Induced convection heat exchanger

Abstract

A heat exchanger system, comprising: a storage tank; and heat exchanger apparatus comprising: a heat exchanger; and a plenum structure defining a hollow body comprising a first end that is coupled to the heat exchanger, and a second end remote from the first end; a mounting arrangement to mount the heat exchanger apparatus within the tank in an orientation wherein the heat exchanger is disposed in substantially a horizontal condition, whereas the plenum structure is disposed in substantially a vertical condition.

1 . Heat exchanger apparatus, comprising:
 a planar heat exchanger extending in a transverse direction; and   a plenum structure defining a hollow body having a first opening located at a first end fixed to the heat exchanger and a second opening located at a second end remote from the first end; wherein said hollow body extends longitudinally away from the planar heat exchanger.   
     
     
         2 . The heat exchanger apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the planar heat exchanger comprises first and second header components in fluid communication with each other by means of a planar structure defining a heat exchange mechanism adapted to facilitate an exchange of heat between an internal fluid and an external fluid; wherein said internal fluid flows from the first header through the planar structure to the second header, in use. 
     
     
         3 . The heat exchanger apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said planar structure comprises a plurality of laterally spaced discrete members, each comprising a body defining an internal path to carry the internal fluid from the first header component to the second header component. 
     
     
         4 . The heat exchanger apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein each discrete member comprises an elongate main tube section having a first end that is fast with the first header, and a second end that is fast with the second header. 
     
     
         5 . The heat exchanger apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein each elongate main tube section comprises an internal heat exchange structure configured to increase heat exchanges between the internal and external fluids. 
     
     
         6 . The heat exchanger apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said heat exchange structure comprises at least one internal tube disposed within the main tube section. 
     
     
         7 . The heat exchanger apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein each discrete member comprises two channel sections, each comprising a recessed body with a peripheral lip, with the two channel sections being joined peripherally at the lip. 
     
     
         8 . The heat exchanger apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first end of the plenum structure and the planar heat exchanger define a seal to prevent flow of the external fluid there between. 
     
     
         9 . The heat exchanger of  claim 8 , wherein the hollow body of the plenum structure is tapered in the direction of the second end. 
     
     
         10 . The heat exchanger of  claim 9 , wherein the hollow body of the plenum structure is formed by a plurality of panels, each being curved inwardly towards a central axis passing longitudinally through the hollow body between its two ends. 
     
     
         11 . The heat exchanger of  claim 10 , wherein the plenum structure further comprises internally disposed flow inhibiting structures to retard a rate of flow of the external fluid entering the hollow body through the first and end exiting the second end. 
     
     
         12 . A heat exchanger system, comprising:
 a storage tank; and   heat exchanger apparatus comprising:
 a heat exchanger; and 
 a plenum structure defining a hollow body comprising a first end that is coupled to the heat exchanger, and a second end remote from the first end; 
   a mounting arrangement to mount the heat exchanger apparatus within the tank in an orientation wherein the heat exchanger is disposed in substantially a horizontal condition, whereas the plenum structure is disposed in substantially a vertical condition.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the heat exchanger comprises a first header, coupled to a second header by means of an array of fluid conduit members adapted to communicate a first fluid entering the first header to the second header, the array of fluid conduit members defining a heat exchange component to facilitate the exchange of heat between the first fluid flowing there through with a second fluid located in the tank. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein components of the heat exchanger lie at substantially the same elevation within the storage tank. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the heat exchanger is elevated relative to the second end of the plenum structure in cases where the first fluid is to be heated. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the second end of the plenum structure is elevated relative to the heat exchanger, in cases where the first fluid is to be cooled. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the plenum structure is adapted to facilitate a separation between up and down fluid flow components of induced convection established in the storage tank due to heat exchanges between the first and second fluids through the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the body of the plenum structure is tapered towards the second end. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein each fluid conduit member comprises an elongate tube, having at least one internal tube disposed within a body thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein each fluid conduit member comprises a planar metal section formed with an internal passage to support the flow of the first fluid there between the first header, and the second header.