Coil-Wound Heat Exchanger Flow Zoning for Radial Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Coil-wound heat exchangers face challenges in addressing radial temperature maldistribution between concentric zones, leading to increased costs and complexity due to the need for multiple tube sheets and valves to control flow.
Innovation Solution
A configuration where the tubes are divided into zones with a first group of tube sheets at one end and a second group at the other, allowing for independent flow control using valves, with temperature sensors to monitor and adjust the flow to reduce temperature gradients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If multiple tube sheets are used to enable independent flow control in each zone, then temperature maldistribution is corrected, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tube bundle is divided into multiple concentric zones with each zone having its own flow control valve. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of refrigerant flow in each zone to correct radial temperature maldistribution, while using a single tube sheet to minimize complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
A single tube sheet serves multiple functions by accommodating all tube ends from all zones, eliminating the need for separate tube sheets for each zone. This multi-functional design reduces device complexity while maintaining the ability to control flow in each zone independently through dedicated valves.
2Temperature
If multiple tube sheets are used to enable independent flow control in each zone, then temperature maldistribution is corrected, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tube bundle is divided into multiple concentric zones with each zone having its own flow control valve. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of refrigerant flow in each zone to correct radial temperature maldistribution, while using a single tube sheet to minimize complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
A single tube sheet serves multiple functions by accommodating all tube ends from all zones, eliminating the need for separate tube sheets for each zone. This multi-functional design reduces device complexity while maintaining the ability to control flow in each zone independently through dedicated valves.
3Temperature
If multiple tube sheets are used to enable independent flow control in each zone, then temperature maldistribution is corrected, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tube bundle is divided into multiple concentric zones with each zone having its own flow control valve. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of refrigerant flow in each zone to correct radial temperature maldistribution, while using a single tube sheet to minimize complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
A single tube sheet serves multiple functions by accommodating all tube ends from all zones, eliminating the need for separate tube sheets for each zone. This multi-functional design reduces device complexity while maintaining the ability to control flow in each zone independently through dedicated valves.
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 effectively reduces radial temperature maldistribution while minimizing the number of tube sheets and valves, simplifying manufacturing and maintaining flow control efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Valves are provided upstream of each of the warm end tube sheets to enable flow through each zone to be independently controlled
Implementation Method 2
Refrigeration is provided by a flow of an expanded refrigerant (often a mixed refrigerant) through the shell space
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~2B
Figure 3~3A
AI summary
A coil-wound heat exchanger with mixed refrigerant shell side cooling that is adapted to reduce radial temperature maldistribution by providing tube sheets at one end of a warm bundle that are each connected to tube sheets in a single circumferential zone and are in fluid flow communication with a control valve. Tube sheets at the other end of the warm bundle are each connected to tube sheets in a single radial section and in multiple circumferential zones. A temperature sensor is provided in each circumferential zone. When a temperature difference is detected, one or more of the control valves is adjusted to reduce the temperature difference.