Modular heat exchanger

Abstract

A modular fluid heating apparatus may be assembled from a plurality of modular heating components. Each modular heating component includes a first molded section defining a first opening therethrough and a second molded section defining a second opening therethrough. The molded sections are mated and define an enclosed area between the molded sections. The first and second openings are aligned to form a fluid tight passage through the modular heating component. A resistance heating element is secured between the first and second molded sections in the enclosed area. The resistance heating element includes a supporting substrate having a first surface thereon and an electrical resistance heating material fastened to the first surface of the supporting substrate. The resistance heating material forms a predetermined circuit path having a pair of terminal end portions fixed to a pair of electrical connectors. The modular heating components are sealably mated to define a fluid collection area between adjacent modular heating components where a passage of a first modular heating component provides and inlet to the collection area for a fluid and a passage of a second modular component provides an outlet from the collection area. The passages are misaligned 180° to direct the fluid passing through the fluid heating apparatus into at least a portion of the collection area as the fluid passes from the inlet to the outlet of the collection area.