Heat exchangers having baffled manifolds

Abstract

A heat exchanger for a fluid having a vapor-phase and a liquid-phase is provided. The heat exchanger includes a first manifold, a second manifold, a plurality of parallel channels, a mixing device, and one or more baffles. The parallel channels are in fluid communication with the first and second manifolds. The mixing device mixes the fluid flowing into the first manifold so that the fluid is a substantially homogeneous two-phase mixture of the vapor and liquid phases. The baffles are within the first manifold and ensure that the fluid enters the parallel channels as the substantially homogeneous two-phase mixture.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present disclosure relates to heat exchangers. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to heat exchangers having baffled manifolds.[0003]2. Description of Prior Art[0004]Refrigeration systems are well known in the art and ubiquitous in such industries as food service, chemical, residential and commercial cooling, and automotive. On a larger scale, heat exchangers are required for office buildings and for residential purposes. Lack of efficiency is a great concern with such systems.[0005]Traditional refrigeration cycles, or air conditioners, include a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator, and a refrigerant whose evaporation creates the cool temperature. In some refrigeration systems, the evaporator and condenser are heat exchangers having a series of parallel channels, which provide parallel refrigerant paths. When the refrigerant passes through the expansion valve, a pressure and temp...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]A heat exchanger having a plurality of parallel channels in fluid communication with a manifold. The manifold includes a mixing device and one or more baffles that work together to prevent maldistribution of the two-phases of the fluid within the channels.

Problems solved by technology

Lack of efficiency is a great concern with such systems.

The resulting two-phase fluid can cause maldistribution in the evaporator.

It has been determined by the present disclosure that maldistribution of the two-phase fluid is a common problem with heat exchangers that use parallel refrigerant paths, resulting in poor heat exchanger efficiency.

However, for heat exchanges with many parallel refrigerant paths (typically more than 20), individual distribution to each parallel refrigerant path is often not practical.

In most cases, a simple inlet header is used, which can lead to significant refrigerant maldistribution to the heat exchanger.

Additionally, gravity and the increase in overall volume as the flow transitions from the expansion device to the inlet header also act to cause the liquid-phase and vapor-phase to separate, causing maldistribution to the heat exchanger.

While the distributor tube has proven to be helpful to reduce maldistribution, the maldistribution of the liquid-phase and vapor-phase within the heat exchanger remains problematic.

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