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A segmented heat exchanger system for transferring heat energy from an exhaust fluid to a working fluid. The heat exchanger system may include a first heat exchanger for receiving incoming working fluid and the exhaust fluid. The working fluid and exhaust fluid may travel through at least a portion

A segmented heat exchanger system for transferring heat energy from an exhaust fluid to a working fluid. The heat exchanger system may include a first heat exchanger for receiving incoming working fluid and the exhaust fluid. The working fluid and exhaust fluid may travel through at least a portion of the first heat exchanger in a parallel flow configuration. In addition, the heat exchanger system may include a second heat exchanger for receiving working fluid from the first heat exchanger and exhaust fluid from a third heat exchanger. The working fluid and exhaust fluid may travel through at least a portion of the second heat exchanger in a counter flow configuration. Furthermore, the heat exchanger system may include a third heat exchanger for receiving working fluid from the second heat exchanger and exhaust fluid from the first heat exchanger. The working fluid and exhaust fluid may travel through at least a portion of the third heat exchanger in a parallel flow configuration.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A segmented heat exchanger system for transferring heat energy from an exhaust fluid to a working fluid, comprising: a first heat exchanger for receiving incoming working fluid and the exhaust fluid, the working fluid and exhaust fluid traveling through at least a portion of

What is claimed is: 1. A segmented heat exchanger system for transferring heat energy from an exhaust fluid to a working fluid, comprising: a first heat exchanger for receiving incoming working fluid and the exhaust fluid, the working fluid and exhaust fluid traveling through at least a portion of the first heat exchanger in a parallel flow configuration; a second heat exchanger for receiving working fluid from the first heat exchanger and exhaust fluid from a third heat exchanger, the working fluid and exhaust fluid traveling through at least a portion of the second heat exchanger in a counter flow configuration relative to one another; and the third heat exchanger for receiving working fluid from the second heat exchanger and exhaust fluid from the first heat exchanger, the working fluid and exhaust fluid traveling through at least a portion of the third heat exchanger in a parallel flow configuration, the working fluid flowing in series from the first heat exchanger to the second heat exchanger and then to the third heat exchanger. 2. The segmented heat exchanger system of claim 1, wherein the first heat exchanger includes a preheater. 3. The segmented heat exchanger system of claim 2, wherein the second heat exchanger includes a vaporizer. 4. The segmented heat exchanger system of claim 3, wherein the third heat exchanger includes a superheater. 5. The segmented heat exchanger system of claim 1, wherein the exhaust fluid includes exhaust gases produced by a system utilizing a heated or super-heated working fluid. 6. The segmented heat exchanger system of claim 1, wherein the working fluid includes a chemical. 7. The segmented heat exchanger system of claim 1, wherein the segmented heat exchanger system is used in connection with a Rankine cycle. 8. The segmented heat exchanger system of claim 7, wherein the Rankine cycle is an organic Rankine cycle. 9. The segmented heat exchanger system of claim 1, wherein the working fluid includes a liquid. 10. The segmented heat exchanger system of claim 1, wherein the working fluid includes a vapor. 11. A method of heating a working fluid with heat energy contained in an exhaust fluid, comprising the steps of: providing a segmented heat exchanger system comprising: a first heat exchanger configured in a parallel flow arrangement; a second heat exchanger configured in a counter flow arrangement; and a third heat exchanger configured in a parallel flow arrangement; channeling the working fluid in series first through the first heat exchanger, next through the second heat exchanger, and then through the third heat exchanger; and channeling the exhaust fluid first through the first heat exchanger, next through the third heat exchanger, and then through the second heat exchanger. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the first heat exchanger includes a preheater, the second heat exchanger includes a vaporizer, and the third heat exchanger includes a superheater. 13. A segmented heat exchanger system for transferring heat energy from an exhaust fluid to a working fluid, comprising: a first heat exchanger configured in a parallel flow arrangement, the first heat exchanger including a preheater; a second heat exchanger configured in a counter flow configuration, the second heat exchanger including a vaporizer; and a third heat exchanger configured in a parallel flow arrangement, the third heat exchanger including a superheater, wherein the exhaust fluid travels through the system by being channeled first to the first heat exchanger, next to the third heat exchanger, and then to the second heat exchanger, the working fluid travels through the system by being channeled first to the first heat exchanger, next to the second heat exchanger, and then through the third heat exchanger, and the second heat exchanger is configured in the counter flow configuration such that a majority of the exhaust fluid in the second heat exchanger flows counter to a majority of the working fluid in the second heat exchanger. 14. The segmented heat exchanger system of claim 1, further comprising a fluid communication line connecting the first heat exchanger to the second heat exchanger such that substantially all the working fluid received by the second heat exchanger flows through the fluid communication line from the first heat exchanger. 15. The segmented heat exchanger system of claim 1, further comprising a fluid communication line connecting the second heat exchanger to the third heat exchanger such that substantially all the working fluid received by the third heat exchanger flows through the fluid communication line from the second heat exchanger. 16. The segmented heat exchanger system of claim 1, wherein the second heat exchanger is configured in the counter flow configuration such that substantially all of the exhaust fluid in the second heat exchanger flows counter to substantially all of the working fluid in the second heat exchanger. 17. The method of claim 11, further comprising: channeling substantially all the working fluid exiting the first heat exchanger to the second heat exchanger; and channeling substantially all the working fluid exiting the second heat exchanger to the third heat exchanger. 18. The method of claim 11, further comprising directing a majority of the exhaust fluid in the second heat exchanger counter to a majority of the working fluid in the second heat exchanger. 19. The method of claim 11, further comprising: directing a majority of the exhaust fluid in the first heat exchanger parallel to a majority of the working fluid in the first heat exchanger; and directing a majority of the exhaust fluid in the third heat exchanger parallel to a majority of the working fluid in the third heat exchanger. 20. The segmented heat exchanger system of claim 13, wherein: the first heat exchanger is configured in the parallel flow arrangement such that a majority of the exhaust fluid in the first heat exchanger flows parallel to a majority of the working fluid in the first heat exchanger, and the third heat exchanger is configured in the parallel flow arrangement such that a majority of the exhaust fluid in the third heat exchanger flows parallel to a majority of the working fluid in the third heat exchanger.