System and method for exchanging heat

Abstract

A system for exchanging heat includes a plurality of adjacent envelopes, wherein each envelope defines a plurality of volumes. A connection between adjacent envelopes provides fluid communication between the volumes in adjacent envelopes, and a fluid passage outside of the envelopes and defined by adjacent envelopes extends across a dimension of the system. A method for exchanging heat includes flowing a plurality of secondary fluids through a plurality of volumes in adjacent envelopes, wherein each secondary fluid flows through a separate volume in each envelope. The method further includes flowing a primary fluid through a plurality of channels outside of the adjacent envelopes and defined by the adjacent envelopes.

1 . A system for exchanging heat, comprising:
 a. a plurality of adjacent envelopes, wherein each envelope defines a plurality of volumes;   b. a connection between adjacent envelopes that provides fluid communication between the volumes in adjacent envelopes; and   c. a fluid passage outside of the envelopes and defined by adjacent envelopes, wherein the fluid passage extends across a dimension of the system.   
     
     
         2 . The system as in  claim 1 , wherein each envelope includes a first section joined to a second section to define each volume in each envelope. 
     
     
         3 . The system as in  claim 1 , wherein adjacent volumes in each envelope are arranged parallel to flow through the fluid passage. 
     
     
         4 . The system as in  claim 1 , wherein adjacent volumes in each envelope are arranged perpendicular to flow through the fluid passage. 
     
     
         5 . The system as in  claim 1 , wherein a first volume in each envelope is substantially surrounded by a second volume in each envelope. 
     
     
         6 . The system as in  claim 1 , wherein each envelope includes a corrugated surface. 
     
     
         7 . The system as in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of adjacent envelopes defines a supply header and an exhaust header for each volume. 
     
     
         8 . A system for exchanging heat, comprising:
 a. a plurality of envelopes arranged in layers, wherein each envelope defines a plurality of volumes; and   b. a channel between adjacent envelopes, wherein the channel provides fluid communication across a dimension of the system.   
     
     
         9 . The system as in  claim 8 , further comprising a connection between adjacent envelopes that provides fluid communication between the volumes in adjacent envelopes. 
     
     
         10 . The system as in  claim 8 , wherein each envelope includes a first section joined to a second section and a seal between the first and second sections defines each volume in each envelope. 
     
     
         11 . The system as in  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of volumes in each envelope is arranged parallel to flow through the plurality of channels. 
     
     
         12 . The system as in  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of volumes in each envelope is arranged perpendicular to flow through the plurality of channels. 
     
     
         13 . The system as in  claim 8 , wherein a first volume in each envelope is substantially surrounded by a second volume in each envelope. 
     
     
         14 . The system as in  claim 8 , wherein each envelope includes a turbulator. 
     
     
         15 . The system as in  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of envelopes defines a supply header and an exhaust header for each volume. 
     
     
         16 . A method for exchanging heat, comprising:
 a. flowing a plurality of secondary fluids through a plurality of volumes in adjacent envelopes, wherein each secondary fluid flows through a separate volume in each envelope; and   b. flowing a primary fluid through a plurality of channels outside of the adjacent envelopes and defined by the adjacent envelopes.   
     
     
         17 . The method as in  claim 16 , further comprising flowing the plurality of secondary fluids through the plurality of volumes, wherein the plurality of volumes in each envelope is arranged parallel to flow through the channels. 
     
     
         18 . The method as in  claim 16 , further comprising flowing the plurality of secondary fluids through the plurality of volumes, wherein the plurality of volumes in each envelope is arranged perpendicular to flow through the channels. 
     
     
         19 . The method as in  claim 16 , further comprising flowing a first secondary fluid through a first volume, wherein the first volume is surrounded by a second volume containing a second secondary fluid.