Patent attributes
The annular recuperator for use with a microturbine includes an involuted shaped inner member with a portion thereof being corrugated and an involuted shaped outer member also with a portion thereof being corrugated and spaced therefrom to define a cell. The end portions of both the inner and outer members is planar and define a header for admitting and discharging the fluid flowing in the cell. The edges of the inner and outer members are sealed and an inlet and outlet are fluidly connected to the respective headers. The cells are circumferentially mounted side by side and abut each other but leaving sufficient space for another medium to flow through the space and be place in indirect heat exchange with the fluid flowing in the cell. The cells when mounted define an annular configuration so that compressor discharge air from the compressor of the microturbine flows through the cells and turbine discharge engine working fluid flows between the cells for preheating the compressor discharge air prior to being admitted into the combustor. The recuperator has utility as a heat exchanger for other applications.
