GB952858A - Improvements in or relating to evaporation heat exchangers - Google Patents

Abstract

952,858. Fluid cooling apparatus; refrigerating. SOC. ANON. DES USINES CHAUSSEN. July 22, 1960, No. 25619/60. Headings F4H and F4S. A liquid or gas flowing through tubes 5 extending through a casing 1 open to atmosphere, e.g. through a port 3, is cooled by the evaporation of a volatile liquid contained in a charge of fibrous material in which the tubes are embedded, the arrangement including a porous partition which retains the charge in place inside the container. The area of the charge directly in communication with the atmosphere through the partition, may be increased by the provision of ducts extending through the charge material. In Fig. 1 the partition comprises a grid 10. In Fig. 6 the charge is contained within a perforated casing 1 itself contained within an outer casing 1. Liquid sufficient only to be absorbed by the charge material is introduced through nozzle 13, any surplus being removed through a drain duct 14. The introduction of additional liquid when necessary, to make up losses, for example, may be controlled by a thermostat sensitive to the temperature of the fluid to be cooled passing through the tubes. In an aircraft the thermostat may also operate a warning lamp or safety device. The fibrous material may comprise felt or glass fibre the fibres of which may be woven or plaited and the absorbent or other characteristics of the material may vary in different zones of the tube nest, some zones being adapted for storing liquid and other zones being adapted to withdraw liquid from the storing zones and direct it towards the tube surfaces (see e.g., Fig. 5, not shown). Suitable volatile liquids mentioned are distilled water with or without the addition of a liquid modifying its boiling-point, alcohols and ethers. The tubes may be provided both internally and externally with extended heat-exchange surfaces (Figs. 3, 4, not shown).