Heat transfer media

Abstract

A heat transfer media that provides more complete and more even use of the media volume by enhancing the characteristics and/or directions of fluid flow across the media. The heat transfer media includes a heat transfer block having one or more layers that include longitudinal flow passages for enabling fluid flow in the longitudinal direction across each layer, and also include transverse flow passage for enabling lateral cross-flow between the longitudinal flow passages. The heat transfer block may include a plurality of stackable plates, with each plate having fins laterally spaced apart to define longitudinally extending channels, and at least one aperture extending transversely through at least one fin for enabling transverse cross-flow between the longitudinal channels. The aperture may be configured as a recessed groove in the fin, and the fin may have ridge portions longitudinally spaced apart to at least partially define the recessed groove.

1 . A stackable plate for a heat transfer block, the stackable plate comprising:
 a plurality of fins protruding from at least one surface of the plate;   wherein the plurality of fins extend in a longitudinal direction along the at least one surface of the plate, the plurality of fins being laterally spaced apart to define therebetween respective longitudinally extending channels for enabling fluid flow in the longitudinal direction; and   wherein at least one of the plurality of fins has at least one aperture extending transversely through the at least one fin in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction for enabling transverse fluid flow between the longitudinally extending channels.   
     
     
         2 . The stackable plate according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one aperture is configured as a recessed groove in the at least one fin. 
     
     
         3 . The stackable plate according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one fin has at least two ridge portions, the at least two ridge portions being spaced apart in the longitudinal direction to define therebetween at least a portion of the recessed groove. 
     
     
         4 . The stackable plate according to  claim 3 ,
 wherein the at least one fin has a base portion proximal the surface of the plate, and the at least two ridge portions have respective upright edges extending away from the base portion;   wherein the upright edges of the respective ridge portions are longitudinally spaced apart and oppose each other, and an upper longitudinal edge of the base portion extends in the longitudinal direction to connect the respective upright edges of the ridge portions to define the recessed groove.   
     
     
         5 . The stackable plate according to  claim 4 , wherein the upright edges of the respective ridge portions each has a curved profile, in longitudinal cross-section, at their respective connections with the upper longitudinal edge of the base portion. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The stackable plate according to  claim 3 , wherein a ratio of the longitudinal length of each of the ridge portions to the longitudinal length of the recessed groove (L R :L G ) is in the range from 30:70 to 50:50, more particularly 40:60. 
     
     
         8 . The stackable plate according to  claim 3 , wherein a depth of the recessed groove (H G ) below an upper surface of at least one of the ridge portions is in the range from 25% to 45%, more particularly 30%, of the height of the at least one ridge portion above the surface of the plate (H R ). 
     
     
         9 . The stackable plate according to  claim 3 , wherein each of the ridge portions of the at least one fin is longitudinally spaced apart from opposite edges of the plate. 
     
     
         10 . The stackable plate according to  claim 3 , wherein the at least two ridge portions each has an upper surface extending in the longitudinal direction that is configured to engage an opposing surface of another stackable plate, the respective upper surfaces of the ridge portions having a curved profile in transverse cross-section. 
     
     
         11 . The stackable plate according to  claim 4 ,
 wherein the lateral sides of the at least one fin are each inclined by an angle relative to a plane that is perpendicular to the at least one surface of the plate, more particularly the angle being in the range from 2 to 20 degrees, or more particularly 5 to 15 degrees.   
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The stackable plate according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein each of the plurality of fins includes a plurality of transversely extending apertures that define an array of transverse flow paths amid the plurality of fins; and   wherein the plurality of transversely extending apertures are aligned with each other in the transverse direction in the array, or wherein the plurality of transversely extending apertures are offset with respect to each other in the transverse direction in the array.   
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The stackable plate according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the at least one fin extends upright from the at least one surface of the plate and terminates at an upper surface of the fin; and   wherein the upper surface of the fin is configured to be attached to an opposing surface of another stackable plate.   
     
     
         20 . The stackable plate according to  claim 19 ,
 wherein a heat-activated adhesive is interposed between the upper surface of the fin and the opposing surface of the other stackable plate to enable attachment via bonding.   
     
     
         21 - 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . The stackable plate according to  claim 1 , wherein the plate has a leading edge portion, a trailing edge portion, and opposite lateral edge portions connecting the leading edge portion and the trailing edge portion;
 wherein at least one of the leading edge portion, the trailing edge portion, and opposite lateral edge portions is beveled; and/or   wherein the plate has a second major surface opposite the at least one surface having the plurality of fins, the second major surface having a bevel that frames its outer perimeter.   
     
     
         30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . The stackable plate according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the plate has a second major surface opposite the at least one surface having the plurality of fins, and   wherein the second major surface is devoid of fins.   
     
     
         32 . The stackable plate according to  claim 1 , wherein one or more surfaces of the plate have surface texture for enhancing fluid flow characteristics;
 wherein the surface texture includes a plurality of dimples and/or a plurality of protuberances.   
     
     
         33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . The stackable plate according to  claim 1 , wherein the fins are integral with the plate to define a unitary stackable plate. 
     
     
         36 . The stackable plate according to  claim 1 , wherein the stackable plate is made from a ceramic material. 
     
     
         37 . (canceled) 
     
     
         38 . (canceled) 
     
     
         39 . (canceled) 
     
     
         40 . A heat transfer block for communicating fluid flow, the heat transfer block comprising:
 a first layer having a first layer major surface, and an adjacent second layer opposite the first layer major surface;   wherein the first layer comprises a plurality of laterally spaced apart fins extending in a longitudinal direction along the first layer, the plurality of fins configured to extend from the first layer major surface and cooperate with the adjacent second layer to define respective longitudinally extending flow passages for enabling fluid flow in the longitudinal direction; and   wherein at least one of the plurality of fins has at least one aperture extending transversely through the at least one fin in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, the at least one fin configured to cooperate with the second layer such that the at least one aperture defines a transversely extending flow passage for enabling transverse fluid cross flow between the respective longitudinally extending flow passages.   
     
     
         41 - 48 . (canceled) 
     
     
         49 . A regenerative thermal oxidizer, a thermal oxidizer, a flare thermal oxidizer, a catalytic oxidizer, a recuperative oxidizer, or other system used for heat exchange in regenerative systems having the heat transfer block according to  claim 40 .