Distillation unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing distillation units in dry-cleaning systems using carbon dioxide as a refrigerant face challenges such as increased dead volume, reduced work efficiency due to complex heat exchanger coupling, unstable heat exchanger support, and potential damage to header coupling parts.
Innovation Solution
A distillation unit design featuring a cylindrical shell with a heat exchanger that includes separable inlet and outlet headers, a support structure for stable horizontal, vertical, and circumferential support, and a rail system for easy heat exchanger positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the header is directly connected to the outward pipe straightly extending from the inlet port, then the structure is simple, but the dead volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The header is divided into multiple sections with branching pipes that extend in different directions. This segmentation allows the refrigerant to flow through a more compact path, reducing the dead volume between the heat exchanger and the shell inner circumferential surface while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Volume of moving object
If the shell has a small inner diameter for compactness, then the device size is reduced, but the space for coupling the heat exchanger becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling space problem is solved by utilizing the radial dimension more effectively. The header branches extend radially outward from the heat exchanger in multiple directions, creating sufficient coupling space within the limited axial height of the compact shell.
3Device complexity
If the heat exchanger is supported only in the vertical direction, then the support structure is simple, but the heat exchanger is not stably supported against horizontal and circumferential motions
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure provides different types of support at different locations and directions. Vertical supports handle gravitational loads, while horizontal and circumferential supports constrain lateral motions. This localized differentiation of support functions achieves stable heat exchanger positioning without excessive overall complexity.
4Device complexity
If no support structure for horizontal and circumferential directions is provided, then the device is simpler, but the load concentrates on the header coupling part causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The support function is extracted from the header coupling region and distributed to a dedicated support structure. This separates the load-bearing function from the coupling function, preventing load concentration at the vulnerable header coupling part while maintaining device simplicity.
5Device complexity
If the heat exchanger position adjustment is difficult during installation, then the installation process is simpler, but the production efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure incorporates adjustable elements that allow the heat exchanger position to be dynamically adjusted during installation. After installation, the structure becomes fixed to maintain stability. This dynamic capability during installation improves production efficiency without compromising operational reliability.
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 solution minimizes dead volume, enhances work efficiency by simplifying heat exchanger coupling, provides stable support to prevent damage, and facilitates easy adjustment and installation of the heat exchanger.
Implementation Method 1
While vaporized by a heat exchanger provided inside the distillation tub, the contaminated carbon dioxide is separated from a contaminant
Implementation Method 2
a compressor provided to the dry-cleaning system is supplied with the carbon dioxide from the distillation tub, compresses the carbon dioxide into high-temperature carbon dioxide
Data Source
AI summary
A distillation unit includes a shell, a heat exchanger disposed inside the shell, and a supporting portion that is disposed inside the shell and receives the heat exchanger. The shell has a cylindrical shape, extends in an axial direction, and includes an opening part that extends in the axial direction. The heat exchanger includes a heat exchange piping, which includes pipes that have horizontal spiral shape and are arranged with respect to each other in a vertical direction relative to a longitudinal direction of the shell. The supporting portion has a plate shape and extends in a direction that intersects the axial direction. The heat exchange piping is disposed along the supporting portion in the axial direction.