Heat exchanger

Abstract

A gas-flow heat exchanger comprising a set of parallel, spaced, heat-conductive areas providing between them a stack of pockets each containing parallel baffles ( 24 ) which define a platen of passageways ( 26 ) guiding the gas-flow path through the pocket between inlet and outlet openings ( 22, 23 ). The openings being arranged in four parallel lines at the sides of the stack, two of the lines respectively containing the inlet and outlet openings ( 22, 23 ) associated with the gas flow paths of alternative pockets. The remaining two lines respectively containing the inlet and outlet openings associated with the remaining pockets. Each pocket containing a removable frame ( 21 ) formed with the openings provided at the ends of the gas flow path through it and supporting within the frame the parallel baffles ( 24 ) which divide the gas-flow path into the platen of passageways ( 26 ). All of the passageways ( 26 ) provide a substantially equal dwell time to gas passing therethrough.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A gas-flow heat exchanger comprising a set of parallel, spaced, heat-conductive areas providing between them a stack of pockets each containing parallel baffles which define a platen of passageways guiding the gas-flow path through the pocket between inlet and outlet openings, the openings being arranged in four parallel lines at the sides of the stack; two of the lines respectively containing the inlet and outlet openings associated with the gas flow paths of alternative pockets of the stack; while the remaining two lines respectively containing the inlet and outlet openings associated with the remaining pockets of the stack of the heat exchanger, each pocket containing a removable frame formed with the openings provided at the ends of the gas flow path through it and supporting within the frame the parallel baffles which divide the gas-flow path into the platen of passageways, wherein the parallel heat-conductive areas separating the pockets from one another is formed from spaced rectangular or square areas of a sinuously wound heat conductive material characterized in that said heat conductive material is a moisture permeable material that can transfer both sensible heat and latent heat.  
     
     
         2 . A gas-flow heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said moisture permeable material is paper.  
     
     
         3 . A gas-flow heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said paper has a high water strength texture.  
     
     
         4 . A gas-flow heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said paper is kraft paper.  
     
     
         5 . A gas-flow heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said kraft paper weighs about 45 grams per square meter.  
     
     
         6 . A gas-flow heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said moisture permeable material is a finely woven plastic material.  
     
     
         7 . A gas-flow heat exchanger as claimed in  claims 1  to  6 , wherein said gas-flow heat exchanger is of the type claimed in  claim 1 .  
     
     
         8 . A gas-flow heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the combination of frame and baffles is provided by a skeletal structure.  
     
     
         9 . A gas-flow heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said skeletal structure is plastic.