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 steam trap, said steam trap capable of collecting condensate from a steam utilizing device;   a heat exchanger, said heat exchanger connected to said steam trap, wherein said heat exchanger receives said condensate from said steam trap;   a feed water tank, said feed water tank connected to said heat exchanger;   a water supply vessel, said water supply vessel connected to said heat exchanger, wherein water from said water supply vessel is cycled through said heat exchanger to be heated by said condensate in said heat exchanger.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said heat exchanger is located in said feed water tank. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said feed water tank is capable of collecting said condensate from said heat exchanger. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said heat exchanger is located out of said feed water tank. 
   
   
       5 . A method for recovery of waste heat in a boiler system comprising:
 cycling condensate from a steam trap through a heat exchanger;   cycling water from a water supply vessel through said heat exchanger, so that said water from said water supply vessel is heated in said heat exchanger by said condensate that is cycled through said heat exchanger;   collecting said condensate from said heat exchanger as feed water in a feed water tank;   pumping said feed water back into a closed vessel boiler.