EP0356735B1 - A heat exchanger - Google Patents
A heat exchanger Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0356735B1 EP0356735B1 EP89114127A EP89114127A EP0356735B1 EP 0356735 B1 EP0356735 B1 EP 0356735B1 EP 89114127 A EP89114127 A EP 89114127A EP 89114127 A EP89114127 A EP 89114127A EP 0356735 B1 EP0356735 B1 EP 0356735B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- cartridge
- flow
- heat exchanger
- thermally conductive
- exchanger according
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
- F24H9/00—Details
- F24H9/0005—Details for water heaters
- F24H9/001—Guiding means
- F24H9/0026—Guiding means in combustion gas channels
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
- F28F13/00—Arrangements for modifying heat-transfer, e.g. increasing, decreasing
- F28F13/06—Arrangements for modifying heat-transfer, e.g. increasing, decreasing by affecting the pattern of flow of the heat-exchange media
- F28F13/12—Arrangements for modifying heat-transfer, e.g. increasing, decreasing by affecting the pattern of flow of the heat-exchange media by creating turbulence, e.g. by stirring, by increasing the force of circulation
Definitions
- This invention relates to a heat exchanger in a boiler adapted to heat water comprising the features of the precharacterising part of claim 1.
- Such a heat exchanger is known from GB-A-2 199 647.
- Such a heat exchanger comprises a flow passage for a first fluid medium such as hot gas, and a flow passage for a second fluid medium such as water, the flow passages being separated by a thermally conductive wall structure. It is common to employ in heat exchangers some method of increasing the effective surface area of the wall structure, in at least one of the flow passages, in order to obtain a high rate of transfer of heat energy between the media.
- fins or baffles may be provided on the inside of a generally tubular water jacket, in the region which is exposed to the product of combustion of a liquid, solid or gaseous fuel, thus effectively increasing the surface area of the water jacket exposed to the combustion products and, in turn, transferring heat energy in an efficient manner to water within the water jacket.
- the fins or baffles may also create turbulence in the flow of combustion products.
- the provision of such fins is relatively expensive, and demands complex and accurate assembly procedures, while baffles produce a high gas flow resistance or low efficiency.
- the present invention seeks to provide an improved heat exchanger in which the draw-backs and disadvantages of the prior art are obviated or reduced.
- a heat exchanger in a boiler adapted to heat water comprising means defining a flow passage for a first fluid medium, means defining a flow passage for a second fluid medium, a thermally conductive wall structure separating the said flow passages and, in at least one of said flow passages means to make the flow of fluid through the flow passage a turbulent flow, wherein said turbulent flow making means form part of a cartridge or are carried in a cartridge which is readily removable from said flow passage, the cartridge establishing thermal contact with said thermally conductive wall.
- the cartridge may define a hollow element which contains a plurality of thermally conductive turbulators, and at least some of the turbulators may contact the thermally conductive wall through apertures formed in a side wall of the cartridge.
- the apertures formed in the side wall of the cartridge are constituted by apertures formed in a mesh which forms the side wall of the cartridge.
- the turbulators are thermally conductive ring or tubular elements.
- the cartridge supports one or more element formed of conductive material which present an irregular or discontinuous surface to the medium flowing in the flow passage in which the cartridge is located, to constitute the means to make the flow of fluid a turbulent flow and which also make thermal contact with said thermally conductive wall.
- the cartridge supports one or more panels which are provided with metallic sheets which are slit and deformed, constituting said elements.
- the sheets comprise sheets of expanded metal.
- the cartridge supports one or more bats or mats of metal wire or fibre, the metal being deformed or crushed, parts of the or each metal bat or mat establishing thermal contact with the thermally conductive wall.
- the cartridge includes a portion adapted to substantially seal the flow passage, apart from one or more predetermined flow paths, the means to make the flow of fluid through the flow passage a turbulent flow being located within the region of said flow path or flow paths.
- a boiler 1 is in the form of a domestic hot water boiler.
- the boiler has an outer casing 2.
- a water jacket 3 Contained within the casing is a water jacket 3 having an open hollow interior 4, which is square in horizontal cross-section.
- a water inlet connection 5 is provided at the bottom of the water jacket, the water outlet connection 6 is provided at the top of the water jacket.
- the lower open end of the water jacket is sealed by means of a ceramic felt pad 7.
- the upper end of the water jacket 4 is substantially closed by means of a cover 8 which has a removable inspection hatch 9 and which has a gas outlet 10 which can extend to a flue connection 11.
- a fuel burner assembly 12 is provided adapted to direct a flame 13 into the hollow interior 4 of the water jacket.
- a cartridge 14, as illustrated in Figure 3, is inserted within the water jacket.
- Mounting brackets 19 are provided within the interior of the boiler upon which the cartridge 14 rests to locate the cartridge in position.
- the cartridge 14 comprises a central substantially rectangular plate 20 provided with a handle 21, opposed side edges of the plate supporting two substantially vertical tubular elements 22,23 each of generally rectangular form when viewed from above, each having an outer face 24 formed of a mesh or the like.
- the lower end of each tubular element is effectively closed by a mesh 25 or the like, the tops of the tubular elements 22,23, as indicated at 26 being open.
- the walls 27 of the tubular elements 22,23 secured to the central plate 20 are substantially solid.
- the cartridge 14 is adapted to be snugly received within the water jacket 3, with the outer mesh faces 24 thereof located adjacent two opposed inner walls of the water jacket 3.
- the overall cross-section of the cartridge 14, when viewed from above, is the same as the cross-section of the hollow interior 4 of the water jacket 3.
- the plate 20 substantially seals the interior 4 of the water jacket 3, thus causing combustion products from the flame 13 to flow through the flow passages 15,16 which are defined by the tubular elements 22,23.
- turbulators Contained within the tubular elements 22,23 are a plurality of turbulators comprising elements formed of a material having a good thermal conductivity, such as metal.
- the turbulators may comprise ring-like elements or may be formed from shapes other than rings, for example spheres, hollow extrusions, springs, spirals, apertured tubes or other non-settling loose elements.
- the arrangement is such that when the cartridge is inserted in the boiler the elements project through the mesh face 24 to contact the interior wall of the water jacket 3. While the elements may be loosely packed in position, they may alternatively be in a random position but be fixed in position, for example by solder or the like. The elements may be soldered in position by a hot dip process.
- the water jacket 3 forms a flow passage for a first fluid medium, in the form of the combustion products generated by the flame 13, and a flow passage for a second fluid medium, in the form of water, constituted by the parts of the water jacket interconnected by the water inlet 5 and the water outlet 6.
- the material of the inner face of the water jacket 3 constitutes a thermally conductive wall structure of the heat exchanger.
- FIG 4 is an enlarged view illustrating a plurality of tubular turbulator elements 28, (as present within the cartridge 14) which may be formed from copper tube.
- the turbulator elements Preferably have a length which is substantially equal to their diameter. It can be seen that the turbulator elements are in a random disposition and thus form a convoluted flow path for the combustion products. Combustion products flowing through the tubular portions 22,23 of the cartridge 14 are thus constrained to flow in a turbulent and non-linear manner. It can be seen that some of the turbulators 28 project through the mesh 24 and contact the wall 29 of the water jacket 3 thus ensuring that heat is firstly absorbed by the turbulators 28 from the combustion products, and is then transferred by conduction to the wall 29 of the water jacket.
- the entire cartridge 14 can readily be removed from the boiler in a simple operation.
- the turbulator elements, if loose, are retained within the cartridge, which can thus be handled as a single entity in an easy and straight forward manner.
- the turbulator elements are replaced by a bat or mat of metal wires or fibres, which may be deformed or crushed to be in a totally random array.
- a plate corresponding to the plate 20 exerts outward pressure against vertically extending elements which contact the inner walls of the water jacket, the elements each being formed of one or more sheets of metal which are bent, dimpled, folded, and/or slit to form a convoluted flow path for the combustion products generated by the flame, whilst being of such a form that the sheet or sheets each contact the water jacket at a plurality of spaced apart points.
- Figure 5 illustrates a modified embodiment of the invention wherein not only the outer face 24 of the tubular element 22 or 23 of the cartridge is formed of a mesh, but also the inner face 27.
- the turbulator elements 28, however, perform the same function as described above.
- the turbulator elements are made of metal, in the form of short lengths of tube, and are thus subject to thermal expansion when exposed to hight temperature combustion products. As the elements cool, when the boiler is switched off, for example, the elements contract thus enabling the elements to settle. On subsequent expansion of the elements very severe forces are applied to the walls of the passage in which the elements are held. This cycle of events can repeat until the walls of the passage are significantly damaged.
- the turbulator elements may be fixed in position, by soldering or some other convenient way.
- the embodiments of the invention to be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7 of the invention do not suffer from this particular disadvantage.
- FIG. 6 illustrates a cartridge 34 which is intended for use in a manner similar to that described in connection with the cartridge 14.
- the cartridge 34 comprises a central sheet 35 adapted substantially to seal the hollow interior 4 of a water jacket 3 within a domestic boiler 1.
- Mounted at two opposed side edges of the central sheet 35 are two upstanding panels 36. At their upper edges the upstanding panels 36 are interconnected by resilient elements 37 which serve to bias the panels apart.
- Each panel 36 has an exterior face which is formed from a metal sheet 38 which is deformed to provide a convoluted flow path for combustion products, and which also provides a plurality of projecting points or surfaces which can contact an interior wall 29 of a water jacket 3.
- each panel 36 may be formed from a sheet of expanded metal, or metal which has been otherwise slit and deformed to provide a plurality of discrete areas at different relative angular positions, the sheet also presenting a plurality of points or edges which are directed outwardly so as to be able to come into contact with the wall 29 of a water jacket 3.
- the cartridge 34 can easily be lifted out of the boiler when it is desired to service or clean the boiler.
- Figure 7 illustrates a further form of water heater 40 having an outer casing 41 of generally rectangular form.
- a core 42 which is hollow and which is adapted to receive a flow of water.
- a water inlet 43 is provided on the exterior of the casing leading to an injector tube 44 within the hollow core 42.
- a water outlet 45 is also present on the exterior of the casing and the arrangement is such that water injected through the water inlet 43 passes through the injector tube 44 into the hollow interior of a core 42 and then leaves the core through the outlet 45.
- a burner tube 46 Contained within the casing 41 beneath the core 42 is a burner tube 46 which is supplied with gas, which burns as flames 47.
- a cartridge 47 having an operative part formed from two superimposed sheets of expanded metal.
- a single sheet of expanded metal may be used, or three or more superimposed sheets.
- Portions of the expanded metal are deflected outwardly, so that these portions engage the interior of the casing 41 and also engage the exterior of the core 42.
- the exterior of the cartridge 47 is forced into contact with the exterior of the core 42.
- combustion products from the flame 47 pass upwardly past the first cartridge 47 across the top of the core and then downwardly past the second cartridge 48 before emerging through a flue gas outlet 49 as indicated by the arrows 50.
- a condensate outlet 51 may be provided communicating with the interior of the casing 41 at a position beneath the second cartridge 48.
- heat will be absorbed by both cartridges from the flue gas.
- the heat absorbed from the second cartridge 48 may consist at least partly of the latent heat of any moisture present initially in the flue gases in the form of steam. It is for this reason that the condensate outlet 51 is provided. If this latent heat can be retrieved, the boiler will operate in a very efficient manner.
- cartridges may be removed from the boiler in an easy way when the boiler is to be serviced or cleaned. Also the cartridges may be easily manufactured. Whilst the invention has been described with reference to cartridges made from expanded metal, it is to be appreciated that cartridges, especially for use in the embodiment of Figure 7, may simply be formed from sheets of metal which are dimpled or otherwise deformed to provide at least point contact with the exterior of the core 42 and to provide means projecting into the flow path of combustion products in order to cause the combustion products to flow in a turbulent manner, rather than in a linear or laminar-type flow. Alternatively, the cartridges may carry panels which support bats or mats of metal wire or fibres, which may be deformed or crumpled.
Abstract
Description
- This invention relates to a heat exchanger in a boiler adapted to heat water comprising the features of the precharacterising part of
claim 1. - Such a heat exchanger is known from GB-A-2 199 647.
- Such a heat exchanger comprises a flow passage for a first fluid medium such as hot gas, and a flow passage for a second fluid medium such as water, the flow passages being separated by a thermally conductive wall structure. It is common to employ in heat exchangers some method of increasing the effective surface area of the wall structure, in at least one of the flow passages, in order to obtain a high rate of transfer of heat energy between the media. For example, in a typical boiler in which water is to be heated, fins or baffles may be provided on the inside of a generally tubular water jacket, in the region which is exposed to the product of combustion of a liquid, solid or gaseous fuel, thus effectively increasing the surface area of the water jacket exposed to the combustion products and, in turn, transferring heat energy in an efficient manner to water within the water jacket. The fins or baffles may also create turbulence in the flow of combustion products. However, the provision of such fins is relatively expensive, and demands complex and accurate assembly procedures, while baffles produce a high gas flow resistance or low efficiency.
- It has also been proposed previously to provide a number of loose elements which are located within a passage through which the combustion products flow. One wall of the passage is defined by a wall of the water jacket, and the elements are thermally conductive. The elements establish a turbulent flow within the passage, which tends to assure that there is a good transfer of heat from the combustion products to the elements. The elements are in thermal contact with the wall of the water jacket, so that there is a very efficient transfer of heat from the combustion products to water within the water jacket. An arrangement of this type is disclosed in above mentioned GB-A-2 199 647.
- A problem that exists with the prior art arrangement is that if the passage through which the combustion products flow has to be cleaned, the elements must be separately removed from the passage prior to the cleaning operation, and must then be separately replaced within the passage. This is time-consuming and inconvenient. Loose turbulator elements are also difficult to handle, especially if they are to be located on the exterior of pipes which carry a liquid medium.
- The present invention seeks to provide an improved heat exchanger in which the draw-backs and disadvantages of the prior art are obviated or reduced.
- According to the invention there is provided a heat exchanger in a boiler adapted to heat water comprising means defining a flow passage for a first fluid medium, means defining a flow passage for a second fluid medium, a thermally conductive wall structure separating the said flow passages and, in at least one of said flow passages means to make the flow of fluid through the flow passage a turbulent flow, wherein said turbulent flow making means form part of a cartridge or are carried in a cartridge which is readily removable from said flow passage, the cartridge establishing thermal contact with said thermally conductive wall.
- The cartridge may define a hollow element which contains a plurality of thermally conductive turbulators, and at least some of the turbulators may contact the thermally conductive wall through apertures formed in a side wall of the cartridge.
- Preferably the apertures formed in the side wall of the cartridge are constituted by apertures formed in a mesh which forms the side wall of the cartridge.
- Conveniently the turbulators are thermally conductive ring or tubular elements.
- Advantageously the cartridge supports one or more element formed of conductive material which present an irregular or discontinuous surface to the medium flowing in the flow passage in which the cartridge is located, to constitute the means to make the flow of fluid a turbulent flow and which also make thermal contact with said thermally conductive wall.
- Preferably the cartridge supports one or more panels which are provided with metallic sheets which are slit and deformed, constituting said elements.
- Conveniently the sheets comprise sheets of expanded metal.
- Preferably the cartridge supports one or more bats or mats of metal wire or fibre, the metal being deformed or crushed, parts of the or each metal bat or mat establishing thermal contact with the thermally conductive wall.
- Preferably the cartridge includes a portion adapted to substantially seal the flow passage, apart from one or more predetermined flow paths, the means to make the flow of fluid through the flow passage a turbulent flow being located within the region of said flow path or flow paths.
- In order that the invention may be more readily understood, the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which
- FIGURE 1 is a vertical sectional view through a boiler incorporating the present invention,
- FIGURE 2 is a horizontal sectional view of the boiler of Figure 1,
- FIGURE 3 is an enlarged view of a cartridge inserted in the boiler of Figure 1,
- FIGURE 4 is an enlarged sectional view through part of the cartridge of Figure 3 when in position.
- FIGURE 5 is a view corresponding to Figure 4 showing a modified form of cartridge,
- FIGURE 6 is a perspective view illustrating a further form of cartridge for use in a boiler such as that illustrated in Figure 1, and
- FIGURE 7 is a part-sectional view of another form of a domestic boiler in accordance with the invention.
- Referring initially to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings a
boiler 1 is in the form of a domestic hot water boiler. The boiler has anouter casing 2. Contained within the casing is awater jacket 3 having an openhollow interior 4, which is square in horizontal cross-section. Awater inlet connection 5 is provided at the bottom of the water jacket, the water outlet connection 6 is provided at the top of the water jacket. The lower open end of the water jacket is sealed by means of a ceramic felt pad 7. The upper end of thewater jacket 4 is substantially closed by means of acover 8 which has aremovable inspection hatch 9 and which has agas outlet 10 which can extend to aflue connection 11. - A
fuel burner assembly 12 is provided adapted to direct aflame 13 into thehollow interior 4 of the water jacket. Acartridge 14, as illustrated in Figure 3, is inserted within the water jacket. - The
cartridge 14, when in position, defines twoflow passages flow passages arrow chimney 11. -
Mounting brackets 19 are provided within the interior of the boiler upon which thecartridge 14 rests to locate the cartridge in position. - As can be seen more clearly in Figure 3 the
cartridge 14 comprises a central substantiallyrectangular plate 20 provided with ahandle 21, opposed side edges of the plate supporting two substantially verticaltubular elements outer face 24 formed of a mesh or the like. The lower end of each tubular element is effectively closed by amesh 25 or the like, the tops of thetubular elements walls 27 of thetubular elements central plate 20 are substantially solid. - It will be appreciated, from Figure 2, that the
cartridge 14 is adapted to be snugly received within thewater jacket 3, with the outer mesh faces 24 thereof located adjacent two opposed inner walls of thewater jacket 3. The overall cross-section of thecartridge 14, when viewed from above, is the same as the cross-section of thehollow interior 4 of thewater jacket 3. Theplate 20 substantially seals theinterior 4 of thewater jacket 3, thus causing combustion products from theflame 13 to flow through theflow passages tubular elements - Contained within the
tubular elements mesh face 24 to contact the interior wall of thewater jacket 3. While the elements may be loosely packed in position, they may alternatively be in a random position but be fixed in position, for example by solder or the like. The elements may be soldered in position by a hot dip process. - From the above description it will be appreciated that the
water jacket 3 forms a flow passage for a first fluid medium, in the form of the combustion products generated by theflame 13, and a flow passage for a second fluid medium, in the form of water, constituted by the parts of the water jacket interconnected by thewater inlet 5 and the water outlet 6. The material of the inner face of thewater jacket 3 constitutes a thermally conductive wall structure of the heat exchanger. - Whilst the described embodiment shows only two
tubular elements water jacket 3, in a higher efficiency embodiment, four tubular elements (or even an annular sleeve of appropriate cross-section) are provided to contact each of the four faces of the heat exchanger. - Figure 4 is an enlarged view illustrating a plurality of
tubular turbulator elements 28, (as present within the cartridge 14) which may be formed from copper tube. Preferably the turbulator elements have a length which is substantially equal to their diameter. It can be seen that the turbulator elements are in a random disposition and thus form a convoluted flow path for the combustion products. Combustion products flowing through thetubular portions cartridge 14 are thus constrained to flow in a turbulent and non-linear manner. It can be seen that some of theturbulators 28 project through themesh 24 and contact thewall 29 of thewater jacket 3 thus ensuring that heat is firstly absorbed by theturbulators 28 from the combustion products, and is then transferred by conduction to thewall 29 of the water jacket. - It will be appreciated that, when the interior of the boiler is to be serviced or cleaned, the
entire cartridge 14 can readily be removed from the boiler in a simple operation. The turbulator elements, if loose, are retained within the cartridge, which can thus be handled as a single entity in an easy and straight forward manner. - In an alternative embodiment of the invention the turbulator elements are replaced by a bat or mat of metal wires or fibres, which may be deformed or crushed to be in a totally random array. Alternatively, again, in a modified cartridge a plate corresponding to the
plate 20 exerts outward pressure against vertically extending elements which contact the inner walls of the water jacket, the elements each being formed of one or more sheets of metal which are bent, dimpled, folded, and/or slit to form a convoluted flow path for the combustion products generated by the flame, whilst being of such a form that the sheet or sheets each contact the water jacket at a plurality of spaced apart points. - Figure 5 illustrates a modified embodiment of the invention wherein not only the
outer face 24 of thetubular element inner face 27. Theturbulator elements 28, however, perform the same function as described above. - One disadvantage of the embodiments described above is that the turbulator elements are made of metal, in the form of short lengths of tube, and are thus subject to thermal expansion when exposed to hight temperature combustion products. As the elements cool, when the boiler is switched off, for example, the elements contract thus enabling the elements to settle. On subsequent expansion of the elements very severe forces are applied to the walls of the passage in which the elements are held. This cycle of events can repeat until the walls of the passage are significantly damaged. In order to minimise or obviate this problem, in each of the embodiments described above, the turbulator elements may be fixed in position, by soldering or some other convenient way. However, the embodiments of the invention to be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7 of the invention do not suffer from this particular disadvantage.
- Figure 6 illustrates a
cartridge 34 which is intended for use in a manner similar to that described in connection with thecartridge 14. Thecartridge 34 comprises acentral sheet 35 adapted substantially to seal thehollow interior 4 of awater jacket 3 within adomestic boiler 1. Mounted at two opposed side edges of thecentral sheet 35 are twoupstanding panels 36. At their upper edges theupstanding panels 36 are interconnected byresilient elements 37 which serve to bias the panels apart. Eachpanel 36 has an exterior face which is formed from ametal sheet 38 which is deformed to provide a convoluted flow path for combustion products, and which also provides a plurality of projecting points or surfaces which can contact aninterior wall 29 of awater jacket 3. Thus, for example, the exterior of eachpanel 36 may be formed from a sheet of expanded metal, or metal which has been otherwise slit and deformed to provide a plurality of discrete areas at different relative angular positions, the sheet also presenting a plurality of points or edges which are directed outwardly so as to be able to come into contact with thewall 29 of awater jacket 3. - It is to be appreciated that when the
cartridge 34 has been mounted in position within a boiler, such as theboiler 1, when the boiler is operational combustion products will be caused to flow, as indicated by thearrows 39 through flow paths effectively defined by the material comprising theouter face 38 of each of thepanels 36. The combustion products will flow in a turbulent manner, thus efficiently transferring heat to the material forming theouter face 38 of each of thepanels 36. This heat is then transferred by conduction to thewall 29 of thewater jacket 3. - As in the embodiment described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings the
cartridge 34 can easily be lifted out of the boiler when it is desired to service or clean the boiler. - Figure 7 illustrates a further form of
water heater 40 having anouter casing 41 of generally rectangular form. Within the centre of the casing is a core 42 which is hollow and which is adapted to receive a flow of water. Awater inlet 43 is provided on the exterior of the casing leading to aninjector tube 44 within thehollow core 42. Awater outlet 45 is also present on the exterior of the casing and the arrangement is such that water injected through thewater inlet 43 passes through theinjector tube 44 into the hollow interior of acore 42 and then leaves the core through theoutlet 45. - Contained within the
casing 41 beneath thecore 42 is aburner tube 46 which is supplied with gas, which burns asflames 47. Located above theburner tube 46, between the core 42 and one wall of thecasing 41 is acartridge 47 having an operative part formed from two superimposed sheets of expanded metal. In alternative embodiments a single sheet of expanded metal may be used, or three or more superimposed sheets. Portions of the expanded metal are deflected outwardly, so that these portions engage the interior of thecasing 41 and also engage the exterior of thecore 42. Thus the exterior of thecartridge 47 is forced into contact with the exterior of thecore 42. There is a space between the top of thecore 42 and the top of the casing, and in a space between the other side of the core and the other side of the casing afurther cartridge 48 of a similar design is provided. - It is to be appreciated that combustion products from the
flame 47 pass upwardly past thefirst cartridge 47 across the top of the core and then downwardly past thesecond cartridge 48 before emerging through aflue gas outlet 49 as indicated by thearrows 50. Acondensate outlet 51 may be provided communicating with the interior of thecasing 41 at a position beneath thesecond cartridge 48. - It will be appreciated that in use of the heat exchanger as illustrated in Figure 7 heat will be absorbed by both cartridges from the flue gas. The heat absorbed from the
second cartridge 48 may consist at least partly of the latent heat of any moisture present initially in the flue gases in the form of steam. It is for this reason that thecondensate outlet 51 is provided. If this latent heat can be retrieved, the boiler will operate in a very efficient manner. - The cartridges may be removed from the boiler in an easy way when the boiler is to be serviced or cleaned. Also the cartridges may be easily manufactured. Whilst the invention has been described with reference to cartridges made from expanded metal, it is to be appreciated that cartridges, especially for use in the embodiment of Figure 7, may simply be formed from sheets of metal which are dimpled or otherwise deformed to provide at least point contact with the exterior of the
core 42 and to provide means projecting into the flow path of combustion products in order to cause the combustion products to flow in a turbulent manner, rather than in a linear or laminar-type flow. Alternatively, the cartridges may carry panels which support bats or mats of metal wire or fibres, which may be deformed or crumpled.
Claims (9)
- A heat exchanger in a boiler adapted to heat water comprising means(3,30,41) defining a flow passage for a first fluid medium, means(4,32,42) defining a flow passage for a second fluid medium, a thermally conductive wall structure separating the said flow passages and, in at least one of said flow passages, means(28,38,47,48) to make the flow of fluid through the flow passage a turbulent flow, characterised in that said turbulent flow making means(28,38,47,48) form part of a cartridge(34,47,48), or are carried in a cartridge(14), which is readily removable from said flow passage, the cartridge establishing thermal contact with said thermally conductive wall.
- A heat exchanger according to Claim 1 wherein the cartridge(14) defines a hollow element(22,23) which contains a plurality of thermally conductive loose turbulators(28).
- A heat exchanger according to Claim 2 wherein at least some of the turbulators(28) contact the thermally conductive wall through apertures formed in a side wall (24) of the cartridge(14).
- A heat exchanger according to Claim 3 wherein the apertures formed in the side wall of the cartridge(14) are constituted by apertures formed in a mesh(24) which forms the side wall of the cartridge.
- A heat exchanger according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the turbulators(28) are thermally conductive ring or tubular elements.
- A heat exchanger according to Claim 1 wherein the cartridge has one or more elements(36) formed of conductive material which present an irregular or discontinuous surface to the medium flowing in the flow passage in which the cartridge(34,47,48) is located, to constitute the means to make the flow of fluid a turbulent flow and which also make thermal contact with said thermally conductive wall.
- A heat exchanger according to Claim 6 wherein the cartridge(34) has one or more panels(36) which are provided with metallic sheets(38) which are slit and deformed, constituting said elements.
- A heat exchanger according to Claim 1 wherein the cartridge supports one or more bats or mats of metal wire or fibre, the metal being deformed or crushed, parts of the or each metal bat or mat establishing thermal contact with the thermally conductive wall.
- A heat exchanger according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the cartridge(14,34) includes a portion(20,35) adapted to substantially seal the flow passage(4), apart from one or more predetermined flow paths(17,18,39), the means(28) to make the flow of fluid through the flow passage a turbulent flow being located within the region of said flow path or flow paths.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AT89114127T ATE90445T1 (en) | 1988-08-11 | 1989-07-31 | HEAT EXCHANGER. |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB888819046A GB8819046D0 (en) | 1988-08-11 | 1988-08-11 | Improvements in heat exchangers |
GB8819046 | 1988-08-11 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0356735A1 EP0356735A1 (en) | 1990-03-07 |
EP0356735B1 true EP0356735B1 (en) | 1993-06-09 |
Family
ID=10641930
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP89114127A Expired - Lifetime EP0356735B1 (en) | 1988-08-11 | 1989-07-31 | A heat exchanger |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0356735B1 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE90445T1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE68906990D1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB8819046D0 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2261056B (en) * | 1991-10-18 | 1995-10-11 | Nicholas Julian Jan F Macphail | Improvements in or relating to boilers |
Family Cites Families (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE1551512A1 (en) * | 1967-06-22 | 1970-05-21 | Roland Soelch | Heat exchanger |
US3921711A (en) * | 1972-05-30 | 1975-11-25 | American Standard Inc | Turbulator |
FR2238909A1 (en) * | 1973-07-26 | 1975-02-21 | Pertsev Leonid | Plate heat exchanger with turbulence producing inserts - of spiral entwined wires also serving as spacers |
GB2065288B (en) * | 1979-11-28 | 1984-07-04 | Midland Wire Cordage Co Ltd | Turbulators |
FR2514475A1 (en) * | 1981-10-08 | 1983-04-15 | Bonnet Claude | Heat exchanger heating boiler - has axial heating coil with heat exchange disc between coils |
GB2165349B (en) * | 1984-10-04 | 1988-09-21 | British Gas Plc | Apparatus for providing space heating in a dwelling |
GB2199647B (en) * | 1987-01-07 | 1991-05-15 | Nicholas Julian Jan F Macphail | Improvements in heat exchangers |
-
1988
- 1988-08-11 GB GB888819046A patent/GB8819046D0/en active Pending
-
1989
- 1989-07-31 EP EP89114127A patent/EP0356735B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1989-07-31 DE DE8989114127T patent/DE68906990D1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1989-07-31 AT AT89114127T patent/ATE90445T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0356735A1 (en) | 1990-03-07 |
ATE90445T1 (en) | 1993-06-15 |
DE68906990D1 (en) | 1993-07-15 |
GB8819046D0 (en) | 1988-09-14 |
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