Vapor pump employing counterflow exchange between air and combustion

Abstract

The vapor pump constituted by a mass and heat exchanger comprises an outer enclosure, a set of exchanger tubes disposed inside the enclosure and extending lengthwise therein, opening out at one of the ends in a first radial plane and at their other ends in a second radial plane, which radial planes include means for positioning and supporting the tubes and for closing the empty spaces in the section of the enclosure situated outside the tubes, thereby defining between said radial planes both a first gaseous fluid flow circuit inside the tubes, and a distinct counterflow second fluid flow circuit inside the enclosure but outside the tubes. One of the first and second gaseous fluids constituted by moist hot combustion products from a thermal process while the other gaseous fluid is constituted by new combustion air. Humidifier means are provided for humidifying the air inserted into the enclosure. These means comprise a set of nozzles disposed in such a manner as to spray a fine mist of water into the volume occupying at least the entire inlet flow section to the air flow circuit and the entire outlet flow section of the air flow circuit, such that only the faces of the walls of the tubes that are in contact with the air are moistened.