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Title: Rotating fluidized bed heat exchanger

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5455361

A rotating fluidized bed heat exchanger particularly adaptable as a heat exchange unit in the recuperator section of conventional gas turbine engines is disclosed comprising an annular fluidized bed, defined by inner and outer spaced apart coaxial cylindrical, perforated walls, which rotates about the longitudinal axis of the cylinders. The bed is comprised of pulverulent inert particulate material and includes fluid-containing heat exchange tubes passing substantially longitudinally therethrough. Hot gases, such as turbine exhaust gases, enter the bed through the outer perforated wall, heat and fluidize the bed particles, heat the fluid, usually compressed air, in the tubes, and exit the bed through the inner perforated wall. The heat exchange tubes direct the fluid flowing therein from an inlet adjacent the inner perforated wall to an outlet adjacent the outer perforated wall such that the fluid flows substantially countercurrently to the hot fluidizing gas. In a preferred embodiment, the heat exchange tubes comprise an inlet tube extending longitudinally adjacent the inner perforated wall, an outlet tube extending longitudinally adjacent the outer perforated wall and a plurality of tubes interconnecting the inlet and outlet tubes.

Assignee:
Caterpillar Tractor Co
Patent Number(s):
US 4313301
OSTI ID:
5455361
Resource Relation:
Patent File Date: Filed date 25 Oct 1979; Other Information: PAT-APPL-102196
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English