Condensate Extraction Device for Cryogenic Heat Exchangers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heat exchangers used for cooling and liquefying natural gas face inefficiencies due to condensate deposits on heat transfer surfaces, which require frequent cleaning and heating to extract condensate, leading to reduced separation performance and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A condensate extraction device with a lock device and condensate collection chamber that allows for condensate extraction without heating, using a pivoting lock head element to switch between collection and drain positions, avoiding the need for direct opening and maintaining pressure separation, and incorporating flushing recesses for efficient condensate removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If heating is applied to melt and extract condensate from the heat exchanger, then condensate extraction is enabled, but the working medium is reheated or evaporated, reducing separation efficiency and heat exchanger efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the condensate collection function from the main heat exchanger body by providing a separate collection chamber connected via a drain opening. This allows condensate to be collected and removed independently without applying heat to the working medium in the heat exchanger, thus maintaining separation efficiency while enabling easy condensate extraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a condensate collection chamber as an intermediary component between the heat exchanger interior and the external environment. This intermediate chamber collects condensate that drains from the heat exchanger, allowing removal without direct heating of the working medium, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of condensate extraction and maintenance of separation efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If integrated heating mechanisms are added to the heat exchanger to melt condensate, then condensate extraction capability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the heating function from the heat exchanger structure entirely, extracting only the condensate collection and drainage functionality. By providing a separate collection chamber with a drain opening, the system achieves condensate extraction capability without adding complex heating mechanisms, thus reducing device complexity while improving operational ease.
3Ease of operation
If the heat exchanger is opened directly to extract condensate, then condensate removal is simplified, but pressure separation is lost and working medium may escape
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a condensate collection chamber as an intermediary that bridges the pressurized heat exchanger interior and the external environment. The chamber collects condensate through a drain opening while maintaining pressure separation, allowing condensate to be removed safely without directly opening the heat exchanger. This resolves the contradiction by enabling simplified condensate removal while preserving pressure integrity and preventing working medium escape.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
The invention relates to a condensate extraction device (38) for a heat exchanger (13), comprising a condensate drain opening (48) and a lock device (40) having a condensate collection chamber (46), wherein the lock device (40) can be arranged in a collection position and in a drain position. The condensate extraction device (38) can be attached to a heat exchanger (13) such that the condensate collection chamber (46) is open to an interior (2a) of the heat exchanger (13) and closed to the condensate drain opening (48) in the collection position and such that the condensate collection chamber (46) is closed to the interior (2a) of the heat exchanger (13) and open to the condensate drain opening (48) in the drain position. The invention further relates to a heat exchanger (13).