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}
}