Method and means of exchanging heat between fluid bodies

摘要

A method and means of exchanging heat in fluids is described herein. The heat exchanger device is comprised of a primary compartment which is separated into at least two longitudinal compartments by a vertically disposed heat exchanger plate. Each longitudinal compartment is divided into a plurality of sub-compartments by walls that extend outwardly from the heat exchanger plate to the sidewalls of the primary compartment. Fluid inlet means are provided at the lower portion and at opposite ends of each longitudinal compartment. Fluid outlet means are provided at the upper portion and at opposite ends of each longitudinal compartment. The sidewalls of each sub-compartment are shorter than the height of the heat exchanger plate to provide a common fluid flow way in each longitudinal compartment over the sub-compartments. The sidewalls of the sub-compartments are progressively lowered at their upper ends in the direction of fluid flow through the flow ways. The method of this invention comprises introducing cold fluid into one of said longitudinal compartments wherein the cold fluid is moved generally in one direction past the heat exchanger plate as the fluid moves into the various sub-compartments and through the flow way to the fluid outlet means. Simultaneously, warmer fluid is introduced into the other of said longitudinal compartments and is similarly moving past the opposite side of the heat exchanger plate but in an opposite direction. Air is introduced into the bottom of the sub-compartments to agitate the fluid that is moving through the longitudinal compartments. Heat is transferred from the warm fluid in one longitudinal compartment to the cooler fluid in the other longitudinal compartment through the heat exchanger plate.