DOE Patents title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Combined heat and mass transfer device for improving separation process

Abstract

A two-phase small channel heat exchange matrix simultaneously provides for heat transfer and mass transfer between the liquid and vapor phases of a multi-component mixture at a single, predetermined location within a separation column, significantly improving the thermodynamic efficiency of the separation process. The small channel heat exchange matrix is composed of a series of channels having a hydraulic diameter no greater than 5.0 millimeters for conducting a two-phase coolant. In operation, the matrix provides the liquid-vapor contacting surfaces within the separation column, such that heat and mass are transferred simultaneously between the liquid and vapor phases. The two-phase coolant allows for a uniform heat transfer coefficient to be maintained along the length of the channels and across the surface of the matrix. Preferably, a perforated, concave sheet connects each channel to an adjacent channel to facilitate the flow of the liquid and vapor phases within the column and to increase the liquid-vapor contacting surface area. 12 figs.

Inventors:
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
Univ. of Chicago, IL (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
678598
Patent Number(s):
5942164
Application Number:
PAN: 8-906,838
Assignee:
Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:  
W-31109-ENG-38
Resource Type:
Patent
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: 24 Aug 1999
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION; TWO-PHASE FLOW; HEAT EXCHANGERS; HEAT TRANSFER; MASS TRANSFER; SEPARATION EQUIPMENT; PERFORMANCE; DESIGN

Citation Formats

Tran, T N. Combined heat and mass transfer device for improving separation process. United States: N. p., 1999. Web.
Tran, T N. Combined heat and mass transfer device for improving separation process. United States.
Tran, T N. Tue . "Combined heat and mass transfer device for improving separation process". United States.
@article{osti_678598,
title = {Combined heat and mass transfer device for improving separation process},
author = {Tran, T N},
abstractNote = {A two-phase small channel heat exchange matrix simultaneously provides for heat transfer and mass transfer between the liquid and vapor phases of a multi-component mixture at a single, predetermined location within a separation column, significantly improving the thermodynamic efficiency of the separation process. The small channel heat exchange matrix is composed of a series of channels having a hydraulic diameter no greater than 5.0 millimeters for conducting a two-phase coolant. In operation, the matrix provides the liquid-vapor contacting surfaces within the separation column, such that heat and mass are transferred simultaneously between the liquid and vapor phases. The two-phase coolant allows for a uniform heat transfer coefficient to be maintained along the length of the channels and across the surface of the matrix. Preferably, a perforated, concave sheet connects each channel to an adjacent channel to facilitate the flow of the liquid and vapor phases within the column and to increase the liquid-vapor contacting surface area. 12 figs.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Aug 24 00:00:00 EDT 1999},
month = {Tue Aug 24 00:00:00 EDT 1999}
}

Patent:
Search for the full text at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Note: You will be redirected to the USPTO site, which may require a pop-up blocker to be deactivated to view the patent. If so, you will need to manually turn off your browser's pop-up blocker, typically found within the browser settings. (See DOE Patents FAQs for more information.)

Save / Share: