External Thin-Film Evaporator Layout to Avoid Tube Pressure Buildup

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional evaporators face inefficiencies due to vapor formation inside tubes increasing pressure, scale buildup on interior surfaces, and reduced heat transfer efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A heat and mass transfer system configured with a flow distribution head forming a thin liquid film on an outer surface, where the feed liquid flows outside and a heat transfer medium, such as steam, flows inside the conduit, preventing condensate droplets from forming on inner surfaces and minimizing pressure on the feed liquid.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If vapor is formed inside the tubes during evaporation, then the evaporation process occurs, but the pressure within the tube increases which increases the boiling point and reduces heat transfer efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveevaporation rateVSAvoidpressure inside tube

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional evaporator design by placing the liquid film on the outer surface of the tubes instead of inside the tubes. This allows vapor to form outside the tubes without increasing internal pressure, while the liquid film evaporates efficiently through direct contact with the heated tube surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the liquid film from the internal tube flow and positions it on the external tube surface. This separation removes the harmful effect of vapor formation inside the tubes, eliminating pressure buildup while maintaining evaporation functionality on the outer surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Use of energy by stationary object

If conventional tube configurations are used, then heat transfer occurs, but scale formation and buildup on interior surfaces reduces heat transfer efficiency over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoidscale formation on interior surfaces

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting the liquid film position to the outer tube surface, the patent eliminates scale formation on the critical heat transfer interior surfaces. The liquid film now contacts the outer surface where scale formation does not interfere with heat transfer from the steam side.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Use of energy by stationary object

If steam is passed through the conduit, then heat transfer to the liquid film occurs, but condensate droplets form on inner surfaces acting as an insulator

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoidcondensate droplet insulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by stationary objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the liquid film from the steam contact zone by positioning it on the outer tube surface. This prevents condensate droplets from forming on the steam-side inner surfaces, eliminating the insulating effect while maintaining efficient heat transfer through the tube wall to the external liquid film.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 evaporation rates, reduces scale formation, and maintains high heat transfer efficiency by minimizing pressure on the feed liquid and preventing condensate buildup, leading to improved thermal performance.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitational force: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

The steam condenses and forms condensate droplets, which can form a film, on the inner surfaces of the downstream conduit, but the incoming steam forces the condensate droplets out of the downstream conduit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 3

a thin liquid film flow on an outer surface of a flow distribution head and downstream conduit member to subject the thin liquid film to heat transfer mediums or mass transfer mediums

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 4

a heat transfer medium, such as steam, flows inside the conduit, preventing condensate droplets from forming on inner surfaces and minimizing pressure on the feed liquid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS10060679B2Passive heat and mass transfer system

Publication Date: 2018.08.28 COFLO TECH LLC

AI summary

A heat and mass transfer system configured to be a passive system using gravitational force to form a thin liquid film flow on an outer surface of a flow distribution head and downstream conduit member to subject the thin liquid film to heat transfer mediums. The at least partially spherical flow distribution head creates a uniform thin flow of liquid on the outer surface increasing the efficiency of the heat and mass transfer system. The heat and mass transfer system may include a heat transfer medium supply system in fluid communication with internal aspects of the downstream conduit such that a heat transfer medium flows within the downstream conduit while the liquid film flows on the outer surface of the downstream conduit. Rather than conventional sheet flow on inner surfaces of a conduit, the flow distribution head enables sheet flow to be formed on an outside surface of a component.