Modular vertical seed conditioner heating section

A vertical seed conditioner may be formed of a plurality of sections that can be individually removed for repair and/or replacement without requiring the entire seed conditioner be permanently decommissioned. For example, the seed conditioner may be formed of a plurality of heat transfer sections stacked vertically with respect to each other to form the conditioning vessel. Each heat transfer section may include an inlet manifold, an outlet manifold, and multiple heat transfer tubes extending from the inlet manifold to the outlet manifold. The multiple heat transfer tubes may be spaced from each other to provide a gap between adjacent tubes through which the granular solid can travel.

This application is a 35 U.S.C. 371 national phase filing from International Application No. PCT/US2017/014721, filed Jan. 24, 2017, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to relates to systems for conditioning and processing granular matter.

BACKGROUND

Oil seeds and beans provide a natural and renewable source of oil for a variety of end use applications. To extract oil from oleaginous matter, the oleaginous matter is first harvested and transported to an oil extraction facility. Upon arriving at the oil extraction facility, the oleaginous matter may either be placed in storage or, depending on the setup of the facility, sent to a dryer to remove excess moisture. Typically, the oleaginous matter is then cleaned to remove foreign matter that will negatively affect downstream crushing and, if containing a hull, dehulled to expose and release the oil-bearing portion of the oleaginous matter.

Once suitably processed, the oleaginous matter is preheated and flaked. Pre-heating the oleaginous material can condition the material to enable de-hulling and facilitate subsequent solvent extraction. For example, typical processing steps performed on a soy bean feedstock include cleaning the soy beans, conditioning the soy beans in a pre-heater, cracking the soy beans, aspirating the cracked soy beans, and then flaking the cracked soy beans prior to solvent extraction. For some soft oleaginous materials such as rapeseed and canola, the material may be heat conditioned a second time before performing solvent extraction.

After conditioning and flaking, the flaked material is usually cooked to reduce the viscosity of the oil in the oleaginous matter and to make the oil easier to separate from the remaining portion of the matter. Subsequently, the cooked oleaginous matter is pressed to extract the oil from the matter. During mechanical pressing, the cooked oleaginous matter is squeezed under pressure to separate liquid oil from a resulting cake. Modern press machines generally remove fifty to sixty percent of the oil in the cooked oleaginous matter. Depending on the application, the resulting cake is sent to a solvent extractor where residual oil is removed from the cake using solvent extraction.

In practice, the step of preheating oleaginous matter for subsequent processing may be performed in a conditioning apparatus. The conditioning apparatus may be a closed vessel through which the oleaginous matter is transported in a countercurrent direction relative to an air steam. The oleaginous matter may be heated in the conditioning apparatus as it travels through the vessel. Over extended service life, the interaction between the moving stream of oleaginous matter being processed and the internal heat transfer components of the conditioning apparatus can cause the heat transfer components and other contact surfaces of the vessel to wear. When the most heavily worn section of the conditioning apparatus reaches end-of-service-life, the conditioning apparatus may be difficult to repair and may need to be scrapped even though other sections of the conditioning apparatus have not reached end-of-service-life.

SUMMARY

In general, this disclosure is directed to seed conditioner systems and related methods of making and using such seed conditioner systems. In some examples, a seed conditioner system is implemented as a modular structure composed of multiple individual sections vertically stacked one on top of the other which, in combination, form the seed conditioner vessel. For example, each modular section may have an inlet manifold, an outlet manifold, and multiple heat transfer tubes in fluid communication with the inlet and outlet manifolds, respectively. The inlet and outlet manifolds may form inner wall surfaces of the seed conditioner vessel, e.g., such that multiple manifolds of different modular sections stacked one on top of another collectively define the interior wall of the vessel. Each modular section may be individually replaceable such that individual sections of the seed conditioner can be replaced without scrapping the whole vessel as that individual section wears. This may allow individual sections of the vessel to be fabricated from less robust materials (e.g., carbon steel) then if the vessel were not formed of replaceable sections (e.g., stainless steel).

In some configurations, the seed conditioner includes a frame to which the modular heat transfer sections can be attached. In addition to attaching heat transfer sections to the frame, other modules can be attached to the frame such as air inlets, exhaust outlets, and/or blank modules devoid of heat transfer tubing or inlets/outlets. The frame can provide a primary support structure to which different modular units can be attached, with non-heat transfer units being attached above, below, and/or between modular heat transfer units.

To replace an individual section of the seed conditioner, the modular section(s) above that section being replaced can be vertically elevated. The section being replaced can be pulled horizontally out of the vertical seed conditioner. In some examples, a newly fabricated section is inserted horizontally into the space vacated by the removed section, e.g., and the sections above the replaced section vertically lowered onto the new section. In other examples, the section being replaced is rotated 180 degrees, e.g., such that the leading side of the section first contacting downwardly flowing granular matter is flipped with the trailing side of the section becoming the leading side. This can extend the service life of the modular section before complete replacement.

In one example, a seed conditioner is described that includes a plurality of heat transfer sections stacked vertically with respect to each other to form a conditioning vessel configured to thermally process granular solid. The example specifies that each of the heat transfer sections include an inlet manifold configured to receive a thermal transfer fluid, an outlet manifold configured to discharge the thermal transfer fluid, and multiple heat transfer tubes extending from the inlet manifold to the outlet manifold. The example further specifies that the tubes provide fluid communication between the inlet and outlet manifolds and that the tubes are spaced from each other to provide a gap between adjacent tubes through which the granular solid can travel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure generally relates to conditioning vessel systems and techniques, such as conditioning vessels used to process seeds or other granular matter before further processing. The granular matter can be heated and dried in the conditioning vessel as it moves through the vessel. The conditioning vessel may be configured as a shell and tube structure having tubes of smaller cross-sectional area (e.g., diameter) passing through the interior of the shell. In operation, the granular matter can flow on the shell side of the conditioning vessel while a thermal transfer fluid passes through the tube side of the vessel, thereby heating the granular matter. The conditioning vessel may be constructed of multiple modular sections stacked one on top of another, each of which has individual thermal fluid inlet and outlets. Accordingly, depending on the mode of operation, the same thermal transfer fluid may be supplied to each of the modular sections (e.g., flowing from one section to a vertically elevated section countercurrent to the direction of material travel), or different thermal transfer fluids may be supplied to different sections.

FIG.1is an illustration of an example conditioning vessel10that may be fabricated from different modular sections as described herein. In the illustrated example, conditioning vessel12is shown as having a shell38forming an inlet opening40through which solid feed material is introduced into the conditioning vessel and a discharge opening42through which conditioned solid material is discharged from the vessel. Conditioning vessel12also includes a plurality of heat transfer stages44A-44L positioned between inlet opening40and discharge opening42. Each heat transfer stage44may be configured to receive a heat transfer fluid and pass the heat transfer fluid through the heat transfer stage while solid feed material flows though shell38. As discussed in greater detail with respect toFIGS.3and4, each heat transfer stage44may be fabricated from one or more modular tube sections stacked vertically one on top of another to form the heat transfer stage and, correspondingly, vessel38.

In the configuration ofFIG.1, inlet opening40is positioned at a vertically elevated location with respect to gravity relative to discharge opening42. Further, heat transfer stages44A-44L are stacked one on top of another to provide a vertically stacked array of heat transfer stages. In operation, solid feed material can flow under a force of gravity from inlet opening40to discharge opening42. In some configurations, air (which may or may not be heated) is also passed through shell38to help fluidize solid feed material24and to increase the flow through conditioning vessel12.

Each heat transfer stage44can have one or more inlets46through which a heat transfer fluid is introduced into the heat transfer stage and one or more outlets48through which the heat transfer fluid is discharged from the heat transfer stage. In different configurations, a heat transfer fluid may be passed through only a single stage before being recycled/discarded or may be passed through multiple stages before being recycled/discarded. For example, in the configuration ofFIG.1, heat transfer stages44D-44L are illustrated as being connected to a common heat transfer fluid header (e.g., steam header)51. Heat transfer fluid is passed from heat transfer fluid header51, through a single heat transfer stage of heat transfer stages44D-44L (with each heat transfer stage receiving heat transfer fluid), and then collected in a common heat transfer fluid return header52. By contrast, heat transfer stages44A-44C are supplied with a shared heat transfer fluid that flows in a counter current direction to the direction solid feed material24flows. For example, heat transfer fluid can enter at heat transfer stage44C, flow from heat transfer stage44C to and through heat transfer stage44B, and then flow to and through heat transfer stage44A. It should be appreciated thatFIG.1illustrates one example configuration of heat transfer stages that can be used for conditioning vessel12, and the disclosure is not limited in this respect. For example, conditioning vessel12may have fewer heat transfer stages44(e.g., two, three, four) or more heat transfer stages than is illustrated.

Independent of the specific configuration of conditioning vessel12, the conditioning vessel is configured to receive one or more heat transfer fluids to heat solid material passing through the conditioning vessel. In some examples, one or more heat transfer stages is connected to a first heat transfer fluid source and one or more other heat transfer stages is connected to a second heat transfer fluid source different than the first heat transfer fluid source. For example, conditioning vessel12may be implemented so that at least one heat transfer section receives the first heat transfer fluid and at least one other heat transfer stage receives the second heat transfer fluid. The heat transfer stage receiving the first heat transfer fluid may be a vertically lower stage relative to the other heat transfer stage receiving the second heat transfer fluid.

In some examples, the first heat transfer fluid is at a higher temperature and/or contains more thermal energy than the second heat transfer fluid. For example, the first heat transfer fluid may be a gas (e.g., steam) while the second heat transfer fluid may be a liquid (e.g., heated aqueous stream). As another example, the first heat transfer fluid may be at a higher pressure than the second heat transfer fluid. Supplying a second heat transfer fluid to one or more lower heat transfer stages that is at a higher temperature than a first heat transfer fluid supplied to one or more upper heat transfer stages may be useful because the granular material traveling through the lower stages will be hotter than in the upper stages. This is due to the thermal transfer to the granular matter that occurred in the upper stages of conditioning vessel12. Accordingly, by supplying the hotter material to lower stages, a larger thermal gradient may be created between heat transfer fluid and the material being heated, increasing the heat transfer efficiency as compared to if a cooler thermal transfer fluid was used in the lower stages. That being said, in other configurations, a single heat transfer fluid may be used for all stages of the conditioning vessel.

Each heat transfer stage44of conditioning vessel12may be a bounded region within or extending through conditioning vessel12through which a heat transfer fluid (e.g., gaseous stream30) travels on one side and solid feed material24travels on an opposite side. For example, each heat transfer stage may be formed by a group of tubes arranged parallel to each other (e.g., within a common horizontal plan) and in fluid communication with each other. Groups of tubes in different planes (e.g., different horizontal planes located at vertically spaced apart locations relative to each other) may form different heat transfer stages. Thermal energy can transfer via conduction through material surfaces separating the thermal transfer fluid from solid feed material24. For example, thermal energy may transfer through a tube separating the thermal transfer fluid from solid feed material24in a shell and tube arrangement. As another example, thermal energy may transfer through a plate separating the thermal transfer fluid from solid feed material24in a plate and frame arrangement.

In some examples, conditioning vessel12is configured to heat a solid feed material being processed to a temperature ranging from 25 degrees Celsius to 80 degrees Celsius, such as a temperature ranging from 40 degrees Celsius to 70 degrees Celsius. While the temperature of incoming feed material may vary, e.g., based on storage and ambient temperature conditions, in some examples, incoming feed material is at a temperature less than 40 degrees Celsius, such as less than 20 degrees Celsius, less than 10 degrees Celsius, or even less than 0 degrees Celsius (e.g., less than −10 degrees Celsius). In general, the heat transfer efficiency of conditioning vessel12may increase as the temperature difference between the incoming feed material and the transfer fluid(s) introduced into conditioning vessel12increases. In some applications, the temperature difference between the incoming feed material and the thermal transfer fluid(s) is greater than 70 degrees Celsius, such as a temperature difference ranging from 80 degrees Celsius to 130 degrees Celsius.

Conditioning vessel12can be configured to indirectly heat solid material being processed by passing the solid feed material though a conveyance chamber divided from one or more separate chambers though which heat transfer fluid passes. For example, each heat transfer stage44of conditioning vessel12may be a bounded region within or extending through conditioning vessel12through which a heat transfer fluid travels on one side and the solid feed material travels on an opposite side. For example, each heat transfer stage may be formed by a group of tubes arranged parallel to each other (e.g., within a common horizontal plane) and in fluid communication with each other. Groups of tubes in different planes (e.g., different horizontal planes located at vertically spaced apart locations relative to each other) may form different heat transfer stages. Thermal energy can transfer via conduction through material surfaces separating the thermal transfer fluid from the solid feed material. For example, thermal energy may transfer through a tube separating the thermal transfer fluid from the solid feed material in a shell and tube arrangement.

FIG.2is a top view illustration of an example heat transfer section50that can be used in conditioning vessel12. Heat transfer section50may form all or a portion of a heat transfer stage44in conditioning vessel12. For example, each heat transfer stage44and/or conditioning vessel12may be formed by stacking multiple heat transfer sections50vertically one on top of another to form the heat transfer stage and/or conditioning vessel. Each heat transfer section50may be a modular tube group having a common thermal transfer fluid inlet and common thermal transfer fluid outlet. In practice, an individual heat transfer section50may be removed from conditioning vessel12, e.g., to facilitate repair or replacement of the tube section, without requiring the entire vessel to be repaired or replaced.

In the example ofFIG.2, heat transfer section50includes an inlet manifold52, at the outlet manifold54, and multiple heat transfer tubes55extending between the inlet manifold and the outlet manifold. Inlet manifold52includes an inlet56that can be connected to a heat transfer fluid source to introduce a heat transfer fluid into the heat transfer tubes. Outlet manifold54includes an outlet58from which he transfer fluid having passed through heat transfer tubes55discharges. Adjacent heat transfer tubes55are spaced from each other with a gap60between adjacent tubes. In operation, granular material being processed can flow through gap60between adjacent tubes, allowing the granular material to travel through conditioning vessel12while also being heated by heat transfer fluid passing through the tubes.

Inlet manifold52may be an enclosed chamber in fluid communication with tubes55. For example, inlet manifold52may be a bounded chamber having one inlet56and multiple outlets62corresponding to the ends of each of the heat transfer tubes55. Thermal transfer fluid can enter inlet manifold52via inlet56, distribute across the manifold, and discharge the manifold into the outlet openings62of each of the heat transfer tubes55.

Outlet manifold54may also be an enclosed chamber in fluid communication with tubes55. For example, outlet manifold54may be a bounded chamber having a plurality of inlets64corresponding to the ends of each of the heat transfer tubes55and one outlet58. Thermal transfer fluid can enter outlet manifold54from the plurality of heat transfer tubes55via inlets64and subsequently discharge from the manifold the outlet58.

In the illustrated configuration, inlet56and outlet58are centered laterally along the width of inlet manifold52and outlet manifold54, respectively, although may be offset relative to center in other configurations. In some examples, inlet56and outlet58are oriented at the same height on each heat transfer section50. In other examples, inlet56is vertically offset from outlet58. For example, inlet54may be positioned at a higher vertical location than outlet58on heat transfer section50, e.g., such as positioning the inlet adjacent the uppermost end of the heat transfer section and positioning the outlet adjacent the lowermost end of the heat transfer section. This can be useful to facilitate downward flow of heat transfer fluid and/or condensate.

In addition to inlet56and outlet58, inlet manifold52and/or outlet manifold54may have one or more other openings to receive a measurement probe (e.g., temperature and/or pressure sensor), provide venting, or otherwise allow access to the inlet manifold and/or outlet manifold. In one example, inlet manifold52and outlet manifold54each have a port configured to which a thermostatic air vent is attached. The thermostatic air vent can be used to remove air or other non-condensable gases displaced by a heat transfer fluid introduced into the manifolds.

In yet additional examples, heat transfer section50may include an extension member (e.g., jack, turnbuckle) that increases compression across the inlet and outlet manifolds. This can help improve sealing and increase structural rigidity from the upper flange to the lower flange of the section assembly.

In the illustrated configuration, the plurality of heat transfer tubes55are illustrated as having opposed terminal ends66A and66B. A first terminal end66A of each of the tubes projects into inlet manifold52while an opposed second terminal end66B of each of the tubes projects into outlet manifold54. In other configurations, first terminal end66A and/or second terminal end66B may be flush with the wall surface of inlet manifold52and/or outlet manifold54, respectively. In either configuration, heat transfer tubes55may be mechanically joined to inlet manifold52and outlet manifold54to prevent heat transfer fluid from leaking into the gap space60between the heat transfer tubes. In some examples, heat transfer tubes55are welded to inlet manifold52and outlet manifold54about their circumference to form a sealed joint between the tubes and the respective manifolds.

Heat transfer tubes55may have any suitable size and shape. In general, the length of heat transfer tubes55may vary depending on the size of conditioning vessel12. In different examples, heat transfer tubes55may have a square, rectangular, oval, circular, elliptical, or other arcuate or polygonal cross-sectional shape. In some examples, inlet manifold52and outlet manifold54are formed of square sections of tube while heat transfer tubes55have an oval or other circular cross-sectional shape. Although the cross-sectional size of heat transfer tubes55may also vary depending on the size of conditioning vessel12, in some examples, the size of the tubes are controlled, e.g., based on heat transfer rates, pressure code standards, or other factors. In some examples, each heat transfer tube55has a cross-sectional diameter less than 6 inches, such as less than 4 inches. This may be useful to implement heat transfer tubes55without invoking certain pressure code standards required for larger pressure vessels. That being said, in other configurations, heat transfer tubes55may be larger.

Inlet manifold52, outlet manifold54, and heat transfer tubes55may each be fabricated from any suitable materials. Because of the harsh environment in which conditioning apparatuses typically operate, typical materials of construction include chemically and/or thermally resistant materials such as stainless steel. Because heat transfer section50may be removed from conditioning vessel12, for example for repair or replacement, the components of heat transfer section50may in some examples be formed of comparatively less resistant materials than typical materials of construction. In some examples, inlet manifold52, outlet manifold54, and/or heat transfer tubes55may be fabricated from carbon steel in lieu of more expensive stainless steel or other similar materials.

As mentioned, different heat transfer sections50may be stacked vertically one on top of another to form conditioning vessel12or a portion thereof. In the example ofFIG.2, inlet manifold52defines an inner surface68and an outer surface70on opposite lateral sides of the manifold. Similarly, outlet manifold54defines an inner surface72and an outer surface74on opposite lateral sides of the manifold. In this configuration, the inner surfaces68and72of inlet manifold52and outlet manifold54, respectively, form internal walls of conditioning vessel12once heat transfer section50are installed together. Accordingly, during operation, granular material flowing through conditioning vessel12can flow through gaps60between adjacent tubes, contacting the external wall surfaces of tubes55and the internal wall surfaces of the conditioning vessel formed by inner surfaces68and72of inlet manifold52and outlet manifold54, respectively. Each heat transfer section may have solid wall surfaces connecting inner surfaces68and72to each other, thereby bounding the interior cavity of the heat transfer section and, correspondingly, the conditioning vessel formed from the heat transfer section.

In different examples, a modular heat transfer section50according to the disclosure may have a single row of tubes or may have multiple rows of tubes.FIG.3is a side view of an example heat transfer section frame100that can be used to hold multiple modules, where each module is multiple rows of tubes, an air inlet, an exhaust outlet, or a blank section. In the illustrated configuration, heat transfer section frame100includes an upper support member102, a lower support member104, and lateral support members106and108. Individual rows of tubes may be positioned in heat transfer section frame100to provide a vertically stacked set of tubes. Inlet manifold52(FIG.2) and outlet manifold54may be in fluid communication with all tubes held within frame100. That is, instead of configuring a single row of tubes with a dedicated inlet manifold and outlet manifold, multiple rows of tubes held within frame100may be connected to a shared inlet manifold and a shared outlet manifold. Each row of tubes may be arranged relative to the inlet manifold and the outlet manifold as discussed above with respect toFIG.2.

Where a heat transfer section50includes multiple vertically stacked rows of tubes, the heat transfer section can have any suitable number of rows of tubes. In some examples, heat transfer section50includes at least two rows of tubes, such as at least three rows of tubes, at least four rows of tubes, or at least five rows of tubes. For example, heat transfer section50may have from 2 rows of tubes to 10 rows of tubes, such as from three rows of tubes to five rows of tubes. Each row of tubes may have multiple coplanar tubes. For example, each row of tubes may be composed of at least two tubes55extending from inlet manifold52to outlet manifold54, such as at least 5 tubes, or at least 10 tubes. As examples, each row of tubes may have from 5 tubes to 25 tubes.

Within each heat transfer section50, tubes in different vertically stacked rows may be aligned with each other (e.g., such that gaps60between adjacent tubes are aligned) or may be laterally offset relative to each other. Offsetting adjacent vertical rows of tubes relative to each other may be useful to create a tortuous pathway between one row of tubes relative to a vertically lower row of tubes. This can increase the residence time and amount of thermal transfer to the granular material as compared to if there is a direct vertical pathway through different rows of tubes.

FIGS.4A and4Bare two different side views of an example heat transfer section50that may be used to form conditioning vessel12according to the disclosure.FIG.4Ais a side view of an example heat transfer section50having a plurality of rows of tubes55, which in the illustrated example are shown as being implemented with eight rows of tubes. The heat transfer section50in this example includes an inlet manifold52and an outlet manifold54in fluid communication with all tubes in the heat transfer section. Each row of tubes55is stacked vertically on each other row of tubes to produce a vertically stacked tube arrangement.

FIG.4Bis a side view of heat transfer section50fromFIG.4Ataken along the A-A line indicated onFIG.4A. As shown, heat transfer section50has multiple rows of tubes55, including a first row110A and a second, adjacent row110B. The tubes55in this example are offset relative to each other such that adjacent rows are shifted horizontally relative to each other to create a tortuous pathway. When so configured, solid material traveling through a gap60between an upper tubing row110A may not fall directly into an underlying gap60in a lower tubing row110B but may instead fall on top of a tube positioned under the gap. As a result, solid material flowing through conditioning vessel12may need to travel both vertically downwards and horizontally back and forth between adjacent tube rows as it travels through a heating section.

In the illustrated example, tubes between adjacent rows110A and110B are offset a distance112, such that the center line of an uppermost tube is coaxial with the gap60in the row below. In other examples, tubes55may be horizontally offset from upper and/lower gaps60different distances, or may not even be offset. Moreover, while all the tubes in heat transfer section50are illustrated as being horizontally aligned, in some examples, some or all of the tubes may be angularly aligned. For example, tubes55may be sloped downwardly in the direction the heat transfer fluid travels (e.g., such that the outlet of the tubes is at a lower elevation than the inlet of the tubes). Where a condensing heat transfer fluid is used such as steam, angling tubes50can be helpful to ensure that condensate forming in the tubes drains out. In some examples, tubes55are mounted at an angle in frame100, such that the tubes are slanted well the upper and lower surfaces of the frame are perpendicular. Additionally or alternatively, shims may be positioned under one side of frame100as conditioning vessel12is assembled to impart a slope to tubes55.

As briefly discussed above, each heat transfer section50may be a modular unit that can be combined with other heat transfer sections having the same or substantially similar configuration as heat transfer section50to form conditioning vessel12and/or other modular sections. With further reference toFIG.4A, heat transfer section50includes frame100. Frame100may include an upper surface120and a lower surface122. To assemble conditioning vessel12, one heat transfer section may be positioned on top of another heat transfer section, such that the lower surface122of an upper heat transfer section is positioned adjacent to and in contact with the upper surface120of a lower heat transfer section. When so assembled, the two or more heat transfer sections can form internal wall surfaces of the resulting conditioning vessel12. In some examples, a gasket or other sealing member is positioned between adjacent heat transfer sections (e.g., in contact with upper and lower surfaces120,122at the junction between the two heat transfer sections) to help seal the junction.

In some examples, such as the example illustrated inFIG.4A, frame100of heat transfer section50includes lifting apertures124. Lifting apertures124may be positioned on opposite sides of heat transfer section50and may be configured to mate with lifting hardware for lifting and lowering heat transfer section50in place. For example, lifting apertures124may be implemented using eye hooks, bolt openings, or other mechanical attachment locations where a lifting apparatus (e.g., crane, block and tackle) can engage the heat transfer section.

Frame100can have a variety of different configurations. In some examples, frame100is symmetric about at least one plane bisecting the frame (e.g., a horizontal plane), such as at least two planes bisecting the frame (e.g., a horizontal plane and a vertical plane). Making the frame symmetrical in one or more dimensions can be useful, e.g., for constructing and deconstructing the frame. For example, in different applications, frame100may be formed of structural members that are permanently joined together (e.g., via casting or welding) or may be removably connected via removable fixation members. As an example, at least some of the different structural members forming frame100may include bolt holes to allow the structural members to be bolted together.

When suitably configured, frame100or a portion thereof may be broken down into one or more subcomponents to facilitating shipment and handling logistics. For example, frame100may include an upper half section and a lower half section which are structurally separate but joinable using fixation members, such as bolts, on site.

To attach an individual modular section (e.g., heat transfer section) to frame100, the modular section and frame may have corresponding fixation apertures through which fixation members (e.g., bolts) can be inserted to fixedly secure the modular section to the frame. For example, each modular section50may include mounting plates on opposite sides having bolt hole openings for attaching to section to opposite sides of the frame.

FIG.4Cillustrates an example configuration of a mounting plate that can be used on modular section50. In this example, mounting plate150is shown positioned on the end of a manifold (e.g., inlet manifold52or outlet manifold54) of modular section50. In practice, corresponding mounting plates may be positioned on opposite ends of the modular section, e.g., such as one mounting plate at each of the corners of the section. Mounting plate150can include at least one bolt hole, which is illustrated as two bolt holes150A and150B for attachment to corresponding bolt holes on frame100. When configured with multiple bolt holes, the holes may be in the same plane or, as illustrated, arranged in multiple planes (e.g., facing different sides of the modular section) to facilitate bolt connections in multiple planes during assembly. The bolt holes on mounting plate150may be round and/or slotted, e.g., to facilitate translational movement between modular section50and frame100while still having a bolt securing the modular section to the frame. For example, bolt hole150A facing the end of the modular section may be slotted to allow the tilt angle of modular section50to be adjusted within frame100.

Independent of the specific configuration of heat transfer section50in frame100, the heat transfer section and frame may be configured as a modular unit allowing one section to be stacked on top of another section to form conditioning vessel12. For example, upper surface120and/or lower surface122of frame100may include detents, apertures, or other alignment and/or mating features that allow the lower surface of one frame to be positioned on the top surface of another frame. In some configurations, heat transfer section50and/or frame100is reversible to allow the heat transfer section to be removed from conditioning vessel12, flipped 180 degrees, and we installed in the conditioning vessel. When so configured, upper surface120of the frame may become lower surface122and vice versa through reorientation of the heat transfer section. Such a configuration may be useful to extend the service life of the heat transfer section by allowing the more worn top surface to be inverted, exposing the last one lower surface for continued service life.

Conditioning vessel12can be formed of any suitable number of heat transfer sections50. As examples, a conditioning vessel may be composed of two, three, four or more heat transfer sections (each having corresponding fames) stacked vertically on top of each other to form the conditioning vessel. For example, conditioning vessel12may have from two to ten heat transfer sections stacked vertically relative to each other forming the vessel. In some examples, conditioning vessel12also includes an air section between adjacent heat transfer sections50. An air section may be a section formed of sidewalls devoid of apertures for thermal transfer fluid (and devoid of tubes and manifolds). The air section may be modular and attachable to frame100between adjacent heat transfer sections (e.g., using bolts and mounting plates150as discussed above).