Turbulated immersion heat-exchange apparatus

Abstract

A submersible heat-exchanging apparatus for installation into storage tanks used for containing industrial oils. The apparatus comprises a cylindrical heat-exchange component with one end sealingly engaging a terminal plug and the other end sealingly engaging and communicating with a coupling manifold having opposed inflow and outflow ports. A flow-directing elongate insert is provided with one end configured to engage the coupling manifold interposed the inflow and outflow ports, and the other end provided with an aperture and configured for abutting the terminal plug. The flow-directing elongate insert slidingly contacts and cooperates with the inner walls of the heat-conductive conduit thereby partitioning the heat-conductive conduit into two opposed fluid transmission channels wherein one channel communicates with the inlet port and the other channel communicates with the outlet port. The coupling manifold sealingly engages an aperture provided in the storage tank whereby the heat-exchange component extends into the tank.

1 . A submersible heat-exchanging apparatus for sealingly engaging and extending in through a wall of a storage tank for containing industrial oils and/or industrial fluids, the apparatus comprising:
 a heat-exchange component comprising a heat-conductive conduit with a first open end for sealably engaging a terminal plug device, and a second open end having a collar portion for sealingly engaging a coupling manifold, the heat-conductive conduit provided with a plurality of spaced-apart heat-radiating devices extending outwardly from the conduit;   said terminal plug device sealably engaged with the first end of said heat-exchange component;   said coupling manifold having a body portion and a collar portion wherein the collar portion defines a bore extending therethrough and into and terminating in a flat end therein, said collar portion having an outward facing male-threaded portion for engaging a wall of the storage tank, said bore therethrough the collar portion sealingly engaged with the collar portion of said heat-conductive conduit, said body portion having an opposed inlet port and outlet port communicating with said bore, said flat end of the bore provided with a slot interposed said inlet port and said outlet port; and   a flow-directing elongate insert inserted into the heat-conductive conduit and extending between and engaged with the terminal plug device at the first end of said heat-exchange component and with the slot in the flat end of the bore terminating in the body portion of said coupling manifold, said elongate insert provided with at least one aperture at an end engaged with the terminal plug device, said elongate insert contacting and cooperating with the heat-conductive conduit to partition the heat-conductive conduit into two opposed fluid transmission channels wherein one channel communicates with the inlet port and the other channel communicates with the outlet port.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the industrial oils comprise one or more of fuel oils, hydraulic oils, crude and refined petroleum oil products, plant-derived oils, and animal-derived oils. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the industrial fluids comprise one or more of glycols, water-based hydraulic fluids, and oil-field brines. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the outward facing male-threaded portion of the collar portion of the coupling manifold is configured to sealingly engage a threaded aperture provided therefor in the storage tank. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the heat-radiating devices extend along said heat-conductive conduit from about the first open end to about the second open end of said conduit. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the spaced-apart heat-radiating devices are fin shaped. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first end of the heat-conductive conduit is configured into a leak-proof sealed end. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one aperture provided in the flow-directing elongate insert is a U-shaped opening extending thereto the terminal plug device. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the flow-directing elongate insert is provided with arcuate elongate side edges for contacting and cooperating with the heat-conductive conduit. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the flow-directing elongate insert is twisted into a helix. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the flow-directing elongate insert is twisted into a regularly repeating helix. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the collar portion of the heat-exchange component is provided with male threads and the inward-facing bore of the collar portion of the coupling manifold is provided with female threads configured for sealingly engaging said male threads. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the collar portion of the heat-exchange component is sealingly engaged with the inward-facing bore of the collar portion of the coupling manifold by a process selected from the group consisting of compression, brazing, welding, and affixing with a polymeric adhesive. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said inlet port and said outlet port are configured to sealingly cooperate with heat-exchange fluid conveying conduits. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said coupling manifold is provided with a pair of inlet ports and a pair of outlet ports. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein one of said pair of inlet ports extends to a sidewall of the coupling manifold and the other of said pair of inlet ports extends to the end wall of the coupling manifold. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein one of said pair of outlet ports extends to a sidewall of the coupling manifold and the other of said pair of outlet ports extends to the end wall of the coupling manifold.