GB1435101A - Thermal regenerators - Google Patents

Abstract

1435101 Thermal regenerators G APPLEGATE 8 March 1973 [27 Jan 1972] 3818/72 Heading F4K A cylindrical or annular matrix drum in a thermal regenerator has a continuous cylindrical outer wall and is subdivided internally by radially extending partitions into compartments each containing fluid-permeable heat-transfer material in layers lying in planes extending perpendicular to the axis of the drum, the nature or form of the material differing from one layer to the next. For example layers 41, 42, Fig. 6, of metal gauze or mesh may have a differing mesh size in adjacent layers. Other forms of layer may comprise expanded metal, knitted metal or plastics mesh, blocks 53, Fig. 9, with honeycomb-shaped through passages therein, or felted or textile material including metal strands or fibres. Blocks such as 53 may alternate with layers 55 of other materials see also Fig. 10. Some of the material in a layer or in adjacent layers may have liquid absorption or hygroscopic properties and be formed from natural or synthetic fibres, cementations or vegetable material. The absorbent material may be chemically treated to prevent bacterial growth. A hygroscopic substance may be applied to the strands of a copper gauze (Fig. 8). The heattransfer material in each sector may have transverse baffles 39, 40 therein, Fig. 5. The heat exchanging fluids may be fresh air and waste air from a building and these may be in contraflow relation (Fig. 2) or as shown in Fig. 14 may be in cocurrent flow (Fig. 11) in which form also the matrix has its inlet end (58) of conical form. The heat exchanger may comprise two matrix drums in a single casing. Means may be provided for purging waste air from each drum compartment before it enters the fresh air stream.