Condenser apparatus and method
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional condenser designs with constant cross-sectional areas for hot and cold flows result in inadequate heat transfer surface areas near the entrance of hot vapor or vapor/liquid mixtures, leading to oversized and heavy heat exchangers with inefficient heat transfer and potential pump cavitation issues.
Innovation Solution
The condenser apparatus features tubes with varying hydraulic diameters, starting larger at the inlet and tapering to smaller diameters towards the outlet, along with vertically oriented fin material, optimizing heat transfer surface areas and pressure gradients, and includes a method of condensing hot vapor or vapor/liquid mixtures through these tubes to achieve subcooled liquid discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional condenser designs use constant cross-sectional areas for hot and cold flows, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the heat transfer surface area is inadequate near the entrance and the overall design becomes oversized and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the cross-sectional area of tubes along their length, with larger areas at the inlet end and smaller areas at the outlet end. This gradient design optimizes heat transfer surface area distribution to match the local heat transfer coefficients, eliminating the need for an oversized uniform design while reducing overall condenser weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of tube cross-sectional area along the flow direction, transitioning from constant area to variable area. This parameter change allows the heat transfer surface area to be optimized locally, reducing the total volume and weight of the condenser while maintaining effective heat transfer throughout.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional condenser designs use constant cross-sectional areas, then manufacturing is easier, but heat transfer surface area is inadequate near the entrance leading to oversized designs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by making the tube cross-sectional area vary along its length, with larger areas positioned where heat transfer coefficients are lower (near the inlet) and smaller areas where coefficients are higher (near the outlet). This distributes heat transfer surface area optimally, providing adequate surface area where needed without requiring an oversized uniform design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dimensional variation along the length of the tubes, transitioning from two-dimensional constant cross-section to three-dimensional variable cross-section. This adds a gradient dimension to the tube geometry, enabling optimized heat transfer surface area distribution that matches the axial variation in heat transfer coefficients.
3Device complexity
If constant cross-sectional area tubes are used, then the design is simpler, but excess heat transfer surface area occurs in mid and lower sections with high liquid content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by reducing tube cross-sectional area in the mid and lower sections where liquid content is high and heat transfer coefficients are already elevated. This prevents excess heat transfer surface area in these regions, eliminating inefficient heat transfer zones while maintaining simple manufacturing through a gradual geometric transition.
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 enhances heat transfer rates, reduces the overall size and weight of the condenser, and mitigates pump cavitation by optimizing pressure gradients and heat transfer surface areas, ensuring efficient cooling and subcooling of liquids.
Implementation Method 1
Condensers are heat exchangers that convert hot vapor, or high quality vapor/liquid mixtures, to liquids, by transferring heat from the hot vapor or vapor/liquid mixture to the adjacent cooler fluid flows
Implementation Method 2
Condensers are heat exchangers that convert hot vapor, or high quality vapor/liquid mixtures, to liquids
Implementation Method 3
mitigates pump cavitation by optimizing pressure gradients
Implementation Method 4
vertically oriented fin material, optimizing heat transfer surface areas
Data Source
AI summary
A condenser having passages of varying geometry for cooling of fluid. The condenser apparatus includes substantially parallel tubes each defining a channel and having an inlet at a first end and an outlet at a second end, the first end having a greater hydraulic diameter than the second end. Inlet and outlet manifolds are provided. The tubes may be oriented substantially vertically with the inlets above the respective outlets. A heat exchanger core comprises the tubes and substantially horizontally oriented fin material connecting the tubes. The tubes may receive a relatively higher temperature vapor or vapor and liquid mixture into the inlets of the tubes, around the tubes coolant flows substantially horizontally to remove heat from the tubes, and relatively cooler saturated liquid is discharged from the outlets. In one embodiment, the tube's channel splits into multiple channels to reduce the hydraulic diameter and increase the surface area ratio.