Distribution Vessel for Uniform Vapour-Liquid Heat Exchanger Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for liquefying natural gas result in uneven distribution of vapor and liquid phases between heat exchangers, leading to inefficiencies and increased energy requirements due to non-uniform temperature distribution.
Innovation Solution
A distribution vessel is used to separate and redistribute the mixed vapor and liquid streams, allowing the liquid to collect in a lower area and the vapor in an upper area, with specific apertures ensuring even passage into outlets connected to the next heat exchanger, thereby achieving uniform phase distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single conduit is used to carry mixed vapour and liquid streams between heat exchangers, then the device complexity is reduced, but the uniformity of vapour and liquid phase distribution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The single conduit is segmented into multiple separate conduits, each carrying a controlled mixture of vapour and liquid phases. This segmentation allows independent control of phase distribution in each conduit, resolving the contradiction by maintaining structural simplicity through modular repetition rather than complex internal distribution mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
A distribution vessel is introduced as an intermediary component between the heat exchangers. This vessel receives the mixed vapour-liquid stream, separates the phases, and redistributes them uniformly across multiple outlet conduits. The intermediary device solves the phase distribution problem without requiring complex internal conduit structures.
2Use of energy by moving object
If mixed vapour and liquid streams are passed directly between heat exchangers, then the energy requirements are reduced, but the temperature distribution uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution vessel performs preliminary separation and uniform redistribution of vapour and liquid phases before the stream enters the second heat exchanger. This preliminary action ensures uniform temperature distribution in the subsequent heat exchange process, eliminating the need for additional energy-consuming mixing or redistribution steps later in the process.
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple conduits are used to improve phase distribution, then the uniformity of vapour and liquid phases improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multiple simple conduits rather than one complex conduit with internal distribution mechanisms. Each conduit is structurally identical and carries a controlled phase mixture, achieving uniform distribution through parallel simple structures rather than a single complex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The distribution vessel serves multiple functions: phase separation, phase mixing, and flow distribution to multiple conduits. This multi-functional component achieves uniform phase distribution without requiring each conduit to have complex internal features, maintaining overall system simplicity.
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 approach ensures a more even temperature distribution and reduces energy requirements by maintaining uniformity of vapor and liquid phases, enhancing the efficiency and economy of the cooling process.
Implementation Method 1
allowing the liquid part of the mixed stream to collect in a first area in the distribution vessel; allowing the vapour part of the mixed stream to collect in a second area of the distribution vessel
Data Source
AI summary
In method of providing uniformity of vapor and liquid phases in two or more streams derived from a mixed vapor and liquid stream (10), the mixed vapor and liquid stream (10) passes from a first heat exchanger (101) into a distribution vessel (12) via one or more inlets (14). The distribution vessel (12) has two or more outlets (16) connected to a second heat exchanger (102). The liquid part of the mixed stream (10) is allowed to collect in a first area (20) in the distribution vessel (12), and the vapor part of the mixed stream (10) is allowed to collect in a second area (30) of the distribution vessel (12), preferably above the first area (20). The liquid in the first area (20) passes into the outlets (16) via one or more liquid apertures (18) in each outlet (16) that communicate with the first area (20), and the vapor in the second area (30) passes into the outlets (16) via one or more vapor apertures (28) in each outlet (16) communicating with the second area (30).