Patent GB-760913-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to regenerative heat exchangers
Inventor: RITZ HEINRICK LUDOLF
IPC: F28D17/00
Filed: 1952-06-12
Abstract: 760,913. Thermal regenerators. PARSONS & CO., Ltd., C. A. May 26, 1953 [June 12, 1952], No. 14819/52. Class 64(1) A thermal regenerator comprises a matrix of heat transfer material and a sleeve valve to control the flow through the matrix of the heat exchanging fluids the matrix comprising two portions spaced apart within 'a casing, the arrangement being such that hot fluid enters the casing between the matrix portions and flows through at least one of the matrix portions to an outlet at one end of the casing and cold fluid flows from an inlet at one end of the casing 'and through at least one matrix portion to an outlet between the matrix portions, the sleeve valve directing the two fluids alternately through each matrix portion. At any instant one of the fluids may be flowing simultaneously through both matrix portions or alternatively the two fluids may be flowing one through each matrix portion. Arrangements are described in which the matrix moves with the sleeve valve when redirecting the fluids and in which the matrix remains stationary. In Fig. 2 each matrix portion 2 itself comprises two spaced sections each carried by inner and outer ported cylinders joined by a frusto conical wall 6 all the matrix units being carried on a sleeve 4 and being slidable 'as a unit in a chambered casing 1. In the position shown, air to be heated enters chamber A<SP>1</SP>, through opening a and flows through and receives heat in a matrix portion 2 after which it flows to chamber C<SP>1</SP> and from thence through an outlet, not shown, to a combustion chamber leading to a turbine. Hot exhaust gas from the turbine enters the casing chamber D and flows thence through the other matrix portion, the cooled gas leaving the casing by way of chamber B<SP>2</SP>. When the matrix-sleeve valve assembly is moved (to the right in reference to Fig. 2) the hot gas is directed from chamber D through the matrix portion 2 previously traversed by cold gas and passes to the casing outlet by way of chamber B<SP>1</SP>. At the same time, air entering the casing at a passes through sleeve 4 to chamber A' and thence through the matrix to chamber C<SP>2</SP> leading to the combustion chamber. The air pressure acts simultaneously in both chamber A<SP>1</SP> and A<SP>2</SP> to balance the loading on the ends of the sleeve valve. To equalize the pressures in the matrix at the instant when all the ports are closed during the changeover, the opposite faces of the matrix-are momentarily interconnected through annular gaps w, x, y, z and pipes 14. Fig. 19 shows an arrangement in which both matrix portions 2 are traversed at any instant by the same fluid, movement of the sleeve valve effecting the changeover from one fluid to the other whilst the matrix portions remain stationary. The sleeve valve is in three portions 46, 47, 48 interconnected by a tube 7. Fig. 16 shows an arrangement in which the cold air en route to the matrix is caused to pass between walls 44, 45 of the central and hottest portion of the sleeve valve to keep this portion cool. In this form also, the periphery of the matrix is heat insulated by an air gap, e.g. between walls 5 and 40 and the matrix is provided with sealing rings 39. A number of matrix units may be arranged. about a common hot gas inlet and in this form one or more of the regenerating units may be omitted and replaced by a combustion unit for adding further heat to the air. The matrix material may comprise tube bundles, corrugated sheets, wire mesh or granular materials (e.g. ceramics) and the kind of material used may vary through the matrix. The matrix may be conical as shown in Fig. 16. Reciprocal motion of the moving member may be effected by mechanical, electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic means and at the same time it may be given a slight rotary motion (Fig. 21, not shown). The Provisional Specification describes also an arrangement in which a group of matrices and their associated slide valves extend radially around a hot gas duct.