A U-tube heat exchanger

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of U-shaped tube heat exchangers, belong to heat exchange equipment technical field, including heat exchange storehouse, heating mechanism connected to the one end of heat exchange storehouse, further include the pressure relief mechanism installed in the top of heat exchange storehouse.The pressure relief mechanism includes suction storehouse, the connecting pipe of the communication heat exchange storehouse inner chamber with the bottom of suction storehouse, and sleeve set in the inside of suction storehouse, the light pole that can be slidably arranged in sleeve and the valve disc fixed in the one end of light pole.In normal operation of equipment, the valve disc sealingly abuts the port of connecting pipe.The utility model, by setting staggered arrangement upper and lower baffle in heat exchange storehouse, solved the shell side fluid in traditional heat exchanger Easy form laminar flow or short circuit, lead to fluid and heat exchange tube contact insufficient, heat transfer efficiency is low, and long tube bundle is easily impacted by fluid and vibrates Problem, reached forced guiding shell side fluid forms perpendicular to the heat exchange tube of spoiler, significantly enhance heat transfer effect.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of heat exchange equipment technology, and in particular to a U-tube heat exchanger. Background Technology

[0002] As a fundamental heat transfer device, the core working area of ​​a U-tube heat exchanger is located inside the heat exchange chamber, which is the shell-side space that houses a large number of U-shaped heat exchange tubes. Theoretically, the efficiency of heat exchange depends on the degree of contact between the shell-side fluid and the outer wall of the heat exchange tubes and the temperature difference for heat transfer. However, in many traditional and relatively simple U-tube heat exchanger designs, the interior of the heat exchange chamber is often an unobstructed space.

[0003] When the shell-side fluid enters the heat exchange chamber from the inlet, due to the lack of effective guidance and constraint, the fluid tends to flow directly towards the outlet along the path of least resistance, roughly parallel to the axis of the heat exchange tubes. This flow pattern leads to several serious technical drawbacks. First, the fluid effectively forms a "short circuit," with most of the fluid failing to adequately flush and contact the heat exchange tubes located outside the central region of the flow channel. This results in large flow dead zones and low-velocity regions within the heat exchange chamber, significantly reducing heat exchange efficiency. Second, the straight-flowing fluid makes it difficult to generate sufficient turbulence on the outer wall of the tube bundle, resulting in a thicker heat transfer boundary layer, which greatly limits the improvement of the heat transfer coefficient.

[0004] More seriously, U-shaped heat exchange tubes are typically quite long, and the central region of the tube bundle lacks effective support. Under the impact of shell-side fluids, especially high-speed fluids, these long and flexible heat exchange tubes are highly susceptible to harmful vibrations. This fluid-induced vibration not only causes collisions and friction between tube bundles and between the tube bundles and the shell, leading to wear and even rupture of the heat exchange tube walls and causing leakage and mixing of the two media; but also, long-term vibration fatigue is one of the main causes of heat exchange tube fracture from the root, posing a serious threat to the safe operation of the entire equipment.

[0005] Therefore, this utility model proposes a U-shaped tube heat exchanger to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art. Utility Model Content

[0006] To overcome the above shortcomings, this utility model provides a U-tube heat exchanger, which aims to improve the problems in the existing technology where the shell-side fluid is prone to laminar flow or short-circuiting, resulting in insufficient contact between the fluid and the heat exchange tubes, low heat transfer efficiency, and the long tube bundle is prone to vibration due to fluid impact.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: a U-shaped tube heat exchanger, comprising: a heat exchange chamber and a heating mechanism, wherein the heating mechanism is connected to one end of the heat exchange chamber, and further comprising a pressure relief mechanism; The heating mechanism includes a pipe plate, a heating chamber, a partition plate, a heat exchange tube, and an end cap. One side of the pipe plate is sealed and fixed to the port of the heat exchange chamber. The heating chamber is connected to the other side of the pipe plate via a flange. The end cap is detachably connected to the end of the heating chamber away from the pipe plate. The partition plate is disposed inside the heating chamber and divides the interior of the heating chamber into two chambers. The heat exchange tube has a U-shaped structure, with both ends passing through the pipe plate and communicating with the two chambers respectively. Its tube body is accommodated inside the heat exchange chamber. The pressure relief mechanism includes an air intake chamber, a connecting pipe, a sleeve, a smooth rod, and a valve disc. The pressure relief mechanism is installed on the top of the heat exchange chamber. One end of the connecting pipe is connected to the inner cavity of the heat exchange chamber, and the other end of the connecting pipe is connected to the bottom of the air intake chamber. The sleeve is fixedly installed inside the air intake chamber. The smooth rod is slidably installed inside the sleeve. The valve disc is fixedly connected to one end of the smooth rod, and the valve disc is sealed against the port of the connecting pipe under normal conditions.

[0008] Preferably, the pressure relief mechanism further includes a top cover and an exhaust pipe, the top cover being threaded to the top of the air intake chamber, and the exhaust pipe passing through the top cover and communicating with the inner cavity of the air intake chamber.

[0009] Preferably, the heat exchange chamber is further provided with a lower baffle and an upper baffle, the heat exchange tube passes through the lower baffle and the upper baffle, and the lower baffle and the upper baffle are arranged alternately along the axial direction of the heat exchange chamber.

[0010] Preferably, an end cap is detachably fixed to the end of the heating chamber away from the pipe plate.

[0011] Preferably, the outer shell of the heat exchange chamber is connected to a water inlet and a water outlet.

[0012] Preferably, the bottom of the heat exchange chamber shell is provided with a drain outlet, and the top of the heat exchange chamber shell is provided with an exhaust valve.

[0013] Preferably, the outer wall of the heating chamber is connected to an inlet and an outlet, which are respectively connected to two chambers separated by the partition plate.

[0014] Preferably, it also includes a support frame, and the heat exchange chamber is welded to the support frame.

[0015] This utility model has the following beneficial effects: 1. In this utility model, by setting staggered upper and lower baffles in the heat exchange chamber, the problem of shell-side fluid easily forming laminar flow or short-circuiting in traditional heat exchangers, resulting in insufficient contact between the fluid and heat exchange tubes, low heat transfer efficiency, and long tube bundles being easily vibrated by fluid impact is solved. This achieves the effect of forcibly guiding the shell-side fluid to form turbulence perpendicular to the heat exchange tubes, significantly enhancing the heat transfer effect, and effectively supporting the tube bundle and improving structural stability.

[0016] 2. In this utility model, by setting a pressure relief mechanism on the heat exchange chamber, which consists of a valve disc, a polished rod, a sleeve, and an air suction chamber working in concert, the problem of existing heat exchangers lacking effective and automatic safety protection devices when facing abnormally high internal pressure is solved, which can easily lead to equipment damage or safety accidents. It achieves the effect of automatically and quickly opening the pressure relief channel when the pressure exceeds the limit, releasing the internal high pressure in time, thereby significantly improving the safety and reliability of equipment operation. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a U-shaped tube heat exchanger proposed in this utility model; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the heat exchange tube of a U-shaped tube heat exchanger proposed in this utility model; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the connecting pipe of a U-shaped tube heat exchanger proposed in this utility model; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the valve disc of a U-shaped tube heat exchanger proposed in this utility model.

[0018] Legend: 1. Heat exchange chamber; 2. Support frame; 3. Heating mechanism; 301. Heat exchange tube; 302. Lower baffle plate; 303. Upper baffle plate; 304. End cover; 305. Pipe plate; 306. Divider plate; 307. Heating chamber; 4. Pressure relief mechanism; 401. Top cover; 402. Suction chamber; 403. Exhaust pipe; 404. Connecting pipe; 405. Sleeve; 406. Smooth rod; 407. Valve disc; 5. Feed inlet; 6. Discharge outlet; 7. Exhaust valve; 8. Water inlet; 9. Water outlet; 10. Drain outlet. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0020] Reference Figures 1-4This utility model provides a U-tube heat exchanger, which aims to solve the problem that existing heat exchangers lack an integrated automatic safety pressure relief structure under overpressure conditions.

[0021] Specifically, it includes a heat exchange chamber 1 and a heating mechanism 3 connected to one end of the heat exchange chamber 1. The heat exchange chamber 1 is used to house the heat exchange tube bundle and serve as a flow channel for the shell-side fluid, providing the main reaction space for heat exchange in the entire device. The heating mechanism 3 is used to guide the tube-side fluid in and out of the heat exchange tube bundle and achieve efficient heat transfer.

[0022] The heating mechanism 3 includes a pipe plate 305, a heating chamber 307, a partition plate 306, heat exchange tubes 301, and an end cap 304. One side of the pipe plate 305 is sealed and fixed to the port of the heat exchange chamber 1. The pipe plate 305 serves as a key component separating the shell-side and tube-side fluids and provides a mounting base for the heat exchange tubes 301. The heating chamber 307 is connected to the other side of the pipe plate 305 away from the heat exchange chamber 1 via a flange, forming the inlet and outlet chambers for the tube-side fluid. The end cap 304 is detachably connected to the end of the heating chamber 307 away from the pipe plate 305. The end cap 304 facilitates the inspection and cleaning of the heat exchange tubes 301 and the pipe plate 305. The partition plate 306 is fixedly disposed inside the heating chamber 307, dividing the interior of the heating chamber 307 into two independent chambers, which serve as the inlet and outlet chambers for the tube-side fluid, respectively. The heat exchange tube 301 has a U-shaped structure. Both ends of the heat exchange tube 301 pass through the pipe plate 305 and are connected to two chambers separated by the partition plate 306, respectively. The tube body of the heat exchange tube 301 is entirely housed in the heat exchange chamber 1. The U-shaped structure design allows the heat exchange tube bundle to expand and contract freely when heated, effectively avoiding damage to the equipment caused by thermal stress.

[0023] It also includes a pressure relief mechanism 4, which provides immediate and automatic protection when the internal pressure of the heat exchange chamber 1 abnormally increases. The pressure relief mechanism 4 includes an intake chamber 402, a connecting pipe 404, a sleeve 405, a polished rod 406, and a valve disc 407. The pressure relief mechanism 4 is installed on the top of the heat exchange chamber 1. This arrangement facilitates the priority discharge of gas accumulated at the top when the pressure is abnormal, achieving rapid pressure reduction. One end of the connecting pipe 404 is directly connected to the inner cavity of the heat exchange chamber 1, and the other end of the connecting pipe 404 is connected to the bottom of the intake chamber 402, forming a pressure release channel. The intake chamber 402 serves as a buffer and collection container to contain the overpressure fluid discharged from the heat exchange chamber 1. The sleeve 405 is fixedly connected inside the intake chamber 402, and the sleeve 405 provides stable and precise guidance for the polished rod 406. The polished rod 406 is slidably connected inside the sleeve 405, and the polished rod 406 can reciprocate along the axial direction of the sleeve 405. Valve disc 407 is fixedly connected to the end of polished rod 406 away from the inside of suction chamber 402. Under normal conditions, when the internal pressure of heat exchange chamber 1 is normal, valve disc 407 seals against the port of connecting pipe 404 by its own weight or a preset spring force, closing the pressure relief channel. When the pressure inside heat exchange chamber 1 exceeds the safety threshold, the pressure acting on the bottom surface of valve disc 407 will overcome its weight or spring preload, pushing valve disc 407 and polished rod 406 upward together, causing valve disc 407 to disengage from the port of connecting pipe 404, opening the pressure relief channel, releasing the high-pressure fluid, and ensuring the safe operation of the entire heat exchanger equipment.

[0024] To guide and safely release pressure during the depressurization process, the depressurization mechanism 4 also includes a top cover 401 and an exhaust pipe 403. The top cover 401 is threaded to the top of the intake chamber 402, facilitating the installation and maintenance of internal components such as the smooth rod 406 and the sleeve 405. The exhaust pipe 403 passes through the top cover 401 and communicates with the inner cavity of the intake chamber 402. When overpressured fluid enters the intake chamber 402, the gas or vapor can be guided to a safe area for discharge through the exhaust pipe 403, preventing harm to the surrounding environment and personnel.

[0025] To improve heat exchange efficiency, a lower baffle 302 and an upper baffle 303 are also installed inside the heat exchange chamber 1. The tube body of the heat exchange tube 301 passes through pre-set through holes in the lower baffle 302 and the upper baffle 303. Both the lower baffle 302 and the upper baffle 303 are arc-shaped or disc-shaped annular plates, and they are arranged alternately along the axial direction of the heat exchange chamber 1. This alternate arrangement forces the shell-side fluid in the heat exchange chamber 1 to no longer simply flow in a direction parallel to the heat exchange tube 301, but to form a zigzag path perpendicular to the heat exchange tube 301, repeatedly flowing around it. This flow state greatly enhances the turbulence of the fluid and effectively disrupts the fluid boundary layer near the tube wall, thereby significantly improving the heat transfer coefficient. In addition, the multiple lower baffles 302 and upper baffles 303 also play a key supporting role for the long and overhanging U-shaped heat exchange tube bundle 301, preventing tube bundle vibration caused by fluid impact and improving the stability and lifespan of the entire heat exchanger.

[0026] For ease of maintenance, an end cap 304 is detachably fixed to the end of the heating chamber 307 away from the pipe plate 305 by bolts. When it is necessary to inspect or clean the inlet of the heat exchange tube 301 or the sealing surface of the pipe plate 305, or to plug a failed heat exchange tube, simply remove the bolts fixing the end cap 304 to remove the end cap 304, thereby exposing the internal space of the entire tube side. The operation is extremely convenient, reducing maintenance costs and downtime.

[0027] The outer shell of heat exchange chamber 1 is connected to an inlet 8 and an outlet 9 for the entry and exit of shell-side fluid. The inlet 8 is usually located at the lower part of heat exchange chamber 1, while the outlet 9 is located at the upper part, which helps to fill the shell side with liquid and expel gas. Similarly, the outer wall of heating chamber 307 is connected to a feed inlet 5 and a discharge outlet 6, which are respectively connected to two chambers separated by partition plate 306 for the entry and exit of tube-side fluid, thereby forming a complete U-shaped flow path within heat exchange tube 301.

[0028] To meet operational and maintenance requirements, a drain port 10 is provided at the bottom of the shell of the heat exchange chamber 1 for draining the fluid inside the shell during shutdown and maintenance. Meanwhile, an exhaust valve 7 is provided at the top of the shell of the heat exchange chamber 1 for venting air from the shell side during system startup or for venting non-condensable gases during operation, ensuring heat exchange efficiency.

[0029] To ensure stable installation, the U-tube heat exchanger also includes a support frame 2. The heat exchange chamber 1 is fixedly connected to the support frame 2 by welding. The support frame 2 is usually a saddle-type support structure, which can evenly transfer the weight of the entire heat exchanger and the weight of the internal fluid to the foundation ground, ensuring that the equipment remains stable under various operating conditions.

[0030] Working principle: When using this U-tube heat exchanger, the entire device is supported and fixed by the support frame heat exchanger 2 to ensure the stability of the heat exchange chamber heat exchanger 1 and the heating chamber heat exchanger 307. The heating mechanism heat exchanger 3 heats the heating medium, while the pressure relief mechanism heat exchanger 4 adjusts the pressure of the heat exchange chamber heat exchanger 1 to maintain its pressure stability. In the heating mechanism heat exchanger 3, the heating chamber heat exchanger 307 has a partition plate heat exchanger 306 inside, which divides the heating chamber heat exchanger 307 into upper and lower parts. The heated medium is input into the heating chamber heat exchanger 307 through the inlet heat exchanger 5, flows into the heat exchange tube heat exchanger 301 fixed by the pipe plate heat exchanger 305, returns to the heating chamber heat exchanger 307 through the heat exchange tube heat exchanger 301, and is discharged from the outlet heat exchanger 6. The end cover heat exchanger 304 connects and seals the heating chamber heat exchanger 307 and the heat exchange chamber heat exchanger 1. The lower baffle plate heat exchanger 302 and the upper baffle plate heat exchanger 303 inside the heat exchange chamber heat exchanger 1 enhance heat exchange and support the heat exchange tube heat exchanger 301. The heating medium enters from the water inlet heat exchanger 8. The heat is transferred to the working medium through the heat exchanger tube 301 and discharged from the outlet heat exchanger 9. When routine maintenance is required, the drain outlet heat exchanger 10 is opened to drain the working medium. The exhaust valve heat exchanger 7 is the exhaust port for the working medium, and the pressure relief mechanism heat exchanger 4 is the automatic overpressure relief port for the working medium. In the pressure relief mechanism heat exchanger 4, when the pressure inside the heat exchange chamber heat exchanger 1 is too high, the pressure pushes the valve disc heat exchanger 407, causing the bare rod heat exchanger 406 to move inside the sleeve heat exchanger 405. Excess gas is introduced into the suction chamber heat exchanger 402 through the connecting pipe heat exchanger 404. The top cover heat exchanger 401 and the exhaust pipe heat exchanger 403 assist in pressure relief to ensure pressure safety. All components work together to complete the efficient heat exchange process.

Claims

1. A U-tube heat exchanger, comprising: The heat exchange chamber (1) and the heating mechanism (3) are connected to one end of the heat exchange chamber (1), characterized in that the heating mechanism (3) further includes a pressure relief mechanism (4). The heating mechanism (3) includes a pipe plate (305), a heating chamber (307), a partition plate (306), a heat exchange tube (301), and an end cap (304). One side of the pipe plate (305) is sealed and fixed to the port of the heat exchange chamber (1). The heating chamber (307) is connected to the other side of the pipe plate (305) through a flange. The end cap (304) is detachably connected to the end of the heating chamber (307) away from the pipe plate (305). The partition plate (306) is disposed inside the heating chamber (307) and divides the interior of the heating chamber (307) into two chambers. The heat exchange tube (301) has a U-shaped structure, with both ends passing through the pipe plate (305) and connected to the two chambers respectively. Its tube body is accommodated inside the heat exchange chamber (1). The pressure relief mechanism (4) includes an air intake chamber (402), a connecting pipe (404), a sleeve (405), a smooth rod (406), and a valve disc (407). The pressure relief mechanism (4) is installed on the top of the heat exchange chamber (1). One end of the connecting pipe (404) is connected to the inner cavity of the heat exchange chamber (1), and the other end of the connecting pipe (404) is connected to the bottom of the air intake chamber (402). The sleeve (405) is fixedly installed inside the air intake chamber (402). The smooth rod (406) is slidably installed inside the sleeve (405). The valve disc (407) is fixedly connected to one end of the smooth rod (406), and the valve disc (407) is sealed against the port of the connecting pipe (404) under normal conditions.

2. The U-tube heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pressure relief mechanism (4) also includes a top cover (401) and an exhaust pipe (403). The top cover (401) is threaded to the top of the air intake chamber (402), and the exhaust pipe (403) passes through the top cover (401) and communicates with the inner cavity of the air intake chamber (402).

3. The U-tube heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heat exchange chamber (1) is also provided with a lower baffle plate (302) and an upper baffle plate (303). The heat exchange tube (301) passes through the lower baffle plate (302) and the upper baffle plate (303). The lower baffle plate (302) and the upper baffle plate (303) are arranged alternately along the axial direction of the heat exchange chamber (1).

4. The U-tube heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that, An end cap (304) is detachably fixed to one end of the heating chamber (307) away from the pipe plate (305).

5. The U-tube heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heat exchange chamber (1) has an inlet (8) and an outlet (9) connected to its outer shell.

6. The U-tube heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heat exchange chamber (1) has a drain outlet (10) at the bottom of its outer shell and an exhaust valve (7) at the top of its outer shell.

7. The U-tube heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer wall of the heating chamber (307) is connected to an inlet (5) and an outlet (6), which are respectively connected to two chambers separated by the partition plate (306).

8. The U-tube heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that, The U-tube heat exchanger also includes a support frame (2), and the heat exchange chamber (1) is welded to the support frame (2).

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