Fluid Recirculating Economizer

Abstract

A flue gas heat recovery device is described. The device includes a packing tower. The packing tower is adapted to receive a flue gas stream. The packing tower also contains at least one water inlet, a water collection reservoir and a packing tray positioned between the inlet and reservoir. An air induction assembly may be attached to the packing tower or the inlet. A fuel gas line is in thermal communication with the reservoir. The fuel gas line has two ends a first end in close spatial relationship to a distal end of said reservoir, and a second end in close spatial relationship to a fuel output. Finally, a fluid conduit connects the second end of the fuel gas line and the water inlet.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of US. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 368,767 filed on Jul. 29, 2010, currently pending.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]This invention relates to furnace and boiler flue-gas economizers, and more particularly, this invention relates to a system of recovering flue effluent heat within a closed loop to equalize the temperature of a fuel line.[0004]2. Background of the Invention[0005]Furnaces or boilers combust fuel to melt ore, heat air, dry wood, or cook food. These activities generate high-temperature effluent, such as flue gas. This effluent contains wasted heat energy.[0006]“Economizers” attempt to re-capture heat from effluent.[0007]For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,795,909 to Brunt et. al. describes a series of complicated flue-gas passages, dust catching channels, and other convoluted physical structures designed to pre-heat air. The '909 patent relies on these struc...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]Another object of the invention is to provide a means to extract and recycle heat from combustion effluent that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere. A feature of the invention is a heat exchange region in which reusable fluid transfers heat, via thermal conductance, from flue gas and then eventually to fuel. An advantage of the invention is that the fluid is not in fluid communication with the fuel, and as such, neither contaminates, nor is contaminated by, the fuel.

[0012]Still another object of the invention is to maximize the efficiency of a boiler or a furnace charged with gas or liquid fuel. A feature of the invention is the use of a completely separate device to transfer heat energy from combustion flue-gas (which is generated by the boiler or furnace) to pre-combusted fuel so as to preheat the fuel. An advantage of the invention is that the preheated fuel feature increases the efficiency of the boiler or furnace as compared to if the fuel was not preheated

[0013]Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a flue-gas economizer which recycles heat exchange fluid. A feature of the economizer is that the heat transfer fluid is reused and confined within a recirculation loop so as not to contaminate or clog other aspects of the combustion system, such as fuel supply lines or effluent stacks. An advantage of the invention is that the economizer works independently of boilers, furnaces, and internal combustion devices generally.

[0014]A further object of the invention is to transfer energy from a heat exchange fluid to a pre-combusted fuel fluid. A feature of the invention is a jacket encircling a fuel gas line, where the jacket is adapted to receive the heat exchange fluid. An advantage of the invention is that it maximizes the surface area of contact between the fuel conduit line and the heat exchange fluid (thereby allowing for high rates of flow of heat exchange fluid) while preventing direct physical contact of the fuel to the heat exchange fluid.

[0015]Another object of the invention is to collect heat from large volumes of effluent emanating from a combustion process. A feature of the invention is that heat transfer occurs without constraining the volume of the effluent or increasing back pressure to the combustion process gas. An advantage of the invention is that it may be used in conjunction with high-pressure boilers and furnaces which expel large quantities of flue gas.

[0016]Yet another object of the invention is to increase the temperature of a fuel line before a change in fuel pressure. A feature of the invention is that it can be used to heat a fuel line before or after a reduction in fuel pressure. An advantage of the invention is that it is separate from a combustion system such that it can be situated intermediate the combustion system and the fuel supply line undergoing a pressure change. Another advantage is that residual heat from a combustion system can be utilized by the invention to prevent fuel lines from freezing.

Problems solved by technology

This effluent contains wasted heat energy.

Further, Brunt admits that “dust-catching” means are required for particulate, inasmuch as build-up around the heat-sinks is a problem.

However, the Tompkins system requires strict control of the temperature of flue-gas at several points, as well as single use and strict control of the temperature of the heat-trapping fluid.

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