Condensing device with adjustable phase change heat transfer rate under electrowetting effect

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the technical field of steam condensation, and provides a condensing device with adjustable phase change heat transfer rate under the action of electrowetting, which comprises an outer shell, a condensing cavity and a cooling cavity are arranged in the outer shell, the cooling cavity is communicated with an external cooling component, and the top and the bottom of the outer shell are respectively communicated with a steam inlet and a condensed water outlet. The steam inlet and the condensed water outlet are respectively communicated with the condensation cavity; the two opposite outer walls of the heat conduction copper block are arranged in the condensation cavity and the cooling cavity respectively; and the electrowetting condensation surface is arranged in the condensation cavity, the electrowetting condensation surface is attached to the side wall of the heat conduction copper block, and the electrowetting condensation surface is electrically connected with an external voltage power-up assembly. The steam condensation process is enhanced by controlling and intervening the dynamic state of condensate drops in the steam condensation process through an external electric field, and the condensate collection efficiency and the condensation heat transfer performance are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model belongs to the technical field of steam condensation, and particularly relates to a condensation device with adjustable phase change heat transfer rate under the action of electrowetting. Background Art

[0002] High-temperature steam is often used in industrial production for operations such as drying. Since high-temperature steam is continuously supplied and discharged, the steam consumption is relatively large. Direct discharge of a large amount of high-temperature steam is not conducive to saving precious water resources. In addition, the droplets formed by condensation during the discharge process are uncontrollable, which is not conducive to the recovery of condensed water.

[0003] Steam condensation is an important way of phase change heat transfer. Compared with single-phase convection, it has higher heat transfer efficiency and is of great significance to the realization of high efficiency and integration of energy systems. It plays an increasingly important role in aerospace, nuclear industry, seawater desalination, oil refining, power generation, air conditioning and refrigeration, etc. For steam condensation, how to achieve rapid nucleation growth and combined removal of condensate has always been a key factor in improving the overall performance of the condensation surface. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of the utility model is to provide a condensing device with adjustable phase change heat transfer rate under the action of electrowetting, so as to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the purpose of strengthening the steam condensation process, improving the condensate collection efficiency and the condensation heat transfer performance by intervening the dynamics of condensed droplets in the steam condensation process through external electric field control.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the utility model provides the following solution: a condensing device with adjustable phase change heat transfer rate under electrowetting, comprising:

[0006] An outer shell, wherein a condensation chamber and a cooling chamber are arranged in the outer shell, the cooling chamber is connected to an external cooling component, the top and bottom of the outer shell are respectively connected to a steam inlet and a condensed water outlet, and the steam inlet and the condensed water outlet are respectively connected to the condensation chamber;

[0007] A heat-conducting copper block, wherein two opposite outer walls of the heat-conducting copper block are respectively arranged in the condensing chamber and the cooling chamber;

[0008] The electrowetting condensation surface is arranged in the condensation cavity, and the electrowetting condensation surface is in contact with the side wall of the thermally conductive copper block, and the electrowetting condensation surface is electrically connected to an external voltage-powered component.

[0009] Preferably, the electrowetting condensation surface includes a hydrophobic coating, one side of the hydrophobic coating is arranged corresponding to the condensation chamber, the other side of the hydrophobic coating is adhered to an insulating layer, the side of the insulating layer away from the hydrophobic coating is adhered to an insulating base plate, the side of the insulating base plate away from the insulating layer is arranged corresponding to the thermal conductive copper block, a grounding electrode and a positive electrode are buried between the insulating layer and the insulating base plate, a plurality of the grounding electrodes and the positive electrodes are alternately arranged, and the external voltage powering component is electrically connected to the grounding electrode and the positive electrode.

[0010] Preferably, the external voltage powering component includes a DC voltage generator, an AC voltage generator and a frequency converter, the positive and negative poles of the DC voltage generator are electrically connected to the positive electrode and the ground electrode respectively, the frequency converter is electrically connected to the input end of the AC voltage generator, and the output end of the AC voltage generator is electrically connected to the positive electrode and the ground electrode.

[0011] Preferably, a silicone oil layer is provided between the heat-conducting copper block and the insulating bottom plate.

[0012] Preferably, an opening is provided on the side wall of the outer shell, the opening is communicated with the condensation chamber, and an observation window is fixedly connected in the opening;

[0013] A camera is also provided, and the camera photographs the surface of the hydrophobic coating through the observation window.

[0014] Preferably, a plurality of fins are fixedly connected to one side wall of the heat-conducting copper block, and the plurality of fins extend into the cooling cavity.

[0015] Preferably, the external cooling component includes a low-temperature constant-temperature water tank, and the outer shell is connected with a water inlet and a water outlet, the water inlet and the water outlet are respectively connected to the cooling cavity, and the liquid inlet end and the liquid outlet end of the low-temperature constant-temperature water tank are respectively connected to the water outlet and the water inlet.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the utility model has the following advantages and technical effects: the main function of the condensation chamber is to make the steam enter from the steam inlet and contact with the electrowetting condensation surface to condense into liquid; the main function of the condensate outlet is to discharge the condensate in a centralized manner; the main function of the cooling chamber is to make the external cooling component cool the thermal conductive copper block; the main function of the thermal conductive copper block is to generate a temperature difference at both ends of the electrowetting condensation surface to promote the condensation of steam on the electrowetting condensation surface; the main function of the electrowetting condensation surface is to make the steam condense on its surface, and at the same time, the external voltage power supply component is used to control the entire process of droplet nucleation, growth, merging and shedding, so as to realize dynamic intervention and regulation of condensed droplets. On the whole, the utility model can dynamically regulate the wettability of a fixed surface by applying an external electric field to the condensation surface through the electrowetting effect, which is of great significance for realizing the intensification of the steam condensation process, improving the condensate collection efficiency, improving the condensation heat transfer performance, and broadening its application in advanced heat and mass transfer technology. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the utility model or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the utility model. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0018] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the condensing device of the utility model;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the electrowetting condensation surface of the utility model;

[0020] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the external voltage power supply component of the utility model;

[0021] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of electrode distribution of the utility model;

[0022] Figure 5 This is another schematic diagram of electrode distribution of the utility model;

[0023] Among them, 1. outer shell; 2. insulation layer; 3. thermal conductive copper block; 4. fins; 5. electrowetting condensation surface; 6. observation window; 7. camera; 8. steam inlet; 9. condensate outlet; 10. low-temperature constant temperature water tank; 11. water inlet; 12. water outlet; 13. hydrophobic coating; 14. insulation layer; 15. insulation bottom plate; 16. silicone oil layer; 17. grounding electrode; 18. positive electrode; 19. temperature sensor; 20. steam pressure sensor; 21. DC voltage generator; 22. AC voltage generator; 23. condensation chamber; 24. cooling chamber; 25. inverter; 26. external voltage power supply component. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the utility model to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the utility model, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the utility model, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the utility model.

[0025] In order to make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more obvious and easy to understand, the present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods.

[0026] Reference Figure 1-Figure 5 The utility model provides a condensing device with adjustable phase change heat transfer rate under electrowetting, comprising:

[0027] The outer shell 1 is provided with a condensation chamber 23 and a cooling chamber 24, the cooling chamber 24 is connected to an external cooling assembly, the top and bottom of the outer shell 1 are respectively connected to a steam inlet 8 and a condensed water outlet 9, the steam inlet 8 and the condensed water outlet 9 are respectively connected to the condensation chamber 23;

[0028] A heat-conducting copper block 3, two opposite outer walls of the heat-conducting copper block 3 are respectively arranged in the condensing chamber 23 and the cooling chamber 24;

[0029] The electrowetting condensation surface 5 is disposed in the condensation chamber 23 , and the electrowetting condensation surface 5 is in contact with the side wall of the thermally conductive copper block 3 , and the electrowetting condensation surface 5 is electrically connected to an external voltage-adding component 26 .

[0030] The main function of the condensation chamber 23 is to make the steam enter from the steam inlet 8 and contact with the electrowetting condensation surface 5 to condense into liquid; the main function of the condensate outlet 9 is to discharge the condensate in a centralized manner; the main function of the cooling chamber 24 is to make the external cooling component cool down the thermal conductive copper block 3; the main function of the thermal conductive copper block 3 is to generate a temperature difference at both ends of the electrowetting condensation surface 5 to promote the condensation of steam on the electrowetting condensation surface; the main function of the electrowetting condensation surface 5 is to condense the steam on its surface, and at the same time, control the entire process of droplet nucleation, growth, merging and shedding through an external voltage powering component, so as to realize dynamic intervention and regulation of the condensed droplets. On the whole, the utility model can dynamically regulate the wettability of a fixed surface through the electrowetting effect and only by applying an external electric field to the condensation surface, which is of great significance for realizing the enhancement of the steam condensation process, improving the condensate collection efficiency, improving the condensation heat transfer performance, and broadening its application in advanced heat and mass transfer technology.

[0031] According to a further optimized solution, the outer layer of the heat-conducting copper block 3 is wrapped with a heat-insulating layer 2 .

[0032] like Figure 1 As shown, by providing a heat insulating layer 2 between the heat conductive copper block 3 and the outer shell 1, heat loss during operation can be reduced and utilization efficiency can be improved.

[0033] A further optimized solution is that the electrowetting condensation surface 5 includes a hydrophobic coating 13, one side of the hydrophobic coating 13 is arranged corresponding to the condensation chamber 23, the other side of the hydrophobic coating 13 is adhered to an insulating layer 14, the side of the insulating layer 14 away from the hydrophobic coating 13 is adhered to an insulating base plate 15, the side of the insulating base plate 15 away from the insulating layer 14 is arranged corresponding to the thermal conductive copper block 3, a grounding electrode 17 and a positive electrode 18 are buried between the insulating layer 14 and the insulating base plate 15, a plurality of grounding electrodes 17 and positive electrodes 18 are alternately arranged, and an external voltage powering component 26 is electrically connected to the grounding electrode 17 and the positive electrode 18.

[0034] like Figure 3 As shown, the ground electrode 17 and the positive electrode 18 are pre-buried between the insulating layer 14 and the insulating bottom plate 15, ensuring that the surface is open during the entire condensation process, and removing the restrictions on the manipulation of surface droplets. After the steam enters the condensation chamber 23 through the steam inlet 8, it will condense into droplets on the surface of the hydrophobic coating 13 due to the temperature difference between the steam and the hydrophobic coating 13. Since the tension of the droplets is weakened when there is a voltage between the ground electrode 17 and the positive electrode 18, and the tension is restored when the voltage disappears, therefore, by adjusting the loaded voltage characteristics, the movement of the droplets can be controlled between a number of ground electrodes 17 and the positive electrodes 18, thereby realizing dynamic control of the droplets in the condensation process.

[0035] Compared with the traditional active control method of intervening the condensation process through external force, the dynamic wetting surface generated by the applied electric field has more advantages. Compared with the physical control intervention of acoustic interference and mechanical vibration in the condensation process, the applied electric field can achieve the control and intervention of the dynamics of the condensed droplets from the entire process of droplet nucleation, growth, merging and shedding. At the same time, by pre-burying the ground electrode 17 and the positive electrode 18, the applied electric field only acts on the condensation surface and the space near it, and only needs to provide a voltage of ten volts, which improves the operational safety and is more conducive to popularization and use.

[0036] Further optimization scheme, such as Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, a plurality of grounding electrodes 17 and a plurality of positive electrodes 18 are alternately distributed and arranged in parallel. The grounding electrodes 17 and the positive electrodes 18 can be arranged in strips or in a plurality of triangles connected end to end. The sizes of the grounding electrodes 17 and the positive electrodes 18 are arranged between 50um and 1500um.

[0037] Further optimization scheme, the external voltage power supply component 26 includes a DC voltage generator 21, an AC voltage generator 22 and a frequency converter 25, the positive and negative poles of the DC voltage generator 21 are electrically connected to the positive electrode 18 and the ground electrode 17 respectively, the frequency converter 25 is electrically connected to the input end of the AC voltage generator 22, and the output end of the AC voltage generator 22 is electrically connected to the positive electrode 18 and the ground electrode 17.

[0038] like Figure 3 As shown, by setting up the DC voltage generator 21, the AC voltage generator 22 and the frequency converter 25, it is possible to change the voltage parameters loaded between the ground electrode 17 and the positive electrode 18, such as the waveform, voltage magnitude and voltage frequency, so as to adjust the wettability of the condensation surface and achieve the effect of the external electric field regulating and intervening the dynamics of the condensation droplets from the entire process of droplet nucleation, growth, merging and shedding, thereby achieving condensation enhancement.

[0039] According to a further optimized solution, a silicone oil layer 16 is provided between the heat-conducting copper block 3 and the insulating bottom plate 15 .

[0040] like Figure 2 As shown, the silicone oil layer 16 can improve the heat transfer performance between the thermally conductive copper block 3 and the insulating base plate 15 .

[0041] According to a further optimized solution, an opening is provided on the side wall of the outer shell 1, the opening is connected to the condensation chamber 23, and an observation window 6 is fixedly connected in the opening;

[0042] A camera 7 is also provided, and the camera 7 photographs the surface of the hydrophobic coating 13 through the observation window 6 .

[0043] like Figure 1As shown, by setting up the camera 7, the condensation process of the steam can be visually observed dynamically, and the formation process of the condensation droplets can be dynamically analyzed to assist in adjusting the optimal condensation effect.

[0044] Further optimization scheme, such as Figure 1 As shown, a temperature sensor 19 and a steam pressure sensor 20 are provided in the condensation chamber 23 for monitoring the temperature and pressure in the condensation chamber 23 .

[0045] As a further optimization solution, the steam pressure sensor 20 can be replaced by a humidity sensor.

[0046] According to a further optimized solution, a plurality of fins 4 are fixedly connected to one side wall of the heat-conducting copper block 3 , and the plurality of fins 4 extend into the cooling cavity 24 .

[0047] A further optimized solution is that the external cooling component includes a low-temperature constant-temperature water tank 10, and a water inlet 11 and a water outlet 12 are connected to the outer shell 1, the water inlet 11 and the water outlet 12 are respectively connected to the cooling chamber 24, and the liquid inlet end and the liquid outlet end of the low-temperature constant-temperature water tank 10 are respectively connected to the water outlet 12 and the water inlet 11.

[0048] like Figure 1 As shown, the main function of the plurality of fins 4 is to improve the heat exchange efficiency between the heat-conducting copper block 3 and the low-temperature water in the cooling chamber 24. The low-temperature water in the low-temperature constant-temperature water tank 10 flows into the cooling chamber 24 through the water inlet 11 under the pumping of the built-in water pump, and reduces the temperature of the heat-conducting copper block 3 through the heat exchange with the fins 4, thereby maintaining the temperature difference between the hydrophobic coating 13 and the steam through the heat-conducting copper block 3, ensuring the smooth progress of the condensation process, and the water that has exchanged heat with the fins 4 flows back to the low-temperature constant-temperature water tank 10 through the water outlet 12.

[0049] The low temperature constant temperature water tank 10 is an existing device, and its working principle and working process are not described in detail.

[0050] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "longitudinal", "lateral", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside" and "outside" etc., indicating orientations or positional relationships, are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on the present invention.

[0051] The embodiments described above are only descriptions of the preferred methods of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Without departing from the design spirit of the present invention, various modifications and improvements made to the technical solutions of the present invention by ordinary technicians in this field should fall within the protection scope determined by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A condensation device with adjustable phase change heat transfer rate under electrowetting, characterized in that: include: An outer shell (1), wherein a condensation chamber (23) and a cooling chamber (24) are arranged in the outer shell (1), the cooling chamber (24) is connected to an external cooling component, the top and bottom of the outer shell (1) are respectively connected to a steam inlet (8) and a condensed water outlet (9), and the steam inlet (8) and the condensed water outlet (9) are respectively connected to the condensation chamber (23); A heat-conducting copper block (3), wherein two opposite outer walls of the heat-conducting copper block (3) are respectively arranged in the condensing chamber (23) and the cooling chamber (24); An electrowetting condensation surface (5), wherein the electrowetting condensation surface (5) is arranged in the condensation chamber (23), and the electrowetting condensation surface (5) is in contact with the side wall of the thermally conductive copper block (3), and the electrowetting condensation surface (5) is electrically connected to an external voltage-applying component (26).

2. The condensation device with adjustable phase change heat transfer rate under electrowetting according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electrowetting condensation surface (5) comprises a hydrophobic coating (13), one side of the hydrophobic coating (13) is arranged corresponding to the condensation chamber (23), the other side of the hydrophobic coating (13) is bonded with an insulating layer (14), the side of the insulating layer (14) away from the hydrophobic coating (13) is bonded with an insulating base plate (15), the side of the insulating base plate (15) away from the insulating layer (14) is arranged corresponding to the thermal conductive copper block (3), a plurality of grounding electrodes (17) and a plurality of positive electrodes (18) are buried between the insulating layer (14) and the insulating base plate (15), the plurality of grounding electrodes (17) and the positive electrodes (18) are alternately arranged, and the external voltage applying component (26) is electrically connected to the grounding electrode (17) and the positive electrode (18).

3. The condensation device with adjustable phase change heat transfer rate under electrowetting according to claim 2, characterized in that: The external voltage supply component (26) comprises a DC voltage generator (21), an AC voltage generator (22) and a frequency converter (25); the positive and negative poles of the DC voltage generator (21) are electrically connected to the positive electrode (18) and the ground electrode (17), respectively; the frequency converter (25) is electrically connected to the input end of the AC voltage generator (22); and the output end of the AC voltage generator (22) is electrically connected to the positive electrode (18) and the ground electrode (17).

4. The condensation device with adjustable phase change heat transfer rate under electrowetting according to claim 2, characterized in that: A silicone oil layer (16) is provided between the heat-conducting copper block (3) and the insulating bottom plate (15).

5. The condensation device with adjustable phase change heat transfer rate under electrowetting according to claim 2, characterized in that: An opening is provided on the side wall of the outer shell (1), the opening is communicated with the condensation chamber (23), and an observation window (6) is fixedly connected in the opening; A camera (7) is also provided, and the camera (7) photographs the surface of the hydrophobic coating (13) through the observation window (6).

6. The condensation device with adjustable phase change heat transfer rate under electrowetting according to claim 1, characterized in that: A plurality of fins (4) are fixedly connected to one side wall of the heat-conducting copper block (3), and the plurality of fins (4) extend into the cooling cavity (24).

7. The condensation device with adjustable phase change heat transfer rate under electrowetting according to claim 1, characterized in that: The external cooling component comprises a low-temperature constant-temperature water tank (10); a water inlet (11) and a water outlet (12) are connected on the outer shell (1); the water inlet (11) and the water outlet (12) are respectively connected to the cooling chamber (24); and the liquid inlet end and the liquid outlet end of the low-temperature constant-temperature water tank (10) are respectively connected to the water outlet (12) and the water inlet (11).

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