Sterling, LLC

John V Goelzer

Thomas M Kager

A heating or cooling vessel for heating or cooling a fluid as it flows through the vessel includes an outer tubular shell and an inner tubular member mounted to the outer tubular shell. The inner tubular member includes a central passage defining a first flow path, and a space between the inner tubular member and the outer shell defines a second flow path which communicates with the first flow path at one end of the inner tubular member. A seal member is provided toward the opposite end of the inner tubular member, for cutting off communication between the first flow path and the second flow path. An inlet provides cool fluid to the first flow path, and the fluid circulates through the first flow path and into the second flow path for discharge through an outlet in communication with the second flow path. Heating or cooling elements are disposed in both the first and second flow paths, and are arranged to provide optimal exposure of the fluid to the heating or cooling elements during flow of fluid through the vessel to maximize the velocity at which the fluid is capable of passing through the vessel and thereby the volume of fluid heated or cooled during flow of fluid through the vessel.

Apparatus for heating or cooling of fluid including heating or cooling

A vessel-type fluid cooling system includes an upper mixing chamber and a lower holding chamber, the chambers being separated by a transverse separating wall. One or more cooling tubes extend between the mixing chamber and the holding chamber, and cooling elements, such as fluid-cooled tubes, are located within each cooling tube. A heated fluid inlet provides heated fluid to the mixing chamber, and a cooled fluid outlet discharges cooled fluid from the holding chamber. Each cooling tube includes one or more inlets toward its upper end, and fluid is supplied from the mixing through the inlets to passages defined by the cooling tubes for cooling the fluid as the fluid flows downwardly through the cooling tubes. The cooled fluid is discharged into the holding chamber. Flow of cooled fluid through the cooling tubes functions to pre-cool fluid contained within the mixing chamber, so that fully heated fluid is not exposed directly to the cooling elements, thereby avoiding flashing of the fluid which otherwise may occur.

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Cedarburg, WI, United States of America

John V Goelzer