Patent ID: 7622094
Filing Date: 2009-11-24
Classification: B01D,B01J,F28D,F28F,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A method of recovering energy, comprising: providing a heat exchange unit selected from the group consisting of plate and fin heat exchangers and finned tubing heat exchangers having a finned exterior side, a first tubing that forms a separate circulation path for an interior second working fluid, and a second tubing that forms a separate circulation path for an interior third working fluid, wherein the first and second tubings are interlaced; providing a first working fluid contacting the finned exterior side of the heat exchange unit; feeding the first working fluid to contact the finned exterior side to transfer heat between the first working fluid and the interior second working fluid within the first tubing of the heat exchange unit; feeding the second working fluid to be heated or cooled by the first working fluid into the first tubing; feeding the first working fluid to contact the finned exterior side to transfer heat between the first working fluid and the interior third working fluid within the second tubing of the heat exchange unit; feeding the third working fluid to be heated or cooled by the first working fluid into the second tubing; injecting a catalyst into the first working fluid prior to contacting the finned exterior side of the heat exchange unit; and coating a portion of the finned exterior side of the heat exchange unit with the catalyst to allow a mass transfer reaction between components of the first working fluid to be accelerated by the catalyst.