Minot, North Dakota Patent of the Year – 2024/2025
M.A.C. Inc. has been awarded the 2024/2025 Patent of the Year for revolutionizing industrial heat recovery. Their invention, detailed in U.S. Patent No. 4706646, titled ‘Total counterflow heat exchanger’, dramatically improves energy efficiency in heating and cooling systems by maximizing heat transfer between fluids.
This groundbreaking device uses a total counterflow design to ensure that the hottest and coldest fluids meet at opposite ends of the exchanger. That setup enables a more complete energy exchange, minimizing waste heat and reducing the energy needed to maintain temperature control. The design stands out for its ability to maintain high efficiency over a wide range of flow rates and operating conditions.
Unlike traditional heat exchangers that often mix flow patterns or suffer from uneven performance, this invention keeps the heat transfer process stable and predictable. That makes it ideal for manufacturing plants, HVAC systems, and even food processing operations where energy conservation and system reliability are key.
The compact and modular construction also makes the system easier to maintain and scale for different applications. By improving the way heat is recovered and reused, M.A.C. Inc. is helping industries cut costs and emissions at the same time.
With energy prices rising and efficiency targets tightening, the total counterflow heat exchanger offers a powerful solution built on smart, practical design.