Dual tank heat transfer system and methods of operation

摘要

A system for transferring heat from an ethanol and water vapor stream is disclosed as having a first heat exchanger, a valve system coupled to first heat exchanger and a first tank, a second tank coupled to the valve system, a second heat exchanger coupled to first tank and second tank, and a pipe line connecting the second tank to the first heat exchanger. A method for transferring heat is provided and involves intermittently cooling a first media, transferring heat from the first media to a second media, and directing the second media to a valve system. The valve system directs a flow of the second media to the first tank when a temperature of second media is above a temperature set point and directs the flow of the second media to the second tank when the temperature of second media is below the temperature set point.

主权项

1. A system for transferring heat from a hot vapor stream, the system comprising:
a first heat exchanger for recovering heat into at least a portion of a coolant stream from the hot vapor stream; a valve system coupled to the first heat exchanger, wherein the valve system directs a flow of the coolant stream; a first tank coupled to said valve system, wherein the first tank holds a portion of the coolant stream that has a temperature equal to or greater than a temperature set point; a second tank coupled to said valve system, wherein the second tank holds a portion of the coolant stream that has a temperature less than the temperature set point; a second heat exchanger coupled to the first tank and the second tank, wherein the second heat exchanger transfers heat from the portion of the coolant stream held in the first tank to another stream; a pipe line connecting the second tank to the first heat exchanger; and a cross vent line that connects the first tank to the second tank; wherein the cross vent line prevents the first and the second tank from being vented to an outside atmosphere.