Method and compressed vermicular expanded graphite apparatus for heat exchanging

Claim 3

The method of claim 1 wherein the composition compressed to make the core member includes an additive.

Claim 4

The method of claim 2 wherein the additive is a bonding agent.

Claim 5

The method of claim 3 wherein the bonding agent is polytetrafluoroethylene.

Claim 6

The method of claim 3 wherein the bonding agent is a glass forming composition.

Claim 7

A heat exchanger comprising a core member made up of a plurality of plates made by compressing a composition containing essentially vermicular expanded graphite substantially more along one axis than the other two axes, a first means for passing a first fluid through said core member and a second means for passing a second fluid through said core member in separate but heat exchange relationship with said first fluid, said first and second means being so positioned with respect to one another that the primary heat exchange of heat between the two fluids is along an axis of the core member that is normal to the axis of substantial compression under which said core member is formed.

Claim 8

A heat exchanger comprising a core member made up of a plurality of plates made by compressing a composition containing essentially vermicular expanded graphite substantially more along one axis than the other two axes, a first means for passing a first fluid through said core member and a second means for passing a second fluid through said core member in separate but heat exchange relationship with said first fluid, said first and second means being so positioned with respect to one another that the primary heat exchange of heat between the two fluids is along an axis of the core member that is normal to the axis of substantial compression under which said core member is formed.

Claim 9

Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the composition compressed to form the core member includes a bonding agent.

Claim 10

Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 which includes means for compressing said plates against one another along an axis parallel to the axis of compression used in making the plates.

Claim 11

Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the means for compressing said plates produces a compression of at least 100 pounds per square inch.

Claim 12

Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the core member is made by compressing the vermicular expanded graphite to a density of at least 100 pounds per cubic feet.

Claim 15

In a heat exchanger comprising a fluid tight shell, a core member positioned within the shell, a first means providing passageway into and out of the shell for a first fluid and a second means for providing passageway into and out of the shell for a second fluid, the improvement which comprises a plurality of plates which together compose said core member, said plates being made by compressing vermicular expanded graphite in the direction of the thickness of said plates to a density of at least about 100 pounds per cubic foot, means for compressing said plates against one another under a pressure of at least about 100 pounds per square inch in the direction of their original compression so as to avoid passage of fluid between the interfaces of said plates, means formed in said plates and connected to said first means for providing passageways for the first fluid through said core member, means formed in said plates and connected to said second means for providing passageways through said core member or said second fluid, said passageways for the first and second fluids being separate from but in heat exchange relationship with one another in a direction normal to the direction of compression of the plates.

Claim 16

In a heat exchanger comprising a fluid tight shell, a core member positioned within the shell, a first means providing passageway into and out of the shell for a first fluid and a second means for providing passageway into and out of the shell for a second fluid, the improvement which comprises a plurality of plates which together compose said core member, said plates being made by compressing vermicular expanded graphite in the direction of the thickness of said plates to a density of at least about 100 pounds per cubic foot, means for compressing said plates against one another under a pressure of at least about 100 pounds per square inch in the direction of their original compression so as to avoid passage of fluid between the interfaces of said plates, means formed in said plates and connected to said first means for providing passageways for the first fluid through said core member, means formed in said plates and connected to said second means for providing passageways through said core member or said second fluid, said passageways for the first and second fluids being separate from but in heat exchange relationship with one another in a direction normal to the direction of compression of the plates.