Heat transfer element

Abstract

Heat transfer elements are made of a polymer matrix having a fibrous material interspersed therein, the heat transfer element comprising a fluoropolymer at least on an outer surface thereof, the interspersion of the fibrous material within the polymer matrix providing rigidity to the heat transfer element. A thermally conductive material is distributed within the heat transfer element. Such a heat transfer element can be used in the manufacture of radiant panels for power generating stations or can be formed as a pipe for similar use. The heat transfer element may comprise a polymer sheet having a fibrous material distributed therein providing structural strength and a fluoropolymer at least on an outer surface of the element which protects the element from physical and chemical corrosion while providing anti-fouling properties and good flow characteristics to the element.

1 - 22 . (canceled)  
   
   
       23 . A heat transfer element comprising a polymer matrix having a fibrous material interspersed therein, said heat transfer element comprising a fluoropolymer at least on an outer surface thereof, the interspersion of the fibrous material within the polymer matrix providing rigidity to the heat transfer element, a thermally conductive material being distributed within the heat transfer element.  
   
   
       24 . A heat transfer element according to  claim 23 , in the form of a sheet.  
   
   
       25 . A heat transfer element according to  claim 23 , in which the fibrous material comprises metal fibres.  
   
   
       26 . A heat transfer element according to  claim 25 , in which the metal fibres comprise iron, steel, or stainless steel fibres.  
   
   
       27 . A heat transfer element according to  claim 23 , in which the polymer matrix further comprises particles of metal.  
   
   
       28 . A heat transfer element according to  claim 23 , in which the fibrous material comprises glass fibres.  
   
   
       29 . A heat transfer element according to  claim 28 , in which the glass fibres comprise chemically resistant glass fibres.  
   
   
       30 . A heat transfer element according to  claim 28 , in which the fibrous material comprises a mixture of glass fibres and fibres of a plastics material.  
   
   
       31 . A heat transfer element according to  claim 30 , in which the plastics material comprises a material selected from polypropylene and fluoropolymers.  
   
   
       32 . A heat transfer element according to  claim 23 , in which the fibrous material comprises continuous fibres.  
   
   
       33 . A heat transfer element according to  claim 32 , in which the fibrous material comprises rovings woven into panels.  
   
   
       34 . A heat transfer element according to  claim 33 , in which the rovings are precoated with a plastics material.  
   
   
       35 . A heat transfer element which comprises: 
 a polymer sheet having a fibrous material interspersed therein and comprising a fluoropolymer at least on an outer surface of the sheet, the interspersion of the fibrous material within the sheet providing rigidity to the element; and    a thermally conductive material distributed within the heat transfer element.    
   
   
       36 . A heat transfer element according to  claim 35 , wherein the fibrous material is of a thermally conductive material such that the distribution of thermally conductive material within the heat transfer element is provided, in whole or in part, by the fibrous material.  
   
   
       37 . A heat transfer element according to  claim 36 , wherein the fibrous material is of stainless steel.  
   
   
       38 . A heat transfer element according to  claim 36 , wherein the fibrous material is fibre glass.  
   
   
       39 . A heat transfer element according to  claim 23 , wherein an intermediate layer of a plastics material is provided underneath the outer fluoropolymer surface of the element.  
   
   
       40 . A heat transfer element according to  claim 39 , wherein the plastics material comprises an acrylic polymer.  
   
   
       41 . A heat transfer element according to  claim 23 , wherein the thermally conductive material comprises a particulate or filamented material.  
   
   
       42 . A heat transfer element according to  claim 41 , wherein the particulate or filamented material is a metal.  
   
   
       43 . A heat transfer element according to  claim 23 , wherein the fluoropolymer comprises PVDF.  
   
   
       44 . A heat transfer element according to  claim 23 , wherein the fluoropolymer is mixed with another thermoplastic polymer.  
   
   
       45 . A heat transfer element according to  claim 44 , wherein the other thermoplastic polymer is an acrylic polymer.  
   
   
       46 . A heat transfer element according to  claim 45 , wherein the thermally conductive material comprises a particulate or filamented material.  
   
   
       47 . A heat transfer element according to  claim 45 , wherein the particulate or filamented material is a metal.  
   
   
       48 . A heat transfer element according to  claim 45 , wherein the fluoropolymer comprises PVDF.  
   
   
       49 . A heat transfer element according to  claim 45 , wherein the fluoropolymer is mixed with another thermoplastic polymer.  
   
   
       50 . A heat transfer element according to  claim 49 , wherein the other thermoplastic polymer is an acrylic polymer.  
   
   
       51 . A heat transfer element according to  claim 45 , wherein an intermediate layer of a plastics material is provided underneath the outer fluoropolymer surface of the element.  
   
   
       52 . A heat transfer element according to  claim 51 , wherein the plastics material comprises an acrylic polymer.  
   
   
       53 . A process for the production of a heat transfer element according to  claim 23  comprising providing a fibrous base portion, and forming by compression moulding or lamination over the surface of the base portion a coating of a fluoropolymer.  
   
   
       54 . A process according to  claim 46 , further including the step of distributing a thermally conductive material within the element.