Apparatus, process and system for tube and whip rod heat exchanger

An apparatus, thermal storage system and method for heat exchange using a tube-type heat exchanger. A rod (24) or rods (24, 24') are propelled to move over the inner surface (7) of the tube (1). The moving rod (24) is in contact with a first process liquid which is adjacent the inner surface (7) as a falling film or by flooding the interior of the tube (1). The flooded mode is particularly useful where the tube (24) is non-vertical or the heat exchanger is used to make an ice slurry for HVAC systems serving high-rise buildings. Multiple such rod (24) and tube (1) assemblies are operated simultaneously using a drive plate (22) powered to execute an orbital motion in a plane generally orthogonal to the rods (24, 24'). In one form the plate (22) is coupled via a crank (40) to equiangularly spaced rods (24, 24') in each tube (1). The rods (24, 24') are preferably mounted to be movable radially, for example suspended through holes (23) in, and driven by, a plate (22) to execute an orbital motion or at recesses (49, 49') in the rod (24) in radially directed slots (48, 48') in an arm (46) rotated by a tube-mounted crank (40).

Orbital type freezing apparatus and method

A machine (75) for freezing or chilling a liquid continuously to produce a slurry (20) of the liquid and frozen crystals feeds the liquid into a vertically oriented heat transfer tube (1) at its upper end. A refrigerant flow (39) at the outer tube surface (1b) evaporates in a vapor/foam stream causing the liquid to freeze at the inner tube surface (1a). A whip rod (9), preferably one that is free-standing, revolves over the inner surface (1a) to dislodge the frozen crystals mechanically and to distribute the liquid. An additive to the liquid such as ethylene glycol (in water) aids the dislodging. In one form, a mechanical flow guide (35) surrounding the outer surface produces a thin, high velocity upward flow (39) of the boiling refrigerant to increase the heat transfer. An orbital drive (4-8, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111) propels the whip rod (9). In one form the orbital drive includes a pair of horizontal plates (101, 102) coupled between the whip rod (9) and at least one eccentric crank (109, 109'). In another form, the drive includes a pair of counterweights (7, 7) coupled rigidly to the heat transfer tube that are rotated in phase synchronization by independent motors (8, 8) through the dynamic design characteristics of the system.

Orbital type freezing apparatus and method

A machine (75) for freezing or chilling a liquid continuously to produce a slurry (20) of the liquid and frozen crystals feeds the liquid into a vertically oriented heat transfer tube (1) at its upper end. A refrigerant flow (39) at the outer tube surface (1b) evaporates in a vapor/foam stream causing the liquid to freeze at the inner tube surface (1a). A whip rod (9), preferably one that is free-standing, revolves over the inner surface (1a) to dislodge the frozen crystals mechanically and to distribute the liquid. An additive to the liquid such as ethylene glycol (in water) aids the dislodging. In one form, a mechanical flow guide (35) surrounding the outer surface produces a thin, high velocity upward flow (39) of the boiling refrigerant to increase the heat transfer. An orbital drive (4-8, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111) propels the whip rod (9). In one form the orbital drive includes a pair of horizontal plates (101, 102) coupled between the whip rod (9) and at least one eccentric crank (109, 109'). In another form, the drive includes a pair of counterweights (7, 7) coupled rigidly to the heat transfer tube that are rotated in phase synchronization by independent motors (8, 8) through the dynamic design characteristics of the system.

Apparatus, process, and system for tube and whip rod heat exchanger

An apparatus, thermal storage system and method for heat exchange using a tube-type heat exchanger. A rod (24) or rods (24, 24') are propelled to move over the inner surlice (7) of the tube (1). The moving rod (24) is in contact with a first process liquid which is adjacent the inner surface (7) as a falling film or by flooding the interior of the tube (1). The flooded mode is particularly useful where the tube (24) is non-vertical or the heat exchanger is used to make an ice slurry for HVAC systems serving high-rise buildings. Multiple such rod (24) and tube (1) assemblies are operated simultaneously using a drive phte (22) powered to execute an orbital motion in a plane generally orthogonal to the rods (24, 24'). In one form the plate (22) is coupled via a crank (40) to equiangularlly spaced rods (24, 24') in each tube (1). The rods (24, 24') are preferably mounted to be movable radially, for example suspended through holes (23) in, and driven by, a plate (22) to execute an orbital motion or at recesses (49, 49') in the rod (24) in radially directed slots (48, 48') in an arm (46) rotated by a tubemounted crank (40).

Appareil method, système de tube et échangeur de chaleur muni d'une baguette remuée.