Appeal 2007-1801
Application 10/156,917
2) Heere teaches that solvent vapors may have a corrosive effect
inside the apparatus. Col. 1, ll. 41-44.
3) According to the present Specification, it is known in the art to
employ, in a condenser, a U-tube bundle in which the individual tubes
are supported relative to one another by a plurality of horizontally
disposed plate-type baffles. Page 1, ll. 23-25.
4) Gentry discloses a U-tube bundle supported by a rod-type baffle
for use in a heat exchanger. The baffle comprises a ring with a plurality
of rods affixed thereto as parallel chords. According to Gentry, the
baffle prevents channeling of shell side fluid between the legs of the tube
bundle. Col. 2, ll. 54-61.
5) Gentry teaches that:
“[i]n steam generators, the heating fluid passes on the inside
of the tube bundle, and the fluid to be heated and vaporized
flows around the outside of the tube bundle. Dry-out
conditions commonly occur at the interfaces between the
tubes and the support elements and also the tubes and the
tube sheet are especially prone to dry-out conditions. Dry-out
and high chemical concentrations in these crevices can cause
tube denting and cracking and lead to premature failure of
the tube bundle. Tube denting occurs when the carbon steel
tube support element exhibits fast linear corrosion at the
location where the tube passes through it. The corrosion
product occupies a greater volume than the original support
element metal and squeezes down on the tube, deforming it.
If corrosion continues, gross deformation and eventual
cracking of the support element and tube can result. Similar
problems are seen in crevices between the tube and the tube
sheet.” Col. 1, ll. 30-48.
4
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Next
Last modified: September 9, 2013