Cold Storage Heat Exchanger Layout for Lower Tube Pressure Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cold storage heat exchangers face reduced cold storage performance due to increased pressure loss in the coolant tube, which hampers the flow of coolant and affects the efficiency of cold energy storage, especially when using materials like paraffin that rely on latent heat of fusion.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a cold storage heat exchanger design that includes a distribution tank unit with a reduction unit to decrease the coolant passage cross-sectional area, and positioning the cold storage material container upstream from this reduction unit, or using a large channel tube with a greater passage area, to enhance coolant flow rates and improve cold storage performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the cold storage material container is positioned adjacent to the tube for cold energy storage, then cold energy can be transmitted from the coolant to the cold storage material, but the pressure loss in the tube increases due to coolant evaporation, making it difficult for the coolant to flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the tube into multiple sections with different cross-sectional areas. The tube has a first section with a larger cross-sectional area adjacent to the cold storage material container, and a second section with a smaller cross-sectional area downstream. This segmentation allows the coolant to flow easily through the first section where heat exchange occurs, while the second section maintains higher velocity for efficient coolant return, thus resolving the pressure loss issue while maintaining cold storage performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by varying the tube cross-sectional area at different locations. The first section adjacent to the cold storage material container has a larger cross-sectional area to reduce flow resistance and facilitate coolant flow during heat exchange. This local modification of geometric property addresses the pressure loss problem specifically where it occurs, without affecting the overall system performance
2Loss of energy
If paraffin is used as the cold storage material to utilize latent heat of fusion, then cold energy storage efficiency is improved, but a large transfer of heat occurs near the melting point, causing noticeable reduction in cold storage performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of the tube (cross-sectional area) in response to the thermal behavior of paraffin. By providing a larger cross-sectional area in the first section where paraffin undergoes phase change and absorbs large amounts of heat, the coolant can maintain more stable flow and temperature, preventing the performance reduction that occurs near the melting point while still utilizing the latent heat of fusion effectively
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 increases the coolant flow rate through the cold storage material container, thereby improving the cold storage performance by reducing pressure loss and facilitating easier coolant flow, especially near the melting point of materials like paraffin.
Implementation Method 1
the cold storage material is cooled by vaporization latent heat as the coolant is vaporized
Implementation Method 2
cold energy is transmitted from the coolant flowing in the adjacent tube to the cold storage material
Implementation Method 3
a reduction unit that reduces a passage cross-sectional area of the coolant passage in the distribution tank unit
Implementation Method 4
If paraffin or the like is used as the cold storage material such that latent heat of fusion during phase change of the paraffin is used to store cold energy
Implementation Method 5
latent heat of fusion during phase change of the paraffin
Data Source
AI summary
A cold storage heat exchanger includes a plurality of tubes, a coolant flowing in the tubes, a cold storage material container joined to the tubes, the cold storage material container defining a room that houses a cold storage material, and a distribution tank unit that distributes the coolant to the tubes. A coolant passage is formed in the tubes and the distribution tank unit. The distribution tank unit includes an aperture plate that reduces a passage cross-sectional area of the coolant passage. Among the plurality of tubes, the cold storage material container is joined to at least a tube disposed upstream in a coolant flow direction from the aperture plate in the coolant passage. Accordingly, cold storage performance may be improved.