DIRECT CONTACT WATER HEATER WITH INDIRECT CONTACT SECTION

摘要

A direct contact water heater having an indirect contact section, and its method of operation are described. The water heater is comprised of an elongated vertical tubular housing having a water spray nozzle in an upper end thereof for spraying water substantially uniformly over a packing of heat exchange bodies. An intermediate space is provided below the packing where begins the direct contact section of the water heater. A burner chamber is provided at the bottom of the housing below an intermediate reservoir and is provided with a heat source. Heat from the heat source circulates in counter-current flow with the water percolating through the housing from the packing located at the top of the housing. The indirect contact section is located at the bottom of the housing and comprises an intermediate reservoir, a cooling chamber around the burner chamber and a heat exchange coil.