Heat exchanger

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a heat exchange apparatus, which comprises a hollow blade member having a first fluid inlet and a first fluid outlet and a first fluid passageway for a first fluid that extends between the inlet and the outlet. The blade member is sized and shaped to be located in a second fluid passageway for a second fluid. The blade member is configured to enhance thermal energy transfer between the fluids as they flow along their respective passageways.

1 . A heat exchange apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
 a hollow blade member having a first fluid inlet and a first fluid outlet and a first fluid passageway for a first fluid extending therebetween, the blade member being sized and shaped for location in a second fluid passageway for a second fluid, the blade member being configured to enhance thermal energy transfer between the fluids as they flow along their respective passageways.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , in which the enhancement of thermal energy transfer is caused by turbulent flow. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , in which the enhancement of thermal transfer is caused by reduction of laminar flow. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , in which the enhancement of thermal transfer is caused by shear within the first and second fluids. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , in which the blade member has an inner and an outer thermal transfer surface, the inner thermal transfer surface having a plurality of spaced apart inner surface projections to induce thermal energy transfer in the first fluid, the outer thermal transfer surface being located to contact the second fluid flowing along the second fluid passageway. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus, according to  claim 5 , in which the inner thermal transfer surface further includes a plurality of spaced apart inner surface recesses. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus, according to  claim 5 , in which the outer thermal surface has a plurality of spaced apart outer surface projections located to induce thermal energy transfer in the second fluid as it flows along the second fluid passageway in contact with the outer thermal transfer surface. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus, according to  claim 5 , in which the outer thermal transfer surface further includes a plurality of spaced apart outer surface recesses. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus, according to  claim 5 , in which the inner and outer thermal transfer surfaces each have a plurality of spaced apart projections and recesses, the projections and recesses being disposed substantially parallel to each other. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , in which the blade member has a longitudinal blade axis and two blade walls, each blade wall having an inner and an outer thermal transfer surface, each thermal transfer surface having a plurality of ridges and recesses disposed substantially parallel to each other. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus, according to  claim 10 , in which the outer thermal transfer surfaces are located to contact the second fluid flowing along the second fluid passageway. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus, according to  claim 10 , in which the ridges and recesses of the first blade wall being angled in a first direction relative to the longitudinal axis, the ridges and recesses of the second blade wall being angled in a second direction relative to the longitudinal axis, the second direction being different from the first direction so as to induce cross flow in the first and second fluids as they travel along their respective passageways. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus, according to  claim 10 , in which the ridges located on opposing inner thermal transfer surfaces contact each other to induce cross flow in the first fluid as it travels along the first fluid passageway. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus, according to  claim 10 , in which the ridges located on opposing inner thermal transfer surfaces are spaced apart from each other to induce cross flow in the first fluid as it travels along the first fluid passageway. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus, according to  claim 10 , in which the ridges located on opposing inner thermal transfer surfaces are interdigitated to induce cross flow in the first fluid as it travels along the first fluid passageway. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus, according to  claim 10 , in which the ridges located on opposing inner thermal transfer surfaces contact each other to induce turbulence in the first fluid as it travels along the first fluid passageway. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus, according to  claim 10 , in which the ridges located on opposing inner thermal transfer surfaces are spaced apart from each other to induce turbulence in the first fluid as it travels along the first fluid passageway. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus, according to  claim 10 , in which the ridges located on opposing inner thermal transfer surfaces are interdigitated to induce turbulence in the first fluid as it travels along the first fluid passageway. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , in which the second fluid passageway is configured to induce thermal energy-transfer between the fluids. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , in which the first and second fluids flow in a contraflow direction. 
   
   
       21 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , in which the first and second fluids flow in a parallel flow configuration. 
   
   
       22 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , in which the first and second fluids flow in a cross flow configuration. 
   
   
       23 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , in which each blade wall has a sealable blade edge to allow the blade member to be pressurized. 
   
   
       24 . The apparatus, according to  claim 23 , in which the blade member is pressurized to above atmospheric pressure or to below atmospheric pressure. 
   
   
       25 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , in which the blade member has a longitudinal blade axis, the first fluid inlet and the first fluid outlet being disposed orthogonal relative to the longitudinal blade axis. 
   
   
       26 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , in which the blade member has a longitudinal axis, the second fluid passageway has a second fluid inlet and a second fluid outlet, the second fluid inlet and the second fluid outlet being disposed coaxial to the longitudinal axis. 
   
   
       27 . The apparatus, according to  claim 26 , in which the second fluid inlet and the second fluid outlet are disposed orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the blade member. 
   
   
       28 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , in which the blade member is double-walled. 
   
   
       29 . The apparatus, according to  claim 28 , in which the double wall is a lining located in intimate contact with an inner thermal transfer surface of the blade member. 
   
   
       30 . The apparatus, according to  claim 29 , in which the lining is spaced apart from the inner thermal transfer surface, a thermal transfer filler being located between the lining and the inner thermal transfer surface. 
   
   
       31 . The apparatus, according to  claim 29 , in which the lining is a bladder. 
   
   
       32 . The apparatus, according to  claim 31 , in which the bladder is made from a membraneous heat conductive material. 
   
   
       33 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , in which the blade member is ventable to the atmosphere. 
   
   
       34 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , in which the blade member further comprises a lining located in intimate contact with an inner thermal transfer surface of the blade member, the lining defining a double wall, the blade member being configured to allow the first fluid to drain away from the first passageway or the second fluid from the second fluid passageway, if either of the passageways breaks. 
   
   
       35 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , in which the first or second fluids flow by gravity. 
   
   
       36 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , in which a turbulator is located in the first fluid passageway. 
   
   
       37 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , in which a turbulator is located in the second fluid passageway. 
   
   
       38 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , in which the second fluid passageway is pressurized to above atmospheric pressure or below atmospheric pressure. 
   
   
       39 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , in which the first fluid is cold water and the second fluid is grey water. 
   
   
       40 . A blade heat exchange apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
 at least one blade member having a first fluid inlet and a first fluid outlet, and a first fluid passageway for a first fluid extending therebetween, the blade member having a longitudinal blade axis;   a second fluid passageway for a second fluid, the second fluid passageway being sized and shaped to receive therein the blade member;   the blade member has two blade walls, each blade wall having an inner and outer thermal transfer surface, the thermal transfer surfaces each having a plurality of spaced apart ridges and recesses, the ridges and recesses being substantially parallel to each other, the ridges and recesses of the first blade wall being angled in a first direction relative to the longitudinal axis, the ridges and recesses of the second blade wall being angled in a second direction relative to the longitudinal axis, the second direction being different from the first direction so as to induce cross flow in the first and second fluids as they travel along their respective passageways.   
   
   
       41 . The heat exchange apparatus, according to  claim 40 , the ridges located on the inner thermal transfer surfaces of the blade walls contact each other, are spaced apart from each other, or are interdigitated. 
   
   
       42 . The heat exchange apparatus, according to  claim 40 , in which the second fluid passageway is a channel located in a tray. 
   
   
       43 . The heat exchange apparatus, according to  claim 40 , in which a plurality of blade members are mounted substantially parallel to each other. 
   
   
       44 . The heat exchange apparatus, according to  claim 40 , in which a plurality of the blade members are stacked on top of each other and define a plate. 
   
   
       45 . The heat exchange apparatus, according to  claim 40 , in which a plurality of the plates are mounted in a housing, the housing having a first fluid inlet and a first fluid outlet. 
   
   
       46 . The heat exchange apparatus, according to  claim 40 , in which the blade member is double walled. 
   
   
       47 . The heat exchange apparatus, according to  claim 40 , in which the blade member is ventable to the atmosphere. 
   
   
       48 . The heat exchange apparatus, according to  claim 40 , is located downstream of a drain trap. 
   
   
       49 . The heat exchange apparatus, according to  claim 40 , in which the first fluid passageway includes a turbulator. 
   
   
       50 . The heat exchange apparatus, according to  claim 40 , in which the second fluid passageway includes a turbulator. 
   
   
       51 . A heat exchange apparatus, comprising:
 a central conduit having a conduit wall;   an outer jacket substantially encasing the central conduit, the jacket being spaced apart from the conduit wall to define an enclosure and having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet;   a turbulator located in the enclosure, the turbulator having a first helical wire disposed in a clockwise orientation and a second helical wire disposed counterclockwise to the first helical wire so as to induce turbulent flow in a fluid as it contacts the turbulator.   
   
   
       52 . The heat exchange apparatus, according to  claim 51 , in which the first and second helical wires cross each other and induce cross flow in the fluid as it contacts the helical wires. 
   
   
       53 . The heat exchange apparatus, according to  claim 51 , in which grey water flows along the central conduit. 
   
   
       54 . The heat exchange apparatus, according to  claim 51 , in which cold water contacts the turbulator. 
   
   
       55 . The heat exchange apparatus, according to  claim 54 , in which the cold water flows by gravity. 
   
   
       56 . A heat exchange apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
 a central conduit having a conduit wall;   an outer jacket substantially encasing the central conduit, the jacket being spaced apart from the conduit wall to define an enclosure and having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet;   a mesh turbulator located in the enclosure, the mesh turbulator being configured to induce turbulent flow in a fluid as it contacts the turbulator.   
   
   
       57 . The apparatus, according to  claim 56 , in which the mesh turbulator includes a first plurality of helical wires disposed in a clockwise orientation and a second plurality of helical wire disposed counterclockwise to the first plurality of helical wire. 
   
   
       58 . The apparatus, according to  claim 56 , in which the mesh turbulator includes a plurality of orthogonally disposed wires. 
   
   
       59 . The apparatus, according to  claim 56 , in which the central conduit and the enclosure further include turbulators. 
   
   
       60 . A heat exchange apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
 at least one hollow fin member having first and second thermal transfer surfaces, the first thermal transfer surface defining a first fluid passageway for a first fluid, which first fluid being flowable along the first passageway in contact with the first thermal transfer surface; and   a second fluid passageway for a second fluid, the second fluid passageway being located in intimate contact with the second thermal transfer-surface, such that the first fluid when flowing along the first fluid passageway exchanges thermal energy with the second fluid flowing along the second fluid passageway.   
   
   
       61 . The apparatus, according to  claim 60 , in which the fin members are disposed substantially parallel to each other. 
   
   
       62 . The apparatus, according to  claim 60 , further including a turbulator disposed on the first thermal surface to induce turbulent flow in the first fluid 
   
   
       63 . The apparatus, according to  claim 60 , further including a turbulator disposed on the second thermal surface to induce turbulanet flow in the second fluid. 
   
   
       64 . The apparatus, according to  claim 60 , in which the fin members are configured as an H-shaped channel member having first and second end portions, the first end portion being connectable to a source of a first fluid, the first fluid entering the first end portion at a first temperature and flowable along the first thermal transfer surface, the first fluid exiting the second end portion at a second temperature and a second fluid passageway having an inlet and an outlet, the second fluid passageway being located in intimate contact with the second thermal transfer surface, the inlet being connectable to a source of a second fluid, the second fluid entering the inlet at a third temperature and flowable along the second fluid passageway, such that the first fluid when flowing along the first fluid passageway exchanges thermal energy with the second fluid flowing along the second fluid passageway, the second fluid exiting the outlet at a fourth temperature. 
   
   
       65 . The heat exchange apparatus, according to  claim 60 , in which the fin members are circumferentially disposed about a conduit. 
   
   
       66 . A heat exchange apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
 a conduit having an arcuate conduit member having first and second ends, and an arcuate heat exchanger having first and second connecting portions sealingly connectable to the respective first and second ends, the heat exchange having first and second thermal transfer surfaces, an amount of a first fluid entering the conduit at a first temperature and being in contact with the first thermal transfer surface and exiting the conduit at a second temperature; and   a fluid passageway having a fluid passageway sidewall of a membraneous material, the material having at least one heat conductive surface locatable in intimate contact with the second thermal transfer surface, the fluid passageway sidewall being spreadable over an area of the second thermal transfer surface, the fluid passageway having a fluid passageway inlet and a fluid passageway outlet, a second fluid entering the fluid passageway inlet at a third temperature and exiting the fluid passageway outlet at a fourth temperature.   
   
   
       67 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , in which the blade member is self-supporting.