Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
A multi-stage heat-operated apparatus comprising at least one high temperature stage and one low temperature stage, the high temperature stage including a surrounding wall defining a flue gas channel, means for delivering hot flue gas to said channel, and means for withdrawing from said channel cooled flue gas, the flue gas heating said surrounding wall which in turn imparts heat to material to be heated thereby in the high temperature stage, the high temperature stage including a first heat exchanger for transferring heat from the cooled flue gas to a heating agent, a second heat exchanger for transferring heat from the heating agent to the low temperature stage, the first and second heat exchangers forming a closed loop through which the heating agent is cycled, the heating agent picking up heat in the first exchanger and giving up heat in the second exchanger, means for withdrawing from said first heat exchanger spent flue gas, and means for delivering material heated in said second heat exchanger to said high temperature stage so as to be operated upon therein.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
177 words
A multi-stage heat-operated apparatus comprising at least one high temperature stage and one low temperature stage, the high temperature stage including a surrounding wall defining a flue gas channel, means for delivering hot flue gas to said channel, and means for withdrawing from said channel cooled flue gas, the flue gas heating said surrounding wall which in turn imparts heat to material to be heated thereby in the high temperature stage, the high temperature stage including a first heat exchanger for transferring heat from the cooled flue gas to a heating agent, a second heat exchanger for transferring heat from the heating agent to the low temperature stage, the first and second heat exchangers forming a closed loop through which the heating agent is cycled, the heating agent picking up heat in the first exchanger and giving up heat in the second exchanger, means for withdrawing from said first heat exchanger spent flue gas, and means for delivering material heated in said second heat exchanger to said high temperature stage so as to be operated upon therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heat transfer surface of the surrounding wall of the high-temperature stage is a heat-radiation surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
74 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the high temperature stage further includes a quartz tube, means for supplying a falling film of liquid to one surface of said tube, and means for withdrawing liquid adjacent the lower end of said tube, the quartz tube being spaced from said surrounding wall, the falling film and the flue gas respectively contacting the surfaces of said tube and wall which are more remote from one another.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, including a pressure combustion chamber wherein said flue gas is formed by combustion under pressure, said means for delivering said flue gas to said flue gas channel from said combustion chamber operating under pressure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
88 words
A process for concentrating an aqueous sulfuric acid solution comprising heating a radiating surface to a high temperature with a flue gas, passing a film of preconcentrated sulfuric acid solution over another surface spaced from the radiating surface so that said film receives radiant energy to evaporate water from said solution to form a more concentrated solution and cooled flue gas, heating a heat transfer agent with said cooled flue gas, and effecting preconcentration of said aqueous sulfuric acid solution by heat exchange with said heat transfer agent.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
88 words
A process for concentrating an aqueous sulfuric acid solution comprising heating a radiating surface to a high temperature with a flue gas, passing a film of preconcentrated sulfuric acid solution over another surface spaced from the radiating surface so that said film receives radiant energy to evaporate water from said solution to form a more concentrated solution and cooled flue gas, heating a heat transfer agent with said cooled flue gas, and effecting preconcentration of said aqueous sulfuric acid solution by heat exchange with said heat transfer agent.