A three-fluid shell-and-tube heat exchange device for refrigeration

Abstract

The present invention discloses a three-fluid shell-and-tube heat exchange device for refrigeration, which includes a horizontally arranged shell. Inside the shell, there is a first flow path formed by connecting a first opening, a first inner cavity, a first heat exchange tube, a third sub-cavity, and a second opening for the flow of low-temperature refrigerant or high-temperature refrigerant, a second flow path formed by connecting a third opening, a first outer cavity, a second heat exchange tube, a third outer cavity, and a fourth opening for the flow of high-temperature refrigerant or low-temperature refrigerant, and a third flow path formed by connecting a fifth opening, a second outer cavity, a sixth opening, a second inner cavity, a seventh opening, and a material tank for the flow of the coolant. During the circulation of the coolant in the third flow path, it exchanges heat with the high-temperature refrigerant and the low-temperature refrigerant in sequence. The present invention can make the change range of the heat transfer temperature difference smaller and the heat transfer temperature difference more uniform during the cooling process of the coolant, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchange device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of heat exchange, and particularly to a three-fluid shell-and-tube heat exchange device for refrigeration. Background Art

[0002] In large-scale refrigeration and air-conditioning systems with high requirements for the end process temperature, refrigerants are often used to cool the end. The secondary refrigerant first passes through the evaporation heat exchanger of the refrigeration cycle for cooling, then enters the end user to absorb heat and warm up, and then returns to the evaporation heat exchanger, repeating this cycle. To ensure that the temperature of the secondary refrigerant entering the end user meets the process requirements, the temperature difference between the refrigerant in the evaporator and the outlet of the secondary refrigerant should be maintained at a certain value. And the inlet temperature of the secondary refrigerant in the evaporation heat exchanger is higher than the outlet temperature, which results in different heat transfer temperature differences when the secondary refrigerant and the refrigerant exchange heat. From the perspective of heat transfer, maintaining a relatively uniform heat transfer temperature difference in the heat exchanger can improve the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger. However, in the existing technology, the heat exchanger generally uses a single refrigerant to cool the secondary refrigerant. During the cooling process of the secondary refrigerant, the change range of the heat transfer temperature difference is large, and the change of the heat transfer temperature difference is uneven, resulting in poor heat exchange efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To solve the technical problems in the background art, the present invention proposes a three-fluid shell-and-tube heat exchange device for refrigeration.

[0004] A three-fluid shell-and-tube heat exchange device for refrigeration proposed by the present invention includes a horizontally arranged housing having opposite first and second ends. Inside the housing, a first circular partition and a second circular partition are sequentially arranged at intervals along the direction from the first end to the second end. The first circular partition and the second circular partition divide the interior of the housing into a closed first chamber, a second chamber, and a third chamber.

[0005] A first annular partition is coaxially arranged in the first chamber, dividing the first chamber into a closed first inner chamber and a first outer chamber; a second annular partition is coaxially arranged in the second chamber, dividing the second chamber into a closed second inner chamber and a second outer chamber; a third annular partition is coaxially arranged in the third chamber, dividing the third chamber into a closed third inner chamber and a third outer chamber.

[0006] A first heat exchange tube is arranged in the second inner chamber, one end of the first heat exchange tube communicates with the first inner chamber, and the other end communicates with the third inner chamber; a second heat exchange tube is arranged in the second outer chamber, one end of the second heat exchange tube communicates with the first outer chamber, and the other end communicates with the third outer chamber.

[0007] At the corresponding position of the first end of the housing and the first inner cavity, a first opening is provided; at the corresponding position of the second end of the housing and the third inner cavity, a second opening is provided; at the corresponding position of the top of the housing and the first outer cavity, a third opening is provided; at the corresponding position of the bottom of the housing and the third outer cavity, a fourth opening is provided; at the corresponding position of the housing and the top of the second outer cavity, a fifth opening is provided. At the top of the second annular partition, a sixth opening for communicating the second inner cavity and the second outer cavity is provided. At the bottom of the second annular partition, a seventh opening is provided, and a material pipe is connected to the seventh opening, and the other end of the material pipe penetrates and extends out of the housing.

[0008] Preferably, the first opening is the inlet for low-temperature refrigerant, and the second opening is the outlet for low-temperature refrigerant; the third opening is the inlet for high-temperature refrigerant, and the fourth opening is the outlet for high-temperature refrigerant; or, the second opening is the inlet for low-temperature refrigerant, and the first opening is the outlet for low-temperature refrigerant; the fourth opening is the inlet for high-temperature refrigerant, and the third opening is the outlet for high-temperature refrigerant;

[0009] The fifth opening is the inlet for the coolant, and the seventh opening is the outlet for the coolant.

[0010] Preferably, the first opening is the inlet for high-temperature refrigerant, and the second opening is the outlet for high-temperature refrigerant; the third opening is the inlet for low-temperature refrigerant, and the fourth opening is the outlet for low-temperature refrigerant; or, the second opening is the inlet for high-temperature refrigerant, and the first opening is the outlet for high-temperature refrigerant; the fourth opening is the inlet for low-temperature refrigerant, and the third opening is the outlet for low-temperature refrigerant;

[0011] The fifth opening is the outlet for the coolant, and the seventh opening is the inlet for the coolant.

[0012] Preferably, the outlet for the low-temperature refrigerant is communicated with the inlet for the high-temperature refrigerant through a pipeline.

[0013] Preferably, a compression mechanism is further included. The compression mechanism includes a first suction port with a first suction pressure and a second suction port with a second suction pressure. The first suction pressure and the second suction pressure are different. The outlet for the high-temperature refrigerant is communicated with the first suction port, and the outlet for the low-temperature refrigerant is communicated with the second suction port.

[0014] Preferably, the fifth opening is located at one end of the second chamber close to the first circular partition; the sixth opening is located at one end of the second outer chamber close to the second circular partition; the seventh opening is located at one end of the second inner chamber close to the first circular partition.

[0015] Preferably, the first heat exchange tube is a straight tube or a spiral tube.

[0016] Preferably, the second heat exchange tube is a straight tube.

[0017] Preferably, the number of the second heat exchange tubes is one or more.

[0018] Preferably, when the number of the second heat exchange tubes is multiple, the multiple second heat exchange tubes are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the second annular partition plate.

[0019] Preferably, the second heat exchange tube is a spiral tube spirally wound around the outer periphery of the second annular partition plate.

[0020] Preferably, the opening direction of the fifth opening is the same as the tangent direction of the outer side surface of the housing.

[0021] Preferably, a flow guiding assembly for restricting the flow of the secondary coolant is provided at the position corresponding to the second outer chamber on the inner peripheral wall of the housing.

[0022] In the present invention, the proposed three-fluid shell-and-tube heat exchange device for refrigeration can realize the process that the secondary coolant and two refrigerants with different temperatures participate in heat exchange simultaneously in the same heat exchange device. The secondary coolant undergoes primary and secondary temperature drops through the high-temperature refrigerant and the low-temperature refrigerant, so that the change range of the heat transfer temperature difference during the temperature drop process of the secondary coolant is smaller, and the heat transfer temperature difference is more uniform, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchange device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 FIG. is a schematic structural diagram of a three-fluid shell-and-tube heat exchange device for refrigeration in an embodiment proposed by the present invention.

[0024] Figure 2 FIG. is a schematic structural diagram of a three-fluid shell-and-tube heat exchange device for refrigeration in another embodiment proposed by the present invention.

[0025] Figure 3 FIG. is a schematic structural diagram of a three-fluid shell-and-tube heat exchange device for refrigeration in another embodiment proposed by the present invention.

[0026] Figure 4 FIG. is a schematic structural diagram of a three-fluid shell-and-tube heat exchange device for refrigeration in another embodiment proposed by the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0027] It should be noted that, without conflict, the embodiments in the present invention and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other. The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings and in combination with the embodiments.

[0028] Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , a three-fluid shell-and-tube heat exchange device for refrigeration proposed by the present invention includes: a horizontally arranged housing 1, the housing 1 having opposite first and second ends, and a first circular partition plate 2 and a second circular partition plate 3 are sequentially arranged at intervals along the direction from the first end to the second end inside the housing 1, and the first circular partition plate 2 and the second circular partition plate 3 divide the inside of the housing 1 into a closed first chamber, a second chamber, and a third chamber;

[0029] A first annular partition 4 is coaxially arranged in the first chamber, and the first annular partition 4 divides the first chamber into a sealed first inner chamber and a first outer chamber; a second annular partition 5 is coaxially arranged in the second chamber, and the second annular partition 5 divides the second chamber into a sealed second inner chamber and a second outer chamber; a third annular partition 6 is coaxially arranged in the third chamber, and the third annular partition 6 divides the third chamber into a sealed third inner chamber and a third outer chamber;

[0030] A first heat exchange tube 7 is arranged in the second inner chamber. One end of the first heat exchange tube 7 communicates with the first inner chamber, and the other end communicates with the third inner chamber; a second heat exchange tube 8 is arranged in the second outer chamber. One end of the second heat exchange tube 8 communicates with the first outer chamber, and the other end communicates with the third outer chamber;

[0031] At the corresponding position of the first end of the housing 1 and the first inner chamber, a first opening 11 is provided; at the corresponding position of the second end of the housing 1 and the third inner chamber, a second opening 12 is provided; at the corresponding position of the top of the housing 1 and the first outer chamber, a third opening 13 is provided; at the corresponding position of the bottom of the housing 1 and the third outer chamber, a fourth opening 14 is provided; at the corresponding position of the top of the housing 1 and the second outer chamber, a fifth opening 15 is provided. At the top of the second annular partition 5, a sixth opening 51 for communicating the second inner chamber and the second outer chamber is provided. At the bottom of the second annular partition 5, a seventh opening 52 is provided, and a material pipe 9 is connected to the seventh opening 52. The other end of the material pipe 9 penetrates and extends out of the housing 1.

[0032] During specific implementation, the first opening 11, the first inner chamber, the first heat exchange tube 7, the third sub-chamber, and the second opening 12 communicate to form a first flow path for the flow of low-temperature refrigerant or high-temperature refrigerant; the third opening 13, the first outer chamber, the second heat exchange tube 8, the third outer chamber, and the fourth opening 14 communicate to form a second flow path for the flow of high-temperature refrigerant or low-temperature refrigerant; the fifth opening 15, the second outer chamber, the sixth opening 51, the second inner chamber, the seventh opening 52, and the material tank form a third flow path for the flow of the coolant; the coolant exchanges heat with the high-temperature refrigerant and the low-temperature refrigerant in sequence during the process of flowing through the third flow path.

[0033] The present invention can realize the process that the coolant and refrigerants at different temperatures participate in heat exchange simultaneously in the same heat exchange device. The coolant is mainly and secondarily cooled by the high-temperature refrigerant and the low-temperature refrigerant, so that the change range of the heat transfer temperature difference during the cooling process of the coolant is smaller, and the heat transfer temperature difference is more uniform, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchange device.

[0034] It should be understood that the principle of the coolant and the refrigerant for flow heat exchange is that the coolant exchanges heat with the high-temperature refrigerant first and then with the low-temperature refrigerant.

[0035] In one embodiment, the first opening 11 is the inlet for the low-temperature refrigerant, and the second opening 12 is the outlet for the low-temperature refrigerant; the third opening 13 is the inlet for the high-temperature refrigerant, and the fourth opening 14 is the outlet for the high-temperature refrigerant; or, the second opening 12 is the inlet for the low-temperature refrigerant, and the first opening 11 is the outlet for the low-temperature refrigerant; the fourth opening 14 is the inlet for the high-temperature refrigerant, and the third opening 13 is the outlet for the high-temperature refrigerant;

[0036] The fifth opening 15 is the inlet for the secondary coolant, and the seventh opening 52 is the outlet for the secondary coolant.

[0037] During specific implementation, the low-temperature refrigerant enters the first inner cavity through the low-temperature refrigerant inlet, flows into the third inner cavity through the first heat exchange tube 7, and finally flows out through the low-temperature refrigerant outlet; the high-temperature refrigerant enters the first outer cavity through the high-temperature refrigerant inlet, flows into the third outer cavity through the second heat exchange tube 8, and finally flows out through the high-temperature refrigerant outlet; the secondary coolant enters the second outer cavity to exchange heat with the second heat exchange tube 8, the secondary coolant in the second outer cavity enters the second inner cavity through the sixth opening 51 to exchange heat with the first heat exchange tube 7, and the secondary coolant in the second inner cavity enters the material tube 9 through the secondary coolant outlet and flows out through the material tube 9.

[0038] In another embodiment, the first opening 11 is the inlet for the high-temperature refrigerant, and the second opening 12 is the outlet for the high-temperature refrigerant; the third opening 13 is the inlet for the low-temperature refrigerant, and the fourth opening 14 is the outlet for the low-temperature refrigerant; or, the second opening 12 is the inlet for the high-temperature refrigerant, and the first opening 11 is the outlet for the high-temperature refrigerant; the fourth opening 14 is the inlet for the low-temperature refrigerant, and the third opening 13 is the outlet for the low-temperature refrigerant;

[0039] The fifth opening 15 is the outlet for the secondary coolant, and the seventh opening 52 is the inlet for the secondary coolant.

[0040] In order to increase the contact time between the secondary coolant and the high-temperature refrigerant as well as the low-temperature refrigerant, in this embodiment, the fifth opening 15 is located at one end of the second chamber close to the first circular partition 2; the sixth opening 51 is located at one end of the second outer cavity close to the second circular partition 3; the seventh opening 52 is located at one end of the second inner cavity close to the first circular partition 2.

[0041] As Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown, when using azeotropic refrigerant mixtures, in this embodiment, the low-temperature refrigerant outlet is connected to the high-temperature refrigerant inlet through a pipeline. During specific implementation, the azeotropic refrigerant mixture enters the first heat exchange tube 7 from the low-temperature refrigerant inlet. The low-boiling component of the azeotropic refrigerant mixture contacts the low-temperature secondary coolant in the first heat exchange tube 7 and undergoes a phase change. The azeotropic refrigerant mixture that has only partially undergone a phase change enters the second heat exchange tube 8 through the high-temperature refrigerant inlet and contacts the high-temperature secondary coolant. At this time, the high-boiling component in the refrigerant undergoes a phase change and finally flows out through the high-temperature refrigerant outlet.

[0042] Specifically, as Figure 3 shown, the third opening 13 serves as the high-temperature refrigerant inlet, and the second opening 12 serves as the low-temperature refrigerant outlet.

[0043] As Figure 4 shown, the fourth opening 14 serves as the high-temperature refrigerant inlet, and the second opening 12 serves as the low-temperature refrigerant outlet.

[0044] In one specific embodiment, the first heat exchange tube 7 is a straight tube.

[0045] In order to increase the heat exchange area between the heat carrier and the low-temperature refrigerant or high-temperature refrigerant located in the first heat exchange tube 7, in a further specific embodiment, the number of the first heat exchange tubes 7 is one or more.

[0046] In a still further specific embodiment, when the number of the first heat exchange tubes 7 is multiple, the multiple first heat exchange tubes 7 are evenly distributed in the second inner cavity to increase the uniformity of the contact between the heat carrier and the low-temperature refrigerant or high-temperature refrigerant located in the first heat exchange tube 7, so that the change range of the heat transfer temperature difference during the cooling process of the heat carrier is smaller and the heat transfer temperature difference is more uniform.

[0047] In one specific embodiment, the first heat exchange tube 7 is a spiral tube to increase the heat exchange area and contact time between the heat carrier and the low-temperature refrigerant or high-temperature refrigerant located in the first heat exchange tube 7, so that the change range of the heat transfer temperature difference during the cooling process of the heat carrier is smaller and the heat transfer temperature difference is more uniform.

[0048] In a further specific embodiment, the second heat exchange tube 8 is a straight tube.

[0049] In order to increase the heat exchange area between the heat carrier and the high-temperature refrigerant or low-temperature refrigerant located in the second heat exchange tube 8, in a still further embodiment, the number of the second heat exchange tubes 8 is one or more.

[0050] In a still further embodiment, when the number of the second heat exchange tubes 8 is multiple, the multiple second heat exchange tubes 8 are evenly arranged at intervals along the circumferential direction of the second annular partition 5 to increase the uniformity of the contact between the heat carrier and the high-temperature refrigerant or low-temperature refrigerant located in the second heat exchange tube 8, so that the change range of the heat transfer temperature difference during the cooling process of the heat carrier is smaller and the heat transfer temperature difference is more uniform.

[0051] In a further specific embodiment, the second heat exchange tube 8 is a spiral tube spirally wound around the outer periphery of the second annular partition 5 to increase the heat exchange area and contact time between the heat carrier and the high-temperature refrigerant or low-temperature refrigerant located in the second heat exchange tube 8, so that the change range of the heat transfer temperature difference during the cooling process of the heat carrier is smaller and the heat transfer temperature difference is more uniform.

[0052] In a further embodiment, when the second heat exchange tube 8 is a spiral tube, the opening direction of the fifth opening 15 is the same as the tangent direction of the outer side surface of the housing 1, which facilitates the spiral flow of the refrigerant in the second heat exchange tube 8.

[0053] In order to increase the contact time of the coolant in the second outer chamber with the second heat exchange tube 8 and increase the heat exchange area, in this embodiment, a flow guiding assembly for restricting the flow of the coolant is provided at the corresponding position of the inner peripheral wall of the housing 1 and the second outer chamber.

[0054] In a further embodiment, the flow guiding assembly includes flow guiding ribs or baffle plates.

[0055] In actual use, in order to meet a certain heat transfer temperature difference between the coolant outlet and the refrigerant, the refrigeration system needs to reach a lower suction pressure. However, the lower the suction pressure, the lower the performance level of the refrigeration system. To solve this problem, in this embodiment, a compression mechanism is further included. The compression mechanism includes a first suction port with a first suction pressure and a second suction port with a second suction pressure. The first suction pressure and the second suction pressure are different. The high-temperature refrigerant outlet is communicated with the first suction port, and the low-temperature refrigerant outlet is communicated with the second suction port. With such a setting in this embodiment, the average suction pressure of the refrigeration system can be increased, the energy loss during the compression process can be reduced, and the performance level of the refrigeration system can be improved.

[0056] The above is only a preferred specific embodiment of the present invention, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention, according to the technical solution of the present invention and its inventive concept, makes equivalent substitutions or changes, and should be covered by the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A three-fluid shell-and-tube heat exchange device for refrigeration, characterized in that, It includes a horizontally arranged housing (1) which has opposite first and second ends. Inside the housing (1), a first circular partition (2) and a second circular partition (3) are sequentially arranged at intervals along the direction from the first end to the second end. The first circular partition (2) and the second circular partition (3) divide the inside of the housing (1) into a sealed first chamber, a second chamber, and a third chamber. A first annular partition (4) is coaxially arranged in the first chamber. The first annular partition (4) divides the first chamber into a sealed first inner chamber and a first outer chamber. A second annular partition (5) is coaxially arranged in the second chamber. The second annular partition (5) divides the second chamber into a sealed second inner chamber and a second outer chamber. A third annular partition (6) is coaxially arranged in the third chamber. The third annular partition (6) divides the third chamber into a sealed third inner chamber and a third outer chamber. A first heat exchange tube (7) is arranged in the second inner chamber. One end of the first heat exchange tube (7) communicates with the first inner chamber, and the other end communicates with the third inner chamber. A second heat exchange tube (8) is arranged in the second outer chamber. One end of the second heat exchange tube (8) communicates with the first outer chamber, and the other end communicates with the third outer chamber. A first opening (11) is provided at the position corresponding to the first inner chamber at the first end of the housing (1). A second opening (12) is provided at the position corresponding to the third inner chamber at the second end of the housing (1). A third opening (13) is provided at the position corresponding to the first outer chamber at the top of the housing (1). A fourth opening (14) is provided at the position corresponding to the third outer chamber at the bottom of the housing (1). A fifth opening (15) is provided at the position corresponding to the top of the second outer chamber of the housing (1). A sixth opening (51) for communicating the second inner chamber and the second outer chamber is provided at the top of the second annular partition (5). A seventh opening (52) is provided at the bottom of the second annular partition (5). A material pipe (9) is connected to the seventh opening (52), and the other end of the material pipe (9) penetrates and extends out of the housing (1). Among them, when the fifth opening (15) is the inlet of the coolant and the seventh opening (52) is the outlet of the coolant, the first opening (11) is the inlet of the low-temperature refrigerant, and the second opening (12) is the inlet of the low-temperature refrigerant; the third opening (13) is the inlet of the high-temperature refrigerant, and the fourth opening (14) is the outlet of the high-temperature refrigerant; or, the second opening (12) is the inlet of the low-temperature refrigerant, and the first opening (11) is the outlet of the low-temperature refrigerant; the fourth opening (14) is the inlet of the high-temperature refrigerant, and the third opening (13) is the outlet of the high-temperature refrigerant. When the fifth opening (15) is the outlet of the coolant and the seventh opening (52) is the inlet of the coolant, the first opening (11) is the inlet of the high-temperature refrigerant, and the second opening (12) is the outlet of the high-temperature refrigerant; the third opening (13) is the inlet of the low-temperature refrigerant, and the fourth opening (14) is the outlet of the low-temperature refrigerant; or, the second opening (12) is the inlet of the high-temperature refrigerant, and the first opening (11) is the outlet of the high-temperature refrigerant; the fourth opening (14) is the inlet of the low-temperature refrigerant, and the third opening (13) is the outlet of the low-temperature refrigerant. Among them, the outlet of the low-temperature refrigerant is communicated with the inlet of the high-temperature refrigerant through a pipeline.

2. The three-fluid shell-and-tube heat exchange device for refrigeration according to claim 1, wherein It further includes a compression mechanism, which includes a first suction port with a first suction pressure and a second suction port with a second suction pressure. The first suction pressure and the second suction pressure are different. The high-temperature refrigerant outlet is communicated with the first suction port, and the low-temperature refrigerant outlet is communicated with the second suction port.

3. The three-fluid shell-and-tube heat exchange device for refrigeration according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fifth opening (15) is located at one end of the second chamber close to the first circular partition (2); the sixth opening (51) is located at one end of the second outer chamber close to the second circular partition (3); the seventh opening (52) is located at one end of the second inner chamber close to the first circular partition (2).

4. The three-fluid shell-and-tube heat exchange device for refrigeration according to claim 1, wherein The first heat exchange tube (7) is a straight tube or a spiral tube.

5. The three-fluid shell-and-tube heat exchange device for refrigeration according to claim 4, wherein The second heat exchange tube (8) is a straight tube.

6. The three-fluid shell-and-tube heat exchange device for refrigeration according to claim 5, characterized in that, The number of the second heat exchange tubes (8) is one or more.

7. The three-fluid shell-and-tube heat exchange device for refrigeration according to claim 6, wherein When the number of the second heat exchange tubes (8) is multiple, the multiple second heat exchange tubes (8) are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the second annular partition (5).

8. The three-fluid shell-and-tube heat exchange device for refrigeration according to claim 4, wherein, The second heat exchange tube (8) is a spiral tube spirally wound around the outer periphery of the second annular partition (5).

9. The three-fluid shell-and-tube heat exchange device for refrigeration according to claim 8, characterized in that, The opening direction of the fifth opening (15) is the same as the tangent direction of the outer side surface of the housing (1).

10. The three-fluid shell-and-tube heat exchange device for refrigeration according to claim 1, wherein A flow guiding component for restricting the flow of the coolant is provided at the corresponding position of the inner peripheral wall of the housing (1) and the second outer chamber.

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