Shell-and-tube heat exchanger
By connecting the tube bundles of the heat exchange units in series and the heat exchange medium flow channels in parallel in a shell-and-tube heat exchanger, the problem of heat exchange medium temperature rise caused by extending the heat exchange pipeline is solved, and a more efficient heat exchange effect is achieved.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- HAIYI HIGH-TECH MATERIALS (JIANGSU) CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-21
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-02
AI Technical Summary
In existing technologies, extending the heat exchange pipeline leads to a rise in the temperature of the heat exchange medium, resulting in a decrease in heat exchange efficiency.
By connecting the tube bundles of the heat exchange units in series and the heat exchange medium flow channels in parallel, the heat exchange medium of different heat exchange units is prevented from crossing temperatures. A combination structure of U-shaped shell and straight tube shell is adopted to ensure the independence of each heat exchange unit.
It improves heat exchange efficiency, avoids temperature rise of the heat exchange medium, and enhances heat exchange uniformity and stability.
Smart Images
Figure CN224316871U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of heat exchanger technology, and particularly relates to a shell-and-tube heat exchanger. Background Technology
[0002] In the chemical industry, shell-and-tube heat exchangers are widely used due to their simple structure and high-pressure resistance. Some materials (such as polymerization reaction liquids and slurry concentrates) have extremely low heat transfer coefficients, generally requiring extended heat exchange tubing in the heat exchanger to enhance heat exchange by increasing the residence time of the material within the heat exchanger.
[0003] However, the solution of extending the heat exchange pipeline has the following drawbacks: In the extended single-pass pipeline, the heat exchange medium (such as cooling water) and the high-temperature material continue to exchange heat, and its temperature gradually increases along the flow direction, resulting in a sharp decrease in the effective heat transfer temperature difference and a reduction in the overall heat exchange efficiency.
[0004] Therefore, how to avoid the temperature rise of the heat exchange medium caused by the extension of heat exchange pipelines, which leads to the decline of heat exchange efficiency, is a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved by those skilled in the art.
[0005] It should be noted that the information disclosed in this background section is only for understanding the background technology of the present application concept, and therefore, the above description is not considered to constitute prior art information. Utility Model Content
[0006] This disclosure provides at least one shell-and-tube heat exchanger.
[0007] In a first aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a shell-and-tube heat exchanger, comprising:
[0008] At least two heat exchange units;
[0009] The heat exchange unit includes:
[0010] The U-shaped shell includes two straight tube shells and a U-shaped short tube, one of which is provided with a liquid inlet and the other with a liquid outlet;
[0011] Several straight tube bundles are inserted into the straight tube shell to form a material channel, and the gap between adjacent straight tube bundles constitutes a heat exchange medium flow channel; and the straight tube bundles at both ends of the heat exchange unit are respectively connected to the inlet and the outlet.
[0012] The U-shaped short tube is provided with baffles at both ends, and the baffles are provided with through holes corresponding to the positions of the straight tube bundle.
[0013] The two straight tube shells in the heat exchange unit are connected by a connecting pipe, the straight tube bundles in the two straight tube shells are connected by a through hole in a U-shaped short tube, and the straight tube bundles of adjacent heat exchange units are connected in series by a U-shaped short tube.
[0014] In one alternative embodiment, the U-shaped short tube has a cavity inside.
[0015] In one optional embodiment, each of the straight pipe shells is provided with a plurality of staggered guide plates.
[0016] In one optional embodiment, the inlet is located at the bottom of the straight pipe housing, and the outlet is located at the top of the straight pipe housing.
[0017] In one optional embodiment, a support is provided between the straight tube shells, and a fixing ring is provided at both ends of the support. The fixing rings lock the connection between the straight tube shell and the U-shaped short tube by bolts.
[0018] Secondly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a shell-and-tube heat exchanger, comprising:
[0019] At least two heat exchange units;
[0020] The heat exchange unit includes:
[0021] The U-shaped shell has an inlet and an outlet at each end;
[0022] Several U-shaped tube bundles are inserted into the U-shaped shell to form a material channel, and the gap between adjacent U-shaped tube bundles constitutes a heat exchange medium flow channel; and the U-shaped tube bundles at both ends of the heat exchange unit are respectively connected to the inlet and outlet.
[0023] The U-shaped shells of adjacent heat exchange units are connected by U-shaped short tubes. Baffles are provided at both ends of the U-shaped short tubes so that the U-shaped shells of each heat exchange unit form sealed and isolated independent heat exchange chambers. The U-shaped short tubes are also provided with the same number of connecting tube bundles as the U-shaped tube bundles. The connecting tube bundles pass through the baffles and communicate with the U-shaped tube bundles.
[0024] In one alternative embodiment, the U-shaped housing is provided with a plurality of staggered guide vanes.
[0025] In one alternative embodiment, the liquid inlet is located at the bottom of the U-shaped housing, and the liquid outlet is located at the top of the U-shaped housing.
[0026] In one optional embodiment, a support is provided in the middle of the U-shaped shell, and fixing rings are provided at both ends of the support. The fixing rings lock the connection between the U-shaped shell and the U-shaped short tube by bolts.
[0027] The beneficial effect of this utility model is that the shell-and-tube heat exchanger extends the heat exchange pipeline by connecting tube bundles in series in multiple heat exchange units. Each heat exchange unit has an independent liquid inlet and outlet in the U-shaped shell. The heat exchange chambers of the U-shaped shells of adjacent heat exchange units are not connected, so that the heat exchange medium flow channels of each heat exchange unit are connected in parallel. This avoids the heat exchange medium of different heat exchange units from cross-temperature, which would cause the heat exchange medium temperature to rise and the heat exchange efficiency to decrease.
[0028] Other features and advantages of this invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent in part from the description, or may be learned by practicing the invention. The objectives and other advantages of this invention are realized and obtained through the structures particularly pointed out in the description and drawings.
[0029] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features and advantages of this utility model more apparent and understandable, preferred embodiments are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description
[0030] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of this utility model or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.
[0031] Figure 1 A perspective view of Embodiment 1 of a shell-and-tube heat exchanger provided in this disclosure;
[0032] Figure 2 This is a structural diagram of a U-shaped short tube in Embodiment 1 of a shell-and-tube heat exchanger provided in this disclosure;
[0033] Figure 3 A perspective view of a shell-and-tube heat exchanger embodiment 2 provided in this disclosure;
[0034] Figure 4 This is a structural diagram of a U-shaped short tube in Embodiment 2 of a shell-and-tube heat exchanger provided in this disclosure.
[0035] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of a straight tube shell of a shell-and-tube heat exchanger provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0036] In the picture:
[0037] 100, Heat exchange unit; 200, U-shaped shell; 210, Straight tube shell; 211, Baffle; 220, U-shaped short tube; 221, Baffle; 222, Through hole; 223, Connecting tube bundle; 230, Liquid inlet; 240, Liquid outlet; 300, Straight tube bundle; 310, Feed inlet; 320, Discharge outlet; 400, Connecting pipe; 500, Support; 510, Fixing ring; 520, Bolt; 600, U-shaped tube bundle. Detailed Implementation
[0038] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of this utility model.
[0039] In this document, when it is mentioned that a first component is located on a second component, this can mean that the first component can be directly formed on the second component, or that a third component can be inserted between the first and second components. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the thickness of the components may be exaggerated or reduced for the purpose of effectively describing the technical content.
[0040] In this document, when an element or layer is referred to as “located,” “joined to,” “connected to,” “attached to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly located, joined, connected, attached to, or coupled to the other element or layer, or there may be intermediate elements or layers present. Conversely, when an element is referred to as “directly on another element or layer,” “directly joined to,” “directly connected to,” “directly attached to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intermediate elements or layers present. Other terms used to describe relationships between elements should be interpreted in a similar manner (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the related listed items.
[0041] In this document, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. As used herein, expressions such as “at least one of…” modify the entire list of elements when following a list of elements, rather than individual elements in the list. For example, the expression “at least one of a, b, and c” should be understood to include only a, only b, only c, both a and b, both a and c, both b and c, or all of a, b, and c.
[0042] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing specific exemplary configurations only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular articles “a,” “an,” and “the” may also be intended to include plural forms unless otherwise clearly stated herein. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are inclusive and thus specify the presence of features, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein should not be construed as requiring them to be performed in the specific order discussed or shown, unless specifically identified as such. Additional or alternative steps may be employed.
[0043] As used herein, the phrases “in one embodiment,” “according to one embodiment,” “in some embodiments,” etc., generally refer to the fact that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic following the phrase can be included in at least one embodiment of this disclosure. Therefore, a particular feature, structure, or characteristic can be included in more than one embodiment of this disclosure, such that these phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. As used herein, the terms “example,” “exemplary,” etc., are used to “serve as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation, aspect, or design described herein as “example” or “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or superior to other implementations, aspects, or designs. Rather, the use of the terms “example,” “exemplary,” etc., is intended to present concepts in a specific manner.
[0044] Research has revealed a drawback of existing technologies: some materials (such as polymerization reaction liquids and slurry concentrates) have extremely low heat transfer coefficients, generally requiring extended heat exchanger piping to enhance heat exchange by increasing the residence time of the material within the heat exchanger. However, in the extended single-pass piping, the heat exchange medium (such as cooling water) continuously exchanges heat with the high-temperature material, causing its temperature to gradually increase along the flow direction. This results in a sharp decrease in the effective heat transfer temperature difference, leading to a reduction in overall heat exchange efficiency.
[0045] Based on the above research, this disclosure provides a shell-and-tube heat exchanger in which tube bundles serving as material flow channels are connected in series, while U-shaped shells serving as heat exchange medium flow channels are not interconnected and are connected in parallel, thereby preventing cross-temperature of heat exchange mediums in different heat exchange units and solving the above-mentioned problems.
[0046] The shortcomings of the above solutions are the result of the inventor's practical experience and careful research. Therefore, the discovery process of the above problems and the solutions proposed in this disclosure should be considered as the inventor's contribution to this disclosure.
[0047] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.
[0048] The following detailed description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, describes some embodiments of the present invention. Unless otherwise specified, the following embodiments and features can be combined with each other.
[0049] See Figure 1 This disclosure provides a shell-and-tube heat exchanger, comprising: at least two heat exchange units 100; each heat exchange unit 100 includes a U-shaped shell 200, which includes a straight tube shell 210 and a U-shaped short tube 220, the two straight tube shells 210 being connected by the U-shaped short tube 220. One of the straight tube shells 210 is provided with a liquid inlet 230, and the other is provided with a liquid outlet 240. The two straight tube shells 210 are connected by a connecting pipe 400, and the heat exchange medium is adapted to enter the straight tube shell 210 from the liquid inlet 230 and flow out from the liquid outlet 240 (e.g., ...). Figure 1 (As indicated by arrow F1 in the middle). Several straight tube bundles 300 are arranged inside the straight tube shell 210 (only a portion of the straight tube bundles 300 are shown to illustrate the flow direction). These bundles pass through the straight tube shell 210 to form material channels. The gaps between adjacent straight tube bundles 300 constitute heat exchange medium flow channels. Heat exchange between the material and the heat exchange medium is achieved through the tube walls of the straight tube bundles 300. The straight tube bundles 300 at both ends of the heat exchange unit 100 are connected to the inlet 310 and the outlet 320, respectively. The material enters the straight tube bundles 300 from the inlet 310, undergoes heat exchange, and then flows out from the outlet 320 (e.g., ...). Figure 1 (As indicated by arrow F2).
[0050] See Figure 1 and Figure 2 The U-shaped short tube 220 has baffles 221 at both ends, and the baffles 221 have through holes 222 corresponding to the positions of the straight tube bundles 300. The straight tube bundles 300 in the two straight tube shells 210 are connected through the through holes 222 of the U-shaped short tube 220, and the straight tube bundles 300 of adjacent heat exchange units 100 are connected in series through the U-shaped short tube 220. The baffles 221 of the U-shaped short tube 220 separate the heat exchange chambers of adjacent heat exchange units 100, forming sealed and isolated independent heat exchange chambers, so that the heat exchange medium flow channels of each heat exchange unit 100 are connected in parallel, thereby avoiding cross-temperature of the heat exchange medium in different heat exchange units 100, which would lead to a temperature rise in the heat exchange medium and a decrease in heat exchange efficiency.
[0051] See Figure 2In some embodiments, the U-shaped short tube 220 has a cavity inside. After the material enters the cavity of the U-shaped short tube 220 from the previous straight tube bundle 300 through the through hole 222, the materials from different straight tube bundles 300 can be fully mixed in the cavity of the U-shaped short tube 220, and then continue to exchange heat in the straight tube bundle 300 that enters the next straight tube shell 210, which is beneficial to improving the heat exchange uniformity of the material.
[0052] See Figure 5 In some embodiments, a plurality of staggered guide plates 211 are provided inside the straight tube shell 210. Through the staggered guide plates 211, the heat exchange medium can be forced to repeatedly laterally scour the outer wall of the heat exchange tube between the straight tube bundles 300, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency.
[0053] See also Figure 1 In some embodiments, the liquid inlet 230 is located at the bottom of the straight tube shell 210, and the liquid outlet 240 is located at the top of the straight tube shell 210. This arrangement creates a unidirectional flow path from bottom to top, ensuring that the heat exchange medium uniformly fills the straight tube shell 210 and avoiding uneven flow caused by local dead zones.
[0054] See also Figure 1 In some embodiments, a support 500 is provided between the straight tube shells 210, and a fixing ring 510 is provided at both ends of the support 500. The fixing ring 510 locks the connection between the straight tube shell 210 and the U-shaped short tube 220 by bolts 520, thereby increasing the stability of the upper and lower heat exchange units 100.
[0055] See Figure 3 and Figure 4 Some embodiments also provide a shell-and-tube heat exchanger, including: at least two heat exchange units 100; each heat exchange unit 100 includes: a U-shaped shell 200, with an inlet 230 and an outlet 240 respectively at both ends; the heat exchange medium is adapted to enter the straight tube shell 210 from the inlet 230 and flow out from the outlet 240 (e.g., Figure 3(As indicated by arrow F1 in the middle). Several U-shaped tube bundles 600 are inserted into the U-shaped shell 200 to form material channels, and the gaps between adjacent U-shaped tube bundles 600 constitute heat exchange medium flow channels. The U-shaped shells 200 of adjacent heat exchange units 100 are connected by U-shaped short tubes 220. Baffles 221 are provided at both ends of the U-shaped short tubes 220, so that the U-shaped shells 200 of each heat exchange unit 100 form sealed and isolated independent heat exchange chambers; and the U-shaped short tubes 220 are also provided with the same number of connecting tube bundles 223 as the U-shaped tube bundles 600. The connecting tube bundles 223 pass through the baffles 221 and communicate with the U-shaped tube bundles 600; optionally, the two ends of the connecting tube bundles 223 are welded to the U-shaped tube bundles 600 to ensure that the material channels remain sealed. The straight tube bundles 300 at both ends of the heat exchange unit 100 are connected to the inlet 310 and the outlet 320, respectively. The material enters the U-shaped tube bundle 600 from the inlet 310, and then enters the second heat exchange unit 100 through the connecting tube bundle 223 in the U-shaped short tube 220. This cycle continues, and after the heat exchange is completed, the material flows out from the outlet 320 of the last heat exchange unit 100 (e.g., Figure 3 (As indicated by arrow F2).
[0056] In summary, this shell-and-tube heat exchanger extends the heat exchange pipeline by connecting multiple heat exchange units 100 in series. Each heat exchange unit 100 has a U-shaped shell 200 equipped with an independent liquid inlet 230 and a liquid outlet 240. The heat exchange chambers of the U-shaped shells 200 of adjacent heat exchange units 100 are not connected, so that the heat exchange medium flow channels of each heat exchange unit 100 are connected in parallel. This avoids cross-temperature of the heat exchange medium in different heat exchange units 100, which would cause the heat exchange medium temperature to rise and the heat exchange efficiency to decrease.
[0057] In the description of the embodiments of this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.
[0058] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating orientation or positional relationships, are based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model. Furthermore, terms such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms used herein do not imply order or sequence unless expressly indicated herein. Therefore, without departing from the teachings of the exemplary embodiments, the first element, component, region, layer, or segment discussed above may be referred to as the second element, component, region, layer, or segment.
[0059] Spatially relative terms, such as “inside,” “outside,” “below,” “below,” “down,” “above,” “up,” etc., may be used herein to describe the relationship between one element or feature illustrated in the figures and another element or feature. In addition to the orientations depicted in the figures, spatially relative terms may be intended to cover different orientations of the device in use or operation. For example, if the device in the figure is flipped, an element described as “below” or “below” other elements or features would be oriented as “above” other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can cover both above and below orientations. The device may be oriented in other ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptors used herein are interpreted accordingly.
[0060] In the above discussion, unless otherwise stated, when used to describe numerical values, the terms “about,” “approximately,” “basically,” etc., indicate a change of + / - 10% in that value.
[0061] Based on the above-described preferred embodiments of this utility model, and through the foregoing description, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the technical concept of this utility model. The technical scope of this utility model is not limited to the contents of the specification, but must be determined according to the scope of the claims.
Claims
1. A shell-and-tube heat exchanger, characterized in that, include: At least two heat exchange units (100); The heat exchange unit (100) includes: The U-shaped housing (200) includes two straight pipe housings (210) and a U-shaped short pipe (220), one of the straight pipe housings (210) is provided with a liquid inlet (230) and the other is provided with a liquid outlet (240); Several straight tube bundles (300) are inserted into the straight tube shell (210) to form a material channel, and the gap between adjacent straight tube bundles (300) constitutes a heat exchange medium flow channel; and the straight tube bundles (300) at both ends of the heat exchange unit (100) are respectively connected to the inlet (310) and the outlet (320); The U-shaped short tube (220) is provided with baffles (221) at both ends, and the baffles (221) are provided with through holes (222) corresponding to the positions of the straight tube bundle (300). The two straight tube shells (210) in the heat exchange unit (100) are connected by a connecting pipe (400), the straight tube bundles (300) in the two straight tube shells (210) are connected by a through hole (222) of a U-shaped short pipe (220), and the straight tube bundles (300) of adjacent heat exchange units (100) are connected in series by a U-shaped short pipe (220).
2. The shell-and-tube heat exchanger as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The U-shaped short tube (220) has a hollow interior.
3. The shell-and-tube heat exchanger as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the straight tube shells (210) is provided with a number of staggered guide plates (211).
4. The shell-and-tube heat exchanger as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The inlet (230) is located at the bottom of the straight pipe housing (210), and the outlet (240) is located above the straight pipe housing (210).
5. The shell-and-tube heat exchanger as described in claim 1, characterized in that, A bracket (500) is provided between the straight tube housing (210), and a fixing ring (510) is provided at both ends of the bracket (500). The fixing ring (510) locks the connection between the straight tube housing (210) and the U-shaped short tube (220) by bolts (520).
6. A shell-and-tube heat exchanger, characterized in that, include: At least two heat exchange units (100); The heat exchange unit (100) includes: The U-shaped shell (200) has an inlet (230) and an outlet (240) at its two ends respectively. Several U-shaped tube bundles (600) are inserted into the U-shaped shell (200) to form a material channel, and the gap between adjacent U-shaped tube bundles (600) constitutes a heat exchange medium flow channel; and the U-shaped tube bundles (600) at both ends of the heat exchange unit (100) are respectively connected to the feed inlet (310) and the discharge outlet (320); The U-shaped shells (200) of adjacent heat exchange units (100) are connected by U-shaped short tubes (220). The two ends of the U-shaped short tubes (220) are provided with baffles (221) so that the U-shaped shells (200) of each heat exchange unit (100) form a sealed and isolated independent heat exchange chamber. The U-shaped short tubes (220) are also provided with a number of connecting tube bundles (223) the same as the number of U-shaped tube bundles (600). The connecting tube bundles (223) pass through the baffles (221) and communicate with the U-shaped tube bundles (600).
7. The shell-and-tube heat exchanger as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The U-shaped shell (200) is provided with a number of staggered guide plates (211).
8. The shell-and-tube heat exchanger as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The liquid inlet (230) is located at the bottom of the U-shaped housing (200), and the liquid outlet (240) is located at the top of the U-shaped housing (200).
9. The shell-and-tube heat exchanger as described in claim 6, characterized in that, A bracket (500) is provided in the middle of the U-shaped housing (200), and a fixing ring (510) is provided at both ends of the bracket (500). The fixing ring (510) locks the connection between the U-shaped housing (200) and the U-shaped short pipe (220) by bolts (520).