Heat-transfer systems
View Patent ↗An improved system for transferring heat, utilizing diols, specifically 1,3-propanediol (PDO). The system reduces the energy consumption, maintenance costs, corrosion, toxicity, and the risk of fire associated with such heat-dependent processes. Unlike traditional hydrocarbon heating fluids, diols do not require draining and replacement if a purifier is installed in the system. Business methods are also disclosed.
1. A heat-transfer process comprising the steps of:
(a) selecting at least one endothermic industrial process, wherein long chain hydrocarbon heat-transfer fluids circulate among heater means for heating such heat-transfer fluids and heat transfer means for transferring heat to such endothermic industrial process, wherein such heat-transfer fluids circulate at temperatures of about 150° C. to about 225° C.;
(b) substantially removing such long-chain hydrocarbon heat transfer fluids from such circulation;
(c) introducing, into such circulation, heat-transfer fluids comprising 1,3-propanediol; and
(d) operating such heat transfer process serving such endothermic industrial process with such introduced heat-transfer fluids.
2. The heat-transfer process, according to claim 1 , wherein such introduced heat-transfer fluids, further comprise at least one water-miscible fluid adapted to permit essentially full solubility in water of such heat-transfer fluids.
3. The heat-transfer process, according to claim 1 , wherein such introduced heat-transfer fluids have a thermal conductivity of at least 0.09 Btu/hr-ft-F.
4. The heat-transfer process, according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of assisting ion exchange purification of such introduced heat-transfer fluids.
5. The heat-transfer process, according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of assisting membrane filtration of such introduced heat-transfer fluids.
6. The heat transfer process, according to claim 1 , wherein such step of selecting comprises the step of selecting at least one endothermic industrial process, wherein long-chain hydrocarbon heat-transfer fluids circulate among heater means for heating such heat-transfer fluids and heat transfer means for transferring heat to such endothermic industrial process, wherein such heat-transfer fluids circulate at temperatures of about 150° C. to about 215° C.
7. The heat transfer process, according to claim 6 , wherein such step of selecting comprises the step of selecting at least one endothermic industrial process, wherein long-chain hydrocarbon heat-transfer fluids circulate among heater means for heating such heat-transfer fluids and heat transfer means for transferring heat to such endothermic industrial process, wherein such heat-transfer fluids circulates at temperatures of about 150° C. to about 200° C.
8. A heat-transfer process comprising the steps of:
(a) selecting at least one endothermic industrial process whose typical design circulates long-chain hydrocarbon heat-transfer fluids among heater means for heating such heat-transfer fluids and heat transfer means for transferring heat to such endothermic industrial process, wherein such heat-transfer fluids circulate at temperatures of about 150° C. to about 225° C.;
(b) introducing, into such circulation, heat-transfer fluids comprising 1,3-propanediol; and
(c) operating such heat transfer process serving such endothermic industrial processing with such introduced heat-transfer fluids.
9. The heat-transfer process, according to claim 8 , wherein such introduced heat-transfer fluids have a thermal conductivity of at least 0.09 Btu/hr-ft-F.
10. The heat-transfer process, according to claim 8 , further comprising the step of assisting ion exchange purification of such introduced heat-transfer fluids.
11. The heat-transfer process, according to claim 8 , further comprising the step of assisting membrane filtration of such introduced heat-transfer fluids.
12. The heat-transfer process, according to claim 8 , wherein such step of selecting comprises the step of selecting at least one endothermic industrial process whose typical design circulates long-chain hydrocarbon heat-transfer fluids among heater means for heating such heat-transfer fluids and heat transfer means for transferring heat to such endothermic industrial process, wherein such heat-transfer fluids circulate at temperatures of about 150° C. to about 215° C.
13. The heat-transfer process, according to claim 12 , wherein such step of selecting comprises the step of selecting at least one endothermic industrial process whose typical design circulates long-chain hydrocarbon heat-transfer fluids among heater means for heating such heat-transfer fluids and heat transfer means for transferring heat to such endothermic industrial process, wherein such heat-transfer fluids circulate at temperatures of about 150° C. to about 200° C.