Patent Abstract:
A heat exchanger system for cooling liquid having a plurality of finned tube arrays and a plurality of fans for inducing air through the finned tube array comprising: at least one wind deflector installed along the long side of the finned tube arrays on at least one side of the arrays. 
     The present invention for includes a method for minimizing the undesired effect of wind on the operation of a heat exchanger system for cooling liquid having a plurality of finned tube arrays and a plurality of fans for inducing air through the finned tube array, the method comprising the steps of: setting the angle of deflection of the wind deflectors other than the angle of deflection of the uppermost position of the wind deflectors; collecting readings of outlet temperature sensor of the heat exchanger, ambient temperature, wind sensor and inlet air pressure sensor of the heat exchanger; recording readings of outlet temperature sensor of the heat exchanger, ambient temperature, wind sensor and inlet air pressure sensor of the heat exchanger; comparing readings of outlet temperature sensor of the heat exchanger, ambient temperature, wind sensor and inlet air pressure sensor of the heat exchanger to previous readings; and carrying out a correction command if the readings have changed.

Full Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to heat exchangers and more particularly to a device and for minimizing the effect of ambient conditions on the operation of a heat exchanger. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Heat exchangers are commonly used where heat produced a plant or a machine needs to be transferred away from the plant or machine. One very common type of heat exchanger uses one or more heat exchanging arrays each comprising a plurality of fluid conduits or tubes surrounded with fins (finned tubes) and arranged so that cooling fluid, such as air, water and the like (coolant), can flow over the tubes and dissipate their thermal energy. When a large amount of heat needs to be removed, the heat exchanger will typically be located outdoors. Some large heat exchangers are built to be cooled by air and are installed so that the desired flow of air through the heat exchanger is from the bottom up. In order to increase the rate of heat dissipation, fans can be installed above the heat exchanger to induce the flow of air from the bottom up through the heat exchanger. When cooling fluid flows through the heat exchanger, the mode of dissipation is convection. When the flow of coolant is stopped, the heat dissipation will be carried out mostly in a radiation mode which is much less efficient compared to the convection mode. Very large heat exchangers are typically arranged in a horizontal very long rectangle (ratio of length to width being very high).  FIG. 1A  shows heat exchanger  2  as is known in the art. Heat exchanger  2  may comprise finned tube section  4  and plurality of fans  6 . Heat exchanger  2  has length L, width W and height H. Heat exchanger  2  is typically installed above the level of ground at a distance FH from the ground to allow free flow of air underneath the heat exchanger. 
         [0003]    The efficiency of heat dissipation of such heat exchangers depends on various ambient conditions and changes therein, such as the amount of exposure to direct sun light, the ambient temperature and the actual wind (direction and magnitude) at the heat exchanger location. For large heat exchangers with a high aspect ratio (L/W) figure, wind blowing parallel to its length dimension has a negligible effect. In contrast, wind blowing parallel to its width dimension may have a substantial effect. 
         [0004]    With strong enough winds flowing over a heat exchanger parallel to its width dimension, the flow of coolant air through the heat exchanger may be disturbed and even completely blocked, as can be seen in  FIGS. 1B and 1C , schematically depicting cross section  10  in heat exchanger  2  partially along cross section line AA, showing only one fan and its finned tube section  11  [section plane SF(P)]. The air flow through heat exchanger  10  when no wind blows can be seen from  FIG. 1B  while the air flow through heat exchanger  10  when wind blows from right to left can be seen from  FIG. 1C . As may be seen, when no wind blows over heat exchanger  10 , the air flow produced by fans  12 , through finned tubes section  11 , is undisturbed and evenly distributed across the exchanger from right to left. However, when wind blows across heat exchanger  10 , as seen in  FIG. 1C , the coolant flow through the portion of exchanger  10  that is close to the wind side is disturbed.  FIG. 1D  is a graph depicting the amount of air flow through each one of three fans F1, F2 and F3 ordered in row  20  in an array across the width dimension of a heat exchanger such as heat exchanger  2  ( FIG. 1A ). F1 is the fan closest to the wind side. The graph of  FIG. 1D  presents the amount of mass of air, [kg/Sec], (Y axis) flowing through each fan as a function of the wind speed [m/sec] (X axis) blowing parallel to the width dimension. While the changes in mass flow through F3, which is farthest from the wind side, as function of the wind speed, are negligible, the mass flow through F1, the fan closest to the wind side drops down sharply with the wind speed and equals to half its maximum at 45 msec. (about 160 km/h) and to zero at wind speed of 70 m/sec. (about 250 km/h).  FIG. 1E  represents the temperature distribution in the air above fans F1, F2 and F3 when strong wind blows over the heat exchanger from right to left. It can be seen that the air above fan F1 reaches only the lowest temperature, meaning that the capability of F1 to remove heat is minimal. As opposed to fan F1, above fan F3, the fan farthest from the side of the wind, there is a high column of air with the highest temperature, indicative of high capability of heat dissipation. Note that temperatures of the heat exchanger itself are not reflected in this drawing. 
         [0005]    There is a need for a solution that will minimize the dependency of the operation of a heat exchanger of the known art on the wind. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    A heat exchanger system for cooling liquid having a plurality of finned tube arrays and a plurality of fans for inducing air through the finned tube array comprising: at least one wind deflector installed along the long side of the finned tube arrays on at least one side of the arrays. 
         [0007]    The present invention for comprises a method for minimizing the undesired effect of wind on the operation of a heat exchanger system for cooling liquid having a plurality of finned tube arrays and a plurality of fans for inducing air through the finned tube array, said method comprising the steps of:
       a. setting the angle of deflection of the wind deflectors other than the angle of deflection of the uppermost position of said wind deflectors;   b. collecting readings of outlet temperature sensor of said heat exchanger, ambient temperature, wind sensor and inlet air pressure sensor of said heat exchanger;   c. recording readings of outlet temperature sensor of said heat exchanger, ambient temperature, wind sensor and inlet air pressure sensor of said heat exchanger;   d. comparing readings of outlet temperature sensor of said heat exchanger, ambient temperature, wind sensor and inlet air pressure sensor of said heat exchanger to previous readings; and   e. carrying out a correction command if the said readings have changed.       
 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1A  depicts heat exchanger as is known in the art 
           [0015]      FIGS. 1B and 1C  schematically depict cross section in heat exchanger; 
           [0016]      FIG. 1D  is a graph depicting the amount of air flow through each one of three fans in a row in an array across the width dimension of a heat exchanger; 
           [0017]      FIG. 1E  represents the temperature distribution in the air above three fans when strong wind blows over the heat exchanger; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  depicts a system for minimizing ambient effect on the operation of heat exchanger according to embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIGS. 3A ,  3 B,  3 C and  3 D present heat exchangers in four different working conditions, as a function of the wind, according to embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3E  presents a heat exchanger having means for diverting the wind for minimizing ambient effect on the operation of heat exchanger according to a further embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3F  presents an embodiment of the means for diverting the wind for minimizing ambient effect on the operation of heat exchanger shown in  FIG. 3E  according to the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3G  presents another embodiment of the means for diverting the wind for minimizing ambient effect on the operation of heat exchanger shown in  FIG. 3E  according to the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3I  presents a heat exchanger having further means for diverting the wind for minimizing ambient effect on the operation of heat exchanger according to a still further embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a flow diagram presenting a method of operation of a system according to embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0025]    It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0026]    In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention. 
         [0027]    A heat exchanger is disclosed, according to embodiments of the present invention, equipped with one or more wind deflectors, to affect the flow of air under finned tube sections of a heat exchanger so as to minimize, and even completely cancel that undesired effect of the blowing wind. 
         [0028]    Reference is made now to  FIG. 2 , depicting system  200  for minimizing ambient effect on the operation of heat exchanger  201  according to embodiments of the present invention. Heat exchanger  201  can comprise a plurality of finned tube arrays  202  equipped with a plurality of fans  204  adapted to induce air through finned tube arrays  202 . The plurality of finned tube arrays  202  and plurality of fans  204  are installed so that their width dimension W and length dimension L form a plane that is essentially horizontal. The finned tube arrays  202  are installed above the ground/floor by FH to allow free flow of air under finned tube arrays  202 . System  200  may further comprise a plurality of wind deflectors  208 , installed along the long sides of the finned tube arrays on both sides of the arrays. Wind deflectors  208  are installed pivotally on finned tubes arrays  202  so as to allow wind deflectors  208  to change the angle β between wind deflector  208  and support legs  209  of finned tubes arrays between 0 degrees and essentially 180 degrees. 
         [0029]    Wind deflectors  208  can be driven by actuators  220  to control their actual deflection angle β. Actuators  220  may be an electrical motor, a hydraulic motor, a pneumatic motor or any other control that may change the deflection angle β in a controllable manner. According to some embodiments of the present invention, actuator  220  can comprise, or be coupled to, an angle indicator (not shown) or other indicator, such as a shaft encoder, either absolute or relative, to provide indication of the actual angle β of wind deflectors  208 . 
         [0030]    System  200  may further comprise temperature sensors  210  located at the outlet of some of fans  204 , advantageously sensing the temperature of the air at the outlet of pairs of fans  204  located in the same row (a row being parallel to the width dimension) at the outer ends of the row and, each, next to a respective edge of finned tube arrays  202 . System  200  may further comprise ambient conditions sensor  212 , which may comprise temperature sensor, wind direction and speed sensor, and the like. Ambient conditions sensor  212  should preferably be located far enough from heat exchanger  201 , to avoid influence of the activity of heat exchanger  201  on the operation of ambient sensor  212 . 
         [0031]    Some embodiments of system  200  may further comprise one or more pressure sensors located under finned tubes arrays  202  (see in  FIG. 3A , units  318 ), used to sense the pressure near the entry of cooling air into heat exchanger  201 . The pressure sensors may be adapted to sense static pressure, dynamic pressure or both. Indication received from these sensors may be meaningful for identifying development of conditions leading to turbulent flow of the cooling air, while it is apparent that the heat dissipation of heat exchanger  201  grows when the cooling air flow is laminar. 
         [0032]    System  200  further comprise controller  230  to receive readings from the various sensors and to control the actual deflection angles  6  of wind deflectors  208 . Controller  230  may be a computer, a controller, a programmable logic controller (PLC) and the like. Controller  230  may comprise an input/output (I/O) unit, a non-transitory memory storage unit to store programs, data and tables of stored variables and communication interface unit to allow communication with other controllers and/or with a control center. 
         [0033]    The control of the actual deflection angles β of wind deflectors  208  may be responsive to changes in one or more of the various measured parameters received from the various sensors, as presented, for example, in the following chart. 
         [0000]                                                          Parameter   Effect on Deflection Angle                                    1   Wind direction within limits of   Control system active           angle α       2   Wind direction is out of limits   Control system inactive; wind           of angle α and/or wind speed is   deflectors are placed in their           close to zero   uppermost position (β = 150-180               degrees)       3   Temperature difference ΔT1   Decrease angle β of the wind           between a pair of temperature   deflector close to the temperature           sensors (210) is growing   sensor sensing lower               temperature, and vice versa       4   Ambient wind speed growing   Expect need to decrease angle β               of wind deflector located on the               side of heat exchanger farther               from the wind side, and vice               versa       5   Static pressure at pressure   Decrease angle β of wind           sensors 318 decreases   deflector closer to the pressure               sensor sensed decrease of static               pressure                    
It would be appreciated by one skilled in the art that additional reading of process parameters may be relied upon in order to achieve accurate, smooth and fast—response control of the wind deflectors, such as temperature of the cooled fluid in heat exchanger  202  at the entrance into the exchanger and at the outlet, indicating over all heat dissipation efficiency.
 
         [0034]    The control function performed by controller  230  may be rule-based, relying on a series of logical and/or continuous connections between parameters as presented, for example, in the table above. The control operation of the actual angle of deflection of wind deflectors  208  may utilize control tools and facilities known in the art, such as a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control loop to provide a fast responding and stabilized control loop. In other embodiments, the control operation may be simpler (and thus cheaper) and utilize bang-bang control loop (control system that changes its working point between two edge points and changes the working point based on the control feedback, stabilizing around duty cycle that satisfies the control equation). 
         [0035]    Advantageously, the control function of controller  230  can operate using artificial intelligence systems such as neural network logic systems or fuzzy-logic systems. In such a neural network logic system, certain parameters, e.g. those mentioned in the above-mentioned chart such as wind direction, temperature difference and static pressure, etc. can each be connected in a formulation by strength variable weights to build a data set on which the neural network “learns” and provides an optimal output for operating the system so that improved performance or predictability of the system by controller  230  be achieved. Similarly, when fuzzy-logic systems are used, different weighting is given to these parameters to provide a set of outputs of controller  230  so that improved performance or predictability of the system by controller  230  be achieved. 
         [0036]    Reference is made now to  FIGS. 3A ,  3 B,  3 C and  3 D, showing heat exchangers  310 ,  320 ,  330  and  340 , respectively in four different working conditions, as a function of the wind, according to embodiments of the present invention.  FIG. 3A  shows heat exchanger  310  in a situation where the wind velocity is zero. At this state, wind deflectors  316 A,  326 B are raised (angle β is close to 180 degrees), acting as tip back-flow preventers.  FIG. 3B  shows heat exchanger  310  in a situation where the wind blows from right to left in the drawing. Thus, in such a situation, wind deflector  326 A is lowered and wind deflector  326 B is raised.  FIG. 3C  shows heat exchanger  310  in a situation where the wind blows from left to right. Accordingly, wind deflector  336 A is raised and wind deflector  336 B is lowered.  FIG. 3D  shows heat exchanger  310  in a situation where the wind blows from right to left at low speed. Accordingly, wind deflector  346 A is lowered but to an actual angle  6  bigger than that of  FIG. 3B . 
         [0037]    In a further embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 3E , showing e.g. a cross-sectional view of heat exchanger  2  along line AA (see  FIG. 1A ) means for diverting wind such as louvers installed below the fans in heat exchanger  350  in order to induce the flow of the wind below the fans to flow in the direction of the axis of the fans. As can be seen from  FIG. 3E , louvers  356 A,  356 B and  356 C can advantageously be positioned below each fan  354  and each be provided with rudder  357 A,  357 B and  357 C to ensure that the flow of air from the wind beneath the fans is induced to flow in the direction of the axis of the fans whatever the direction of the wind. Other alternative means, such as an external electrical/mechanical means or controller which is controlled by e.g. an aerodynamic wind direction apparatus, can be provided instead of a rudder If the direction of the wind is known to be almost always in one certain direction, then only the first fan and also the central fan can be installed with such louvers. As can be seen from  FIG. 3E , the height of the each louver can be different from the other louvers. Usually, louver  356 C closest to the inlet of wind (upstream) to heat exchanger  350  will advantageously be positioned higher than the other louvers, so that louver  356 B will be positioned higher than louver  356 A. In this embodiment, louvers of different sizes can be used, see  FIG. 3F  showing small multiple louvers  360  and  FIG. 3G  showing large multiple (less than in  FIG. 3F ) louvers. Furthermore, the height of the louver frames from the ground can be fixed or adjusted according to wind velocity and/or feedback from fan  354  air flow distribution (see e.g.  FIG. 3H . 
         [0038]    In still further embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 3I , showing e.g. a cross-sectional view of heat exchanger  2  along line AA (see  FIG. 1A ) means for diverting wind such as deflector  362 , installed on the ground advantageously positioned upstream heat exchanger  360 , as far as the wind is concerned, is used to divert the flow of the wind towards the lower portion of the heat exchanger, i.e. beneath the air cooled condenser pipes or bundles and fans. This reduces or just about eliminates the stagnation region produced by the wind usually under the upstream side of the heat exchanger under the upstream fan and to some extent under the second fan. The deflection of the air flow brought about by the deflector is a function of the of the angle θ of the deflector from the ground level, horizontal distance from the bundle (air cooled condenser pipes) upfront corner, length of the deflector and optionally a free air path between the ground and beginning of the deflector (L in  FIG. 3I ). When no wind is present, angle θ usually is 0 degrees. In actual fact, the use of deflectors in various positions under the heat exchanger is also effective but it serves winds from one direction. Placing the deflector under the center of the middle fan has the potential to provide good flow results and is additionally advantageous as it equally improves air flow when winds approach from either direction. In a further option, rather than one such diverter, two diverters positioned on the ground can be provided, on opposite sides of the heat exchanger, i.e. one on the upstream side and the other on the downstream side, can also provide good flow results to also provide improved air flow from either wind direction. Furthermore, such deflectors can be used in conjunction with the heat exchanger wherein the deflector can be located in other directions relative the heat exchanger to provide good flow results when the wind flows from a different direction relative to the heat exchanger. Winds blowing along the length coordinate of the heat exchangers array will affect the upstream bay and influence only the upstream fans which may be two or three or even six of them while winds blowing perpendicular to the length of the heat exchanger array may influence half of the fans. 
         [0039]    Moreover, it should be pointed out that the present invention and its embodiments refers to a heat exchanger for cooling liquid and/or vapor, or fluid. 
         [0040]    Additionally, advantageously, wind diverters, e.g.  208  can be made up of several segments so that wind pressure on the wind diverters is reduced. In such a manner, the positioning of the wind diverters can be more accurately controlled. 
         [0041]    In addition, it should be pointed out that the present invention and its embodiments can be used in heat exchanger having e.g. two or three rows of fans along it length. 
         [0042]    In a further embodiment of the present invention, advantageously, evaporative cooling wherein water is sprayed into the air flowing through the heat exchanger can be used to improve the cooling achieved by the heat exchanger of the present invention. By using the methods of the present invention, the possible dispersion of such water used for evaporative cooling by the present heat exchanger will be reduced or virtually eliminated. 
         [0043]    Reference is made now to  FIG. 4 , which is a flow diagram presenting a method of operation of a system, such as system  200  ( FIG. 2 ), according to embodiments of the present invention. A system, such as system  200 , for minimizing the undesired effect of wind blowing over a heat exchanger, such as heat exchanger  201 , may be set to have its wind deflectors (such as wind deflectors  208 ) set to an uppermost position when power-up process commences (block  401 ). The initial angle of the wind deflectors may be set to an angle β other than the uppermost angle, based on accumulated experience at the specific system location and other specific parameters. Once the system is operative, readings from its sensors (such as outlet temperature sensors  210 , ambient temperature and wind sensor  212 , inlet air pressure sensors  318 , etc.) are collected, recorded and compared to previous readings (block  402 ). When a change in a received reading of a parameter is detected (block  403 ), the system will carry out a correction command, based, for example, on a set of rules saved in the system (block  404 ), and will repeat its cycle in block  402 . If no change in any parameter, that causes a correction operation, was detected, the system returns to block  402  and repeats its cycle. It will be noted that loop parameters, such as cycle time, and system control parameters, such as “hysteresis band” (to refrain from undesired small corrections), may be set and used, as is known in the art. 
         [0044]    While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5