe, said pipes connected to the first-mentioned manifolds and disposed within said housing and provided respectivelyv with inlet and outlet means, and a plu; rality of pipes arranged within said housing and connected at their opposite ends into said second pair of manifolds for passage through the second pair of manifolds and the pipes connected thereto of a third medium, each of the pipes connected to the first-mentioned pair of manifolds and each 0f the pipes connected to the secondmentioned pair of manifolds being provided with return bends and connecting portions'between said return bends which give to the pipe a tortuous formation in the direction of the length of the pipe and said' tortuous portionof the pipe being curved transversely of the pipe, said pipes connected to the mst-mentioned manifolds and *pair of spaced apart manifolds disposed within said housing and provided, respectively with inlet and outlet means, a plurality of pipes arranged within said housing and connected at their opposite ends into said manifolds for passage through the manifolds and pipes of a second mereturn bends and connecting portions between said return bends which give to the pipe a tortuous formation in the direction of the length of the pipe and said tortuous portion of the pipe being curved transversely of the pipe, said pipes connected to the first-mentioned manifolds and said pipes connected to the second-mentioned manifolds being arranged within the housing in a closely nested condition, and baille means within said' housing for causing the first-mentioned medium to follow a tortuous path during its passage through the housing.

4. A heat exchanger comprising a housing having inlet and outlet means for passage of a medium into, through, and out of said housing, a pail` of spaced apart manifolds disposed Within said housing and provided respectively with inlet and outlet means, a plurality of pipes arranged within said housing and connected at their opposite ends into '.said manifolds for passage through the manifolds and pipes of a second medium, a second pair of spaced apart manifolds disposed within said housing and provided respectively with inlet and outlet means, a plurality of pipes arranged within said housing and connected at their opposite ends into said second pair of manifolds for passage through the second pair of manifolds and the pipes connected thereto of a third medium, each of the pipes connected to th rst-mentioned pair of manifolds and each of the pipes connected to the secondmentioned pair of manifolds being provided with return bends and connecting portions between said return bends which give to the pipe a tortuous formation in the direction of the length of the pipe and said tortuous portion of the pipe being curved transversely of the pipe, said pipes connected to the first-mentioned manifolds and said pipes connected to the second-mentioned manifolds being arranged within the housing in aclosely nested condition, the arrangement of the nested pipes within the housing being such that a well is formed centrally and longitudinally of the bank of pipes, and means for blocking said well.

5. A heat exchanger comprising a housing having inlet, and outlet means for passage of a medium into, through, and out of said housing. a pair of spaced apart manifolds disposed within said housing and provided respectively with inlet and outlet means, a plurality of pipes arranged within said housing and connected at their opposite ends into said manifolds for passage through the manifolds and pipes of a second medium, a second pair of spaced apart manifolds disposed within said housing and provided respectively with inlet and outlet means, a plurality of pipes arranged within said housing and connected at their opposite ends into said second pair of manifolds for passage through the second pair of manifolds and the pipes connected thereto of a third medium, each of the pipes connected to the first-mentioned pair of manifolds and each of the pipes connected to the second-mentioned pair of manifolds being provided with return bends and connecting portions between said return bends which give to the pipe a tortuous formation in the direction of the length of thepipe and said tortuous portion of the pipe being curved transversely of the pipe, said pipes connected to the first-mentioned manifolds and said pipes connected to the second-mentioned manifolds being arranged within the housing in a closely nested condition, the arrangement of the nested pipes within the housing being such that a well is formed centrally and longitudinally of the bank of pipes, means for blocking said Well, and baffle means within the housing for causing the first- `mentioned medium to follow a tortuous path during its passage through the housing, A

6. A heat exchanger comprising a housing having an inlet and an outlet for passage of a medium into, through, and out of said housing, a group of pipes arranged within said housing, inlet and outlet means into which the opposite ends of said group of pipes are connected for passage through said pipes of a second medium, a second group of pipes arranged within said housing, inlet and outlet means into which the opposite ends of said second group of pipes are connected for passage through said second group of pipes of a third medium, each pipe of the first-mentioned group of pipes and each pipe of the second-mentioned group of pipes being provided with continuously connected return bends which give to the pipe a tortuous formation in the direction of the length of the pipe and the pipes of the first-mentioned group of pipes being curved transversely of the pipes,- the first-mentioned group of pipes and the second-mentionedgroup of pipes being arranged within the housing in closely nested rclation.

ARTHUR J.4 FAUSEK. IRWING F. FAUSEK.

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