초록 ▼

Apparatus and method for heating and preventing freeze-off of wellhead equipment utilize radiant heat from a flameless heater to heat fluid in a heat exchanger, such as a tank or finned radiator. A pump is used to circulate the heated fluid through a conduit loop deployed in thermal contact with the

Apparatus and method for heating and preventing freeze-off of wellhead equipment utilize radiant heat from a flameless heater to heat fluid in a heat exchanger, such as a tank or finned radiator. A pump is used to circulate the heated fluid through a conduit loop deployed in thermal contact with the equipment to be heated, such that the heat from the fluid is transferred to the equipment, maintaining it at sufficient temperature to prevent freeze-off. The apparatus and method may also be used for other purposes, such as for circulating heated fluid through a liquid-cooled engine to facilitate cold weather starting.

대표청구항 ▼

1. Heating apparatus, for use in association with a flameless heater having a heat-radiating element, said apparatus comprising:(a) a heat exchanger having an interior reservoir, a filler opening, a fluid outlet, and a fluid inlet;(b) a conduit loop running from the fluid outlet to the fluid inlet,

1. Heating apparatus, for use in association with a flameless heater having a heat-radiating element, said apparatus comprising:(a) a heat exchanger having an interior reservoir, a filler opening, a fluid outlet, and a fluid inlet;(b) a conduit loop running from the fluid outlet to the fluid inlet, said conduit loop comprising a supply section originating at and connecting to the fluid outlet, and a return section terminating at and connecting to the fluid inlet; and(c) a pump associated with the conduit loop;wherein the heat exchanger is positioned sufficiently close to the heat-radiating element such that a fluid within the interior reservoir may be heated by radiant heat from the flameless heater, wherein the flameless heater is an infrared catalytic heater. 2. Heating apparatus comprising:(a) a flameless heater having a heat-radiating element;(b) a heat exchanger having an interior reservoir, a filler opening, a fluid outlet, and a fluid inlet;(c) a conduit loop running from the fluid outlet to the fluid inlet, said conduit loop comprising a supply section originating at and connecting to the fluid outlet, and a return section terminating at and connecting to the fluid inlet; and(d) a pump associated with the conduit loop;wherein:(e) the heat exchanger is positioned sufficiently close to the heat-radiating element such that a fluid within the interior reservoir may be heated by radiant heat from the flameless heater; and(f) the conduit loop is deployed in thermal contact with an object to be heated, wherein the flameless heater is an infrared catalytic heater. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flameless heater is fuelled by a gaseous fuel. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger comprises a tank. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger comprises a finned tube section. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pump is an electric pump. 7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a battery for supplying electric power to the electric pump, plus a solar panel for supplying electric power to the battery. 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pump is driven by a pressurized gas. 9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more brackets mounted to the heat exchanger, said brackets being adapted for engaging the flameless heater and supporting the heat exchanger therefrom.