Process And Apparatus For Transferring Heat From A First Medium to a Second Medium

Abstract

A process of transferring heat from a first relatively cold medium to a second relatively hot medium features rotating a contained amount of a compressible fluid about an axis of rotation, thus generating a radial temperature gradient in the fluid, and heating the second medium by means of the fluid in a section of the fluid relatively far from the axis of rotation. An apparatus for carrying out the process includes a gastight drum having a lumen for holding a compressible fluid and rotatably mounted in a frame, and a first heat exchanger mounted inside the drum relatively far from the axis of rotation of the drum.

1 - 7 . (canceled) 
   
   
       8 . A method of transferring heat from a first relatively cold medium to a second relatively hot medium, the method comprising:
 rotating a contained amount of a compressible fluid about an axis of rotation, thus generating a radial temperature gradient in the fluid, and   heating the second medium by the fluid in a section of the fluid relatively far from the axis of rotation.   
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 8 , further comprising the step of extracting heat from the first medium by the fluid in a section at or relatively close to the axis of rotation. 
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the first medium and/or the second medium flows along at least one radius of the contained amount, generating an at least partially radial circulation in the fluid. 
   
   
       11 . A heat transfer apparatus for transferring heat from a first relatively cold medium to a second relatively hot medium, the apparatus comprising:
 a gastight drum having a lumen for holding a compressible fluid and rotatably mounted in a frame, and   a first heat exchanger mounted inside the drum relatively far from the axis of rotation of the drum.   
   
   
       12 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , comprising a second heat exchanger positioned at or relatively close to the axis of rotation. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the first and/or the second heat exchanger comprise a plurality of tubes radially extending into the lumen. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein a siphon is positioned concentrically about at least some of the tubes.