US3675710A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High efficiency vapor condenser and method
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-03-08
•
Granted: 1972-07-11
•
Expires: 1991-03-08
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for and method of condensing hot vapor at increased efficiency wherein the initial flow path for hot vapor is so related to that in downstream areas as to provide relatively high velocity contact of hot vapor with the heat exchange wall, thereby to promote heat transfer. Provision for drainage of condensate at closely spaced intervals facilitates condensate removal and enables the vapor to have wiping contact with a maximum interior surface area of the heat exchange wall. If tubes of similar size are employed throughout, control of vapor velocity is obtained by selecting a varying number of tubes in parallel at different flow levels and additionally by causing the vapor to flow in a spiral path to increase its velocity and wiping contact with the heat exchange surfaces.
Inventors
- 👤 Roderick E Ristow
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 20:55
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28B; F28B9/00; F28B9/08; F28B1/00; F25; F25B; F25B2339/00; F25B2339/04; F25B2339/044; F25B2339/0444; F25B2400/00; F25B2400/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
That method of condensing vapor at increased efficiency which comprises the steps of providing a plurality of parallel serpentine vapor flow passages along the interiors of tubular walls of good heat conductive material, passing a heat absorbing fluid in contact with the exteriors of said tubular walls, varying the aggregate flow area for hot vapor interiorly along said tubes to provide very substantially lesser flow area for relatively hot superheated vapor than for the relatively cool vapor approaching the dew point thereby to assure a relatively high flow velocity of hot vapor and enhanced heat exchange with said tubular walls, and continuously draining away condensate from a plurality of points distributed along the vapor flow path thereby to assure that a maximum of the interior surface area of said tubular walls will be free of condensate and available for direct wiping contact with vapor undergoing condensation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
That method of condensing vapor at increased efficiency which comprises the steps of providing a plurality of parallel serpentine vapor flow passages along the interiors of tubular walls of good heat conductive material, passing a heat absorbing fluid in contact with the exteriors of said tubular walls, varying the aggregate flow area for hot vapor interiorly along said tubes to provide very substantially lesser flow area for relatively hot superheated vapor than for the relatively cool vapor approaching the dew point thereby to assure a relatively high flow velocity of hot vapor and enhanced heat exchange with said tubular walls, and continuously draining away condensate from a plurality of points distributed along the vapor flow path thereby to assure that a maximum of the interior surface area of said tubular walls will be free of condensate and available for direct wiping contact with vapor undergoing condensation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
That method defined in claim 1 characterized in the steps of providing approximately one-half as much vapor flow area along the initial length of said serpentine flow path as along the remainder thereof thereby to provide an initial vapor flow velocity of the order of double the vapor flow velocity along the remainder of said serpentine flow path.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
That method defined in claim 1 characterized in the steps of forming said serpentine flow passages from tubular walls of substantially the same length arranged generally parallel to one another and supporting their adjacent opposite ends by respective header assemblies formed from metal plates welded together.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
That method defined in claim 1 characterized in the step of utilizing tubular walls of substantially the same cross-sectional area to form all of said vapor flow passages.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
That method defined in claim 3 characterized in the step of utilizing tubular walls of substantially the same diameter to interconnect said headers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
That method defined in claim 3 chAracterized in the step of carrying out the step of draining away condensate from points confined within said header assemblies.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
67 words
That method defined in claim 1 characterized in the step of providing barrier means in the flow path of said superheated vapor to increase the velocity thereof and the wiping action between the vapor and the interior surfaces of said vapor flow passages thereby enhancing the efficiency of heat exchange between said vapor and the heat absorbing fluid in contact with the exterior of said tubular walls.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
61 words
That method defined in claim 1 characterized in the step of inserting spiralling barrier means of heat conductive material axially of the interior of those flow passages along which superheated vapor passes to increase the length of the flow path thereby increasing the flow velocity therealong and increasing the surface area of heat conductive material in contact with said superheated vapor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
94 words
That method defined in claim 1 characterized in the steps of utilizing a substantially lesser number of tubular walls in parallel with one another to provide flow passages for superheated vapor than for flow passages for vapor approaching the dew point, inserting spiral strips of heat conductive material lengthwise of the interior of said lesser number of tubular walls whereby said superheated vapor flows therethrough at relatively high velocity and in a spiralling path tending to throw the vapor by centrifugal action into firmer wiping contact with said tubular walls to enhance heat exchange.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-11 | 1976-01-10 | 1976-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-11 | 1980-01-10 | 1980-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-11 | 1984-01-10 | 1984-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |