System and method for heat transfer
A heat exchanger may be associated with a heat transfer system to promote flow of heat energy from a heat source to a multi-phase fluid. The heat exchanger may be associated with an expansion portion. The fluid may be a refrigerant to which nano-particles may be added. Embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in an air-conditioning system as well as a water heating system.
1. A heat transfer method, the method comprising:
reducing the pressure on a flowing liquid at a first location thereby causing cavitation, the liquid provided to the first location by a pump without passing through an intermediate heater;
generating a multi-phase fluid with vapor bubbles;
producing a localized drop in temperature of the multi-phase fluid as a result of the creation of the cavitation;
causing the multi-phase fluid to travel from the first location to at least a second location over a period of time during which heat energy is absorbed from a proximate heat source; and
permitting the vapor bubbles to collapse at or after the second location.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least a substantial proportion of the vapor bubbles within the multi-phase fluid have not collapsed by the time the multi-phase fluid reaches the second location.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the multi-phase fluid travels at supersonic speed between at least a portion of the flow path between the first location and the second location.
4. A heat transfer system, the system comprising:
a flow path traversing a first and second location, the flow path configured to:
reduce pressure at a first location in the flow path upon a liquid flowing within the flow path,
promote production of vapor bubbles within the liquid by means of cavitation, and
produce a multi-phase fluid with a consequent drop in temperature of the multi-phase fluid;
a heat exchanger that transfers heat from a heat source to the multi-phase fluid over at least a portion of the flow path between the first location and a second location; and
a pump that feeds the liquid into the heat exchanger without passing through an intermediate heater.
5. The heat transfer system of claim 4 , wherein at least a substantial proportion of the vapor bubbles within the multi-phase fluid have not collapsed by the time the multiphase fluid reaches the second location.
6. The heat transfer system of claim 4 , wherein the multi-phase fluid travels at supersonic speed between at least a portion of the flow path between the first location and the second location.