Importance

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Abstract

The heat exchange system is for heating water from a water source and comprises first and second flooded heat exchangers that have steam sides that are each independently fed with steam, but water sides that are serially fed with water through the first heat exchanger then through the second heat exchanger. The system also comprises first and second control valves located at or downstream of subcooled condensate outlets of the first and second heat exchangers, first and second water temperature sensors at or downstream of the heated water outlets of the first and second heat exchangers, and a control device for receiving temperature data from the first and second water temperature sensors and for controlling the first and second control valves. The proportions of the first and second steam sides that are flooded are respectively selectively adjusted by controlling the debit of condensate allowed through the first and second subcooled condensate outlets with the first and second control valves, for allowing heat exchange to the water to be adjusted as a result of the water temperature measured by the first and second water temperature sensors. The first and second control valves are set in one of a first state in which they are both at least partly opened to allow effective heat exchange from the steam to the water in both first and second heat exchangers, and a second state in which one of them is closed while the other is at least partly opened to have an effective heat exchange from the steam to the water in only one of the first or second heat exchangers while the first and second steam sides remain both supplied with steam.

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First Claim