Eccentric Heat Exchanger Flow Path Member for Enhanced Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat exchangers have a lower heat recovery amount due to the second fluid preferentially flowing through shorter circumferential side flow paths, reducing the opportunity for heat exchange with the first fluid.
Innovation Solution
The flow path member for the heat exchanger is designed with a configuration where the flow path resistance for the second fluid on the longer circumference side is increased compared to the shorter side, by providing a flow path resistance increasing structure or member, allowing the second fluid to pass through the longer path more frequently and increase heat recovery, with the feed and discharge ports located in a distance of less than half the circumference and potentially on the same circumference, and the inner cylinder being eccentric to enhance this effect.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the feed port and discharge port are located close to each other (less than half the circumference), then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the heat recovery amount decreases because the second fluid preferentially flows through the shorter path
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by creating asymmetric flow path resistance characteristics. Specifically, the flow path resistance increasing structure is provided only on the shorter circumference side, while the longer circumference side maintains normal flow resistance. This local differentiation forces the second fluid to distribute flow toward the longer path, increasing heat exchange opportunity without requiring asymmetric port placement or complex overall structure
Solution Approach 2:
The flow path resistance increasing structure acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the geometric constraint (short port distance) and the functional requirement (heat recovery). This intermediate structure modifies the flow characteristics locally, creating artificial resistance that compensates for the short circumferential distance and guides fluid behavior toward better heat exchange
2Loss of energy
If the flow path resistance on the shorter circumference side is increased, then the heat recovery amount is improved by forcing fluid through the longer path, but the device complexity increases due to additional structures or members
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the circumferential flow path into two distinct resistance zones: the shorter circumference side with increased flow path resistance (due to the resistance increasing structure) and the longer circumference side with normal resistance. This segmentation allows independent control of flow characteristics in different regions, achieving heat recovery enhancement through localized modification rather than global structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces asymmetry in flow path resistance characteristics while maintaining symmetric overall geometry. The flow path resistance increasing structure creates asymmetric resistance distribution (higher on shorter side, normal on longer side), which asymmetrically directs fluid flow toward the longer path for enhanced heat exchange, without requiring asymmetric port placement or complex external structures
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 configuration enhances the heat recovery amount by increasing the opportunity for the second fluid to come into contact with the first fluid, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
resistance of the flow path for the second fluid on a shorter circumference side between the feed port and the discharge port is higher than that of the flow path for the second fluid on a longer circumference side between the feed port and the discharge port
Implementation Method 2
a system is expected that heats an exhaust gas purifying catalyst in order to activate the catalyst at an early stage... the heat can be effectively utilized by exchanging the heat from the first fluid having a higher temperature (for example, an exhaust gas) to the second fluid having a lower temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A flow path member for a heat exchanger includes: an inner cylinder capable of housing a heat recovery member through which a first fluid can flow; an outer cylinder having a feed port capable of feeding a second fluid and a discharge port capable of discharging the second fluid, the outer cylinder being disposed so as to be spaced on a radially outer side of the inner cylinder such that a flow path for the second fluid is formed between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder; a feed pipe connected to the feed port; and a discharge pipe connected to the discharge port. The feed port and the discharge port are provided so as to be located in a distance of less than half the circumference of the outer cylinder in a circumferential direction.