Coupling Arrangement Withstands 200 Bar Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tubular heat exchangers face difficulties in efficiently heat treating high-viscous products, such as yoghurt, due to limitations in handling high pressures, leading to increased operational costs and reduced versatility.
Innovation Solution
A coupling arrangement is designed to withstand pressures above 200 bar, comprising a tube plate, flange, anchoring ring, and retaining element with semi-annular parts and abutment surfaces, allowing for secure attachment and reduced force on seals, enabling safe operation and efficient processing of high-viscous products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If tubular heat exchangers are used for heat treating high-viscous products, then cost efficiency and versatility are improved, but the ability to handle high pressures above 200 bar is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling arrangement is divided into multiple components: a tube plate with a first groove, a flange with holes for fastening means, an anchoring ring with holes for receiving fastening means, and a retaining element with inner and outer sections. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while collectively handling the high pressure loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining element is nested within the groove structure formed by the tube plate and anchoring ring. The inner section of the retaining element fits into the first groove of the tube plate, while the outer section accommodates the second groove formed by the flange and anchoring ring, creating a nested configuration that maximizes space utilization and structural efficiency.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional coupling arrangements are used, then ease of manufacture is maintained, but operator safety at pressures above 200 bar is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling arrangement is designed with pre-formed grooves in the tube plate and anchoring ring, and the retaining element is pre-configured with inner and outer sections that fit into these grooves. This preliminary preparation of the structural configuration ensures that when assembled, the coupling arrangement can immediately handle high pressure loads safely, eliminating the need for complex assembly operations while ensuring operator safety.
3Productivity
If high pressures above 200 bar are used to process high-viscous products, then processing capability is improved, but equipment reliability and safety are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining element and grooves are designed with curved surfaces that distribute the high pressure loads more evenly across the coupling arrangement. The semi-annular shape of the retaining element and the curved grooves in the tube plate and anchoring ring help to reduce stress concentrations, thereby maintaining equipment reliability even at pressures above 200 bar.
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
The coupling arrangement allows tubular heat exchangers to safely operate at high pressures, enabling the heat treatment of high-viscous products while maintaining cost efficiency and versatility, enhancing operator safety and processing capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a coupling arrangement that enables a tubular heat exchanger to run at higher pressures, such as above 200 bar
Implementation Method 2
forces formed by the high pressure can be handled reliably
Implementation Method 3
a heat transfer media can be provided such that the food product in the tube bundle can be heated
Implementation Method 4
the food product can be heat treated efficiently
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
A coupling arrangement (1) comprising a tube plate (112) arranged to be attached to a tube bundle (110), a first groove (218) formed in a surface (220) of the tube plate (112), a flange (208) arranged to accommodate an end section (214) of the tube plate (112), and provided with holes (226) for receiving fastening means (306a, 306b), an anchoring ring (202) arranged to be placed around the tube plate (112) and provided with holes (210) for receiving the fastening means (306a, 306b) for attachment to the flange (208), a retaining element (206) comprising an inner section (311) and an outer section (312), wherein the inner section (311) is arranged be placed in the first groove (218) of the tube plate (112), wherein the retaining element (206) is divided into a first part (222) and a second part (224), and a second groove (232) formed by the flange (208) and the anchoring ring (202) in combination, and arranged to accommodate the outer section (312) of the retaining element (206).