System for exchanging heat within an environment using a coaxial-flow heat exchanging structure with helically-finned tubing

Abstract

An coaxial-flow-flow heat exchanging structure having a proximal end and a distal end for exchanging heat between a source of fluid at a first temperature and the environment (e.g. ground, water, slurry) at a second temperature. The coaxial-flow-flow heat exchanging structure comprises a thermally-conductive flowguide tube having a hollow conduit extending from said proximal end to said distal end. A helically-finned tubing is disposed within the hollow conduit of said thermally-conductive flowguide tube, and has a central conduit for conducting a heat exchanging fluid, from said proximal end, along the central conduit towards the distal end, and returning back to the proximal end along a spiral annular flow channel formed between the thermally-conductive flowguide tube and the helically-finned tubing.

1 . An coaxial-flow heat exchanging structure having a proximal end and a distal end for exchanging heat between a source of fluid at a first temperature and the environment (e.g. ground, water, slurry) at a second temperature, said coaxial-flow-flow heat exchanging structure comprising:
 a thermally-conductive flowguide tube having a hollow conduit extending from said proximal end to said distal end; and   spiral-finned tubing disposed within the hollow conduit of said thermally-conductive flowguide tube, and having a central conduit for conducting a heat exchanging fluid, from said proximal end, along said central conduit towards the distal end, and returning back to said proximal end along a spiral annular flow channel formed between said thermally-conductive flowguide tube and said helically-finned tubing.   
     
     
         2 . The coaxial-flow-flow heat exchanging structure of  claim 1 , which further comprises insulating center tubing disposed within said central conduit, for conducting the heat exchanging fluid from said proximal end, along said central conduct towards the distal end with minimal thermal conduction through to said helically-finned tubing, so that the heat exchanging fluid can exchange (transfer) its heat to the environment via said thermally-conductive flowguide tube as said heat exchanging fluid flows back to said proximal end along said spiral annular flow channel. 
     
     
         3 . The coaxial-flow-flow heat exchanging structure of  claim 1 , which further comprises a fluid manifold disposed on said proximal end for injecting said heat exchanging fluid into said coaxial-flow-flow heat exchanging structure at a third temperature, and withdrawing said heat exchanging fluid out of said coaxial-flow-flow heat exchanging structure at a fourth temperature. 
     
     
         4 . The coaxial-flow-flow heat exchanging structure of  claim 1  installed in a deviated well bore. 
     
     
         5 . The coaxial-flow-flow heat exchanging structure of  claim 4 , wherein the deviated well bore is drilled nearly horizontal in an aquifer zone to maximize heat transfer to the ground. 
     
     
         6 . The coaxial-flow-flow heat exchanging structure of  claim 4 , wherein the deviated well bore uses a short turning radius to deviate from vertical to near horizontal and said thermally-conductive flowguide tube is grouted to the surface to prevent aquifer contamination. 
     
     
         7 . The coaxial-flow-flow heat exchanging structure of  claim 1 , wherein the spiral flow of fluid increases the heat transfer of the fluid with said thermally-conductive flowguide tube by said helically-finned tubing constantly rotating the fluid as it flows through the channel formed between said thermally-conductive flowguide tube and said helically-finned tubing. 
     
     
         8 . The coaxial-flow-flow heat exchanging structure of  claim 1 , wherein said fins have a flat edge parallel to said thermally-conductive flowguide tube so as to divert the fluid into the channel instead of around said fins. 
     
     
         9 . The coaxial-flow-flow heat exchanging structure of  claim 1 , wherein said helically-finned tubing has shoe-structure fused to the bottom of said helically-finned tubing so as to prevent fin damage during installation of said helically-finned tubing within said thermally-conductive flowguide tube. 
     
     
         10 . A natural gas dehydration system employing a heat pump system provided with said coaxial-flow-flow heat exchanging structure of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         11 . A heat pump system having a ground or water loop, and comprising:
 a heat pump,   an aqueous based heat transfer fluid, and   a spiral flow heat exchanging structure including a thermally-conductive flowguide tube and a helically-finned tube disposed within said thermally-conductive flowguide tube.   
     
     
         12 . The heat pump of  claim 11 , wherein the ground loop heat exchanger is made from joints of tubing and thermally-conductive flowguide tube. 
     
     
         13 . The heat pump of  claim 11 , wherein said helically-finned tubing includes an inner insulating tube providing thermal insulation between fluid flowing through said inner insulating tube and said helically-finned tube. 
     
     
         14 . The heat pump of  claim 11 , wherein the well bores are over sized to provide a thermal bank for small load peaks. 
     
     
         15 . The heat pump of  claim 11 , wherein a large tank is used to provide a thermal bank for large load peaks. 
     
     
         16 . The heat pump of  claim 11 , wherein the ground loop core is used to store heat from the cooling season to use during the heating season. 
     
     
         17 . The heat pump of  claim 11 , wherein absorbable gases are foamed with the aqueous base fluid to improve heat transfer during the cooling season. 
     
     
         18 . The heat pump of  claim 11 , wherein a horizontal well is drilled into an aquifer to improve heat transfer. 
     
     
         19 . The heat pump of  claim 11 , wherein a concrete structure buried in the ground is used to make the ground loop or thermal bank. 
     
     
         20 . The heat pump of  claim 11 , wherein a concrete structure buried in the ground is used to make a thermo-siphon to prevent ice buildup on the road, sidewalk, or bridge surface. 
     
     
         21 . The heat pump of  claim 11 , wherein an open-seawater-loop heat pump is used to cool a submarine. 
     
     
         22 . The heat pump of  claim 11 , wherein the load is a gas dehydration unit or an oil de-waxing unit.