Double-Wall Plate Heat Exchanger Leak Channel Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing double wall plate heat exchangers are inefficient, unreliable, and difficult to produce, with challenges in leak detection and production complexity.
Innovation Solution
A double wall plate heat exchanger design featuring ridges and grooves with cooperating elevations and indentations forming leakage channels, connected by a connecting space to a single outlet, facilitating efficient leak collection and detection, while maintaining heat transfer efficiency and allowing easy production through brazing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If leakage channels are formed between the plates to collect leaking fluid, then leak detection is enabled, but the heat exchange area is reduced and production complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The leakage channels are segmented into multiple discrete channels formed by elevations and indentations rather than continuous channels, allowing localized fluid collection paths that minimize impact on heat exchange areas while maintaining effective leak detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The leakage channels are positioned strategically in specific locations between the plates where leaks are most likely to occur, concentrating the leak detection function in localized areas rather than distributing it across the entire heat exchange surface, thus preserving maximum heat exchange area
2Reliability
If multiple leakage outlets are used to collect fluid from different channels, then leak detection reliability is improved, but device complexity and production difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple leakage channels are merged into a single common leakage outlet through the connecting space, simplifying the overall structure and production process while maintaining the ability to detect leaks from multiple channels simultaneously through the unified outlet
3Productivity
If the leakage channels are made narrow to improve heat transfer, then heat exchange efficiency is improved, but fluid collection capability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The leakage channels utilize the third dimension (depth) by forming elevations and indentations that create vertical fluid pathways, allowing narrow horizontal channels to effectively collect and channel fluid through vertical gravity-assisted flow while maintaining compact heat exchange surfaces
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 design enables reliable and efficient leak detection with simplified production, ensuring strong heat exchange performance and easy assembly by brazing, while maintaining a large heat exchange area.
Implementation Method 1
flow channels between the double wall plate heat exchanger elements for fluids to exchange heat
Implementation Method 2
leakage channels are formed between the plates of each double wall plate heat exchanger element for fluid leaking from a flow channel
Implementation Method 3
such heat exchangers comprise a number of double wall heat exchanger elements formed by two joined plates
Data Source
AI summary
A double wall plate heat exchanger (100) comprising a plurality of double wall plate heat exchanger elements (110, 120) formed with a ridges (R) and grooves (G) providing contact points between neighboring heat exchanger elements (110, 120) under formation of flow channels between them for fluids to exchange heat. The flow channels are in selective fluid communication with each other through port openings. Each of the heat exchanger elements (110, 120) comprises at least two joined plates and leakage channels are formed between the plates of each heat exchanger element (110, 120) for fluid leaking from a flow channel. The plates are provided with cooperating elevations (190) and indentations (200) forming leakage channels (210) extending across the ridges and grooves between the plates of each heat exchanger element (110, 120). At least one connecting space is formed between the plates to connect the leakage channels within the same heat exchanger element (110, 120), and each of the connecting spaces is connected to a leakage outlet.