Distributor for evaporative condenser header or cooler header

Abstract

A heat exchanger has heat exchange elements and an inlet header and an outlet header that fluidly communicate with the heat exchange elements. The inlet header has a fluid inlet. The heat exchange elements are connected to the inlet header along a length of the inlet header and are various distances from the fluid inlet. A distributor is located inside the inlet header, which distributor forms a perforated wall between the fluid inlet and the heat exchange elements. The distributor provides back pressure to incoming fluid into the inlet header, wherein the fluid is evenly distributed between the heat exchange elements.

1 . A heat exchanger, comprising:
 a) an inlet header having a fluid inlet and an interior cavity;   b) an outlet header having a fluid outlet;   c) heat exchange elements coupled to and in fluid communication with the inlet and outlet headers, the heat exchange elements comprising first and second heat exchange elements, the first heat exchange element coupled to the inlet header at a first location, the second heat exchange element coupled to the inlet header at a second location, the first location being closer to the fluid inlet than is the second location;   d) a distributor located in the interior cavity of the inlet header between the fluid inlet and the heat exchange elements and extending between the first and second locations and the fluid inlet, the distributor causing back pressure for fluid entering the inlet header from the fluid inlet.   
     
     
         2 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1  wherein the distributor further comprises a perforated wall. 
     
     
         3 . The heat exchanger of  claim 2  wherein the heat exchange elements comprise coils. 
     
     
         4 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1  wherein the inlet header comprises a pipe and the distributor comprises a perforated plate located in the pipe. 
     
     
         5 . An evaporative condenser, comprising:
 a) a condenser unit;   b) a water sprayer located above the condenser unit;   c) a fill section located below the condenser unit;   d) a basin located below the fill section;   e) at least one fan for flowing air through the condenser unit and the fill section;   f) the condenser unit comprising an inlet header and an outlet header, the inlet header having a fluid inlet at a first location, the inlet header having heat exchange elements at locations other than the first location;   g) a distributor in the inlet header between the first and other locations, the distributor applying back pressure to fluid entering the inlet header from the fluid inlet.   
     
     
         6 . The heat exchanger of  claim 5  wherein the distributor further comprises a perforated wall. 
     
     
         7 . The heat exchanger of  claim 6  wherein the heat exchange elements comprise coils. 
     
     
         8 . The heat exchanger of  claim 5  wherein the inlet header comprises a pipe and the distributor comprises a perforated plate located in the pipe. 
     
     
         9 . The heat exchanger of  claim 8  wherein the perforated plate is flat. 
     
     
         10 . The heat exchanger of  claim 8  wherein the perforated plate is curved.