Fluid heating device

Abstract

This specification describes a fluid heating device and its uses. The fluid heating device can solve problems of conventional fluid heating devices. For example, the fluid heating device can efficiently support carbon neutrality. The fluid heating device can transfer precisely controlled heat to the fluid within a short period of time, for example, when heating a large amount of fluid. This specification also describes a method of heating a fluid using the fluid heating device.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0058134 dated May 12, 2022, and all contents disclosed in the documents of the Korean patent application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This application relates to fluid heating devices and their applications. [Background technology]

[0003] Devices for heating fluids can be used in a variety of applications.

[0004] For example, the apparatus may be used in processes that produce petrochemical base stocks (eg, olefins such as ethylene, propylene, and butadiene).

[0005] To produce the olefins, a so-called cracking process is carried out in which raw materials such as naphtha obtained by refining crude oil, ethane, propane, waste plastics, and biodiesel are thermally cracked in a high-temperature cracking furnace. A fluid heating device may be used in this process.

[0006] The pyrolysis furnace typically includes a radiant section, a convection section, and a steam generator. The fluid, which is the target material for pyrolysis, is transported through a flow line such as a pipe and subjected to pyrolysis by high-temperature heat. Typically, pyrolysis is performed by transferring a large amount of thermal energy to the fluid transported through the radiant section.

[0007] Conventional fluid heating devices such as cracking furnaces are typically large-scale devices that transfer heat throughout the entire piping, which is the line through which the fluid flows, in order to process a large amount of fluid due to the characteristics of the device. Furthermore, the heat transfer is achieved through thermal power generated by burning fossil fuels.

[0008] However, with these conventional methods, it is impossible to uniformly transfer heat throughout the entire line through which the fluid flows, to control the type of heat applied to each part of the line, or to quickly heat the line.

[0009] Furthermore, the method of burning fossil fuels requires heating using convection, which limits the configuration of the device.

[0010] Furthermore, the use of fossil fuels in the conventional method results in the emission of large amounts of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide during the operation of the device, making it difficult to achieve carbon neutrality in response to climate change.

[0011] Furthermore, in the case of conventional fluid heating devices, it takes a long time for the heating area to reach a steady state, which results in inefficient use of thermal power and additional emissions of harmful gases such as greenhouse gases in the process. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0012] [Patent Document 1] Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2021-0042969 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0013] An object of the present application is to provide a fluid heating device and its use that can solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] This specification describes a fluid heating device.

[0015] The fluid heating device may include a fluid flow line including an internal passage formed to allow a fluid to flow and a conductive surface portion surrounding the internal passage; and a coil portion formed to generate an electromagnetic field capable of inducing heat generation in the surface portion through induction heating.

[0016] The fluid heating device may include a fluid flow line including an internal passage formed to allow a fluid to flow and a conductive surface portion surrounding the internal passage; a conductive structure present around the fluid flow line; and a coil portion formed to generate an electromagnetic field that can induce heat in the conductive structure through induction heating, and the fluid flow line and the conductive structure may be formed so that the fluid in the fluid flow line can be heated by the heat generated in the conductive structure.

[0017] In the fluid heating device, the fluid flow line may have a spiral structure.

[0018] In the fluid heating device, the ratio of the longest distance to the shortest distance between the rotation axis of the spiral structure and the fluid flow line may be in the range of 0.8 to 1.2.

[0019] In the fluid heating device, a ratio H / R of a height H of a single turn of the spiral structure to a shortest distance R between the rotation axis of the single turn and a fluid flow line in the single turn may be 2 or more.

[0020] In the fluid heating device, the spiral structure can satisfy the following formula 1:

[0021] [Formula 1] L=(H 2 +(2πR) 2 ) 1 / 2

[0022] In Equation 1, L is the length of one turn of the helical structure, H is the height of one turn of the helical structure, and R is the shortest distance between the axis of rotation of the one turn and the fluid flow line in the one turn.

[0023] In the fluid heating device, a conductive structure may be present between the fluid flow line and the coil portion.

[0024] The fluid heating device may further include a power supply unit installed to apply direct current or alternating current to the coil unit.

[0025] In the fluid heating device, the coil portion has a spiral structure, and the ratio of the longest distance to the shortest distance between the rotation axis of the spiral structure of the coil portion and the coil portion may be in the range of 0.8 to 1.2.

[0026] In the fluid heating device, the coil portion may have a helical structure, and the rotation axis of the helical structure of the coil portion and the rotation axis of the helical structure of the fluid flow line may coincide with each other.

[0027] In the fluid heating device, the coil portion has a spiral structure, and the ratio N1 / N2 of the number of turns N2 of the spiral structure of the coil to the number of turns N1 of the spiral structure of the fluid flow line may be in the range of 0.75 to 1.5.

[0028] In the fluid heating device, the coil portion has a spiral structure, and a ratio N1 / N2 of the number of turns N2 of the spiral structure of the coil portion to the number of turns N1 of the spiral structure of the fluid flow line is within a range of 0.75 to 1.5, and the spiral structures of the coil portion and the fluid flow line may be located on a virtual line perpendicular to the rotation axis of the spiral structure of the coil portion or the rotation axis of the spiral structure of the fluid flow line.

[0029] In the fluid heating device, the fluid flow line may have a form in which U-shaped lines are repeatedly connected, the conductive structure may be cylindrical, and the fluid flow line may be formed to surround the inner wall of the cylindrical conductive structure.

[0030] In the fluid heating device, the coil portion may include a first coil portion having a helical structure and a second coil portion having a helical structure, the first coil portion being located inside the fluid flow line having the helical structure, and the second coil portion being located outside the fluid flow line having the helical structure.

[0031] In the fluid heating device, the coil portion may include a first coil portion having a helical structure and a second coil portion having a helical structure, the first coil portion being located inside the fluid flow line and the second coil portion being located outside the fluid flow line, and the conductive structures may include first and second conductive structures, the first conductive structure being located between the first coil portion and the fluid flow line, and the second conductive structure being located between the second coil portion and the fluid flow line. [Effects of the Invention]

[0032] An object of the present application is to provide a fluid heating device and its use that can solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0033] [Figure 1] 1 is a non-limiting example of a fluid heating device as described herein. [Figure 2] 1 is a non-limiting example of a fluid flow line configuration. [Figure 3] 1 is a non-limiting example of a fluid flow line configuration. [Figure 4] 1 is a non-limiting example of a fluid flow line configuration. [Figure 5] 10 is a non-limiting example of the configuration of the coil portion. [Figure 6] 1 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a helical structure. [Figure 7] 1 is a non-limiting illustration of a vertical cross section of a fluid heating device. [Figure 8] 1 is a non-limiting illustration of a vertical cross section of a fluid heating device. [Figure 9]1 is a non-limiting illustration of a vertical cross section of a fluid heating device. [Figure 10] 1 is a non-limiting example of a fluid heating device as described herein. [Figure 11] 1 is a non-limiting illustration of a vertical cross section of a fluid heating device. [Figure 12] 1 is a non-limiting example of a fluid heating device as described herein. [Figure 13] 1 is a non-limiting example of a fluid flow line configuration. [Figure 14] 1 is a non-limiting example of a fluid heating device as described herein. [Figure 15] 1 is a non-limiting example of a fluid heating device as described herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] Of the physical properties described in this specification, those whose measured values ​​are affected by the measurement temperature are physical properties measured at room temperature unless otherwise specified.

[0035] The term "room temperature" as used herein refers to a natural temperature that is not artificially heated or cooled, and may be, for example, any temperature within the range of 10° C. to 30° C. In other examples, room temperature may refer to a temperature within the range of about 15° C. or higher, about 18° C. or higher, about 20° C. or higher, or about 23° C. or higher and about 27° C. or lower, or a temperature at approximately 25° C.

[0036] Unless otherwise specified, temperatures stated herein are in degrees Celsius (°C).

[0037] Of the physical properties described in this specification, those whose measurement values ​​are affected by the measurement pressure are physical properties measured at normal pressure unless otherwise specified.

[0038] As used herein, the term "normal pressure" refers to natural pressure that is not artificially increased or decreased, and can generally refer to a pressure within the range of approximately 730 mmHg to 790 mmHg.

[0039] As used herein, the term "fluid" refers to a substance that can flow. Typically, gases, liquids, and plasma are considered to be fluids.

[0040] Non-limiting examples of fluids to be heated by the fluid heating devices described herein may be one or more selected from the group consisting of water, steam, air, hydrocarbon compounds, and the like.

[0041] In one embodiment, the fluid is a substance to be heated and can be cracked by receiving thermal energy, and non-limiting examples of such fluids include hydrocarbon compounds, which can include one or more selected from the group consisting of naphtha, ethane, propane, methane, waste plastics, and biodiesel, as well as other substances that are generally known in the art.

[0042] In one example, the fluid may be the substance to be heated and used to perform the cracking, and non-limiting examples of such fluids may include one or more selected from the group consisting of water, steam, and a catalyst.

[0043] As used herein, the term "heating" refers to transferring heat to a certain object (e.g., a fluid). The temperature of the object to which heat is transferred generally increases, but heat can be transferred without an increase in temperature if the object undergoes an isothermal reaction or a phase transition.

[0044] When the fluid flow line of the fluid heating device described herein is a reactor, the fluid may refer to either a pre-reaction material or a post-reaction material, or both.

[0045] The fluid heating apparatus described herein may be part of another facility, non-limiting examples of which may be one or more selected from the group consisting of a steam cracker, a reformer, an alkane dehydrogenator, etc. The fluid heating apparatus described herein may be configured to perform at least one process in the other facility.

[0046] In one example, the fluid heating device may be part of a steam cracker. The steam cracker is a device that performs steam cracking and may be equipment that applies thermal energy to long-carbon chain hydrocarbon compounds to convert them into short-carbon chain hydrocarbon compounds. Non-limiting examples of the long-carbon chain hydrocarbon compounds may include one or more selected from the group consisting of naphtha, propane, butane, and ethane. Through the steam cracking, one or more selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methane, ethane, ethylene, propylene, and butadiene may be produced.

[0047] In one example, the fluid heating device may be part of a reformer. The reformer may refer to equipment that produces one or more selected from the group consisting of steam and carbon oxides from one or more substances selected from the group consisting of natural gas, light gasoline, methanol, biogas, biomass, etc. Such a reformer may also be equipment that produces hydrogen from one or more selected from the group consisting of methane and carbon dioxide.

[0048] In one example, the fluid heating device may be part of an alkane dehydrogenator, which may be a facility for producing alkenes from alkanes through a dehydrogenation process.

[0049] The fluid heating device will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings according to the embodiments, but this is for ease of understanding and does not limit the scope of the fluid heating device. In addition, the embodiments illustrated in the drawings of this specification are for the purpose of specifically explaining specific configurations, and the configurations illustrated in such drawings may be drawn to different scales than the actual scale.

[0050] FIG. 1 is a non-limiting illustration of a fluid heating device 10 described herein.

[0051] The fluid heating device 10 may include a heating unit 100. In one example, the heating unit 100 may be a region where a fluid to be heated is heated.

[0052] The heating unit 100 may include a fluid flow line 110. The fluid flow line 110 may include an internal passage and a surface portion surrounding the internal passage. The internal passage may be formed by the surface portion. The internal passage may be configured to allow a fluid to flow therethrough.

[0053] The heating section 100 of the fluid heating device 10 may include one or more of the fluid flow lines 110 .

[0054] The fluid flow line 110 may include at least an internal passage and a surface portion. Figure 4 shows an example of a cross-sectional shape of a fluid flow line having such a surface portion 112 and an internal passage 111. The surface portion may be present in a form surrounding the internal passage, and the internal passage may be formed by the surface portion.

[0055] The internal passage may be configured to allow a fluid to flow through the passage, and the fluid may be a target to be heated by the fluid heating device.

[0056] The surface portion may be conductive. That is, the surface portion may be formed of a conductive material. The term "conductive" refers to the property of allowing heat and / or electricity to flow. In one example, the surface portion of the fluid flow line may be a conductive material that generates heat through so-called induction heating when an electromagnetic field is applied. Induction heating is a phenomenon in which heat is generated in a specific material when an electromagnetic field is applied. For example, when an electromagnetic field is applied to a material with suitable conductivity, so-called eddy currents are generated within the material, and Joule heating is generated by the eddy currents and the resistance of the material. In another example, the surface portion of such a fluid flow line may be referred to as an inductively heatable surface portion. The fluid flow line may be configured such that the surface portion generates heat through induction heating, and the heat generated by the surface portion heats the fluid flowing through the internal passage.

[0057] In one example, when the fluid undergoes a chemical reaction due to the heating, the fluid flow line may be referred to as a reactor, and the heating unit may be referred to as a reaction unit. When the fluid flow line is referred to as a reactor, the fluid flow line may be a mechanism, machine, or equipment in which a chemical reaction occurs. The chemical reaction may refer to the breaking of bonds between molecules or between elements, or the formation of new bonds between molecules or between elements.

[0058] The fluid flow line 110 may be configured in the most appropriate form, taking into consideration the purpose of heating, the physicochemical properties and mixing ratio of the components contained in the fluid to be heated, the required flow rate and duration of the fluid, the operating cycle of the device, and / or the type and size of the equipment included in the device.

[0059] The type of material constituting the surface portion is not particularly limited, and any material known to be capable of generating heat through the induction heating phenomenon may be used. For example, a material having an appropriate level of conductivity and excellent heat resistance to exhibit the effect may be used. Non-limiting examples of such materials include, but are not limited to, one or more selected from the group consisting of nickel; chromium; and alloys containing nickel and chromium. In one example, the fluid flow line may be a pipe made of the material.

[0060] As described above, the fluid flow line 110 may include the surface portion 112 and the internal passage 111. The internal passage 111 may be an empty space formed to allow a fluid to flow. The internal passage 111 may be configured to allow the fluid to flow continuously or to maintain a fluid flow but stagnate for a certain period of time in at least a portion of the line. The fluid flow rate may also be maintained constant or may vary depending on the flow. The fluid flow pattern may be controlled to achieve the most suitable result, taking into account the purpose of heating the fluid. For example, if the fluid flow line is the aforementioned reactor, the fluid may undergo a chemical reaction while flowing through the internal passage and / or may be introduced into the internal passage, undergo a chemical reaction in a certain region, and then be discharged. The fluid may flow continuously, or in some cases, may flow as a flow that flows in for a chemical reaction, stagnates, undergoes a chemical reaction, and then flows out.

[0061] The cross-sectional shape of the fluid flow line 110 is not limited. Such a shape can be appropriately designed taking into consideration the purpose of heating and the types and mixing ratios of components contained in the fluid to be heated. Figure 4 shows an example of a non-limiting cross-sectional shape of the fluid flow line 110. Of course, the fluid flow line 110 may have various cross-sectional shapes not shown in Figure 4, such as one or more shapes selected from the group consisting of a triangle, a rhombus, a parallelogram, and an ellipse.

[0062] The shape and arrangement of the fluid flow lines 110 of the heating unit 100 of the fluid heating device 10 are not particularly limited. For example, the shape and arrangement may be designed taking into consideration the purpose of heating and the components and / or mixing ratio of the fluid to be heated. For example, the fluid flow lines 110 may be in the form of a pipe or a batch.

[0063] In one example, the fluid flow line 110 may have a helical structure, taking into consideration the position and shape for heat generation efficiency due to the electromagnetic field applied by the conductive structure and / or coil unit 200 (described below). That is, the fluid flow line 110 may have a helically wound structure. The overall length of the fluid flow line 110 is determined by considering the residence time of the fluid flowing through the fluid flow line 110. However, when a helical structure is adopted, spatial efficiency can be ensured even with the same length. A non-limiting example of such a helical structure fluid flow line 110 is shown in FIG. 1. Considering appropriate effects, the helical structure of the fluid flow line 110 may be a structure in which the distance from the rotation axis of the helical structure to the fluid flow line 110 is maintained substantially constant.

[0064] 2 and 3 are exemplary drawings for explaining the helical structure. Figures 2 and 3 are non-limiting examples of a fluid flow line 110 having a helical structure.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 2, the spiral structure of the fluid flow line 110 is oriented along a predetermined axis of rotation A. X1 In this case, the distance from the rotation axis to the fluid flow line 110 is maintained substantially constant. X1 and the shortest distance d11a from another specific point on the fluid flow line 110 to the rotation axis A X1This may mean that the ratio (d11a / d11b) of the shortest distance d11b to the coil portion is 1 or close to 1. For example, the lower limit of the ratio (d11a / d11b) may be about 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, 0.95, or 1, and the upper limit may be about 1.2, 1.15, 1.1, 1.05, or 1. The ratio may be equal to or greater than any one of the lower limits, equal to or less than any one of the upper limits, or may be within a range that is equal to or greater than any one of the lower limits but equal to or less than any one of the upper limits. By forming such a structure, the surface portion of the fluid flow line 110 can efficiently generate heat by the electromagnetic field applied by the coil portion, or can efficiently receive heat transferred from the cylindrical structure described below.

[0066] In another embodiment, the distance from the rotation axis to the fluid flow line 110 is maintained substantially constant. X1 This means that the ratio (L / S) of the longest distance L to the shortest distance S among the fluid flow lines is 1 or close to 1. X1 The distance between the fluid flow line and the rotation axis A of the spiral structure described later is X1and the shortest distance between the fluid flow lines. That is, in a spiral structure, multiple shortest distances between the fluid flow lines and the rotation axis are defined around the rotation axis. When the ratio (L / S) of the longest distance L to the shortest distance S among the multiple shortest distances is 1 or close to 1, it may mean that the distance from the rotation axis to the fluid flow line 110 is maintained substantially constant. For example, the lower limit of the ratio (L / S) may be about 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, 0.95, or 1, and the upper limit may be about 1.2, 1.15, 1.1, 1.05, or 1. The ratio may be equal to or greater than any one of the lower limits, equal to or less than any one of the upper limits, or may be within a range that is equal to or greater than any one of the lower limits but equal to or less than any one of the upper limits. By forming such a structure, the surface portion of the fluid flow line 110 can be efficiently heated by the electromagnetic field applied by the coil portion, or can receive efficient heat transfer from the cylindrical structure described below.

[0067] 3 is a non-limiting example of how to design the fluid flow line 110. The fluid flow line 110 has an axis of rotation A X1 The structure is spirally wound around the rotation axis A X1 The distance from the helical structure to the fluid flow line 110 may not vary substantially. The rotation axis may be the center of gravity of the structure as seen in a cross section (i.e., a cross section when the fluid flow line 110 is cut in an arbitrary horizontal plane G) of the fluid flow line cut in a direction perpendicular to the twisting direction of the helical structure. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, if the cross section G as seen in a direction perpendicular to the twisting direction of the helical structure is circular, the rotation axis A may be the center of gravity of the fluid flow line 110. X1 The point A on the rotation axis can be the center of the circle. X1、P The distance between the fluid flow line 110 and the point A of the rotation axis as seen in the cross section G is, as shown in FIG. X1、Pand an arbitrary point P on the fluid flow line 110. Since the fluid flow line 110 has a substantially predetermined thickness, the distance between the point A on the rotation axis X1、P The distance between the point P of the fluid flow line 110 and the point on the rotation axis A may be the shortest distance between the point P of the fluid flow line 110 and the point on the rotation axis A that can be defined by the point P of the fluid flow line 110. As shown in FIG. X1 Point A X1、P The distance (shortest distance) between the point P and the fluid flow line 110 may be the radius r of the circle. In this case, the radius r calculated as above is calculated for each region of the fluid flow line 110, and the average value is calculated. The average value is the radius R of the fluid flow line 110. L In this case, the radius r is the distance from any particular point on the fluid flow line 110 to the rotation axis A. X1 It can be synonymous with the shortest distance to

[0068] FIG. 3 also shows a method for defining a single turn of the fluid flow line 110. As shown in FIG. 3, a single turn of the fluid flow line 110 may be a portion where the fluid flow line 110 completes one rotation when observed at the cross section G. In FIG. 3, a start point SP and an end point EP of the single turn of the fluid flow line 110 are shown. Since a spiral structure progresses while twisting, the shortest distance between the start point SP and the end point EP of the single turn of the fluid flow line 110 may indicate the degree of ascent H of the single turn of the fluid flow line 110. In the case of a circular shape as shown in FIG. 3, the radius r of the single turn of the fluid flow line 110 is the distance between the point P of the fluid flow line 110 and the rotation axis A at a position halfway along the degree of ascent H. X1 It can be the shortest distance.

[0069] In the fluid flow line 110, the degree of elevation H of a single winding portion of the fluid flow line 110 can be controlled to satisfy an appropriate relationship. For example, the ratio H / R of the following equation A, which includes the degree of elevation (i.e., the height of the single winding portion) H in a single winding portion of the fluid flow line 110, can be adjusted to an appropriate level.

[0070] [Formula A] H / R

[0071] In formula A, H is the degree of rise in one winding (i.e., the height of the one winding).

[0072] In Equation A, R is the shortest distance between the axis of rotation of the single turn and the fluid flow line.

[0073] As described above, the rotation axis of the single winding portion is the center of gravity of the cross-sectional structure that can be seen when observing the single winding portion in the direction of progression (direction of the rotation axis) of the spiral structure (in the case of Figure 3, since the structure seen in cross section is circular, the rotation axis is the center of the circle).

[0074] In the case of FIG. 3, the shortest distance R is the radius r of the circle.

[0075] The lower limit of the ratio H / R may be about 2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 3, or 4, and the upper limit may be about 20, 18, 16, 14, 12, or 10. The ratio may be equal to or greater than any one of the lower limits, equal to or less than any one of the upper limits, or equal to or greater than any one of the lower limits but equal to or less than any one of the upper limits. By controlling the height of each winding, the wound portions can be designed to avoid overlapping with each other, thereby efficiently transferring heat to the fluid flowing through the fluid flow line 110.

[0076] The length L of one winding of the fluid flow line 110 can be determined by the elevation H of the one winding and the shortest distance R of Equation A. The length L of one winding of the fluid flow line 110 can be designed taking into consideration the purpose of heating and the state of the fluid to be heated.

[0077] For example, the helical structure can be designed so that the following formula 1 is satisfied:

[0078] [Formula 1] L=(H 2 +(2πR) 2 ) 1 / 2

[0079] In Equation 1, L is the length of one turn of the helical structure, and H and R are as defined in Equation A.

[0080] The ratio H / R in the formula A satisfies the above-mentioned range, and the length of one winding of the spiral structure satisfies the formula 1.

[0081] In this case, the total length T of the fluid flow line 110 can be defined as the product of the length L of one winding portion and the number of turns (number of turns, N) in Equation 1. When designing the fluid flow line 110, the total length T and the shortest distance R in one winding portion are determined, and the number of turns (number of turns, N) is taken into consideration, and the shortest distance R in one winding portion of the fluid flow line 110 and / or the radius R of the fluid flow line 110 can be calculated. L The length L of one winding can be designed accordingly.

[0082] 1, the fluid heating device 10 may further include a coil unit 200. The coil unit 200 is provided in the fluid heating device 10 to generate an electromagnetic field. Specifically, the coil unit 200 may be configured to apply an electromagnetic field to a surface portion of the fluid flow line 110 and / or a conductive structure (described later), thereby inducing heat generation in the surface portion and / or the conductive structure. Thus, the coil unit 200 may be provided to surround the heating unit 100 or the fluid flow line 110.

[0083] The coil unit 200 may be designed to generate an electromagnetic field when current flows through it. This electromagnetic field may be applied to the fluid flow line and / or a conductive structure (described later) to induce the generation of resistance heat (Joule heat) through induced current. The coil unit 200 may be formed using a known coil capable of performing this function.

[0084] The current applied to the coil unit 200 to generate an electromagnetic field may be direct current or alternating current. An alternating current can generate an electromagnetic field more effectively. Direct current refers to a current that flows in a constant direction independent of time, while alternating current refers to a current whose magnitude and phase periodically change over time. The current may be supplied through a power source 210. Accordingly, the coil unit 200 may be connected to the power source. That is, the fluid heating apparatus may further include a power source unit installed to apply direct current or alternating current to the coil unit. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a non-limiting example of the coil unit 200. As shown in FIG. 5, the coil unit 200 may be electrically connected to the power source 210 to receive a current. If the current is direct current, the coil unit 200 may be connected to a direct current power source, and if the current is alternating current, the coil unit 200 may be connected to an alternating current power source. In the fluid heating apparatus 10, the power source 210 is a device that generates a voltage to generate a current, and may be a direct current power source that provides a time-independent voltage to supply direct current, or an alternating current power source that provides a voltage whose magnitude and phase periodically change over time to supply alternating current. The magnitude of the voltage or the intensity of the current to be supplied can be appropriately selected taking into consideration the purpose of heating and the fluid to be heated.

[0085] The coil unit 200 may be selected in the most appropriate form by comprehensively considering the form of the fluid flow line 110, the fluid residence time, the operation cycle, and the type and size of the equipment including the device.

[0086] In one example, the coil unit 200 may have or include a spiral structure in order to efficiently utilize heat generated in the fluid flow line 110 and / or the conductive structure, taking into consideration the position and shape of the fluid flow line 110 and / or the conductive structure described below. That is, the coil may also have a spirally wound structure.

[0087] The coil unit 200 may include a winding portion 220 (the helical structure) formed in a structure wound in a helical shape. Like the fluid flow line 110, the helical structure of the coil unit 200 may also have a rotation axis. In this case, the meaning of the rotation axis is the same as the rotation axis of the line 110. As in the case of the fluid flow line, even in the case of the helical structure of the coil unit 200, the distance from the rotation axis to the winding portion 220 may be maintained substantially constant. Referring to FIG. 5, the winding portion 220 of the coil unit 200 is wound around the rotation axis A. X2 The term "the distance from the rotation axis to the take-up part 220 is maintained substantially constant" means that the distance from the rotation axis to the fluid flow line is maintained substantially constant in the fluid flow line, but the same meaning can be applied even if the fluid flow line is changed to the take-up part 220. That is, in the above case, the distance from any specific point on the take-up part 220 of the coil part 200 to the rotation axis A X2 the shortest distance d22a from the winding section 220 to the rotation axis A X2 The ratio (d22a / d22b) of the shortest distance d22b to the electrode 12 may be 1 or close to 1. For example, the lower limit of the ratio (d22a / d22b) may be about 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, 0.95, or 1, and the upper limit may be about 1.2, 1.15, 1.1, 1.05, or 1. The ratio may be equal to or greater than any one of the lower limits, equal to or less than any one of the upper limits, or may be equal to or greater than any one of the lower limits but equal to or less than any one of the upper limits. With this structure, induction heating can be effectively induced.

[0088] In another example, the distance from the rotation axis to the winding part 220 is maintained substantially constant. X2 This means that the ratio (L / S) of the longest distance L to the shortest distance S between the winding part 220 and the helical structure is 1 or close to 1.X2 and the take-up portion 220 is the same as that of the fluid flow line 110 described above. X2 The ratio (L / S) may be the shortest distance between the take-up unit 220 and the rotating shaft. That is, in the spiral structure, multiple shortest distances between the take-up unit 220 and the rotating shaft are defined around the rotating shaft. When the ratio (L / S) of the longest distance L to the shortest distance S among the multiple shortest distances is 1 or close to 1, it may mean that the distance from the rotating shaft to the take-up unit 220 is maintained substantially constant. For example, the lower limit of the ratio (L / S) may be about 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, 0.95, or 1, and the upper limit may be about 1.2, 1.15, 1.1, 1.05, or 1. The ratio may be equal to or greater than any one of the lower limits, equal to or less than any one of the upper limits, or equal to or greater than any one of the lower limits but equal to or less than any one of the upper limits. By forming such a structure, an electromagnetic field can be efficiently generated, thereby inducing induction heating.

[0089] In the fluid heating device 10, when the fluid flow line and the coil portion all have a helical structure and the coil portion is located outside or inside the helical structure of the fluid flow line, the rotation axis A of the helical structure of the fluid flow line X1 and the rotation axis A of the spiral structure of the winding portion 220 of the coil portion 200 X2 The rotation axes A may coincide with each other. The rotation axes A may coincide not only when the two rotation axes are formed at the exact same position, but also when there is a difference between them, but the difference is so small that it does not affect the intended effect and the rotation axes A may be regarded as substantially coinciding. X1 and A X2 When the rotation axis A of the spiral structure of the fluid flow line 110 is aligned, the fluid flowing through the fluid flow line 110 can be prevented from being heated unevenly. X1 and the rotation axis A of the winding part 220 of the coil part 200 X210, even when the coil unit 1100 is located inside the fluid flow line 1310, the rotation axes of the coil unit 1100 and the fluid flow line 1310 may be aligned with each other.

[0090] The winding portion (spiral structure) 220 of the coil portion 200 is not particularly limited, but may be designed in the same manner as the spiral structure of the fluid flow line 110 described above. In the exemplary fluid heating device 10, the fluid flow line 110 and the coil portion 200 have a spiral structure, and the rotation axis A X1 and A X2 When these distances are coincident, the fluid flow line 110 and the coil portion 200 can have an appropriate separation distance dB. The separation distance dB is determined by the distance between the rotation axis A and the coil portion 200. X1 the average distance from the fluid flow line 110 to the axis of rotation A X2 to the winding portion 220 of the coil portion 200. When the separation distance dB is maintained within an appropriate range, the fluid flowing through the fluid flow line can be heated more uniformly. The separation distance dB is a matter of designing the fluid flow line and the coil portion, and an appropriate separation distance can be selected taking into account the purpose of heating and the fluid to be heated.

[0091] In the exemplary fluid heating device 10, when the fluid flow line and the coil portion all have a helical structure, the number of turns of each helical structure may be approximately the same. The number of turns of the helical structure may be approximately the same as the number of complete turns within the helical structure, e.g., the number of turns of one helical structure. In another example, the number of turns may be the number of helical structures observed in a cross section of the helical structure cut along a vertical plane including the axis of rotation, divided by two. Such a cross section is shown, for example, in FIG. 7, where the number of turns of the helical structure of the fluid flow line 110 and the helical structure of the coil portion 200 is six. For example, the ratio (N1 / N2) of the number of turns N1 of the spiral structure of the fluid flow line 110 to the number of turns N2 of the spiral structure of the coil unit 200 may have a lower limit of about 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, 0.95, or 1, and an upper limit of about 1.5, 1.4, 1.3, 1.2, 1.1, or 1. The ratio may be equal to or greater than any one of the lower limits, equal to or less than any one of the upper limits, or equal to or greater than any one of the lower limits but equal to or less than any one of the upper limits. This design allows for efficient induction heating and heat transfer to the fluid.

[0092] In the fluid heating device 10, when the fluid flow line and the coil unit all have a helical structure and one of the two helical structures exists inside or outside the other helical structure, the pattern of each helical structure may be adjusted. For example, in this case, the cross section of the fluid flow line 110 (S1 in FIG. 7) and the cross section of the coil unit 200 (S2 in FIG. 7) observed in the vertical cross section of the helical structure may form a certain pattern P. In the pattern P, the ratio (Np / Nq) of the number of vertical cross sections Np of the fluid flow line 110 to the number of vertical cross sections Nq of the coil unit 200 may be adjusted. The vertical cross section is the cross section observed when the helical structure is cut on a vertical plane including the rotation axis of the helical structure. For example, as described above, the rotation axis A of the helical structure of the fluid flow line 110 and the rotation axis A of the helical structure of the coil unit 200 may be adjusted.X1 and A X2 If the ratios Np / Nq are the same, the cross section of the helical structure cut on a plane including one of the rotation axes may be the perpendicular cross section. The lower limit of the ratio (Np / Nq) may be about 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, 0.95, or 1, and the upper limit may be about 1.5, 1.4, 1.3, 1.2, or 1.1. The ratio may be equal to or greater than any one of the lower limits, less than or equal to any one of the upper limits, or may be within a range that is equal to or greater than any one of the lower limits but less than or equal to any one of the upper limits. This allows heat generated at the surface of the fluid flow line or a conductive structure (described later) to be uniformly and efficiently transferred to the fluid in the fluid flow line 110. If the ratio (Np / Nq) is too large, heat may be transferred unevenly to the fluid flow line 110 and the heating efficiency may decrease, and if the ratio (Np / Nq) is too low, the heating efficiency may increase but the heat may not be transferred uniformly.

[0093] 7 is a non-limiting example of the vertical cross section. X1 , A X27 is a view showing a vertical cross section taken along section AA, which is a cross section taken along section AA. Referring to Fig. 7, the vertical cross section S1 of the fluid flow line 110 and the vertical cross section S2 of the coil unit 200 form a certain pattern P. The vertical cross sections of the fluid heating device 10 include one or more of the patterns P. In the pattern P, the ratio (Np / Nq) of the number Np of the vertical cross sections of the fluid flow line 110 to the number Nq of the vertical cross sections of the coil unit satisfies 1. At least one vertical cross section S1 of the fluid flow line 110 and at least one vertical cross section S2 of the coil unit 200 are arranged side by side. When viewed in vertical cross section, the fluid heating device 10 forms a pattern P. However, the ratio (Np / Nq) of the number of vertical cross sections Np of the fluid flow line 110 to the number of vertical cross sections Nq of the coil unit is 1, thereby allowing for efficient transfer of resistance heat to the fluid in the fluid flow line 110. Furthermore, at least one of the vertical cross sections S1 of the fluid flow line 110 and the vertical cross section S2 of the coil unit 200 that form the pattern P are arranged side by side, allowing for efficient transfer of resistance heat generated in the cylindrical structure 120 to the fluid in the fluid flow line 110. This effect may be more pronounced when a conductive structure 120, described below, is present. The shape shown on the rightmost axis of FIG. 7 is a heating pattern observed for one of the cross sections of the fluid flow line 110, and this heating pattern allows for effective heat transfer.

[0094] Figure 8 shows a case where the ratio (Np / Nq) is excessively large in the state shown in Figure 7. In Figure 8, the ratio (Np / Nq) is approximately 2. The pattern on the rightmost axis in Figure 8 is the heating pattern of the cross section of the fluid flow line when the ratio (Np / Nq) is 2. In this heating pattern, heat is transferred only to a portion of the internal passage, which corresponds to inefficient transfer.

[0095] Figure 9 shows the case where the ratio (Np / Nq) is too low in the same state as in Figure 7. In Figure 9, the ratio (Np / Nq) is about 0.5. Looking at the heating pattern shown on the far right of Figure 9, discontinuous heat transfer is confirmed.

[0096] The structure capable of efficient heat transfer as shown in FIG. 7 can be more effectively achieved when the coil portion and fluid flow lines all have helical structures, the ratio N1 / N2 of the number of turns N2 of the helical structure of the coil portion to the number of turns N1 of the helical structure of the fluid flow lines satisfies the above-mentioned range, and the helical structures of the coil portion and the fluid flow lines simultaneously exist on an imaginary line perpendicular to the rotation axis of the helical structure of the coil portion and / or the rotation axis of the helical structure of the fluid flow lines.

[0097] The fluid heating device may further include a conductive structure in the heating section. For example, the conductive structure may be present around the fluid flow line within the heating section. For example, the conductive structure may have a cylindrical structure 120 as shown in FIG. 15 as a non-limiting example. However, the shape of the conductive structure is not limited to this. The conductive structure may be formed of a material capable of generating resistance heat by induced current flow due to application of an electromagnetic field generated by the coil section 200, i.e., a material capable of being inductively heated. Thus, the conductive structure generates heat due to the electromagnetic field generated by the coil section 200, and the fluid flow line and the conductive structure may be configured such that the fluid in the fluid flow line can be heated by the heat generated by the conductive structure. In an embodiment in which a conductive structure is present, the surface of the fluid flow line may be a general surface or the inductively heatable surface described above. Furthermore, in an embodiment in which the conductive structure is present, the fluid flow line may have the spiral structure or another structure.

[0098] The conductive structure may be made of the same material as the inductively heatable surface portion, for example, and may include one or more selected from the group consisting of nickel; chromium; and an alloy containing nickel and chromium.

[0099] The heat (resistance heat, Joule heat) generated in the conductive structure can heat the fluid flowing in the fluid flow line 110. In addition, when the conductive structure surrounds the fluid flow line 110, as in the cylindrical structure 120, uniform thermal energy can be supplied to the fluid flowing in the fluid flow line 110. This can prevent the fluid flow line 110 from heating unevenly.

[0100] The fluid flow line 110 and the conductive structure may not be in contact with each other, which can prevent uneven heating of the fluid due to the contact area being at a higher temperature than other areas.

[0101] In the fluid heating device 10, the fluid flow line 110 and the conductive structure may have a separation distance dA within a suitable range. The separation distance dA may refer to an average separation distance, and when the fluid flow line 110 has a spirally wound structure, the separation distance dA may be the average separation distance. X1 the average distance from the fluid flow line 110 to the axis of rotation A X1 The distance dA may refer to the difference in the average distance from the conductive structure to the fluid flow line 110. By maintaining the distance dA within an appropriate range, uneven heating of the fluid can be prevented. The distance dA is a matter of designing the fluid flow line 110 and the conductive structure, and can be appropriately selected taking into consideration the purpose of heating and the type of fluid to be heated.

[0102] 15, the coil unit 200 is provided to surround the heating unit 100 including the fluid flow line 110 and the conductive structure (cylindrical structure 120) and has a spirally wound structure. When the fluid flow line 110 of the fluid heating device 10 has a spiral structure, resistance heat generated in the conductive structure (cylindrical structure 120) can be efficiently transferred to the fluid in the fluid flow line 110. Specifically, it is advantageous for the fluid flow line 110 to have a spirally wound structure in consideration of the fluid residence time, and it is also advantageous for the coil unit 200 to have a spirally wound structure in order to perform efficient heat transfer to the fluid flowing through the fluid flow line 110 having the spirally wound structure.

[0103] The fluid heating device 10 may further include a thermal insulator. The thermal insulator may be located between the heating unit and the coil unit. If a conductive structure is present, the thermal insulator may be located between the conductive structure and the coil unit 200. Such a thermal insulator can prevent heat generated by induction heating in the fluid flow line or the conductive structure from affecting the coil unit 200. In consideration of the efficiency of induction heating, it is appropriate to use a material that does not have electromagnetic field shielding properties as the thermal insulator. The thermal insulator may be formed of an appropriate thermal insulator known in the art (e.g., zirconium), and the material is not particularly limited.

[0104] FIG. 10 illustrates another non-limiting example of a fluid heating device 1000. FIG. 10 illustrates a similar example to the non-limiting example illustrated in FIG. 1, except that a first coil section 1100 is also present inside the fluid flow line 1310. In this case, the conductive structure (first cylindrical structure 1200 in FIG. 10) described above may or may not be present between the fluid flow line 1310 and the internal first coil section 1100. The conductive structure (second cylindrical structure 1320 in FIG. 10) described above may also be present between the fluid flow line 1310 and the external second coil section 1400. However, the conductive structure is not necessarily present. In the example of FIG. 10, the first and second coil sections 1400 and 1100 and the fluid flow line 1310 have the helical structure described above. The same explanation applies to the helical structure.

[0105] That is, embodiments of the fluid heating device described in this specification may include a case where the coil portion includes a first coil portion having a helical structure and a second coil portion having a helical structure, the first coil portion being located inside the fluid flow line having the helical structure, and the second coil portion being located outside the fluid flow line having the helical structure.

[0106] The fluid heating device described herein also includes a fluid heating device having a coil section including a first coil section having a helical structure and a second coil section having a helical structure, the first coil section being located inside the fluid flow line and the second coil section being located outside the fluid flow line, and the fluid flow line including first and second conductive structures, the first conductive structure being located between the first coil section and the fluid flow line, and the second conductive structure being located between the second coil section and the fluid flow line. In this case, the fluid flow line may or may not have the helical structure described above. Furthermore, the surface of the fluid flow line may or may not be the inductively heatable surface described above.

[0107] The fluid heating device 1000 of Figure 10 is one non-limiting example of the above-mentioned embodiment, and is an example that includes a first coil section 1100 that generates the electromagnetic field, a first conductive structure (first cylindrical structure 1200) that is arranged to surround the first coil section 1100, a fluid flow line 1310 having an internal passage through which a fluid can flow, and a second conductive structure (second cylindrical structure 1320) that surrounds the fluid flow line 1310, and a heating section 1300 that is arranged to surround the first cylindrical structure 1200; and a second coil section 1400 that is arranged to surround the heating section 1300 and generates an electromagnetic field.

[0108] The heating section 1300 including the fluid flow line 1310 and the second cylindrical structure 1320 corresponds to the heating section 100 including the fluid flow line 110 and the cylindrical structure 120 of the fluid heating device 10 of Figure 15 described above, and the second coil section 1400 may correspond to the coil section 200 of the fluid heating device 10 according to the examples of Figures 1 and 15 described above. Therefore, the above-mentioned descriptions may be applied equally to the coil section (particularly the second coil section), the conductive structure (particularly the second conductive structure), and the fluid flow line.

[0109] In the fluid heating device of the above aspect, an electromagnetic field generated by one or more of the first coil portion and the second coil portion can generate heat by induced current in one or more of the surface portion of the fluid flow line, the first conductive structure, and the second conductive structure, and the generated heat can heat the fluid flowing through the fluid flow line.

[0110] The first and second coil portions may be formed in the same manner as the coil portion capable of generating an electromagnetic field capable of induction heating.

[0111] The first and / or second coil portions may be configured to pass direct or alternating current, for example, alternating current. The current may be supplied from a power source (not shown), and the first and / or second coil portions may be connected to the power source to pass the current. The magnitude of the voltage or the intensity of the current supplied to the first and / or second coil portions may be adjusted depending on the purpose of heating and the fluid to be heated.

[0112] The first and / or second coil section may be designed in the most appropriate form, taking into consideration the form of the fluid flow line, the fluid residence time, the operation cycle, and the type and size of the equipment including the device.

[0113] The first and / or second coil portion may also have the above-described helical structure. In this case, the specific form of the helical structure, for example, the number of turns or the form of the rotating shaft, may be appropriately modified as described above if necessary.

[0114] For example, the first and second coil portions may also be formed in a spirally wound structure as described above and include a winding portion having a rotation axis, and the distance between the rotation axis and the winding portion may be maintained substantially constant. Furthermore, if the fluid flow line has a spiral structure, the rotation axis may also coincide with the rotation axis of the fluid flow line. This allows for efficient transfer of resistance heat generated by induction heating to the fluid in the fluid flow line.

[0115] The first conductive structure of the fluid heating device may generate resistance heat by induced current flowing due to an electromagnetic field generated in the first and / or second coil unit, and may be formed in the same manner as the conductive structure described above.

[0116] Resistance heat generated in the first conductive structure can heat the fluid flowing through the fluid flow line. Furthermore, when the first conductive structure is surrounded by the spiral-shaped fluid flow line, uniform thermal energy is supplied to the fluid flowing through the fluid flow line, enabling efficient and uniform heat transfer. In this case, the spiral-shaped fluid flow line is surrounded by conductive structures on both the inside and outside, allowing resistance heat generated in the conductive structure to be transferred to the fluid in all directions, preventing uneven heating and efficiently transferring thermal energy to the fluid.

[0117] In the above structure, the fluid heating device may further include a shielding portion between the first and second coil portions to shield electromagnetic field interference. The shielding portion prevents the electromagnetic fields generated by the first and second coil portions from interfering with each other and canceling or reinforcing each other, thereby preventing uneven heating due to concentrated transfer of heat energy to only a specific location in the fluid flow line. The shielding portion may be made of any material capable of shielding electromagnetic fields. The shielding portion may also be provided as a separate cylindrical structure, and may be one or more selected from the group consisting of the first cylindrical structure 1200 and the second cylindrical structure 1320, which are the first and second conductive structures. The one or more selected from the group consisting of the first cylindrical structure 1200 and the second cylindrical structure 1320 may function as a shielding portion for shielding electromagnetic fields. In this case, a material that shields electromagnetic fields while allowing induced currents to be generated by the electromagnetic fields and generating resistance heat due to the induced currents may be selected and used.

[0118] The fluid heating device may further include a thermal insulator. For example, the thermal insulator may be located between the first conductive structure and the first coil portion 1100 and between the second conductive structure and the second coil portion 1400. The thermal insulator may prevent the first coil portion from being affected by resistance heat generated by induced current flowing through the first conductive structure and / or the second coil portion from being affected by resistance heat generated by induced current flowing through the second conductive structure. The thermal insulator may preferably not have electromagnetic field shielding properties so that electromagnetic fields generated in the first and second coil portions can induce currents to flow through the first and / or second conductive structures. The thermal insulator may be formed of a thermal insulator, and the type of the thermal insulator may be any thermal insulator commonly used in the art, including zirconium.

[0119] In the fluid heating device 1000, the first coil section 1100, the fluid flow line 1310, and the second coil section 1400 may all have a spirally wound structure to efficiently use the heat generated in the first and second conductive structures. Referring to Figure 10, it can be seen that in the exemplary fluid heating device 1000, the first coil section 1100, the fluid flow line 1310, and the second coil section 1400 all have a spirally wound structure.

[0120] The first and second coil units 1100 and 1400 each include a winding portion formed in a spirally wound structure. The winding portion of the first coil unit 1100, the fluid flow line 1310, and the second coil unit 1400 may all maintain a substantially constant distance from their respective rotation axes, thereby efficiently utilizing resistance heat generated in the first and second cylindrical structures 1200 and 1320. The rotation axes of the winding portion of the first coil unit 1100, the fluid flow line 1310, and the second coil unit 1400 may all be aligned with each other. By aligning the rotation axes, it is possible to prevent uneven heating due to the resistance heat generated in the first and second cylindrical structures 1200 and 1320 being transferred intensively to only a specific location on the fluid flow line 1310. The meaning of "aligning the rotation axes" is as described above. Referring to FIG. 10, the first coil section 1100, the fluid flow line 1310, and the second coil section 1400 have a spirally wound structure, with their respective rotation axes all coinciding with each other and maintaining a substantially constant distance from each other.

[0121] In the fluid heating device 1000, the fluid flow line 1310 and the first conductive structure may not be in contact with each other, and in another example, the fluid flow line 1310 and the first conductive structure and the second conductive structure may not be in contact with each other, thereby preventing uneven heating of the fluid.

[0122] In the fluid heating device 1000, the fluid flow line 1310 and the first cylindrical structure 1200 may have a separation distance dC within a suitable range. The separation distance dC may refer to an average separation distance, and in the case where the fluid flow line 1310 has a spiral structure, it may refer to the difference between the average distance from the rotation axis of the fluid flow line 1310 to the fluid flow line 1310 and the average distance from the rotation axis of the fluid flow line 1310 to the first cylindrical structure 1200. By maintaining the separation distance dC within a suitable range, it is possible to prevent the problem of uneven heating of the fluid. In addition, in the fluid heating device 1000, the fluid flow line 1310 and the second cylindrical structure 1320 may have a separation distance dD within a suitable range. The separation distance dD may refer to an average separation distance, and when the fluid flow line 1310 has a spiral structure, it may refer to the difference between the average distance from the rotation axis of the fluid flow line 1310 to the fluid flow line 1310 and the average distance from the rotation axis of the fluid flow line 1310 to the second cylindrical structure 1320. By maintaining the separation distance dD within an appropriate range, it is possible to prevent the problem of uneven heating of the fluid. As described above, the separation distances dC and dD are issues that affect the design of the fluid flow device and can be appropriately designed taking into account the purpose of heating and the type of fluid to be heated.

[0123] In the fluid heating device 1000, when the fluid flow line 1310 and the first coil unit 1100 have a helical structure and the rotation axis of the fluid flow line 1310 and the rotation axis of the winding portion of the first coil unit 1100 are aligned with each other, the fluid flow line 1310 and the first coil unit 1100 may have a separation distance dX within an appropriate range. The separation distance dX may refer to the difference between the average distance between the rotation axis of the fluid flow line 1310 and the fluid flow line 1310 and the average distance between the rotation axis of the winding portion of the first coil unit 1100 and the winding portion of the first coil unit 1100. By maintaining the separation distance dX within an appropriate range, uneven heating of the fluid can be prevented. In addition, in the fluid heating device 1000 according to one embodiment of the present application, when the fluid flow line 1310 and the second coil unit 1400 have a spirally wound structure and the rotation axis of the fluid flow line 1310 and the rotation axis of the winding portion of the second coil unit 1400 are aligned with each other, the fluid flow line 1310 and the second coil unit 1400 may have a separation distance dY within an appropriate range. Here, the separation distance dY may refer to the difference between the average distance between the rotation axis of the fluid flow line 1310 and the fluid flow line 1310 and the average distance between the rotation axis of the winding portion of the second coil unit 1400 and the winding portion of the second coil unit 1400. Maintaining the separation distance dY within an appropriate range can prevent uneven heating of the fluid. As described above, the separation distances dX and dY are device design considerations and can be appropriately selected taking into account the heating purpose and the target to be heated.

[0124] When the first coil section, fluid flow line, and second coil section are all spirally wound in the fluid heating device, the ratio (N1 / NA) of the number of turns N1 of the fluid flow line to the number of turns NA of the first coil section and the ratio (N1 / NB) of the number of turns N1 of the fluid flow line to the number of turns NB of the second coil section may be adjusted. In this case, the meaning of the number of turns is as described above. For example, the lower limit of the ratio (N1 / NA) may be about 0.75, 0.755, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, 0.95, or 1, and the upper limit may be about 1.5, 1.4, 1.3, 1.2, 1.1, or 1. The ratio (N1 / NA) may be greater than or exceed any one of the lower limits, less than or equal to any one of the upper limits, or may be within a range that is greater than or equal to any one of the lower limits but less than or equal to any one of the upper limits. For example, the lower limit of the ratio (N1 / NB) may be about 0.75, 0.755, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, 0.95, or 1, and the upper limit may be about 1.5, 1.4, 1.3, 1.2, 1.1, or 1. The ratio (N1 / NB) may be equal to or greater than any one of the lower limits, equal to or less than any one of the upper limits, or equal to or greater than any one of the lower limits but equal to or less than any one of the upper limits. When the first coil portion, the fluid flow line, and the second coil portion all have helical structures and the ratios (N1 / NA) and (N1 / NB) each independently satisfy the above ranges, resistance heat generated in the first and second cylindrical structures can be efficiently and uniformly transferred to the fluid in the fluid flow line.

[0125] When the fluid heating device 1000 is viewed from a vertical cross section, the vertical cross sections SA of the first coil portion 1100, the vertical cross sections SB of the fluid flow lines 1310, and the vertical cross sections SC of the second coil portion 1400 form a uniform pattern P', and in the pattern P', the ratio (NX / NY) of the number of vertical cross sections SA of the first coil portion 1100 to the number of vertical cross sections SB of the fluid flow lines 1310 may be within a predetermined range. In addition, in the pattern P', the ratio (NYNZ) of the number of vertical cross sections SB of the fluid flow lines 1310 to the number NZ of vertical cross sections SC of the second coil portion 1400 may be within a predetermined range. The meaning of the vertical cross section is the same as that described with reference to FIG. 7. For example, the lower limit of the ratio (NX / NY) may be about 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, 0.95, or 1, and its upper limit may be about 1.5, 1.4, 1.3, 1.2, or 1.1. The ratio may be equal to or greater than any one of the lower limits, equal to or less than any one of the upper limits, or within a range that is equal to or greater than any one of the lower limits but equal to or less than any one of the upper limits. For example, the lower limit of the ratio (NY / NZ) may be about 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, 0.95, or 1, and its upper limit may be about 1.5, 1.4, 1.3, 1.2, or 1.1. The ratio may be greater than or exceeding any one of the lower limits mentioned above, less than or equal to any one of the upper limits mentioned above, or within a range that is greater than or equal to or exceeds any one of the lower limits but less than or equal to any one of the upper limits mentioned above. When the ratio (NX / NY) and the ratio (NY / NZ) are independently within the above ranges, considering the structure of the fluid flow line 1310, resistance heat generated in the first and second cylindrical structures 1200, 1320 can be efficiently transferred to the fluid in the fluid flow line 1310 with a uniform temperature distribution.

[0126] Figure 11 is a non-limiting example of a vertical cross section of the fluid heating device 1000. Figure 11 is a view showing the fluid heating device 1000 of Figure 10 cut vertically along cross section BB, which is a cross section cut along the rotation axes (all of which are coincident) of the first coil section 1100, the fluid flow line 1310, and the second coil section 1400. Referring to Figure 11, it can be seen that the vertical cross section SA of the first coil section 1100, the vertical cross section SB of the fluid flow line 1310, and the vertical cross section SC of the second coil section 1400 form a certain pattern P'. The vertical cross section of the fluid heating device 1000 may include one or more of the patterns P'. In addition, in pattern P', the ratio (NX / NY) of the number NX of the vertical cross sections SA of the first coil portion 1100 to the number NY of the vertical cross sections SB of the fluid flow lines 1310 and the ratio (NY / NZ) of the number NY of the vertical cross sections SB of the fluid flow lines 1310 to the number NZ of the vertical cross sections SC of the second coil portion 1400 each satisfy 1. The vertical cross sections SA of the at least one first coil portion 1100, the vertical cross sections SB of the at least one fluid flow line 1310, and the vertical cross sections SC of the at least one second coil portion 1400 are all arranged side by side. When viewed from a vertical cross section, the fluid heating device 1000 forms a pattern P', while the ratio (NX / NY) of the number of vertical cross sections SA of the first coil section 1100 to the number of vertical cross sections SB of the fluid flow line 1310, NY, and the ratio (NY / NZ) of the number of vertical cross sections SB of the fluid flow line 1310 to the number of vertical cross sections SC of the second coil section 1400 are each 1, so that resistance heat generated in the first and second cylindrical structures 1200 and 1320 can be efficiently transferred to the fluid in the fluid flow line 1310. At least one of the vertical cross sections SA of the first coil section 1100, the vertical cross sections SB of the fluid flow line 1310, and the vertical cross sections SC of the second coil section 1400 that form the pattern P' are arranged side by side, so that resistance heat generated in the first and second cylindrical structures 1200 and 1320 can be efficiently transferred to the fluid in the fluid flow line 1310.

[0127] FIG. 12 is another non-limiting example of the fluid heating device 2000.

[0128] The fluid heating device 2000 of FIG. 12 may include a fluid flow line 2110 having an internal passage through which a fluid can flow and a heating section 2100 including a conductive structure surrounding the fluid flow line 2110; and a coil section 2200 configured to surround the heating section 2100 and generate an electromagnetic field.

[0129] The description of the heating section 2100 including the fluid flow line 2110 and conductive structure; and the coil section 2200 may be applied with appropriate modifications if necessary.

[0130] 12, the fluid flow line 2110 has a structure in which U-shaped lines are repeatedly connected, and the conductive structure is cylindrical, and the fluid flow line 2110 is formed by surrounding the inner wall of the cylindrical conductive structure.

[0131] The structure in which U-shaped lines are repeatedly connected may specifically refer to a case in which a plurality of L-shaped lines 2110a are all connected through connecting portions 2110b, as shown in the non-limiting example of FIG. 13, but the connecting portions 2110b have a curved shape, resulting in a meandering shape overall. The fluid flow line 2110 includes a plurality of L-shaped lines 2110a, and the L-shaped lines 2110a are connected to the connecting portions 2110b while penetrating each end portion. Some of the L-shaped lines 2110a may be inlet portions through which fluid flows in, and others may be outlet portions through which fluid flows out, and the inlet and outlet portions may not be connected by connecting portions 2110b. The fluid flow line 2110 according to one example of the present application may be formed in a meandering shape, with a plurality of L-shaped lines 2110a all connected through connecting portions 2110b, as shown in FIG. 13.

[0132] In the fluid heating device 2000, the fluid flow line 2110 may be arranged along the inner wall surface of the cylindrical structure 2120 while maintaining a predetermined distance from the cylindrical structure 2120. As shown in FIG. 12, the fluid flow line 2110 is formed in a repeated U-shape and arranged along the inner wall surface of the cylindrical structure 2120, so that the fluid flow line 2110 and the cylindrical structure 2120 may have the same shape when viewed from above. Here, "same shape" means that the shapes are the same, such as a circle or an ellipse, and the sizes may be the same or different. FIG. 14 is a diagram schematically illustrating the fluid heating device 2000 as viewed from above. As described above, the fluid flow line 2110 is formed in a meandering shape by connecting a plurality of line-shaped lines 2110a through connecting portions 2110b, and is arranged along the inner wall surface of the cylindrical structure 2120, so that the shape of the fluid flow line 2110 is shown as a circle, the same as the shape of the cylindrical structure 2120.

[0133] Even with this structure, the heat generated by induction heating can be efficiently transferred to the fluid. [Explanation of symbols]

[0134] 10, 1000, 2000: Fluid heating device 200, 2200: Coil section 100, 1300, 2100: Reaction section 1100: First coil section 110, 1310, 2110: Fluid flow lines 1400: Second coil section

Claims

1. a fluid flowline having a helical configuration, the fluid flowline including an internal passageway configured for fluid flow therethrough and a conductive surface surrounding the internal passageway; and A fluid heating device comprising a coil portion configured to generate an electromagnetic field capable of inducing heat generation in the conductive surface portion through induction heating.

2. a fluid flowline including an internal passageway configured for fluid flow therethrough and a conductive surface surrounding the internal passageway; a conductive structure surrounding the fluid flow line; and a coil portion configured to generate an electromagnetic field capable of inducing heat in the conductive structure through induction heating; The fluid flow lines and conductive structure are configured such that heat generation in the conductive structure can heat fluid in the fluid flow lines.

3. The fluid heating apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the fluid flow lines have a helical configuration.

4. The fluid heating device according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the ratio of the longest distance to the shortest distance between the rotation axis of the helical structure and the fluid flow lines is in the range of 0.8 to 1.

2.

5. 4. The fluid heating device according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the ratio H / R of the height (H) of a single turn of the spiral structure to the shortest distance (R) between the rotation axis of the single turn and the fluid flow line in the single turn is 2 or greater.

6. 6. The fluid heating device of claim 5, wherein the spiral structure satisfies the following formula 1: [Formula 1] L=(H ２ +(2πR) ２ ) １／２ In Equation 1, L is the length of one turn of the helical structure, H is the height of one turn of the helical structure, and R is the shortest distance between the axis of rotation of the one turn and a fluid flow line in the one turn.

7. The fluid heating apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the conductive structure is between the fluid flow lines and the coil portion.

8. 3. The fluid heating device according to claim 1, further comprising a power supply unit installed so as to be able to apply a direct current or an alternating current to the coil unit.

9. The fluid heating device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the coil portion has a spiral structure, and the ratio of the longest distance to the shortest distance between the rotation axis of the spiral structure of the coil portion and the coil is within the range of 0.8 to 1.

2.

10. 4. The fluid heating device according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the coil portion has a helical structure, and the rotation axis of the helical structure of the coil portion and the rotation axis of the helical structure of the fluid flow line coincide with each other.

11. The fluid heating device of claim 1 or 3, wherein the coil portion has a spiral structure, and the ratio N1 / N2 of the number of turns (N2) of the spiral structure of the coil portion to the number of turns (N1) of the spiral structure of the fluid flow line is within a range of 0.75 to 1.

5.

12. The coil portion has a helical structure, the ratio N1 / N2 of the number of turns of the spiral structure of the coil portion (N2) to the number of turns of the spiral structure of the fluid flow line (N1) is within a range of 0.75 to 1.5; The fluid heating device according to claim 1 or claim 3, wherein the spiral structure of the coil section and the fluid flow line exists on an imaginary line perpendicular to the rotation axis of the spiral structure of the coil section or the rotation axis of the spiral structure of the fluid flow line.

13. 3. The fluid heating device of claim 2, wherein the fluid flow line has a form in which U-shaped lines are repeatedly connected, the conductive structure is cylindrical, and the fluid flow line is formed around the inner wall of the cylindrical conductive structure.

14. 2. The fluid heating device of claim 1, wherein the coil portion includes a first coil portion having a helical structure and a second coil portion having a helical structure, the first coil portion being inside a fluid flow line having a helical structure, and the second coil portion being outside a fluid flow line having a helical structure.

15. the coil section includes a first coil section having a helical configuration and a second coil section having a helical configuration, the first coil section being internal to the fluid flow line and the second coil section being external to the fluid flow line; the conductive structures include first and second conductive structures; 3. The fluid heating apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first conductive structure is between the first coil section and the fluid flow line, and the second conductive structure is between the second coil section and the fluid flow line.

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