Coiled Heat Exchanger Core Tube Feed for Compact Phase Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wound heat exchangers with falling film evaporation require expansion or increased size due to the need for phase separation of a two-phase mixture, leading to undesirable increases in jacket diameter or apparatus size.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger design where a liquid-gas mixture is fed centrally into the core tube, which has side openings leading to pre-distribution containers for phase separation, utilizing the core tube's inner surface for degassing, thereby avoiding the need for expansion or heightening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the liquid-gas mixture is fed into the jacket space requiring phase separation area, then the two phases can be separated effectively, but the jacket diameter or apparatus size must be expanded
Solution Approach 1:
The pre-distribution containers are nested within the core tube structure, utilizing the core tube's internal volume for phase separation. This nesting approach allows the separation function to be integrated into the existing central structure without requiring additional external space, thereby resolving the contradiction between effective phase separation and jacket diameter expansion.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions the phase separation function from a horizontal/jacket-based arrangement to a vertical/core-tube-based arrangement. By feeding the two-phase mixture centrally from above into the core tube and utilizing vertical separation space within the core tube, the solution achieves effective separation without increasing the jacket diameter, effectively moving the separation process to a different spatial dimension.
2Reliability
If the jacket space is expanded to accommodate phase separation, then sufficient separation area is provided, but the height of the heat exchanger must be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The core tube serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the central structural element, the feed conduit for the liquid-gas mixture, and the separation chamber. By making the core tube multi-functional, the invention provides sufficient phase separation area without requiring additional height in the heat exchanger, as the separation occurs within the existing core tube volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The phase separation is performed preliminarily within the pre-distribution containers before the liquid is distributed to the tube bundle. This preliminary separation action within the compact core tube structure eliminates the need for additional height in the heat exchanger, as the separation function is completed in advance within the existing vertical space of the core tube.
3Reliability
If additional components are added for phase separation, then separation functionality is improved, but manufacturing costs and production time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the pre-distribution container function with the core tube structure, where the core tube itself forms the walls of the pre-distribution container. This merging eliminates the need for separate, additional components for phase separation, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and costs while maintaining effective separation functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The core tube is designed to perform multiple functions including structural support, fluid distribution, and phase separation containment. By making the core tube multi-functional, the invention eliminates the need for separate dedicated separation components, reducing the total number of parts and associated manufacturing costs and production time.
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 design allows for effective phase separation without expanding or heightening the heat exchanger, reducing manufacturing costs and production time by eliminating the need for additional components and height, while maintaining efficient fluid distribution.
Implementation Method 1
the liquid added to the tube bundle from above preferably evaporates completely in the jacket space on the way down towards the sump of the jacket space
Implementation Method 2
effective separation of the two phases
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a heat exchanger, having: a jacket which extends along a longitudinal axis (L) and surrounds a jacket space (M) of the heat exchanger (1), a tube bundle (R) arranged in the jacket space (M), with a plurality of tubes (70 ), which are helically wound around a core tube (10) extending along the longitudinal axis (L), and at least one pre-distribution container (50) arranged in the jacket space (M) for receiving and degassing a liquid-gas mixture (F) that is designed for this purpose is to feed a distribution means (60) with the liquid (F) degassed in the at least one pre-distribution tank (50), the distribution means (60) being designed to apply the liquid (F) to the tube bundle (R). According to the invention, the shell (20) at the head (2) of the heat exchanger (1) has an inlet (30) aligned with the longitudinal axis (L), in particular in the form of an inlet connection piece, which is in fluid connection with the core tube (10). and that the core tube (10) has at least one lateral opening (100) opening into the at least one pre-distribution tank (50), so that the liquid-gas mixture (F) can flow via the inlet (30), the core tube (10) and that at least one lateral opening (100) of the core tube (10) can be fed into the at least one pre-distribution container (50).