Breathing gas cooling and heating device

Abstract

A breathing gas cooling and heating device. Warm breathing gas enters the it which consists of a heat exchanger mounted in an insulated shell and runs through the heat exchanger tubes. These tubes are in intimate thermal contact with micro-encapsulated phase change materials. The micro-encapsulated phase change material changes phase from solid to liquid, thereby absorbing heat at the temperature of the phase change material, and thereby cooling the gas flowing through the heat exchanger. In situations where heating of the breathing gas is desired, the gas stream absorbs heat from the phase change material. The unit is rechargeable for chilling applications after usage by placing the device in an ambient environment less than the temperature of the phase change of the material or by replacing the phase change material. It is rechargeable for heating applications by warming the device to a temperature above that of the phase change material. The unit circumvents the need for ice, the most commonly available chilling medium, in situations where ice or other cooling is not available. Additionally, the unit can be used by filling it with an ice water slurry for fire fighting applications where ice is readily available. The gas then exits the device in a chilled state. The device is designed to work in conjunction with numerous existing breathing apparatus by virtue of the in-line installation capability to existing systems.