Method and Apparatus to Effect Heat Transfer

Abstract

The disclosed methods and apparatus seek to effect heat transfer through the use of one or more conductive fin devices. In addition, the disclosed devices seek to reduce the discharge of pollutants from primary combustion processes using carbonaceous fuel sources by implementing secondary combustion features and other apparatus. With more effective heat capture and utilization, the disclosed heat exchange technologies provide methods and apparatus to reduce heat dissipation to atmosphere. The methods and apparatus have application in the areas of industrial incineration, power boilers, water heaters, residential and commercial solid fuel waste heat recovery appliances, and electric power generation. In addition, the technology could have application in the areas of solar systems, desalination systems, aircraft and vehicular engines, electric motors, turbines, oil pans on internal combustion engines, transmission cooling pans, cooling navigational and electronic systems, and computer cooling and power supply.

1 . A device capable of providing for secondary combustion and waste heat recovery, said apparatus comprising:
 one or more conductive plates mounted substantially transverse an inner space and over an inlet for an exhaust stream from a primary combustion unit, each of said plates further comprising a first end and a second end terminating at a position exterior to said inner space and extendable through one or more media;   wherein said exhaust stream enters an aperture in said one or more plates and is directed through said inner space; and   wherein a portion of heat of said exhaust stream is transferred by said one or more plates to a medium in communication with said first and second ends of said plate.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising one or more conductive fins mounted substantially horizontal to said one or more plates or acutely angled therefrom, each of said one or more fins in spaced and stepped opposition with an opposing conductive fin mounted substantially horizontal thereto or acutely angled therefrom. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said aperture is offset from the center of its respective plate. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said second end further comprises a front edge and a back edge, each of said edges extendable through one or more media. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a core capable of housing a heat source or medium, said core mounted in spaced relation to an adjacent pair of plates. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said core is houseable in said inner space or extendable therefrom. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising one or more optional fins mountable in a stack, a chamber, or a hood of said primary combustion unit to transfer a portion of heat from said chamber to a medium in communication with a distal end of said optional fins. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a medium in communication with said first and second ends can also be in communication with an adjacent or a distant plate. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said distant plate resides in another heat recovery unit. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more plates is in common with another heat recovery unit. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising one or more catalytic devices mountable in or adjacent to said aperture of said one or more plates to enable further secondary combustion. 
   
   
       12 . A method comprising the steps of:
 mounting one or more conductive plates in a heat recovery device, each of said plates extending outwardly from an inner space housing a heat-carrying medium, each of said plates having distal ends in communication with a terminus medium;   contacting said one or more plates with said heat-carrying medium; and   routing a portion of available heat from said heat-carrying medium to said terminus medium by means of said one or more plates.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the step of connecting a distal end of at least two of said one or more plates to adjust a temperature of said terminus medium. 
   
   
       14 . A system comprising:
 a plurality of combustion devices configured in series, parallel, and/or grid format to form a family or a gang of devices;   each of said plurality of combustion devices equipped with a heat exchanger comprising one or more conductive plates mounted substantially transverse an inner space and over an inlet for an exhaust stream, said one or more plates having two ends terminating at a position exterior to said inner space,   wherein said exhaust stream is directed through said inner space to make contact with said one or more plates; and   wherein a portion of heat of said exhaust stream is transferred by said one or more plates to a medium in communication with said ends.   
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein one of said one or more plates can be shared by some or all of said plurality of heat exchangers. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein said medium can also be in communication with an end of an adjacent or a distant plate. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein said medium is housed in a core of a heat exchanger is capable of making a long distance transfer of heat. 
   
   
       18 . A heat exchanger comprising:
 one or more conductive plates comprising ribs which extend radially from a hollow core;   said core being capable of housing a heat source; and   wherein a portion of heat from said heat source is transferred via said ribs to a medium in communication with an outermost edge of said one or more plates.