Importance

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Abstract

A heat exchanger for condensing a vapor containing non-condensable gases comprises an inlet header for receiving said vapor and non-condensable gases, and a plurality of heat exchanger tubes arranged in a plurality of vertically spaced banks. One end of each tube is connected to the inlet header for receiving the vapor and the non-condensable gases in parallel; and the other end of each tube in a bank is connected to a separate header associated with each bank. Each separate header is vented for venting non-condensable gases therein to the atmosphere. The provision of separate headers for each bank of tubes prevents equalization of pressure between the banks thereby preventing back-flow and the creation of pockets of non-condensable gases in the tubes of a bank. Where the banks of tubes are inclined to the horizontal, and the separate headers are elevated above the inlet header, the non-condensable gases in a bank, flow rapidly upwardly into the separate header with which the bank is associated, particularly when the gases are lighter than the vapor. This permits the non-condensable gases to be vented easily as the condensate flows downwardly into the inlet header.

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First Claim