Conical Pipe Heat Exchanger for Better Water Circulation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional heat exchangers in domestic central heating systems face inefficiencies in heat exchange processes due to suboptimal design features, particularly in the shape and arrangement of sieve walls and partitions, which affect water circulation and pressure distribution, leading to reduced heat transfer effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A heat exchanger design featuring a conical outer jacket with vertically arranged pipe elements, cone-shaped sieve walls, and partitions with specific flare angles and central openings, along with additional openings on the upper partition, enhances water circulation and heat exchange efficiency by optimizing water flow and pressure distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional flat sieve walls and partitions are used in heat exchangers, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but water circulation is suboptimal and heat exchange efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat exchange efficiencyVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature by replacing flat sieve walls and partitions with conical surfaces. The upper sieve wall, lower sieve wall, and partitions are all shaped as cones with specific flare angles (150°, 130°, and 90-170° respectively). This curvature optimizes water circulation patterns and pressure distribution, significantly increasing heat exchange effectiveness across the entire height of pipe elements, particularly in the upper sieve wall and combustion chamber area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Productivity

If conventional cylindrical outer jackets are used, then manufacturing is straightforward, but water flow distribution and pressure acting on partitions is suboptimal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater circulation efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The outer jacket is designed as a conical structure instead of a conventional cylindrical shape. This conical outer jacket, combined with conical sieve walls and partitions, creates optimized water flow distribution and pressure distribution. The curved conical surfaces guide water flow more effectively, preventing dead zones and ensuring maximum heat transfer efficiency throughout the heat exchanger.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Productivity

If flat partitions are used without central openings, then the structure is simpler, but dead zones form and heat exchange effectiveness is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat exchange effectivenessVSAvoidpartition design complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The partitions are designed as conical surfaces with central openings instead of flat solid partitions. The conical shape with specific flare angles (90-170°) and central openings prevents dead zone formation by directing water flow through the partition structure. This design ensures continuous water circulation and maximizes heat exchange effectiveness throughout the entire heat exchanger volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 significantly increases the effectiveness of heat exchange across the entire height of the pipe elements, particularly in the upper sieve wall and combustion chamber area, ensuring maximum water temperature output and preventing dead zones, thus improving overall heat transfer efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a heat exchanger belonging to the group of pipe exchangers designed to exchange heat between a gas and a liquid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

water circulation and heat exchange efficiency by optimizing water flow and pressure distribution

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP2437022B1Gas-to-liquid pipe heat exchanger, in particular for domestic boiler
Publication Date: 2018.03.07 AIC SPOLKA AKCYJNA
  • EP2437022B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2437022B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A heat exchanger comprising an outer jacket (9) with an inner set of vertical pipe elements (1) fastened at their ends on both sides in sieve walls (2, 3), and having a gas combustion chamber (4) located above an upper sieve wall, as well as partitions (5,6,7) mounted crosswise pipe elements, said partitions having openings for pipe elements, whereas said heat exchanger is provided with liquid, gas and exhaust fumes inlet and outlet stub pipes, characterized in that said outer jacket is conical one with its diameter increasing upwards, and an upper sieve wall (2) as well as an upper partition (5) situated below said wall are shaped as cones with their vertexes pointing down, whereas said upper partition (5) has a central opening (8) in its central part and its outer diameter corresponds to a diameter of said outer jacket (9).