A manifold, a buffer tank comprising the manifold, and a method for operating a heat exchange system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat exchange systems face challenges in efficiently managing return heat transfer medium temperatures across different heat sources, as some require lower temperatures to operate optimally, while others require higher temperatures for efficient condensing of flue gases, necessitating a manifold that can handle varying temperature requirements.
Innovation Solution
A manifold with a hollow interior divided into flow, return, and bypass chambers, where the flow and return chambers communicate through apertures to equalize pressure and minimize mixing, allowing for temperature adjustment by routing heat transfer medium through a bypass chamber to specific heat sources, ensuring optimal operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional manifold delivers return heat transfer medium at a single temperature to all heat sources, then the system structure is simple, but heat sources with different temperature requirements cannot operate at optimal efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The manifold is segmented into multiple chambers (first return chamber, second return chamber, and bypass chamber) that are spatially separated and independently configured. Each chamber serves a specific function: the first return chamber delivers return medium to heat sources requiring higher temperatures, the second return chamber delivers to heat sources requiring lower temperatures, and the bypass chamber handles excess heat transfer. This segmentation allows the manifold to accommodate different temperature requirements without requiring a completely complex system redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a vertical dimension to the manifold structure by stacking chambers one above another. The first return chamber is positioned vertically above the second return chamber, with the bypass chamber connecting them. This vertical arrangement allows multiple temperature delivery paths to coexist within a compact footprint, effectively adding a dimensional aspect to the temperature distribution strategy without proportionally increasing horizontal space requirements.
2Ease of operation
If the bypass chamber is added to route heat transfer medium to specific heat sources, then temperature control for different heat sources is improved, but the manifold structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass chamber acts as an intermediary element between the first and second return chambers. It receives heat transfer medium from the first return chamber and selectively delivers it to heat sources that require higher temperatures, while allowing the second return chamber to independently deliver cooler return medium to heat sources requiring lower temperatures. This intermediary structure enables flexible temperature control without requiring complex external piping or control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges multiple functions into a single integrated manifold structure. The bypass chamber is not a separate external component but is integrated within the manifold body, combining the functions of temperature separation, heat transfer medium routing, and pressure equalization in one unified structure. This merging reduces the need for additional external components and simplifies the overall system architecture.
3Measurement precision
If chambers are separated to minimize heat transfer medium mixing, then temperature delivery precision is improved, but pressure equalization becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The partition walls between the first return chamber, second return chamber, and bypass chamber are equipped with communication apertures that allow heat transfer medium to flow between chambers. These apertures create pressure equalization paths, ensuring that all chambers operate at substantially the same pressure level. This equipotentiality principle allows the chambers to remain spatially separated for temperature precision while simultaneously maintaining pressure balance across the entire manifold structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition walls have different local qualities: they are substantially closed to prevent mixing between the first and second return chambers (maintaining temperature precision), but they contain localized communication apertures that allow controlled interaction for pressure equalization. This local quality differentiation enables the walls to simultaneously achieve both temperature separation and pressure balance functions.
4Stress or pressure
If communication apertures are provided between chambers, then pressure equalization is achieved, but heat transfer medium mixing between chambers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The partition walls are designed with local quality differentiation: they are substantially closed over most of their surface area to prevent heat transfer medium mixing between chambers (maintaining temperature precision), but they contain localized communication apertures that allow controlled interaction for pressure equalization. This selective permeability at specific locations enables simultaneous achievement of both temperature separation and pressure balance.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication apertures provide partial connectivity between chambers rather than complete openness. This partial action allows sufficient pressure equalization to occur while limiting the quantity of heat transfer medium that can mix between chambers. The apertures are sized and positioned to provide just enough interaction for pressure balance without compromising temperature delivery precision.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The manifold enables efficient operation of heat sources by allowing return heat transfer medium to be delivered at different temperatures, optimizing efficiency and preventing condensation issues, while maintaining equalized pressures within the system.
Implementation Method 1
adjacent ones of the flow, return and bypass chambers are configured to communicate with each other to substantially equalise the pressure in the heat transfer medium in the hollow interior region
Implementation Method 2
a bypass chamber communicating with the flow chamber and configured to provide heat transfer medium from the bypass chamber to another one of the at least two heat sources
Implementation Method 3
a first deflecting means is located adjacent the communicating opening for deflecting heat transfer medium flowing into the return chamber from the communicating passageway
Data Source
AI summary
A manifold (15) comprising a flow chamber (35) for receiving flow heat exchange water from respective heat sources (3, 5, 7) through first inlet ports' (47, 48) and from which the flow heat exchange water is delivered to heat exchange circuits (8,9) through flow ports (57, 58). A return chamber (36) in the manifold (15) for receiving return heat exchange water from the heat exchange circuits (8,9) through return ports (57, 58), and from which the return heat exchange water is returned to some of the heat sources (3, 5, 7) through first outlet ports (53, 54). A bypass chamber (37) located in the manifold (15) between the flow chamber (35) and the return chamber (36) receives flow water from the flow chamber (35), which has not been drawn off by the heat exchange circuits (8,9), through a communicating passageway (40). Heat exchange water from the bypass chamber (37) is returned through second outlet ports (55, 56) to others of the heat sources (3, 5, 7).