Patent ID: 6142215
Filing Date: 2000-11-07
Classification: F28D,F28F

Abstract:
An apparatus for cooling hot fluids in the vicinity of a body of water, comprising:a heat exchanger column having first and second ends, and an outer diameter, said heat exchanger column configured to receive a flow of said hot fluids; said heat exchanger column further comprising a plurality of longitudinally aligned tubes forming a tube bundle having first and second ends, said first end of said tube bundle configured to engage an inflow pipe to receive a flow of hot fluid, said second end of said tube bundle configured to engage an outflow pipe to facilitate transfer of cooled fluid therefrom;an elongated housing having a longitudinal axis and first and second ends, said elongated housing having formed along said longitudinal axis a conduit having walls having an inner diameter greater than said outer diameter of said heat exchanger column, said housing having formed in the vicinity of said first end an opening configured to allow the flow of water from said body of water to said conduit, said housing having an opening formed in the vicinity of said second end of said housing to allow the egress of water from said body of water therefrom;a percolator tube situated about said inflow pipe above said tube bundle, said percolator tube configured to receive steam and heated water flowing from said tube bundle, said percolator tube having a diameter which is less than said tube bundle, said percolator tube configured to facilitate the flow of fluid from said tube bundle, and through said housing;said housing configured to contain said heat exchanger column, such that said heat exchanger column is situated within said conduit formed in said housing, so as to facilitate the contained flow of water from said body of water through said conduit, and along said heat exchanger column, cooling hot fluids flowing through said heat exchanger column.