Compact steam-fed heat exchange system

Abstract

A compact tank-less self-contained modular hot water supply system is provided for utilizing steam by-products from boiler systems for on-demand supply of temperature-controlled hot water in high volumes suitable for commercial applications. The modular system includes a brazed-plate type heat exchanger with a steam side providing a heating source, and a separate water side for production and delivery of hot water. Precise temperature control is provided by a module that adjusts the temperature of the hot water supply in communication with a module that regulates the flow of steam into the heat exchanger. The modular hot water supply system is contained within a housing which is mountable on a vertical or a horizontal surface.

1 . A compact tank-less self-contained modular hot water supply system, comprising: 
 a first module comprised of a heat exchanger having a steam path with an inlet connected to a second module and an outlet connected to a third module, a water path with an inlet connected to a fourth module and an outlet connected to a fifth module, the steam path adjacent the water path for transferring heat thereto;    the second module configured for receiving a steam supply and controlling a flow of steam therethrough,    the third module configured for receiving a flow from the outlet of the steam path;    the fourth module comprised of a cold water supply to the water path inlet;    the fifth module configured for receiving a hot water supply from the water path outlet; and    a sixth module having an inlet, a configuration for monitoring and modulating the pressure and temperature of the hot water supply, and an outlet for delivery of temperature controlled hot water.    
   
   
       2 . A self-contained module hot water supply system according to  claim 1  further comprising a housing for containing all of the modules therein.  
   
   
       3 . A self-contained modular hot water supply system according to  claim 1  wherein the inlet of the steam path in the first module is positioned opposite the outlet of the water path, and the outlet of the steam path is positioned opposite the inlet of the water path.  
   
   
       4 . A self-contained modular hot water supply system according to  claim 3  wherein the first module is a heat exchanger having a plurality of integrally connected steam paths terminating in a common inlet and a common outlet, and a plurality of integrally connected water paths terminating in a common inlet and common outlet, wherein the steam paths are adjacent to and intercalated with the water paths.  
   
   
       5 . A self-contained modular hot water supply system according to  claim 4  wherein the first module comprises a brazed-plate type of heat exchanger.  
   
   
       6 . A self-contained modular hot water supply system according to  claim 4  wherein the second module is equipped with a steam pressure relief valve.  
   
   
       7 . A self-contained modular hot water supply system according to  claim 6  wherein the second module is equipped with a steam modulating valve.  
   
   
       8 . A self-contained modular hot water supply system according to  claim 1  wherein the second module is equipped with a steam pressure relief valve and a steam modulating valve.  
   
   
       9 . A self-contained modular hot water supply system according to  claim 1  wherein the third module is equipped with a steam trap, the steam trap having an outlet exiting the housing.  
   
   
       10 . A self-contained modular hot water supply system according to  claim 1  wherein the fourth module is equipped with a check valve.  
   
   
       11 . A self-contained modular hot water supply system according to  claim 1  wherein the fourth module is equipped with a check valve and a water strainer.  
   
   
       12 . A self-contained modular hot water supply system according to  claim 1  wherein the fifth module is equipped with a temperature sensing device for communicating therewith the second module.  
   
   
       13 . A self-contained modular hot water supply system according to  claim 12  wherein the temperature sensing device is a thermocouple.  
   
   
       14 . A self-contained modular hot water supply system according to  claim 1  wherein the sixth module is equipped with a dual pressure and temperature gauge.  
   
   
       15 . A self-contained modular hot water supply system according to  claim 1  wherein the sixth module is equipped with a temperature sensing device for communicating therewith the second module.  
   
   
       16 . A self-contained modular hot water supply system according to  claim 15  wherein the temperature sensing device is a thermocouple.  
   
   
       17 . A self-contained modular hot water supply system according to  claim 2  wherein the housing is comprised of a sheet metal selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, mild steel, aluminium, and galvanized metal.  
   
   
       18 . A self-contained modular hot water supply system according to  claim 2  wherein the housing is comprised of a rigid composite material selected from the group consisting of plastics, fibreglass, and synthetic fibres.  
   
   
       19 . A compact tank-less self-contained modular hot water supply system, comprising: 
 a first module comprised of a heat exchanger having a steam path with an inlet connected to a second module and an outlet connected to a third module, a water path with an inlet connected to a fourth module and an outlet connected to a fifth module, the steam path adjacent the water path for transferring heat thereto;    the second module configured for receiving a steam supply and controlling a flow of steam therethrough,    the third module configured for receiving a flow from the outlet of the steam path;    the fourth module comprised of a cold water supply to the water path inlet;    the fifth module configured for receiving a hot water supply from the water path outlet;    a sixth module configured to monitor and modulate the pressure and temperature of the hot water supply, the sixth module connected to the fifth module;    a seventh module having a first inlet connected to the fourth module, a second inlet connected to the sixth module, and an outlet for delivery of temperature-controlled water, the seventh module configured to provide controllable mixing of the cold water supply and the hot water supply;    an eighth module configured to provide a pressure and temperature relief system for the hot water supply; and    a housing for containing the modules therein.    
   
   
       20 . A hot water supply system comprising: 
 a first module having a steam path between a steam inlet and a steam outlet and a water path between a water inlet and a water outlet, the water path being in proximity to the steam path;    a second module for supplying a flow of steam to the steam inlet of the steam path of the first module;    a third module for receiving the flow of steam from the steam outlet of the steam path in the first module;    a fourth module for supplying a cold water supply to the water inlet of the water path of the first module;    a fifth module for receiving a hot water supply from the water outlet of the water path of the first module; and    a sixth module for controlling the temperature of the hot water supply from the fifth module for delivery.