GB656616A - Improvements in, or relating to, heat exchangers, tubular elements therefor and a method of making said elements - Google Patents

Abstract

656,616. Tubular heat-exchange elements; thermal regenerators. JANTSCH, E. July 13, 1948, No. 18749. Convention date, July 19, 1947. [Classes 64(i) and 64(iii)] [Also in Group XXII] The cross-sectional shape of the fluid passage in a tubular element for use ir heat exchange be tween fluids by indirect contact or ir regenerators, change: continuously along its length whilst the cross-sectional area remains substantial ly constant, the same sequence of shape variations being repeated continuously along the length of the element so that a fluid flowing therethrough is constrained to follow an undulating path. In the form shown the crosssectional shape of the fluid passage through the element 10 is such as to provide a substantially continuous transition from the triangular cross-section shown in Fig. 3 to the circular cross-section shown in Fig. 4 and thereafter to the triangular cross-section shown in Fig. 5 after which the transition progresses to the circular cross-section of Fig. 4 and then to the triangular cross-section of Fig. 3, all the cross-sectional shapes in the sequence having substantially the same cross-sectional area and the same sequence of shapes being repeated continuously along the length of the tube. Cross-sectional shapes other than circular and triangular may be employed and the heat exchange element may be provided externally with longitudinally, circumferentially or spirally disposed fins. According to.the Specification as open to inspection under Sect. 91 an assembly of heat exchange elements may be arranged in a casing so that the passages formed between the elements for the external fluid, have the same characteristics as have the internal fluid passages, i.e. a changing sequence of cross-sectional shapes with a constant cross-sectional area. This subjectmatter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.