Patent ID: 6213200
Filing Date: 2001-04-10
Classification: F28C,F28D,Y02B,Y10S

Abstract:
A heat exchange system for extracting heat from a process fluid comprising:a process fluid inlet and a process fluid outlet;a dry indirect contact heat exchange section having an air inlet side, an air outlet side and a process fluid circuit;a second indirect contact heat exchange section having an air inlet side, an air outlet side and a process fluid circuit;a direct contact heat exchange section having an air inlet side, an air outlet side and fill media;a process fluid flow path connecting the process fluid inlet, the dry indirect contact heat exchange section process fluid circuit, the second indirect contact heat exchange section process fluid circuit and the process fluid outlet, the process fluid flow path providing for substantially continuous flow of process fluid through both the dry indirect contact heat exchange section and the second indirect contact heat exchange section;a plurality of indirect section evaporative liquid outlets positioned to distribute evaporative liquid over the second indirect contact heat exchange section;a plurality of direct section evaporative liquid outlets positioned to distribute evaporative liquid over the direct contact heat exchange section;an indirect section sump positioned to collect evaporative liquid from the second indirect contact heat exchange section;a direct section sump positioned to collect evaporative liquid from the direct contact heat exchange section;a first pump and first evaporative liquid flow path connected between the indirect section sump and the direct section evaporative liquid outlets to move evaporative liquid from the indirect section sump to the direct section evaporative liquid outlets so that the evaporative liquid may be selectively distributed over the fill media;a second pump and second evaporative liquid flow path connected between the direct section sump and the indirect section evaporative liquid outlets to move evaporative liquid from the direct section sump to the indirect section evaporative liquid outlets so that the evaporative liquid may be selectively distributed over the second indirect contact heat exchange section; andan air moving device for moving streams of air through the dry indirect contact heat exchange section, the second indirect contact heat exchange section and the direct contact heat exchange section.