Waste Heat Recovery Apparatus and Method for Boiler System

Abstract

An apparatus and method for recovery of waste heat in a boiler system, wherein heat from the hot condensate water in the system, which otherwise would be lost through dissipation, is used for other applications. Particularly, the waste heat energy recovered in the form of hot condensate water can be used to heat makeup water for a hot water tank.

1 . An apparatus for recovery of waste heat in a boiler system comprising:
 a closed vessel for heating liquid under pressure to create steam;   said closed vessel connected to a steam utilizing device;   said steam utilizing device connected to a steam trap, wherein condensate from said steam is captured in said steam trap;   said steam trap connected to a heat exchanger, said heat exchanger capable of receiving said condensate from said steam trap;   said heat exchanger connected to a water supply vessel, wherein water from said water supply vessel is circulated through said heat exchanger;   whereby heat from said condensate in said heat exchanger is used to heat said water from said water supply vessel.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said heat exchanger is connected to a feed water tank. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said heat exchanger is located above said feed water tank. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein heat exchanger is located out of said feed water tank. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said condensate from said heat exchanger is collected as feed water in said feed water tank. 
   
   
       6 . An apparatus for recovery of waste heat in a boiler system comprising:
 a closed vessel for heating liquid under pressure to create steam;   said closed vessel connected to a steam utilizing device;   said steam utilizing device connected to a steam trap, wherein condensate from said steam is captured in said steam trap;   said steam trap connected to a heat exchanger, said heat exchanger capable of receiving said condensate from said steam trap;   said heat exchanger connected to a water supply vessel, wherein water from said water supply vessel is circulated through said heat exchanger;   whereby heat from said condensate in said heat exchanger is used to heat said water from said water supply vessel;   said heat exchanger is connected to a feed water tank, wherein said condensate from said heat exchanger is collected as feed water in said feed water tank;   said feed water tank is said closed vessel, wherein said feed water in said feed water tank is pumped into said closed vessel.   
   
   
       7 . A method for recovery of waste heat in a boiler system comprising:
 collecting condensate from a steam trap;   transferring said condensate from said steam trap to a heat exchanger;   cycling water from a water supply vessel into said heat exchanger, wherein said water from said water supply vessel is heated by said condensate in said heat exchanger;   cycling water from heat exchanger back into said water supply vessel.