Auxiliary heat exchanger
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional heat pipe heat exchangers require additional cooling coils within the air flow path, increasing fan power consumption and system size due to insufficient cooling by high-temperature air streams.
Innovation Solution
An auxiliary heat exchanger is positioned externally or adjacent to the heat pipe heat exchanger, outside the primary air flow path, to provide additional cooling or heating when the secondary air stream's temperature is insufficient for condensation, reducing the power needed to draw air across the evaporator coil and minimizing the air handler unit's size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an additional cooling coil is positioned within the flow path of the first air flow to provide sufficient cooling when the second air flow is at high temperature, then the working fluid can condense to liquid state, but the fan power consumption increases and the air handling system size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling function is segmented into two separate paths: the primary cooling coil within the heat pipe heat exchanger handles normal cooling needs, while the auxiliary cooling coil positioned in a separate flow path handles additional cooling when the second air flow temperature is high. This segmentation allows each cooling path to operate independently, providing sufficient cooling capacity without requiring the auxiliary coil to be in the primary air flow path, thus avoiding increased fan power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
A third air flow path is introduced as an intermediary medium to provide additional cooling when needed. The auxiliary cooling coil is positioned within this separate third flow path, allowing it to cool the working fluid without interfering with the primary air flow path. This intermediary path acts as a buffer that provides additional cooling capacity without increasing the power consumption of the primary fan.
2Reliability
If an additional cooling coil is positioned within the flow path of the first air flow to provide sufficient cooling, then the working fluid can condense to liquid state, but the overall size of the air handling system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into segmented paths: the primary cooling coil integrated within the heat pipe heat exchanger and the auxiliary cooling coil in a separate third flow path. This segmentation allows the auxiliary cooling coil to be positioned outside the primary air handling unit, reducing the volume of the main air handling system while still providing sufficient cooling capacity when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary cooling coil is positioned in a separate spatial dimension (third flow path) rather than adding it to the existing two-dimensional arrangement of the primary air flow path. This dimensional separation allows the auxiliary cooling coil to be located in a different physical space, reducing the overall volume requirement of the air handling system while maintaining effective cooling.
3Temperature
If the second air flow is at relatively high temperature, then the condenser coil cannot sufficiently cool the working fluid, but adding an additional cooling coil in the first air flow path increases system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
When the second air flow temperature is high and insufficient for condensation, the auxiliary cooling coil in the separate third flow path acts as an intermediary cooling mechanism. This intermediary path provides additional cooling capacity without requiring modifications to the primary air flow path or condenser coil configuration, thereby avoiding increased system complexity while still addressing the high temperature issue.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary cooling coil is pre-positioned in the separate third flow path, ready to provide additional cooling when the second air flow temperature is high. This preliminary preparation allows the system to handle high temperature conditions without requiring complex real-time adjustments or reconfigurations, maintaining system simplicity while ensuring adequate cooling capacity is available when needed.
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
This configuration reduces the power required to draw air across the evaporator coil and decreases the overall size of the air handler unit, enhancing efficiency and reducing energy consumption while maintaining effective temperature control.
Implementation Method 1
the working fluid evaporates, or changes from a liquid state to a vapor state, as the working fluid absorbs heat from a first air flow in the evaporator coil
Implementation Method 2
The gaseous working fluid then condenses, or changes from the gaseous state to a liquid state, by releasing the heat that was absorbed in the evaporator to a second air flow
Implementation Method 3
an auxiliary heat exchanger is positioned externally or adjacent to the heat pipe heat exchanger, outside the primary air flow path, to provide additional cooling or heating when the secondary air stream's temperature is insufficient for condensation
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward a heat exchanger that includes an evaporator coil section disposed at least partially within a first flow structure configured to direct a first flow of air across the evaporator coil section, a condenser coil section fluidly coupled with the evaporator coil section and disposed at least partially within a second flow structure configured to direct a second flow of air across the condenser coil section, and an auxiliary heat exchanger fluidly coupled with the evaporator coil section, where the auxiliary heat exchanger is external to the first flow structure.