Shell side flow guide structure for high-temperature heat exchanger
By designing a shell-side medium guiding structure in the high-temperature heat exchanger, with the high-temperature medium inlet and outlet pipes located at the same end of the shell, and utilizing the tube bundle to guide the flow, the problems of direct contact between the shell-side medium and pressure-bearing components and bypass leakage are solved, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency and equipment economy of the heat exchanger.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202610039442.X
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2026-01-13
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-27
AI Technical Summary
In existing high-temperature heat exchangers, the shell-side medium directly contacts the main pressure-bearing components, which limits the design temperature, and there is bypass leakage around the tube bundle, affecting the economic efficiency of the equipment.
Design a shell-side medium guiding structure for a high-temperature heat exchanger. The high-temperature medium inlet and outlet pipes are located at the same end of the shell. The medium is guided by the tube bundle encasing the shell, optimizing the gap between the tube bundle and the shell, avoiding bypass leakage, and reducing the design temperature of the shell-side pressure-bearing components.
This effectively avoids high-temperature contact between the main pressure-bearing components on the shell side, optimizes the flow of the medium, and improves the heat exchange effect and the economy of the equipment.
Smart Images
Figure CN121576842A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of heat exchanger structural design, and in particular to a shell-side flow guiding structure for a high-temperature heat exchanger. Background Technology
[0002] Conventional heat exchangers lack the medium guiding structure described in this invention. The shell-side medium inlet and outlet pipes are located at both ends of the shell, and the shell-side medium flows directly through the tube bundle for heat exchange with the tube-side medium. This type of heat exchanger shell-side structure is divided into two types: one where the high-temperature medium inlet pipe is located at the tail of the shell but the high-temperature medium outlet pipe is located at the end of the shell near the tube sheet; the other where the high-temperature medium inlet pipe is located at the end of the shell near the tube sheet but the high-temperature medium outlet pipe is located at the tail of the shell (tail of the shell body or shell head). Regardless of the structure, direct contact between the main pressure-bearing components on the shell side and the high-temperature medium is unavoidable. The design temperature of the main pressure-bearing components on the shell side must inevitably be determined based on the shell-side medium inlet temperature (high temperature). In high-temperature heat exchangers, this significantly impacts the material selection and strength design of the main pressure-bearing components on the shell side. Furthermore, due to structural design and manufacturing considerations, gaps inevitably exist between the shell and the tube bundle in conventional heat exchangers. This leads to bypass leakage around the tube bundle, reducing the medium flow velocity in the main heat exchange zone of the shell-side tube bundle, weakening the shell-side heat transfer coefficient, and increasing the heat exchange area of the heat exchanger. The above two points are very detrimental to the economic efficiency of the equipment. Summary of the Invention
[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a shell-side medium guiding structure for high-temperature heat exchangers, which solves the problems of high-temperature medium directly contacting shell-side pressure-bearing components and leakage through the bypass around the shell-side medium tube bundle in existing heat exchangers.
[0004] Compared to existing technologies, this invention provides a solution to the problems of direct contact between high-temperature media and shell-side pressure-bearing components, as well as leakage through bypasses around the shell-side medium tube bundle, present in general heat exchangers. This invention proposes a shell-side medium guiding structure for high-temperature heat exchangers. This structure mainly consists of a high-temperature medium inlet pipe, a high-temperature medium inlet pipe sleeve, a tube bundle cladding, and a high-temperature medium outlet pipe. The high-temperature medium inlet and outlet pipes are located at the same end of the shell, while the tube bundle cladding is closed at one end and open at the other. During heat exchanger operation, the high-temperature medium on the shell side is introduced into the shell through the high-temperature medium inlet pipe, flows through the high-temperature medium inlet pipe sleeve into the tube bundle cladding, and the cladding tightly wraps around the tube bundle. After heat exchange within the cladding and the tube-side medium flowing through the tube bundle, the temperature of the high-temperature medium decreases, and it flows out of the tube bundle from the other end of the cladding. It then flows towards the high-temperature medium outlet pipe within the gap between the tube bundle cladding and the inner wall of the shell. Thus, except for the high-temperature medium inlet pipe and its adjacent area in the shell, which bear high temperatures, the other shell-side pressure-bearing components can be designed based on the temperature after the shell-side medium has completed heat exchange. In addition, the flow guiding structure involved in this invention can also optimize and avoid bypass flow around the tube bundle by adjusting the gap between the tube bundle cladding and the tube bundle, thereby improving the heat transfer effect of the shell-side medium.
[0005] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: In this invention, during heat exchanger operation, the high-temperature medium on the shell side is introduced into the shell body through the high-temperature medium inlet pipe, flows into the tube bundle cladding through the high-temperature medium inlet pipe sleeve, and the tube bundle cladding tightly wraps around the tube bundle. After heat exchange between the high-temperature medium inside the cladding and the medium flowing through the tube bundle, the temperature of the high-temperature medium decreases, and it flows out of the tube bundle from the other end of the cladding. It then flows towards the high-temperature medium outlet pipe in the gap between the tube bundle cladding and the inner wall of the shell. In this way, except for the high-temperature medium inlet pipe and its adjacent area in the shell body, which bear high temperatures, the other pressure-bearing components on the shell side can be designed based on the temperature after the heat exchange of the shell side medium is completed.
[0006] The flow guiding structure involved in this invention can also optimize and avoid bypass flow around the tube bundle by adjusting the gap between the tube bundle cladding and the tube bundle, thereby improving the heat exchange effect of the shell-side medium. Attached Figure Description
[0007] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the high-temperature medium inlet nozzle located on the shell side at the tail of the existing structure. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the high-temperature medium inlet nozzle on the shell side of the existing structure in the region adjacent to the tube sheet. Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the flow guiding structure on the shell side at the tail of the shell for the high-temperature medium inlet pipe; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the shell-side flow guiding structure of the high-temperature medium inlet nozzle in the region near the tube sheet. Detailed Implementation
[0008] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.
[0009] Example 1 Please see Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the shell-side flow guiding structure of the high-temperature medium inlet pipe at the tail of the shell. The shell-side flow guiding structure for the high-temperature heat exchanger disclosed in this application includes a shell body 100, a shell end cap 200 at the tail of the shell body 100, a tube sheet 300 at the other end of the shell body 100 away from the shell end cap 200, and a high-temperature medium inlet pipe 110 and a high-temperature medium outlet pipe 120 located on the side close to the shell end cap 200. A high-temperature medium inlet pipe 110 is embedded with a high-temperature medium inlet pipe sleeve 111. A tube bundle cladding 400 is installed inside the shell body 100. The high-temperature medium inlet pipe 110 and the high-temperature medium inlet pipe sleeve 111 are connected to the inside of the tube bundle cladding 400. The high-temperature medium enters the tube bundle cladding 400 through the high-temperature medium inlet pipe 110. A medium flow path is formed between the outer wall of the tube bundle cladding 400 and the inner wall of the shell body 100. The outlet of the medium flow path corresponds to the high-temperature medium outlet pipe 120. An opening is formed on the side of the tube bundle cladding 400 near the tube sheet 300 to allow the high-temperature medium to enter the medium flow path. At the tail end of the shell, the shell-side high-temperature medium flows towards the tube sheet 300 within the tube bundle cladding 400. When the medium flows out of the tube bundle cladding 400 and impacts the tube sheet 300, its temperature decreases because the medium on the shell side has already undergone heat exchange within the tube bundle cladding 400. This significantly reduces the design temperature of the tube sheet 300. After being blocked by the tube sheet 300, the medium on the shell side flows back into the medium flow path formed by the tube bundle cladding 400 and the shell body 100, flows towards the shell head 200, and flows out of the heat exchanger through the high-temperature medium outlet pipe 120.
[0010] Specifically, in this embodiment, the high-temperature medium outlet pipe 120 is disposed on the shell head 200; preferably, the tube bundle casing 400, the shell cylinder 100, and the shell head 200 are coaxially disposed. This coaxial arrangement allows the medium to flow smoothly out of the high-temperature medium outlet pipe 120 along the medium flow path, avoiding dead zones and eddies caused by eccentric arrangement, and ensuring medium transport efficiency. Example 2 Please see Figure 4This is a schematic diagram of the shell-side flow guiding structure of the high-temperature medium inlet pipe in the region near the tube sheet. The shell-side flow guiding structure for the high-temperature heat exchanger disclosed in this application includes a shell body 100, a shell end cap 200 is provided at the tail of the shell body 100, and a tube sheet 300 is provided at the other end of the shell body 100 away from the shell end cap 200. The high-temperature medium inlet pipe 110 and the high-temperature medium outlet pipe 120 are provided on the side near the tube sheet 300. The high-temperature medium inlet pipe 110 is embedded with a high-temperature medium inlet pipe sleeve 111; a tube bundle shell 400 is provided inside the shell body 100, and the high-temperature medium inlet pipe sleeve 111 is connected to the inside of the tube bundle shell 400. The high-temperature medium enters the tube bundle shell 400 through the high-temperature medium inlet pipe 110; a medium flow path is formed between the outer wall of the tube bundle shell 400 and the inner wall of the shell body 100, and the outlet of the medium flow path corresponds to the high-temperature medium outlet pipe 120. An opening is formed on the side of the tube bundle shell 400 near the shell end cap 200 to allow the high-temperature medium to enter the medium flow path. The high-temperature medium inlet pipe 110 and the high-temperature medium outlet pipe 120 are located on the side of the shell body 100 near the tube sheet 300. The high-temperature medium on the shell side flows towards the shell head 200 inside the tube bundle cladding 400. After flowing out of the tube bundle cladding 400 and impacting the shell head 200, it enters the medium flow path formed by the tube bundle cladding 400 and the shell body 100, flows towards the tube sheet 300, and flows out of the heat exchanger through the high-temperature medium outlet pipe 120.
[0011] In this embodiment, the high-temperature medium inlet pipe 110 and the high-temperature medium outlet pipe 120 are respectively disposed on the outer peripheral surfaces of opposite sides of the shell body 100.
[0012] The tube bundle casing 400 and the shell body 100 are coaxially arranged. The coaxial arrangement allows the medium to flow smoothly from the medium flow path to the high-temperature medium outlet pipe 120, avoiding flow dead angles and eddies caused by eccentric arrangement, and ensuring medium transportation efficiency.
[0013] In this embodiment, the end of the tube bundle cladding 400 near the tube sheet 300 requires a heat exchange tube hole to be drilled. The diameter of the hole needs to be fitted with a more stringent tolerance than that of a typical baffle plate to ensure a tight seal between the end plate of the tube bundle cladding 400 and the outer wall of the heat exchange tube, minimizing the leakage of high-temperature medium into the gap between the tube sheet and the end plate of the tube bundle cladding 400. At the same time, the end plate of the tube bundle cladding 400 needs to maintain a certain distance from the tube sheet 300. This is because the end plate of the tube bundle cladding operates at a higher temperature, while the tube sheet operates at a relatively lower temperature. The difference in operating temperature will lead to a difference in radial thermal expansion between the two, which will result in additional shear stress on the heat exchange tube from the end plate. Therefore, the distance between the end plate of the tube bundle cladding and the tube sheet needs to be maximized to weaken this additional shear stress.
[0014] In the shell-side flow guiding structure of the two embodiments described above, except for the high-temperature medium inlet pipe and the area adjacent to the shell body which bear high temperature, the other shell-side pressure-bearing components are in contact with the lower temperature medium on the shell side after heat exchange is completed. Therefore, the design temperature can be determined based on the temperature of the medium after heat exchange is completed on the shell side.
[0015] In the shell-side flow guiding structure of the two embodiments described above, a support device (not shown in the figure) is required around the tube bundle shell 400 to effectively support the tube bundle shell body 400, while ensuring the uniform distribution of the medium flow path between the tube bundle shell 400 and the inner wall of the shell cylinder 100. In this way, the medium that completes heat exchange on the shell side can flow more evenly, so as to ensure that the main pressure-bearing components on the shell side can be cooled more evenly.
[0016] To comprehensively consider and optimize the avoidance of bypass leakage of the medium around the tube bundle and the manufacturing and assembly deviations of the cladding, so as to improve the heat exchange effect of the medium on the shell side and the convenience of manufacturing and assembly, the gap between the tube bundle cladding and the tube bundle periphery needs to be specially designed.
[0017] There are two main implementation methods for this structure. One method involves the high-temperature medium inlet and outlet pipes located at the tail end of the shell. The high-temperature medium on the shell side flows towards the tube sheet within the tube bundle cladding, exits the cladding, enters the gap between the tube bundle cladding and the shell, flows towards the shell head, and exits the heat exchanger through the high-temperature medium outlet pipe. The other method involves the high-temperature medium inlet and outlet located on the shell side near the tube sheet. The high-temperature medium on the shell side flows towards the shell head within the tube bundle cladding, exits the cladding, enters the gap between the tube bundle cladding and the shell, flows towards the tube sheet, and exits the heat exchanger through the high-temperature medium outlet pipe. In the second shell-side flow guiding structure, the end plate of the tube bundle cladding near the tube sheet needs to be fitted with drilled heat exchange tube holes. The hole diameter needs to be fitted with a more stringent tolerance than that of a typical baffle plate. Simultaneously, the tube bundle cladding end plate needs to maintain a certain distance from the tube sheet to avoid additional shear stress on the heat exchange tubes caused by temperature difference deformation between the end plate and the tube sheet. A support device is required between the tube bundle cladding and the inner wall of the shell to ensure a uniform arrangement of the gap between the tube bundle cladding and the inner wall of the shell.
[0018] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that the invention can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered in all respects as exemplary and non-limiting, and the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Thus, all variations falling within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims are intended to be included within the present invention. No reference numerals in the claims should be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.
Claims
1. A shell-side flow guiding structure for a high-temperature heat exchanger, characterized in that: The shell-side flow guiding structure consists of a high-temperature medium inlet pipe, a high-temperature medium inlet pipe sleeve, a tube bundle cladding, and a high-temperature medium outlet pipe.
2. The shell-side flow guiding structure for a high-temperature heat exchanger as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The high-temperature medium inlet pipe and the high-temperature medium outlet pipe are located at the same end of the shell, that is, at the tail of the shell or at the end of the shell near the tube sheet.
3. The shell-side flow guiding structure for a high-temperature heat exchanger as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The tube bundle cladding must tightly wrap around the tube bundle to prevent peripheral bypass flow when the high-temperature medium on the shell side flows through the tube bundle.
4. The shell-side flow guiding structure for a high-temperature heat exchanger as described in claim 1, characterized in that, A certain gap must be provided between the tube bundle cladding and the high-temperature heat exchanger shell to allow the shell-side medium that has completed heat exchange to flow through.
5. The shell-side flow guiding structure for a high-temperature heat exchanger as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The tube bundle cladding must be closed at one end and open at the other end to ensure the flow direction of the medium inside the tube bundle cladding.
6. The shell-side flow guiding structure for a high-temperature heat exchanger as described in claim 1, characterized in that, When the high-temperature medium inlet pipe on the shell side is located near the tube sheet end of the shell, the sealing plate of the tube bundle shell near the tube sheet end needs to be fitted with heat exchange tube holes, and the diameter of the tube holes needs to be fitted with more stringent tolerances than that of ordinary baffle plate openings.
7. The shell-side flow guiding structure for a high-temperature heat exchanger as described in claim 1, characterized in that, When the high-temperature medium inlet pipe on the shell side is located near the tube sheet end of the shell, the tube bundle cladding plate needs to maintain a certain distance from the tube sheet to avoid additional shear stress on the heat exchange tubes caused by the temperature difference deformation between the cladding plate and the tube sheet.
8. The shell-side flow guiding structure for a high-temperature heat exchanger as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The high-temperature medium inlet pipe sleeve and the inner wall of the high-temperature medium inlet pipe, as well as the high-temperature medium inlet pipe sleeve and the pipe bundle shell, are sealed together.
9. The shell-side flow guiding structure for a high-temperature heat exchanger as described in claim 1, characterized in that, When the high-temperature medium inlet pipe is located at the tail of the shell, the tube bundle shell, except for the open end near the tube sheet, requires sealing welding for all other structures; when the high-temperature medium inlet pipe on the shell side is located at the end of the shell near the tube sheet, the tube bundle shell, except for the opening sealing plate near the tail of the shell and near the tube sheet, requires sealing welding for all other structures.
10. The shell-side flow guiding structure for a high-temperature heat exchanger as described in claim 1, characterized in that, A support device is used between the tube bundle cladding and the inner wall of the shell to ensure a uniform arrangement of the gap between the tube bundle cladding and the inner wall of the shell.