Computer control and data processing a four regenerator heat exchanger network

The equipment consists of two independent pairs of regenerators, which are operated in counter-flow, continuous heat exchange mode. The cold inlet air for each pair comes from a temperature stabilized course at 20°C and enters the regenerator (to be cooled) at the top. After leaving the regenerator, the now warm air is passed through a steam heat exchanger in series with a (1.6 kW) electrical heater which enables accurate control of the hot air inlet temperature to around 120°C. Upon leaving the heater, the now hot air enters the second regenerator at the bottom, flows up the bed, heating the packing in the process, finally being exhausted into the atmosphere via a cooling jacket and rotameters. The four bed regenerators have been interfaced to an Apricot PCXI to provide a system, based on real time control and on line data processing, via a multi-function interface unit (MFIU) and a rig interface