Pre-subcooler for condenser

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a method for heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACamp; a condenser (100) for a vapor heat transfer system (10) includes a housing (102) configured to receive a vapor heat transfer fluid (108) and a condensing portion (176). The first plurality of heat exchange tubes (170, 172) is configured to place the vapor heat transfer fluid (108) in a heat exchange relationship with a cooling fluid (118) to produce a liquid heat transfer fluid (116). The condenser (100) includes a subcooling portion (180) having a second plurality of heat exchange tubes (174) extending within the housing (102), wherein the second plurality of heat exchange tubes (174) are configured to place the liquid heat transfer fluid (116) in heat exchange relationship with a cooling fluid (118) to subcool the liquid heat transfer fluid (116). The condenser (100) includes a pre-subcooler (140) disposed in the condensing portion (180), wherein the pre-subcooler (140) includes a slot (144) configured to collect a portion of the liquid heat transfer fluid (116) and to direct the portion of the liquid heat transfer fluid (116) to the subcooling portion (180).

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 351,711, filed on June 13, 2022, entitled “PRE-SUBCOOLER FOR ACONDENSER,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. Background Art

[0003] This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of the technology that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure described below. It is believed that this discussion helps to provide the reader with background information to promote a better understanding of various aspects of the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be understood that these statements should be read in this light, rather than as an admission of the prior art.

[0004] A chiller system or vapor compression system utilizes a working fluid (e.g., a refrigerant) that undergoes phase changes between vapor, liquid, and a mixture of the two in response to the different temperatures and pressures encountered within the components of the chiller system. The chiller system can place the working fluid in heat exchange relationship with a conditioning fluid (e.g., water) and can deliver the conditioning fluid to the conditioning equipment and / or conditioned environment served by the chiller system. In such applications, the conditioning fluid can pass through downstream equipment such as an air handler to condition other fluids, such as air within a building.

[0005] Conventional chiller systems include a refrigerant circuit having, for example, a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator. In some condensers, one or more tube bundles may be positioned in a shell or housing of the condenser. Refrigerant vapor may be directed into the shell, and a cooling fluid may circulate through the tubes of the tube bundle to achieve heat transfer from the refrigerant to the cooling fluid. The heat transfer or heat exchange between the refrigerant vapor and the cooling fluid may cause the refrigerant vapor to condense or transform into a liquid phase. Before the refrigerant liquid is discharged from the condenser, the refrigerant liquid may be further cooled (e.g., subcooled) by a cooling fluid circulated through an additional tube bundle, which may be referred to as a subcooler, positioned within the shell of the condenser to transfer additional heat from the condensed refrigerant liquid to the cooling fluid. Unfortunately, the heat transfer efficiency of existing condenser designs may be limited. Summary of the invention

[0006] The following describes an overview of certain embodiments disclosed herein. It should be understood that these aspects presented are only intended to provide the reader with a brief summary of certain embodiments, and these aspects are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In fact, the present disclosure may encompass various aspects that may not be described below.

[0007] In one embodiment, a condenser of a heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system includes a housing configured to receive a vapor heat transfer fluid and a condensing portion. A first plurality of heat exchange tubes are configured to place the vapor heat transfer fluid in a heat exchange relationship with a cooling fluid to produce a liquid heat transfer fluid. The condenser includes a subcooling portion having a second plurality of heat exchange tubes extending within the housing, wherein the second plurality of heat exchange tubes are configured to place the liquid heat transfer fluid in a heat exchange relationship with the cooling fluid to subcool the liquid heat transfer fluid. The condenser includes a pre-subcooler disposed in the condensing portion, wherein the pre-subcooler includes a trough configured to collect a portion of the liquid heat transfer fluid and direct the portion of the liquid heat transfer fluid to the subcooling portion.

[0008] In another embodiment, a method includes directing a vapor heat transfer fluid through a first plurality of heat exchange tubes of a condensing portion of a condenser so that the vapor heat transfer fluid is in heat exchange relationship with a cooling fluid directed through the first plurality of heat exchange tubes. The first plurality of heat exchange tubes are configured to condense the vapor heat transfer fluid to produce a liquid heat transfer fluid. The method includes directing the liquid heat transfer fluid through a second plurality of heat exchange tubes of a subcooling portion of the condenser so that the liquid heat transfer fluid is in heat exchange relationship with a cooling fluid directed through the second plurality of heat exchange tubes, wherein the second plurality of heat exchange tubes are configured to subcool the liquid heat transfer fluid. The method includes collecting a portion of the liquid heat transfer fluid condensed by a first bundle of the first plurality of heat exchange tubes via a pre-subcooler disposed in the condensing portion. The method includes directing a portion of the liquid heat transfer fluid from the pre-subcooler toward a longitudinal end of a second bundle of the first plurality of heat exchange tubes.

[0009] In another embodiment, a condenser of a heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system includes a shell configured to receive a vapor heat transfer fluid. The condenser includes a condensing portion having a first tube bundle and a second tube bundle extending within the shell, wherein the first tube bundle and the second tube bundle are configured to place the vapor heat transfer fluid in a heat exchange relationship with a cooling fluid to produce a liquid heat transfer fluid from the vapor heat transfer fluid. The condenser includes a pre-subcooler disposed between the first tube bundle and the second tube bundle, wherein the pre-subcooler includes a trough configured to collect a portion of the liquid heat transfer fluid produced by the first tube bundle. The condenser includes a subcooling portion having a plurality of heat exchange tubes extending within the shell, wherein the pre-subcooler is configured to direct a portion of the liquid heat transfer fluid to the subcooling portion. The plurality of heat exchange tubes are configured to place a portion of the liquid heat transfer fluid in a heat exchange relationship with a cooling fluid directed through the plurality of heat exchange tubes to subcool a portion of the liquid heat transfer fluid. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Various aspects of the present disclosure may be better understood after reading the following detailed description and referring to the drawings, in which:

[0011] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a building in which an embodiment of a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system may be utilized in a commercial environment according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0012] Figure 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a vapor compression system according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0013] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a vapor compression system according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0014] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a vapor compression system according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0015] Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a condenser including a pre-subcooler according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0016] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional axial view of an embodiment of a condenser including a pre-subcooler according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0017] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional axial view of an embodiment of a condenser including a pre-subcooler according to an aspect of the present disclosure; and

[0018] Figure 8 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a condenser including a pre-subcooler according to an aspect of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] One or more specific embodiments will be described below. In order to provide a concise description of these embodiments, not all features of the actual implementation scheme are described in the specification. It should be understood that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, a large number of implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as complying with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from implementation to implementation. In addition, it should be understood that such development work may be complex and time-consuming, but is no more than a routine task of design, manufacturing, and production for ordinary technicians who benefit from this disclosure.

[0020] When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present disclosure, the articles "a," "an," "the," and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms "comprising," "including," and "having" are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements in addition to the listed elements. Further, it should be understood that references to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that are further incorporated into the recited features.

[0021] As used herein, the terms "approximately," "substantially," "substantially," and the like are intended to convey that the value of the property being described may be within a relatively small range of that property value, as understood by one skilled in the art. For example, when a property value is described as being "approximately" equal to (or, for example, "substantially similar to") a given value, this is intended to convey that the property value may be within + / -5%, within + / -4%, within + / -3%, within + / -2%, within + / -1%, or even closer of the given value. Similarly, when a given feature is described as being "substantially parallel" to another feature, "substantially perpendicular" to another feature, and the like, this is intended to convey that the given feature is within + / -5%, within + / -4%, within + / -3%, within + / -2%, within + / -1%, or even closer of the described property, such as being parallel to another feature, being perpendicular to another feature, and the like. Mathematical terms, such as "parallel" and "perpendicular," should not be strictly interpreted in a strict mathematical sense, but rather should be interpreted as one of ordinary skill in the art would interpret such terms. For example, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that two lines that are generally parallel to each other are largely parallel, but may have slight deviations from being completely parallel.

[0022] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R) systems, such as chiller systems. The HVAC&R system may include a vapor compression system (e.g., a vapor compression circuit) through which a heat transfer fluid (e.g., a working fluid) such as a refrigerant is directed to heat and / or cool a conditioning fluid. As an example, the vapor compression system may include a compressor configured to pressurize the heat transfer fluid and direct the pressurized heat transfer fluid to a condenser configured to cool and condense the pressurized heat transfer fluid. The evaporator of the vapor compression system may receive the cooled, condensed heat transfer fluid and may place the cooled, condensed heat transfer fluid in a heat exchange relationship with the conditioning fluid to absorb thermal energy or heat from the conditioning fluid, thereby cooling the conditioning fluid. The cooled conditioning fluid may then be directed to a conditioning device, such as an air handler and / or a terminal unit, for conditioning air supplied to a building or other conditioned space.

[0023] In general, a condenser is configured to cool a pressurized heat transfer fluid by placing the pressurized heat transfer fluid in heat exchange relationship with a cooling fluid (such as air, water, brine, or other fluid). For example, the condenser may have a shell or housing defining an interior volume, the interior volume configured to receive the pressurized heat transfer fluid from the compressor, and the condenser may include a plurality of tubes (e.g., one or more tube bundles, condenser tubes) disposed within the interior volume of the shell. The plurality of tubes is configured to circulate a cooling fluid (e.g., water or brine) through the plurality of tubes to achieve heat transfer from the pressurized heat transfer fluid to the cooling fluid.

[0024] In some embodiments, the condenser may include a subcooler configured to further cool (e.g., subcool) the heat transfer fluid once the heat transfer fluid condenses in the condenser (e.g., via heat exchange with a cooling fluid directed through a plurality of tubes). For example, the condenser may include additional multiple tubes (e.g., additional tube bundles, subcooling tubes) disposed in a shell and configured to circulate a cooling fluid to further cool the heat transfer fluid. Unfortunately, existing condenser designs may be prone to inefficiency. For example, when a vapor heat transfer fluid flows through a condensing tube in a condenser, the vapor heat transfer fluid may condense into a liquid heat transfer fluid, and a film of the liquid heat transfer fluid may be formed on one or more of the condensing tubes. When a liquid film (e.g., a heat transfer fluid liquid film, a refrigerant liquid film) is formed on a tube and / or resides on a tube, the heat transfer efficiency of the condenser may be reduced. That is, the heat transfer rate between the cooling fluid in the tube of the condenser and the heat transfer fluid in the condenser may be reduced.

[0025] Therefore, the present embodiment relates to a system and method configured to reduce the formation of a liquid film on the condenser tube of a condenser, which can improve the heat transfer rate and / or heat transfer efficiency of the condenser. Specifically, the present embodiment includes a pre-supercooler positioned within the condensing portion of the condenser. The pre-supercooler is configured to collect the heat transfer fluid liquid formed by the heat transfer fluid vapor in the condensing portion, and is configured to guide the liquid heat transfer fluid to the subcooler of the condenser. In this way, the pre-supercooler can prevent the liquid heat transfer fluid from flowing to one or more condensing tubes in the condensing portion (for example, downstream of the pre-supercooler relative to the direction of the heat transfer fluid flow; below the pre-supercooler relative to the direction of gravity), thereby preventing the formation or collection of a liquid heat transfer fluid film on the condensing portion. Therefore, the condensing tube downstream of the pre-supercooler can benefit from the improved heat transfer with the vapor heat transfer fluid guided through it.

[0026] The pre-supercooler may include a groove extending longitudinally along the condenser and within the condensing portion. The groove may include a sheet or panel and a flange extending from the side (e.g., edge) of the plate. The groove may define a basin configured to collect a liquid heat transfer fluid formed when the vapor heat transfer fluid condenses within the condensing portion. In addition, one or more tubes (which may be referred to as pre-supercooler tubes) within the condensing portion may extend within the basin of the groove. Therefore, the liquid heat transfer fluid collected in the basin may be further cooled or supercooled via a cooling fluid guided through the pre-supercooler tube. The liquid heat transfer fluid collected in the basin of the groove may flow to the longitudinal end of the groove (e.g., via gravity) and may flow to the outside of the groove of the supercooler of the condenser. The flange of the groove (e.g., the first flange and the second flange of the groove) may retain the condensed heat transfer fluid and guide the condensed heat transfer fluid toward the longitudinal end of the pre-supercooler. As described in detail below, the tube of the condensing portion disposed below the pre-supercooler (e.g., relative to gravity) may receive a reduced amount of condensed (e.g., liquid) heat transfer fluid from the condensing tube disposed above the pre-supercooler. Therefore, the contact between the remaining heat transfer fluid vapor in the condenser and the condenser tubes disposed below the pre-supercooler can be improved (e.g., due to a reduction in the liquid film formed or residing on the condenser tubes), thereby improving the heat transfer efficiency of the condenser. In this way, the pre-supercooler of the present disclosure improves the efficiency of the condenser and the HVAC&R system.

[0027] Turning now to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an environment for a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system 10 in a building 12 for a typical commercial environment. The HVAC&R system 10 may include a vapor compression system 14 that supplies a coolant that may be used to keep the building 12 cool. The HVAC&R system 10 may also include a boiler 16 for supplying warm liquid to heat the building 12 and an air distribution system that circulates air through the building 12. The air distribution system may also include an air return duct 18, an air supply duct 20, and / or an air handler 22. In some embodiments, the air handler 22 may include a heat exchanger that is connected to the boiler 16 and the vapor compression system 14 via ducts 24. Depending on the operating mode of the HVAC&R system 10, the heat exchanger in the air handler 22 may receive heated liquid from the boiler 16 or cooled liquid from the vapor compression system 14. The HVAC&R system 10 is shown as having a separate air handler on each floor of the building 12, but in other embodiments, the HVAC&R system 10 may include air handlers 22 and / or other components that may be shared between floors.

[0028] Figure 2 and Figure 3An embodiment of a vapor compression system 14 is shown that may be used in the HVAC&R system 10. The vapor compression system 14 may circulate a heat transfer fluid (e.g., a refrigerant) through a circuit that begins with a compressor 32. The circuit may also include a condenser 34, one or more expansion valves or devices 36, and a liquid cooler or evaporator 38. The vapor compression system 14 may also include a control panel 40 (e.g., a controller) having an analog-to-digital (A / D) converter 42, a microprocessor 44, a non-volatile memory 46, and / or an interface board 48.

[0029] In some embodiments, the vapor compression system 14 may use one or more of a variable speed drive (VSD) 52, a motor 50, a compressor 32, a condenser 34, an expansion valve or device 36, and / or an evaporator 38. The motor 50 may drive the compressor 32 and may be powered by the variable speed drive (VSD) 52. The VSD 52 receives AC power having a specific fixed line voltage and a fixed line frequency from an alternating current (AC) power source and provides power having a variable voltage and frequency to the motor 50. In other embodiments, the motor 50 may be powered directly by an AC or direct current (DC) power source. The motor 50 may include any type of motor that may be powered by a VSD or directly from an AC or DC power source, such as a switched reluctance motor, an induction motor, an electronically commutated permanent magnet motor, or another suitable motor.

[0030] The compressor 32 compresses the heat transfer fluid vapor and delivers the vapor to the condenser 34 through a discharge passage. In some embodiments, the compressor 32 may be a centrifugal compressor. The heat transfer fluid vapor delivered to the condenser 34 by the compressor 32 may transfer heat to a cooling fluid (e.g., water or air) in the condenser 34. As a result of the heat transfer with the cooling fluid, the heat transfer fluid vapor may be condensed into a heat transfer fluid liquid in the condenser 34. The heat transfer fluid liquid from the condenser 34 may flow to the evaporator 38 through the expansion device 36. Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the condenser 34 is water-cooled and includes a tube bundle 54 connected to a cooling tower 56 that supplies cooling fluid to the condenser.

[0031] The heat transfer fluid liquid delivered to the evaporator 38 may absorb heat from another cooling fluid, which may or may not be the same cooling fluid used in the condenser 34. The heat transfer fluid liquid in the evaporator 38 may undergo a phase change from a heat transfer fluid liquid to a heat transfer fluid vapor. Figure 3, the evaporator 38 may include a tube bundle 58 having a supply line 60S and a return line 60R connected to a cooling load 62. The cooling fluid of the evaporator 38 (e.g., water, ethylene glycol, calcium chloride brine, sodium chloride brine, or any other suitable fluid) enters the evaporator 38 via the return line 60R and exits the evaporator 38 via the supply line 60S. The evaporator 38 may reduce the temperature of the cooling fluid in the tube bundle 58 via heat transfer with the heat transfer fluid. The tube bundle 58 in the evaporator 38 may include multiple tubes and / or multiple tube bundles. In any case, the heat transfer fluid vapor exits the evaporator 38 and returns to the compressor 32 through the suction line to complete the cycle.

[0032] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of vapor compression system 14 in which intermediate loop 64 is coupled between condenser 34 and expansion device 36. Intermediate loop 64 may have an inlet line 68 directly fluidly connected to condenser 34. In other embodiments, inlet line 68 may be indirectly fluidly coupled to condenser 34. Figure 4 In the illustrated embodiment, the inlet line 68 includes a first expansion device 66 positioned upstream of an intermediate vessel 70. In some embodiments, the intermediate vessel 70 may be a flash tank (e.g., a flash intercooler). In other embodiments, the intermediate vessel 70 may be configured as a heat exchanger or a "surface economizer." Figure 4 In the illustrated embodiment of , the intermediate vessel 70 is used as a flash tank, and the first expansion device 66 is configured to reduce (e.g., expand) the pressure of the liquid heat transfer fluid received from the condenser 34. During the expansion process, a portion of the liquid may evaporate, and thus the intermediate vessel 70 may be used to separate the vapor from the liquid received from the first expansion device 66.

[0033] In addition, the intermediate container 70 can provide further expansion of the liquid heat transfer fluid due to the pressure drop experienced by the liquid heat transfer fluid when entering the intermediate container 70 (e.g., due to the rapid increase in volume experienced when entering the intermediate container 70). The vapor in the intermediate container 70 can be sucked in by the compressor 32 through the suction line 74 of the compressor 32. In other embodiments, the vapor in the intermediate container can be drawn into an intermediate stage (e.g., a non-suction stage) of the compressor 32. Due to the expansion in the expansion device 66 and / or the intermediate container 70, the liquid collected in the intermediate container 70 can be at a lower enthalpy than the liquid heat transfer fluid leaving the condenser 34. The liquid from the intermediate container 70 can then flow through the second expansion device 36 in the pipeline 72 to the evaporator 38.

[0034] It should be appreciated that any of the features described herein may be combined with the vapor compression system 14 or any other suitable HVAC&R system. As described above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a pre-supercooler that can be used with the condenser 34 of the vapor compression system 14. The pre-supercooler may be disposed within a condensing portion of the condenser 34 that is configured to condense a vapor heat transfer fluid received by the condenser 34. As described in further detail below, the pre-supercooler may be configured to collect the liquid heat transfer fluid formed within the condensing portion and direct the liquid heat transfer fluid toward a subcooler of the condenser 34. In some embodiments, the pre-supercooler may also subcool the collected liquid heat transfer fluid. The pre-supercooler can improve heat transfer between the tubes in the condensing portion and the vapor heat transfer fluid by reducing the formation of a liquid film (e.g., a liquid heat transfer fluid film) on the tubes.

[0035] Figure 5 1 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a condenser 100 according to an aspect of the present disclosure. The condenser 100 may be an embodiment of the condenser 34 of the vapor compression system 14 described above. The condenser 100 includes a housing 102 that defines an interior volume 104 and separates the interior volume 104 from an external environment 106. In some embodiments, the housing 102 may be formed of metal and may have a generally cylindrical shape. As indicated by arrow 108, the condenser 100 (e.g., housing 102) is configured to receive a heat transfer fluid (e.g., vapor heat transfer fluid, refrigerant vapor) that circulates through the vapor compression system 14. The condenser 100 may place the heat transfer fluid in a heat exchange relationship with a cooling fluid (e.g., water, brine). For example, the condenser 100 may include a plurality of heat exchange tubes 110 configured to guide a cooling fluid therethrough, and the heat transfer fluid within the condenser 100 may flow through the heat exchange tubes 110 and transfer heat to the cooling fluid. As discussed further below, the heat exchange tubes 110 may be grouped into one or more tube bundles and / or one or more sections. For example, the condenser 100 may define a condensing portion having corresponding heat exchange tubes 110 configured to condense the vapor heat transfer fluid received by the condenser 100 to form a liquid heat transfer fluid. The condenser 100 may also define a subcooling portion (e.g., a subcooler) having corresponding heat exchange tubes 110 configured to further cool or subcool the liquid heat transfer fluid formed in the condenser 100.

[0036] As described above, the heat exchange tubes 110 are configured to direct a cooling fluid through the condenser 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the condenser 100 is a multi-pass heat exchanger and is configured to direct a cooling fluid therethrough along a plurality of passes (e.g., arranged in series with one another). Specifically, the condenser 100 defines a first pass 112, which may include a first subset of the heat exchange tubes 110, and a second pass 114, which may include a second subset of the heat exchange tubes 110. Thus, at least a portion of the heat transfer fluid may be directed through the heat exchange tubes 110 of the second pass 114, and then directed through the heat exchange tubes 110 of the first pass 112, as indicated by arrows 116, before the heat transfer fluid is discharged from the condenser 100.

[0037] In operation, the condenser 100 may receive a cooling fluid flow, as shown by arrow 118. The cooling fluid may enter the condenser 100 via a first cooling fluid portion 120 (e.g., a cooling fluid tank, a water tank). The first cooling fluid portion 120 is divided into an inlet portion 122 and an outlet portion 124, which are separated by a partition 126 (e.g., fluid separation). The cooling fluid may be directed into the inlet portion 122 and then may be directed into the heat exchange tube 110 of the first passage 112, as shown by arrow 128. The heat exchange tube 110 of the first passage 112 may include a condensing tube and a subcooling tube, as further described below. The cooling fluid may travel through the heat exchange tube 110 of the first passage 112 (e.g., along the length 130 of the condenser 100) and may be discharged into the second cooling fluid portion 132, which is disposed at an end of the condenser 100 opposite to the first cooling fluid portion 120. The second cooling fluid portion 132 may direct the cooling fluid (e.g., the first cooling fluid flow) into the heat exchange tubes 110 associated with the second passage 114, as indicated by arrows 134. At least a portion of the heat exchange tubes 110 associated with the second passage 114 may be condenser tubes. The cooling fluid may flow into the heat exchange tubes 110 of the second passage 114 and into the outlet portion 124 of the first cooling fluid portion 120, as indicated by arrows 136, and may then be discharged from the first cooling fluid portion 120 and the condenser 100, as indicated by arrows 138. In this way, the cooling fluid may flow through the first passage 112 and the second passage 114 sequentially.

[0038] As described above, a vapor heat transfer fluid (e.g., a gaseous heat transfer fluid) may be directed into the shell 102 of the condenser 100. The vapor heat transfer fluid first flows through the heat exchange tubes 110 of the second passage 114. When the vapor heat transfer fluid contacts the heat exchange tubes 110 of the second passage 114, heat is transferred from the cooling fluid within the heat exchange tubes 110 to the vapor heat transfer fluid, which causes the vapor heat transfer fluid to condense and form a liquid heat transfer fluid. In some cases, when the heat transfer fluid continues to flow through the heat exchange tubes 110 of the second passage 114, and thereafter flows through the heat exchange tubes 110 of the first passage 112, the condensed liquid heat transfer fluid may form a liquid film on one or more of the heat exchange tubes 110 (e.g., the heat exchange tubes of the second passage 114, the first passage 112, or both). Unfortunately, the formation and / or accumulation of a liquid film (e.g., a liquid heat transfer fluid film) on the heat exchange tubes 110 may reduce the heat transfer efficiency between the heat exchange tubes 110 and the heat transfer fluid.

[0039] Thus, the present embodiment of the condenser 100 includes a pre-supercooler 140 configured to reduce the liquid film (e.g., condensed liquid heat transfer fluid) formed on the heat exchange tubes 110 within the condenser 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the pre-supercooler 140 is at least partially positioned within the second passage 114 and / or at least partially positioned within an area 142 (e.g., a gap, a space) extending between (e.g., vertically between) the first passage 112 and the second passage 114 (e.g., an area without heat exchange tubes 110). The pre-supercooler 140 includes a trough 144 configured to collect the condensed liquid heat transfer fluid formed via heat exchange with the heat exchange tubes 110 of the second passage 114. As further described below, the trough 144 may include a plate or panel (e.g., a horizontal plate) extending along the length 130 of the condenser 100 (e.g., along the second passage 114) and a side or side segment (e.g., a vertical segment) extending from the edge of the panel and along the length of the condenser 100. In some embodiments, the groove 144 can be formed from a solid (e.g., non-perforated) piece of material. The groove 144 can extend substantially horizontally (e.g., relative to gravity) along the length 130 of the condenser 100 and / or along the width of the condenser 100 (e.g., a dimension extending transverse to the length 130). That is, the plane formed by the panels of the groove 144 (e.g., the lower panels relative to the direction of gravity) can include a substantially negligible (e.g., less than 5 degrees, less than 1 degree) slope (e.g., relative to gravity) along the length 130 of the condenser 100 and / or along the width of the condenser 100.

[0040] The liquid heat transfer fluid collected in the trough 144 may flow (e.g., via gravity) toward the longitudinal end 146 of the pre-supercooler 140, as indicated by arrow 148. That is, when the liquid heat transfer fluid accumulates in the relatively horizontal basin formed by the trough 144, gravity may naturally force the heat transfer fluid to flow toward the longitudinal end 146 of the trough 144. The longitudinal end 146 may allow the heat transfer fluid to flow therethrough (e.g., via one or more openings formed in the longitudinal end 146). Thus, at the longitudinal end 146, the liquid heat transfer fluid may flow out of the trough 144 (e.g., in a vertical downward direction) toward the first passage 112 (e.g., toward the supercooler of the condenser 100). In this manner, the liquid heat transfer fluid collected in the trough 144 may not flow through one or more heat exchange tubes 110 of the first passage 112 and / or may not flow through a majority of the heat exchange tubes 110 of the first passage 112. Therefore, no liquid film is formed on the heat exchange tube 110 of the first passage 112 , which can generally improve the heat transfer efficiency of the heat exchange tube 110 of the first passage 112 and the condenser 100 .

[0041] In some embodiments, the longitudinal end 146 can be configured to maintain a threshold level of heat transfer fluid within the trough 144 during operation of the condenser 100. For example, the longitudinal end 146 can be configured to prevent the heat transfer fluid from flowing from the basin of the trough 144 to the first passage 112 until the heat transfer fluid accumulates a threshold amount (e.g., a threshold level) within the trough 144. The longitudinal end 146 can be configured (e.g., via an opening formed therein, by virtue of having a designed height) to allow the heat transfer fluid (e.g., liquid heat transfer fluid) to flow out of the trough 144 (e.g., from the trough 144 to the first passage 112) once the level of the heat transfer fluid within the trough 144 exceeds the threshold amount. Thus, the longitudinal end 146 can ensure that the tubes (e.g., pre-supercooler tubes) within the trough 144 remain submerged (e.g., partially submerged, fully submerged) in the heat transfer fluid within the trough 144 during operation of the condenser 100 to facilitate heat exchange with and subcooling of the heat transfer fluid within the trough 144.

[0042] It should be understood that in certain embodiments, the groove 144 may include a slope configured to direct the heat transfer fluid that may accumulate in the groove 144 toward one of the longitudinal ends 146. In other embodiments, a first portion of the groove 144 may include a first slope configured to direct the heat transfer fluid accumulated in the first portion of the groove 144 toward one of the longitudinal ends 146, and a second portion (e.g., the remaining portion) of the groove 144 may include a second slope configured to direct the heat transfer fluid accumulated in the second portion of the groove 144 toward an opposite one of the longitudinal ends 146.

[0043] As further described below, one or more heat exchange tubes 110 of the second passage 114 may extend within a trough 144 (e.g., within the basin of the trough 144). Thus, the liquid heat transfer fluid collected within the trough 144 may be in heat exchange relationship with the heat exchange tubes 110 extending within the trough 144. In order to enable the liquid heat transfer fluid within the trough 144 to be supercooled, the heat exchange tubes 110 extending within the trough 144 may not receive cooling fluid directed through the remaining heat exchange tubes 110 of the second passage 114. Instead, cooling fluid from the inlet portion 122 of the first cooling fluid portion 120 may be directed to the heat exchange tubes 110 extending within the trough 144 (e.g., without first being directed through the first passage 112 or the second passage 114).

[0044] For example, the condenser 100 may include a conduit 150 (e.g., a pipe, a manifold, a nozzle, etc.) extending between and fluidly coupling the inlet portion 122 of the first cooling fluid portion 120 and the heat exchange tubes 110 extending within the slots 144, which may be longer than the heat exchange tubes 110 (e.g., condensing heat exchange tubes) of the second passage 114. For example, the conduit 150 may extend through the baffle 126. The baffle 126 and the conduit 150 may be coupled to each other in a sealing engagement to prevent the cooling fluid from flowing directly from the inlet portion 122 of the first cooling fluid portion 120 to the outlet portion 124. It should be understood that the cooling fluid within the inlet portion 122 of the first cooling fluid portion 120 may be cooler than the cooling fluid in the heat exchange tubes 110 directed from the second cooling fluid portion 132 to the second passage 114. Thus, the cooling fluid directed from the inlet portion 122 of the first cooling fluid portion 120 and through the heat exchange tubes 110 extending within the slot 144 can be able to further cool and / or subcool the liquid heat transfer fluid collected within the slot 144. The cooling fluid directed through the heat exchange tubes 110 extending within the slot 144 can be discharged into the second cooling fluid portion 132, and the second cooling fluid portion 132 can then direct the cooling fluid (e.g., the second cooling fluid flow) to the heat exchange tubes 110 extending within the second passage 114, as shown by arrows 152. In this way, the cooling fluid flow discharged from the heat exchange tubes 110 extending within the slot 144 (e.g., indicated by arrows 152) can be mixed with the cooling fluid (e.g., indicated by arrows 134) received from the first passage 112 (e.g., in the second cooling fluid portion 132). The arrangement of the heat exchange tubes 110 within the condenser 100 and embodiments of the pre-subcooler 140 are described in further detail below.

[0045] Figure 61 is a cross-sectional axial view of an embodiment of a condenser 100 including a pre-subcooler 140. In the illustrated embodiment, the heat exchange tubes 110 are arranged in a first tube bundle 170, a second tube bundle 172, and a third tube bundle 174. The first tube bundle 170 generally defines a second passage 114 that is configured to direct a cooling fluid through the condenser 100. However, as described below, one or more of the heat exchange tubes 110 of the first tube bundle 170 may not be associated with the second passage 114. The second tube bundle 172 and the third tube bundle 174 define a first passage 112 that is configured to direct a cooling fluid through the condenser 100.

[0046] In the illustrated embodiment, the first tube bundle 170 and the second tube bundle 172 may generally define a condensing portion 176 of the condenser 100. That is, the heat transfer fluid directed through the heat exchange tubes 110 of the first tube bundle 170 and the second tube bundle 172 (e.g., along the vertical axis 178) may be a vapor heat transfer fluid that condenses to form a liquid heat transfer fluid. Thus, the heat transfer fluid flowing to the third tube bundle 174 may be substantially in a liquid phase. Thus, the third tube bundle 174 may generally define a subcooling portion 180 (e.g., a subcooler) of the condenser 100. The liquid heat transfer fluid flowing along and / or through the heat exchange tubes 110 of the third tube bundle 174 may be further cooled and / or subcooled before being discharged from the condenser 100. The subcooling portion 180 may have any suitable configuration. For example, in some embodiments, the subcooling portion 180 may define a plurality of pathways (e.g., heat transfer fluid pathways) whereby the heat transfer fluid may flow sequentially through and / or along different groups of heat exchange tubes 110 in the subcooling portion 180.

[0047] The condenser 100 also includes a pre-supercooler 140 having a trough 144. The trough 144 is disposed within the condensing portion 176 and at least partially within a region 142 that extends between the first tube bundle 170 and the second tube bundle 172 (e.g., vertically extending therebetween relative to the vertical axis 178). In some embodiments, the trough 144 may be completely disposed within the region 142. Specifically, a plate 182 (e.g., a horizontal plate relative to gravity) of the trough 144 extends within the region 142 (e.g., along a transverse axis 184 or a horizontal axis). The trough 144 also includes a side segment 186 (e.g., a vertical segment, a flange) extending from a side edge or side of the plate 182. That is, the side segment 186 may extend laterally from a side edge or side of the plate 182. In some embodiments, the trough 144 having the plate 182 and the side segment 186 may be formed using (e.g., bending) a single piece of material (e.g., a metal plate). In other embodiments, the plate 182 and the side segments 186 may be separate components that are mechanically fastened to one another (e.g., via welds, bolts, rivets, etc.). The plate 182, the side segments 186, or both may be solid (e.g., non-porous, non-perforated) pieces of material. That is, the plate 182, the side segments 186, or both may not include perforations (e.g., holes) formed therein such that fluid flow through the thickness of the plate 182, through the thickness of the side segments 186, or both may be prevented.

[0048] The plate 182 and the side segments 186 collectively define a basin 188 (e.g., a reservoir, a volume) of the trough 144. As the vapor heat transfer fluid is directed through the heat exchange tubes 110 of the first tube bundle 170, some of the vapor heat transfer fluid may condense to form a liquid heat transfer fluid, and the liquid heat transfer fluid may be captured within the basin 188 of the trough 144. That is, the liquid heat transfer fluid that may form on at least a portion 189 of the first tube bundle 170 may flow (e.g., drip) from the portion 189 of the first tube bundle 170 into the basin 188. The portion 189 may include some or all of the tubes included in the first tube bundle 170.

[0049] The liquid heat transfer fluid within the basin 188 may be directed (e.g., via gravity) to the longitudinal end 146 of the trough 144. The liquid heat transfer fluid may flow downwardly (e.g., along the vertical axis 178) from the longitudinal end 146 through the longitudinal ends of the heat exchange tubes 110 of the second tube bundle 172. In some embodiments, the longitudinal ends of the heat exchange tubes 110 of the second tube bundle 172 may include a specified portion of the length of the heat exchange tubes 110 of the second tube bundle 172. For example, the specified portion may be a percentage (e.g., 5%, 10%) of the length of the heat exchange tubes 110 of the second tube bundle 172 extending from the respective distal ends of the heat exchange tubes 110 of the second tube bundle 172. Additionally or alternatively, the liquid heat transfer fluid may be directed to the subcooling portion 180 (e.g., after contacting the longitudinal ends of the tubes of the second tube bundle 172, but without contacting the tubes of the second tube bundle 172), where the liquid heat transfer fluid may be further cooled and / or subcooled before the liquid heat transfer fluid is discharged from the condenser 100. In this way, the liquid heat transfer fluid collected in the trough 144 does not contact the majority of the heat exchange tubes 110 of the second tube bundle 172, which reduces the formation of a liquid film on the majority of the heat exchange tubes 110 of the second tube bundle 172, and thus improves the heat transfer of the remaining vapor heat transfer fluid through the second tube bundle 172. That is, the vapor heat transfer fluid that does not condense and collect in the trough 144 as the liquid heat transfer fluid can continue to flow through the first tube bundle 170 and then through the second tube bundle 172, and experience more efficient heat transfer through the first tube bundle 170 and the heat exchange tubes 110 of the second tube bundle 172 disposed below the trough 144 (e.g., relative to the vertical axis 178).

[0050] As described above, one or more heat exchange tubes 110 may be disposed within the basin 188 defined by the slot 144. For example, the heat exchange tube 110 disposed within the basin 188 may be referred to as a pre-supercooler tube 190. In some embodiments, the side segment 186 may protrude vertically beyond (e.g., along the axis 178) the pre-supercooler tube 190, such that the pre-supercooler tube 190 may be completely disposed within the basin 188 relative to the vertical axis 178. In other embodiments, a portion of the pre-supercooler tube 190 may protrude beyond (e.g., above relative to the direction of gravity) the basin 188.

[0051] In some embodiments, while the pre-subcooler tubes 190 may be arranged with and / or adjacent to the heat exchange tubes 110 of the first tube bundle 170, the pre-subcooler tubes 190 may not receive the same cooling fluid flow as the heat exchange tubes 110 of the first tube bundle 170. For example, as described above, cooling fluid from the inlet portion 122 of the first cooling fluid portion 120 may be directed to (e.g., directly into) the pre-subcooler tubes 190 via the conduits 150. Thus, the pre-subcooler tubes 190 may define a pre-subcooler passage of the condenser 100, and the cooling fluid directed through the pre-subcooler tubes 190 may bypass the heat exchange tubes 110 of the first passage 112. However, in other embodiments, the pre-subcooler tubes 190 may receive cooling fluid from the second cooling fluid portion 132, similar to the heat exchange tubes 110 of the first tube bundle 170.

[0052] As the liquid heat transfer fluid flows within the basin 188 toward the longitudinal end 146 of the pre-supercooler 140, the liquid heat transfer fluid may be further cooled (e.g., pre-supercooled) and / or subcooled via heat exchange with the pre-supercooler tubes 190. Indeed, in some embodiments, the pre-supercooler tubes 190 may be at least partially immersed in the liquid heat transfer fluid collected within the tank 144. Thus, the pre-supercooler tubes 190 may effectively further cool the liquid heat transfer fluid before it is discharged from the tank 144.

[0053] As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the pre-supercooler 140 includes a width 192, which can be a dimension extending between the side segments 186 of the groove 144. In other words, the width 192 can be a dimension that the plate 182 extends along the transverse axis 184. For different embodiments of the pre-supercooler 140, the size of the width 192 can be different. It can be understood that the width 192 of the pre-supercooler 140 (e.g., the groove 144) can affect the pressure drop of the vapor heat transfer fluid flowing through the condenser 100. Therefore, the size of the width 192 can be selected to achieve the desired pressure drop of the vapor heat transfer fluid. In some embodiments, the size of the width 192 can be determined or selected based on the position of the pre-supercooler 140 in the shell 102 (e.g., the vertical position of the groove 144 in the condenser 100 along the vertical axis 178). In practice, the amount of remaining vapor heat transfer fluid (e.g., vapor heat transfer fluid that condenses into liquid heat transfer fluid collected within the trough 144) that flows through the heat exchange tubes 110 disposed below the trough 144 may depend on the vertical position of the pre-supercooler 140 within the shell 102. In some embodiments, a higher position of the pre-supercooler 140 within the shell 102 (e.g., along the vertical axis 178, relative to gravity) may correspond to a reduced magnitude of the width 192.

[0054] As described above, the groove 144 (e.g., plate 182) can be positioned in the region 142 between the first tube bundle 170 and the second tube bundle 172 (e.g., vertically between the first passage 112 and the second passage 114), where no heat exchange tube 110 is disposed. Therefore, in some embodiments, the pre-subcooler 140 can be incorporated with the condenser 100 without changing the number of heat exchange tubes 110 (e.g., relative to an embodiment of the condenser 100 without the pre-subcooler 140), which can further help improve the heat transfer efficiency of the condenser 100 with the pre-subcooler 140. However, it should be understood that the pre-subcooler 140 can be disposed at any suitable location within the condenser 100 based on operating conditions, including but not limited to the heat transfer fluid pressure drop, the total number of heat exchange tubes 110, the number of pre-subcooler tubes 190, the number of passages (e.g., cooling fluid passages), and the like.

[0055] Figure 7 1 is a cross-sectional axial view of an embodiment of a condenser 100 including a pre-supercooler 140. In the illustrated embodiment, the pre-supercooler 140 includes two separate slots 144. Thus, the condenser 100 may be described as including two pre-supercoolers 140 (e.g., a first pre-supercooler 200 and a second pre-supercooler 202). Each slot 144 includes the plate 182 and side segments 186 discussed above. As described above with reference to Figure 6 As with the described embodiments, the slots 144 may be disposed in the region 142 between the first tube bundle 170 and the second tube bundle 172. The plates 182 of each of the first pre-supercooler 200 and the second pre-supercooler 202 may be aligned with each other along the transverse axis 184, or may be vertically offset from each other along the vertical axis 178. Each slot 144 is configured to receive and collect liquid heat transfer fluid condensed via the heat exchange tubes 110 (e.g., the first tube bundle 170) of the second passage 114. However, in other embodiments, the slots 144 may be vertically offset from each other and may receive liquid heat transfer fluid condensed via different heat exchange tubes 110 and / or different tube bundles within the condenser 100.

[0056] The corresponding pre-supercooler tubes 190 disposed in the corresponding grooves 144 can each receive cooling fluid from the inlet portion 122 of the first cooling fluid portion 120, or the corresponding pre-supercooler tubes 190 can receive cooling fluid from different parts of the condenser 100. In addition, each pre-supercooler 140 includes a width 192, which can be the same or different from each other and can be selected based on the factors discussed above. In some embodiments, the condenser 100 with the first pre-supercooler 200 and the second pre-supercooler 202 can reduce the pressure drop of the vapor heat transfer fluid in the condenser 100 (for example, compared with the embodiment of the condenser 100 with one pre-supercooler 140). The first pre-supercooler 200 and the second pre-supercooler 202 are also configured to operate in a similar manner to the above. In other embodiments, the pre-supercooler 202 may include 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or more than 5 separate grooves 144 arranged along various positions and / or various directions in the condenser 100.

[0057] Figure 8 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a condenser 100 including a pre-subcooler 140 and a liquid heat transfer fluid flowing through the condenser 100. As described above, the pre-subcooler 140 includes a slot 144 that may be at least partially positioned between a first tube bundle 170 and a second tube bundle 172 that together define a condensing portion 176 of the condenser 100. The condenser also includes a subcooling portion 180 having a third tube bundle 174.

[0058] In the illustrated embodiment, the subcooling portion 180 (e.g., a subcooler) is a two-pass subcooler. That is, the subcooling portion 180 defines two passages (e.g., a first passage 220 and a second passage 222) that together define a heat transfer fluid flow path through the subcooling portion 180. The heat exchange tubes 110 of the third tube bundle 174 can be separated into a first group of heat exchange tubes 110 associated with the first passage 220 (e.g., a first subcooler passage) and a second group of heat exchange tubes 110 associated with the second passage 222 (e.g., a second subcooler passage). The subcooling portion 180 also includes a separator 224 extending (e.g., relative to the vertical axis 178) between the heat exchange tubes 110 of the first passage 220 and the heat exchange tubes 110 of the second passage 222. The separator 224 generally extends along a longitudinal axis 226 of the condenser 100. In some embodiments, the separator 224 can be a solid piece of material (e.g., a non-perforated piece of material) that does not include holes formed therein.

[0059] The first passage 220 of the subcooling section 180 may be described as an open passage (e.g., an open subcooler section) that is, for example, configured to receive a heat transfer fluid directly from the second tube bundle 172 (e.g., the condensing section 176). That is, the heat transfer fluid (e.g., a liquid heat transfer fluid) may flow from the second tube bundle 172 directly to the heat exchange tubes 110 of the third tube bundle 174 associated with the first passage 220 of the subcooling section 180, as indicated by arrows 228. The heat transfer fluid may then be directed by the divider plate 224 (e.g., via gravity) to flow along the heat exchange tubes 110 of the first passage 220 toward the longitudinal end 230 of the divider plate 224, as indicated by arrows 232. At the longitudinal end 230, the heat transfer fluid may flow from the first passage 220 to the second passage 222 of the subcooling section 180 and be directed along the heat exchange tubes 110 of the second passage 222 toward the outlet 236 of the condenser 100, as indicated by arrows 234. The second passage 222 may be described as a closed passage of the subcooling section 180. As the heat transfer fluid (eg, liquid heat transfer fluid) flows along the first and second passages 220 and 222 , the heat transfer fluid may be further cooled and / or subcooled via heat transfer with the cooling fluid of the heat exchange tubes 110 directed through the subcooling portion 180 .

[0060] As described above, the trough 144 of the pre-subcooler 140 is configured to collect liquid condensate formed via heat exchange with the first tube bundle 170. The liquid condensate may be captured within the basin 188 of the trough 144 defined by the plate 182 and the side segments 186. The trough 144 is configured to direct the liquid condensate to the longitudinal end 146 of the trough 144. At the longitudinal end 146, the liquid condensate may flow out of the trough 144 and flow downward (e.g., along the vertical axis 178), as indicated by arrow 238. As described above, the liquid heat transfer fluid discharged from the trough 144 may flow through the longitudinal ends 223 of the heat exchange tubes 110 in the second tube bundle 172. Therefore, the formation and / or accumulation of a liquid heat transfer fluid film on a majority (e.g., the central portion 225) of the heat exchange tubes 110 in the second tube bundle 172 is avoided, which improves heat transfer between the second tube bundle 172 and the vapor heat transfer fluid flowing from the first tube bundle 170 to the second tube bundle 172. That is, the grooves 144 may be configured to direct the liquid heat transfer fluid to the longitudinal ends 223 of the second tube bundle 172 and prevent the liquid heat transfer fluid from the grooves 144 (e.g., from the first tube bundle 170) from flowing to the central portion 225 of the second tube bundle 172. In some embodiments, the central portion 225 may correspond to a majority of the length of the second tube bundle 172 (e.g., 50% of the length of the second tube bundle 172, 60% of the length of the second tube bundle 172, 70% of the length of the second tube bundle 172) and the longitudinal ends 223 may correspond to the remainder of the length of the second tube bundle 172.

[0061] In some embodiments, the liquid heat transfer fluid discharged from the groove 144 can flow through the longitudinal ends 227 of the heat exchange tubes 110 in the first passage 220 of the subcooling section 180, thereby bypassing contact with a majority (e.g., a central portion 229) of the heat exchange tubes 110 in the first passage 220. That is, the groove 144 can be configured to guide the liquid heat transfer fluid to the longitudinal ends 227 of the first passage 220 (e.g., the first subcooler passage) and prevent the liquid heat transfer fluid from flowing from the groove 144 to the central portion 229 of the first passage 220 (e.g., the first subcooler passage). Therefore, the temperature difference between the heat transfer fluid guided along the first passage 220 (e.g., received from the second tube bundle 172) and the cooling fluid guided through the heat exchange tubes 110 in the first passage 220 can be greater, which can improve the heat transfer efficiency within the condenser 100.

[0062] The liquid heat transfer fluid discharged from the groove 144 can flow from the longitudinal ends of the heat exchange tubes 110 in the first passage 220 to the second passage 222, and can be directed along the second passage 222 (e.g., thereby being further cooled and / or subcooled) toward the outlet 236 of the condenser 100. To this end, the groove 144 (e.g., the plate 182) can have a length 240 extending along the longitudinal axis 226 that is greater than the length 242 of the partition plate 224 extending along the longitudinal axis 226. In this way, contact between the liquid heat transfer fluid discharged from the groove 144 and the heat exchange tubes 110 in the first passage 220 is limited. In some embodiments, the groove 144 (e.g., the plate 182, the side segment 186) may include one or more openings formed therein (e.g., at the longitudinal end 146) to enable the liquid heat transfer fluid to be discharged from the groove 144 as desired.

[0063] In some embodiments, the condenser 100 may include additional or alternative features that facilitate incorporation of the pre-subcooler 140. For example, one or more baffles or plates may be utilized to support the pre-subcooler tubes 190 extending through the slots 144. In some embodiments, the tube sheet 244 implemented to support the first tube bundle 170, the second tube bundle 172, and / or the third tube bundle 174 may also be configured to support the pre-subcooler tubes 190. The tube sheet 244 may also support the slots 144 within the shell 102. For example, the slots 144 may be welded, fastened, or otherwise secured to the tube sheet 244. The tube sheet 244 implemented to support the first tube bundle 170, the second tube bundle 172, and / or the third tube bundle 174 may additionally or alternatively be configured to function as baffles to enable a desired flow of the liquid heat transfer fluid within the basin 188 (e.g., toward the longitudinal end 146). In some embodiments, additional tube sheets 244 may be incorporated into the condenser 100 to support the pre-subcooler tubes 190 and / or to facilitate the flow of the liquid heat transfer fluid through the trough 144. In some embodiments, the pre-subcooler 140 may include additional baffles 246 to support the pre-subcooler tubes 190 and / or to facilitate the flow of the liquid heat transfer fluid through the trough 144. For example, the additional baffles 246 may be disposed within the basin 188 and may be secured to the trough 144 (e.g., the plate 182).

[0064] The embodiment of the pre-supercooler 140 can also be combined with other embodiments of the condenser 100, such as an embodiment of the condenser 100 having three passages (e.g., the first passage 112, the second passage 114, and the additional passage). In such an embodiment, the pre-supercooler 140 can be vertically disposed between the second passage 114 and the additional (e.g., third) passage vertically disposed above the second passage 114 within the shell 102. In another embodiment, the pre-supercooler 140 can be implemented with the condenser 100 having one cooling fluid passage.

[0065] According to the technology of the present disclosure, the pre-subcooler 140 can improve the heat transfer between the cooling fluid and the heat transfer fluid guided through the condenser 100 by reducing the formation and / or accumulation of the liquid heat transfer fluid film on the heat exchange tubes 110 of the condenser 100. In some embodiments, the incorporation of the pre-subcooler 140 can make it possible to reduce the size of the subcooling section 180 (e.g., fewer heat exchange tubes 110 in the subcooling section 180), which can increase the available pressure drop for the subcooling section 180. In addition, the pre-subcooler 140 can be incorporated in a cost-effective manner, can reduce the costs associated with the subcooling section 180, and can be implemented without reducing the number of heat exchange tubes 110 originally included in the condenser 100.

[0066] Although only certain features and embodiments are shown and described, many modifications and changes may occur to those skilled in the art without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited in the claims, such as changes in size, dimensions, structure, shape and proportion of various elements, parameter values ​​(such as temperature and pressure), mounting arrangements, use of materials, color, orientation, etc. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be changed or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Therefore, it should be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the present disclosure.

[0067] Furthermore, in an effort to provide a concise description of exemplary embodiments, not all features of an actual implementation may be described, such as those not relevant to the best mode currently contemplated or those not relevant to enablement. It should be appreciated that in the development of such actual implementations, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions may be made. Such development work may be complex and time consuming, but these are routine tasks of design, fabrication, and production for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure, without undue experimentation.

[0068] The technology presented and claimed herein is by reference and application to substantial objects and specific examples of a practical nature that improve the art in a demonstrable manner and are therefore not abstract, intangible, or purely theoretical. In addition, if any claim appended to the end of this specification contains one or more elements that are expressed as "means for [performing] [the function] ..." or "steps for [performing] [the function] ...", it is expected that such elements will be interpreted in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f). However, for any claim containing elements specified in any other manner, it is intended that such elements will not be interpreted in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f).

Claims

1. A condenser for a heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system, the condenser comprising: a housing configured to receive a vapor heat transfer fluid; a condensing portion comprising a first plurality of heat exchange tubes extending within the shell, wherein the first plurality of heat exchange tubes are configured to place the vapor heat transfer fluid in heat exchange relationship with a cooling fluid directed through the first plurality of heat exchange tubes to produce a liquid heat transfer fluid from the vapor heat transfer fluid; a subcooling portion comprising a second plurality of heat exchange tubes extending within the housing, wherein the second plurality of heat exchange tubes are configured to place the liquid heat transfer fluid in heat exchange relationship with a cooling fluid directed through the second plurality of heat exchange tubes to subcool the liquid heat transfer fluid; as well as A pre-subcooler is disposed in the condensing section, wherein the pre-subcooler includes a trough configured to collect a portion of the liquid heat transfer fluid and direct the portion of the liquid heat transfer fluid to the subcooling section. 2 . The condenser of claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of heat exchange tubes includes a first tube bundle and a second tube bundle vertically offset from the first tube bundle, wherein the slot is vertically disposed between the first tube bundle and the second tube bundle.

3. The condenser of claim 2, wherein the condenser is configured to direct a first cooling fluid flow from a first cooling fluid portion into and through a first passage of heat exchange tubes, wherein the first passage of heat exchange tubes includes the second plurality of heat exchange tubes and the second tube bundle.

4. The condenser of claim 3, wherein the condenser is configured to direct the first cooling fluid flow from the first passage of heat exchange tubes to a second passage of heat exchange tubes, wherein the second passage of heat exchange tubes includes the first tube bundle.

5. The condenser of claim 4, wherein the pre-subcooler comprises a pre-subcooler heat exchange tube extending within the basin of the tank, and the condenser is configured to direct a second cooling fluid flow from the first cooling fluid portion to the pre-subcooler heat exchange tube.

6. The condenser of claim 5, wherein the condenser is configured to direct the second cooling fluid flow from the pre-subcooler heat exchange tube to the second passage of the heat exchange tube.

7. The condenser according to claim 1, wherein the first plurality of heat exchange tubes includes a first tube bundle and a second tube bundle, the groove is disposed between the first tube bundle and the second tube bundle, and the groove is configured to guide the portion of the liquid heat transfer fluid toward a longitudinal end of the second tube bundle and prevent the portion of the liquid heat transfer fluid from flowing toward a central portion of the second tube bundle.

8. The condenser according to claim 1, wherein the second plurality of heat exchange tubes includes a first subcooler passage and a second subcooler passage, the condenser includes a partition plate arranged between the first subcooler passage and the second subcooler passage, the first plurality of heat exchange tubes are configured to guide the liquid heat transfer fluid to the first subcooler passage, and the partition plate is configured to guide the liquid heat transfer fluid from the first subcooler passage to the second subcooler passage.

9. The condenser of claim 8, wherein the groove is configured to direct the portion of the liquid heat transfer fluid toward a longitudinal end of the first subcooler passage.

10. The condenser of claim 8, wherein the divider plate is a solid piece of material that does not include holes formed therein.

11. A method comprising: directing a vapor heat transfer fluid through a first plurality of heat exchange tubes of a condensing portion of a condenser so that the vapor heat transfer fluid is in heat exchange relationship with a cooling fluid directed through the first plurality of heat exchange tubes, wherein the first plurality of heat exchange tubes is configured to condense the vapor heat transfer fluid to produce a liquid heat transfer fluid; directing the liquid heat transfer fluid through a second plurality of heat exchange tubes in a subcooling portion of the condenser so that the liquid heat transfer fluid is in heat exchange relationship with a cooling fluid directed through the second plurality of heat exchange tubes, wherein the second plurality of heat exchange tubes are configured to subcool the liquid heat transfer fluid; collecting a portion of the liquid heat transfer fluid condensed by the first tube bundle of the first plurality of heat exchange tubes via a pre-subcooler disposed in the condensing section; as well as The portion of the liquid heat transfer fluid is directed from the pre-subcooler toward a longitudinal end of a second tube bundle of the first plurality of heat exchange tubes.

12. The method of claim 11, comprising preventing the portion of the liquid heat transfer fluid condensed by the first bundle of the first plurality of heat exchange tubes from flowing to a central portion of the second bundle of the first plurality of heat exchange tubes via the pre-subcooler.

13. The method according to claim 11, comprising: subcooling the portion of the liquid heat transfer fluid condensed by the first tube bundle of the first plurality of heat exchange tubes via pre-subcooler tubes of the pre-subcooler to produce a cooled liquid heat transfer fluid; as well as The subcooled liquid heat transfer fluid is directed toward the subcooling portion.

14. The method according to claim 11, comprising: directing a cooling fluid flow from a first cooling fluid portion to a second cooling fluid portion through the second plurality of heat exchange tubes and the second tube bundle of the first plurality of heat exchange tubes, wherein the second tube bundle includes a group of heat exchange tubes of the first plurality of heat exchange tubes positioned vertically below the pre-supercooler relative to a direction of gravity; as well as The cooling fluid flow is directed from the second cooling fluid portion into and through the first tube bundle of the first plurality of heat exchange tubes, wherein the first tube bundle includes an additional group of heat exchange tubes of the first plurality of heat exchange tubes positioned vertically above the pre-supercooler relative to the direction of gravity.

15. The method according to claim 14, comprising: directing an additional cooling fluid flow from the first cooling fluid portion through a precooler tube of the precooler and into the second cooling fluid portion to mix the cooling fluid flow and the additional cooling fluid flow; as well as The cooling fluid flow and the additional cooling fluid flow are directed from the second cooling fluid portion into and through the first tube bundle of the first plurality of heat exchange tubes.

16. A condenser for a heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system, the condenser comprising: a housing configured to receive a vapor heat transfer fluid; a condensing section including a first tube bundle and a second tube bundle extending within the shell, wherein the first tube bundle and the second tube bundle are configured to place the vapor heat transfer fluid in heat exchange relationship with a cooling fluid to produce a liquid heat transfer fluid from the vapor heat transfer fluid; a pre-supercooler disposed between the first tube bundle and the second tube bundle, wherein the pre-supercooler comprises a trough configured to collect a portion of the liquid heat transfer fluid produced by the first tube bundle; as well as a subcooling portion comprising a plurality of heat exchange tubes extending within the shell, wherein the pre-subcooler is configured to direct the portion of the liquid heat transfer fluid to the subcooling portion, and wherein the plurality of heat exchange tubes are configured to place the portion of the liquid heat transfer fluid in heat exchange relationship with a cooling fluid directed through the plurality of heat exchange tubes to subcool the portion of the liquid heat transfer fluid.

17. The condenser of claim 16, wherein the pre-subcooler is configured to direct the portion of the liquid heat transfer fluid to the longitudinal end of the second tube bundle and prevent the portion of the liquid heat transfer fluid from flowing from the first tube bundle to the central portion of the second tube bundle.

18. The condenser of claim 16, wherein the pre-subcooler comprises a basin and a pre-subcooler heat exchange tube extending within the basin, wherein the condenser is configured to direct a cooling fluid through the pre-subcooler heat exchange tube to pre-subcool the portion of the liquid heat transfer fluid.

19. The condenser of claim 16, wherein the pre-subcooler comprises a trough configured to collect the portion of the liquid heat transfer fluid, wherein the trough comprises a plate and side segments extending laterally from the plate to form a basin of the trough, wherein the plate is a solid piece of material that does not include a hole formed therein.

20. The condenser of claim 16, wherein the pre-subcooler comprises a first trough configured to collect the portion of the liquid heat transfer fluid, wherein the pre-subcooler comprises a second trough configured to collect an additional portion of the liquid heat transfer fluid and direct the additional portion of the liquid heat transfer fluid to the subcooling portion, and the first trough and the second trough are aligned with each other along a transverse axis of the condenser.

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