초록 ▼

A regenerative heater includes a regenerator container having open opposite ends. The container contains therein a fill of heat retaining material which is permeable to the passage therethrough of gas, throughout the entire length thereof in opposite directions between the open opposite ends of the

A regenerative heater includes a regenerator container having open opposite ends. The container contains therein a fill of heat retaining material which is permeable to the passage therethrough of gas, throughout the entire length thereof in opposite directions between the open opposite ends of the container. The fill of heat retaining material comprises solid fine granular particles having a low thermal conductivity. A heat source is positioned adjacent the first end of the fill of heat retaining material. At least one blower is provided for circulating gas in opposite directions through the entire length of the fill of heat retaining material and across substantially the entire cross-section thereof. A charging flow of gas is first circulated in a first direction through the fill of heat retaining material, such that the charging flow of gas is heated by the heat source and then passes through the heat retaining material while transferring heat to the heat retaining material. Then, a discharging flow of gas is passed in a second opposite direction through the fill of heat retaining material, such that the discharging flow of gas receives heat from the fill of heat retaining material. At least the charging flow of gas is entirely enclosed in a completely closed circulation path including the interior of the regenerator container.

대표청구항 ▼

A process for regeneratively heating gas, said process comprising: providing a regenerator container having opposite ends and air-impermeable walls; positioning within said regenerator container a fill of heat retaining material comprising solid fine granular particles having a low thermal conductiv

A process for regeneratively heating gas, said process comprising: providing a regenerator container having opposite ends and air-impermeable walls; positioning within said regenerator container a fill of heat retaining material comprising solid fine granular particles having a low thermal conductivity, such that said fill of heat retaining material is permeable to the passage therethrough of air, throughout the entire length thereof taken in opposite directions between said open opposite ends of said regenerator container; positioning a heat source adjacent a first end of said fill of heat retaining material; circulating a charging first flow of gas in a first direction through said fill of heat retaining material, such that said charging flow of gas is heated by said heat source and then passes through the entire length of said fill of heat retaining material, from said first end thereof to a second opposite end thereof, and across substantially the entire cross-section thereof, while transferring heat to said fill of heat retaining material; circulating a discharging second flow of gas in a second direction opposite to said first direction through said fill of heat retaining material, such that said discharging flow of gas passes through the entire length of said fill of heat retaining material, from said second end thereof to said first end thereof, and across substantially the entire cross-section thereof, while receiving heat from said fill of heat retaining material; entirely enclosing said charging and discharging flows of gas to flow in a completely closed circulation path including the interior of said regenerator container; and said steps of circulating said charging and discharging flows of gas comprising passing said charging and discharging flows of gas in opposite directions in said completely closed circulation path by reversibly operating a single blower positioned within said completely closed circulation path.