Electric fluid flow heater with heating element support member

Abstract

An electric heater to heat a flow of a fluid has a jacket block comprising a plurality of longitudinal bores to allow the through-flow of a gas phase medium. An elongate heating element extends through each of the bores and is positionally stabilized relative to the jacket block via at least one support member, optionally in the form or an elongate rod to inhibit undesirable independent axial and / or lateral movement of the heating element relative to the jacket block.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to an electric heater for heating a flow of fluid, and in particular but not exclusively to an electric heater having at least one support member to inhibit passage of Axial and / or lateral movement of the heating element. Background technique [0002] Electric heaters for heating gases to high temperatures typically include a tube adapted to flow the gas through and an electric heating element positioned within the tube to follow the gas flow into the open first end of the tube, past the wires and then through the open The second end flows out of the tube transferring heat to the gas. [0003] Typically, a relatively thin wire is wound in a helical configuration within the tube such that the heating effect is achieved by passing an electrical current through the wire as the gas flows through the tube. Thus, the efficiency of conversion of electrical energy to thermal energy (via the heating wire) depends eg on the availa...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0005] Although conventional electric heaters may be able to achieve high temperatures on the order of 1100°C, the high gas velocity and large pressure differential cause vibration and movement of the heating element (and the surrounding tube (heating block)), so that the heating element is still subjected to Mechanical shocks and stresses that inevitably lead to breakage

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