Patent ID: 6640575
Filing Date: 2003-11-04
Classification: F28D

Abstract:
A heat exchange system for extracting heat from a process fluid comprising:a plurality of heat sources; and at least one cooling tower, such that the cooling tower removes heat from more than one associated heat source, each cooling tower comprising a housing; a process fluid inlet manifold; a process fluid outlet manifold; a process fluid circuit for each heat source associated with the cooling tower, the fluid circuit comprising inlet piping to deliver process fluid from the heat source to the inlet manifold, and outlet piping to deliver process fluid from the outlet manifold to the heat source; a plurality of corrugated metal heat transfer tubes, such that each tube has a first end connected to the inlet manifold, and a second end connected to the outlet manifold; a process fluid pumping means for forcing the process fluid from a heat source, through the inlet piping means, through the inlet manifold, through the heat transfer tubes, through the outlet manifold, and through the outlet piping means back to the heat source; an evaporative coolant system comprising an evaporative coolant supply to the cooling tower, an evaporative coolant sump positioned within the housing, an evaporative coolant distribution means for distributing evaporative coolant onto the heat transfer tubes, an evaporative coolant pumping means for delivering coolant from the sump to the coolant distribution means; an air distribution system comprising an air inlet for introducing air into the housing, an air exit for exhausting air from the housing, and an air moving device for forcing air across the heat transfer tubes; and at least one process fluid pump, such that the pump forces the process fluid from the heat sources, through the inlet piping means, through the inlet manifold, through the heat transfer tubes, through the outlet manifold, and through the outlet piping means back to the heat source.