Evaporator Outlet Temperature Control Across Multiple Tube Bundles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing evaporator systems with multiple tube bundles face complexity and high maintenance costs due to the need for precise temperature control, which involves numerous sensors and data processing to manage temperature deviations across outlets.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that compute an outlet temperature setpoint for an evaporator based on measured temperatures of each tube bundle, adjusting fluid flow through control valves to minimize temperature deviations and maintain a constant outlet temperature across all bundles, using a processor to regulate valve positions and fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate control of each evaporator tube bundle is implemented to achieve desired outlet temperature, then temperature control accuracy is improved, but system complexity and maintenance cost increase due to high number of sensors and data processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple individual tube bundle temperature measurements into a single evaporator outlet temperature setpoint calculation. Instead of treating each tube bundle independently with separate control loops, the system aggregates temperature data from all bundles and computes a unified setpoint, reducing the number of control decisions and simplifying the control architecture while maintaining temperature control accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system uses a universal approach where a single computed setpoint serves all evaporator tube bundles simultaneously. Rather than having dedicated control mechanisms for each bundle, the system implements a multi-functional control strategy where one control logic manages the entire evaporator assembly, reducing sensor and actuator requirements while achieving adequate temperature control across all bundles.
2Measurement precision
If separate control of each evaporator tube bundle is implemented, then temperature control accuracy is improved, but maintenance cost increases due to high number of sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sensing and control requirements for multiple tube bundles into a reduced set of sensors and a unified control algorithm. By combining temperature measurements from all bundles and computing a single setpoint, the system reduces the total number of sensors and control elements that require maintenance, while still achieving accurate outlet temperature control through the aggregated data.
3Stress or pressure
If uniform temperature control across all evaporator tube bundles is maintained, then mechanical stress on evaporator is reduced, but control complexity increases due to need to coordinate multiple bundles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses the control complexity issue by merging all tube bundle temperature measurements into a single evaporator-level setpoint calculation. This unified approach coordinates all bundles simultaneously through one control logic, ensuring uniform temperature distribution across the evaporator and reducing mechanical stress, while avoiding the complexity of managing multiple independent control loops.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements equipotentiality by maintaining uniform temperature conditions across all evaporator tube bundles. By computing a single outlet temperature setpoint based on aggregated measurements from all bundles and applying it universally, the system ensures that all tubes operate at equivalent temperature levels, minimizing thermal gradients and reducing mechanical stress on the evaporator structure.
Data Source
AI summary
Exemplary embodiments are directed to systems and methods for controlling an outlet temperature of an evaporator having a plurality of evaporator tube bundles, in which a processor is configured to compute an outlet temperature setpoint for the evaporator based on outlet temperatures of each of the plurality of evaporator tube bundles. The processor also regulates fluid flow through at least one of the evaporator tube bundles to reduce deviation between the outlet temperature of the evaporator and the outlet temperature setpoint for the evaporator.