Block Heat Exchanger for Heat Pipe Reactor sCO2 Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing designs for block style heat exchangers face challenges in integrating a supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) secondary cycle into a heat pipe reactor, particularly due to limited space for protective heat pipe sleeves and the need to maintain high heat transfer efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a block style heat exchanger with primary and secondary channels defined within a block of material, where the secondary channels are structured to transmit sCO2 flow around and along the heat pipes, optimizing heat exchange proximity while minimizing space constraints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If protective heat pipe sleeves are integrated into the header chambers and heat exchanger block section, then the heat pipes are protected from high pressure sCO2, but the limited space makes integration difficult and reduces heat transfer capability
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pipe is nested within the heat exchanger block structure itself, with the block serving as both the heat exchange medium container and the protective enclosure. The primary channels are defined within the block material, creating an integrated nested structure where the heat pipe operates within the protected environment of the heat exchanger block, eliminating the need for separate protective sleeves.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective function and heat exchange function are merged into a single integrated heat exchanger block structure. The block simultaneously provides structural protection for the heat pipe and serves as the heat exchange medium containment, combining multiple functions into one component to resolve space constraints.
2Reliability
If thicker protective material is used around the heat pipe, then protection from high pressure sCO2 is improved, but the heat transfer capability of the heat exchanger is substantially reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The protective structure and heat exchange function are merged into the heat exchanger block, eliminating the need for additional protective material layers that would insulate and reduce heat transfer. The block provides protection through its structural integration rather than through thick protective sleeves.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger block provides localized protection where needed through its structural design, while maintaining thin walls in the heat exchange regions to preserve thermal conductivity. The protection is provided by the integrated block structure rather than uniform thick protective material.
3Ease of manufacture
If shell and tube style headers are used on either end of the heat exchanger, then the design follows conventional approaches, but the limited space between heat pipes makes integration difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The design transitions from conventional end-mounted shell and tube headers to a distributed manifold system integrated within the heat exchanger block structure. The manifolds are distributed throughout the block volume rather than concentrated at the ends, utilizing the three-dimensional space within the block to provide fluid distribution without requiring end headers.
Solution Approach 2:
The header function is segmented and distributed throughout the heat exchanger block rather than concentrated in single end headers. Multiple manifold channels are distributed within the block to provide fluid distribution at various locations, eliminating the need for large end headers and utilizing space between heat pipes.
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 integrated design effectively transfers heat from the heat pipe reactor to the sCO2 secondary side with minimal maintenance, maintaining high heat transfer efficiency and addressing material selection and design issues associated with sCO2 Brayton loops.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of primary channels each for receiving heat transferred from the core via a corresponding one of the plurality of heat pipes
Implementation Method 2
each secondary channel being structured to transmit a flow of the secondary heat transfer medium through the heat exchanger from an inlet to an outlet
Data Source
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AI summary
A block style heat exchanger for a heat pipe reactor having a plurality of heat pipes extending from a reactor core. The heat exchanger includes a plurality of primary channels, each for receiving heat transferred from the core via one of the heat pipes. The primary channels extending within a block of one or more materials. The heat exchanger also includes a plurality of secondary channels defined within the block for transmitting a flow of the secondary heat transfer medium through the heat exchanger from an inlet to an outlet. The block is formed from one or both of: a plurality of plates bonded together, with each plate defining at least a portion of one or more of the plurality of primary channels and/or the plurality of secondary channels, and/or a unitary piece of material formed from an additive manufacturing process.