Demountable Tube Bundle Heat Exchanger Shell Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heat exchange units for reactors and heat exchangers face issues such as bypass of fluid flow due to unoccupied areas between the shell and tube bundle, high costs and weight due to thick shells, complex assembly processes, and limited flexibility in inlet and outlet configurations, which hinder efficiency and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A demountable heat exchange unit where the tube bundle and shell structurally collaborate, allowing the tube bundle to partially withstand external pressures, reducing shell thickness and weight, and enabling easier assembly and maintenance, with a design that allows for flexible baffle placement and reduced bypass areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the shell is designed to autonomously withstand the pressure difference, then the shell can be self-supporting, but the shell thickness and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure withstanding capabilityVSAvoidshell weight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the shell with the tube bundle assembly by fixing the tube bundle to the shell, creating a combined structure where the tube bundle contributes to withstanding external pressure, thereby reducing the shell thickness and weight required for self-support

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of manufacture

If the tube bundle and shell are structurally independent, then the assembly is simpler to manufacture, but the shell must be thicker to withstand pressure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidshell weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The tube bundle is fixed to the shell to create a structurally integrated assembly, allowing the tube bundle to share the load of external pressure and enabling the use of thinner, lighter shells

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If baffles are used to support tubes, then tube vibrations are prevented, but bypass areas are created between the shell and tube bundle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetube vibration preventionVSAvoidfluid flow bypass

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The baffle is integrated into the shell structure rather than being a separate component, eliminating gaps between the baffle and shell that would create bypass areas, while still effectively supporting the tubes and preventing vibrations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The shell is designed with sufficient flexibility to accommodate the baffle structure while maintaining structural integrity, allowing for a more compact design that reduces bypass areas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Stability of the object's composition

If the shell is made thicker to withstand external pressure, then structural stability is improved, but the cost and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecylindrical body stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The tube bundle assembly is structurally combined with the shell to create a composite structure that withstands external pressure more efficiently, reducing the shell thickness and manufacturing cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10655921B2Tube heat exchange unit for internals of heat exchangers reactors

Publication Date: 2020.05.19 CASALE SA

AI summary

Tube-bundle heat exchange unit (1) for internals of heat exchangers or reactors, comprising: at least one tube bundle (2); a plurality of baffles (3) associated with said tube bundle and defining through-openings according to a predefined arrangement, each opening being passed through by one of more tubes of the tube bundle, and a shell (6) which surrounds said tube bundle and said baffles, wherein the assembly of the tube bundle and the shell can be disassembled and the shell is structurally collaborating with the tube bundle through said baffles.