Heat transfer using closed thermal fluid circuit, to and from pressure swing adsorption or vacuum swing adsorption plant for oxygen enrichment, comprises use of phases of unequal energy flowrate

摘要

Continuous heat transfer in either direction, to and from a thermal recirculation circuit (4), employs a second energy flow, smaller than a first. The ratio of the second to first is at least the ratio of the active phase duration to that of the cycle. In the active phase, continuous heat transfer employs thermal heat exchange fluid leaving the main heat exchanger (12), whilst an energy flow equal to the difference between the two energy flows is stored in the form of a volumetric buffer of heat exchange fluid. During the inactive phase, continuous heat transfer is carried out using heat exchange fluid accumulated during the active phase. An Independent claim is included for the corresponding heating and cooling circuit. Preferred Features: The fluid is recirculated in closed circuit. In a slight variant, continuous heat exchange (extraction or introduction) is carried out by an auxiliary heat exchanger (24) placing thermal fluid accumulated, in thermal exchange with an auxiliary fluid. During the active phase, thermal exchange fluid is accumulated (34A,34B) equal to the volume of heat exchange fluid required by the main heat exchanger (12) during the active phase. The active phase lasts at least half the cycle duration.