Patent ID: 6185841
Filing Date: 2001-02-13
Classification: C10L,F26B,F28C

Abstract:
A method of heating or cooling a solid material in a process vessel, which method comprises:(a) supplying a charge of the solid material to the vessel to form a packed bed;(b) supplying a working fluid to the vessel;(c) heating or cooling the solid material by heat exchange with a heat exchange fluid via internal heat transfer surfaces in the packed bed, whereby indirect heat exchange occurs between the heat transfer fluid and the charge and between the heat transfer fluid and the working fluid, and whereby direct heat exchange occurs between the working fluid and the charge; and(d) enhancing heat exchange during heating or cooling step (c) by reversing flow of the working fluid by:(i) causing the working fluid to flow in a first direction for a first period of time;(ii) causing the working fluid to flow in a second direction for a second period of time; and(iii) repeating steps (i) and (ii).