GB683282A - Improvements in or relating to heat exchangers - Google Patents

Abstract

683,282. Rotary regenerative heat-exchangers, JENDRASSIK, G. Dec. 30, 1947 [Jan. 28, 1943]. No. 34879/47. Class 64 (i) Relates to rotary regenerators for the exchange of heat between gaseous fluids at substantially differing pressures and comprising a matrix having heat transferring cells connecting its opposite or terminal faces and constituting fluid passages through the matrix and ducting adapted to lead relatively hot fluid and relatively cold fluid in separate streams to, through and from the matrix with relative movement taking place between the matrix and the ducting whereby heat is exchanged between the hot and cold fluids. According to the invention two partitions each in the shape of a closed figure, are provided one at each terminal face of the matrix, each partition having a sealing surface which is resiliently pressed into contact with the matrix and is of such width that a cell registering with the sealing surface is cut off from the flow of fluid therethrough, ducting being provided to place the matrix area within the partition enclosures into communication with one fluid only and further ducting being provided to place the matrix area outside the partition enclosures into communication with another fluid, one of said fluids being at a substantially greater pressure than the other. Heat may however be exchanged between more than two fluids. Fig. 3 shows an axial flow matrix in which corrugated sheets 15 or alternating corrugated sheets 12 and plain sheets 11 form the fluid passages. The sheets 15 or 11 and 12 are curved to involute form and are arranged between spokes 13 similarly curved. The partition structure for these forms of matrix is shown in Fig. 2 where the rows of sealing blocks 6 are likewise curved to involute form, the width of the individual blocks being at least equal to the maximum width of the fluid passages formed between two adjacent corrugated sheets 15 or between two adjacent plain sheets 11 of the matrix. In another form Fig. 4 (not shown) the matrix may comprise layers of annular corrugated sheets alternating with annular plain sheets in which case the partition structure may extend diametrically across the matrix faces. In Fig. 6 the matrix incorporates a series of sector shaped compartments 18 loosely filled with granular or particulate, metallic or non- metallic material, the end walls of the matrix being provided with apertures 21 for axial fluid flow through the matrix. Figure 7 shows a partition structure suitable for the matrix of Fig. 6, the rows of sealing blocks 6<SP>1</SP> in the partition separating the high pressure and low pressure streams from each other, being so dimensioned that they cover the holes 21 giving access to any one compartment 18 during relative movement of the matrix and the partition structure. Fig. 9 shows a radial flow rotary regenerator in which the sealing blocks 29, 30 extending axially of the rotor and dividing the high pressure space from the low pressure space are wide enough to cover the apertures 21 in the cells of the rotor which are filled with a heat storing matrix comprising packed sheets or granular material. The sealing blocks are preferably made of material having self-lubricating properties at high temperatures, e.g. "arc-lamp" carbon, "dynamo brush" carbon, or graphite and to increase the lubricating effect the blocks may be smeared or impregnated with grease or other lubricant or a slab 43 of self lubricating material such as talc may be so fixed to the sealing block 41 that it contacts the matrix surface as shown in Fig. 12. The sealing blocks may be pressed in sealing contact with the matrix surface by springs 47 (Fig. 12) or by the fluid pressure of the high pressure space Fig. 14 (not shown). Stops may be provided to avoid excessive wear. Heat exchangers of both the rotary drum and rotary duct types are described. The Specification as open to inspection under Sect. 91 describes heat transfer material comprising sheets having alternating plain and corrugated zones, said sheets being stacked either contiguously or in alternation with plain sheets (see Fig. 19, 20, 21, Cancelled). Also described is an arrangement in which the sealing blocks are carried in a holder which is spring-pressed towards the matrix face. In the labyrinth seal shown in Fig. 18 (Cancelled), the sealing block 39 is fixed in position with a running clearance between it and the matrix face and may be metallic, e.g. of iron. The labyrinth groove 41<SP>1</SP> may be omitted. Arrangements comprising a number of rotary matrix drums mounted on a common shaft are also briefly described see Fig. 22, 23, (Cancelled). This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.