Hybrid heat exchanger apparatus and method of operating the same

Abstract

A hybrid heat exchanger apparatus having a heat exchanger device with a hot fluid flowing therethrough includes a cooling water distribution system and an air flow mechanism for causing ambient air to flow across the heat exchanger device. The cooling water distribution system distributes evaporative cooling water onto the heat exchanger device to wet only a portion of the heat exchanger device while allowing a remaining portion of the heat exchanger device to be dry. The air flow mechanism causes ambient air to flow across the heat exchanger device to generate hot humid air from the ambient air flowing across the wet portion of the heat exchanger device and hot dry air from the ambient air flowing across the remaining dry portion of the heat exchanger device. Methods are also described.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to a hybrid heat exchanger apparatus. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a hybrid heat exchanger apparatus that operates in a dry mode, a wet mode and a hybrid wet / dry mode in order to conserve water and, possibly, abate plume.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Heat exchangers are well known in the art. By way of example, a conventional heat exchanger 2, sometimes referred to as a “closed-circuit cooler”, is diagrammatically illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The heat exchanger 2 includes a container 4, a heat exchanger device 6, a cooling water distribution system 8, an air flow mechanism such as a fan assembly 10 as illustrated and a controller 12. The container 4 has a top wall 4a, a bottom wall 4b and a plurality of side walls 4c. The plurality of side walls 4c are connected to each other and connected to the top wall 4a and the bottom wall 4b to form a generally box-shaped chamber 14. The chamber 14 has a w...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014]It is an object of the invention to provide a hybrid heat exchanger apparatus that might inhibit the formation of a plume of water condensate when ambient conditions are optimal for formation of the same.

[0015]It is another object of the invention to provide a hybrid heat exchanger apparatus that conserves water by enhanced dry cooling capabilities.

Problems solved by technology

As a result, a heat exchanger that spews a visible plume P of water condensate is undesirable.

First, particularly in cold climates, closed circuit coolers can emit plume when the warm, humid air being discharged from the unit meets the cold, dry air in the ambient environment.

Second, water is considered to be a scarce and valuable resource in certain regions.

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