Heat Exchange Device With Segmented Adsorbent Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat exchangers employing adsorption processes face limitations in heat transfer efficiency due to the detachment of adsorbent materials from substrates at high thickness ratios, leading to mechanical instability and reduced performance.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchange device comprising a thermally conductive substrate with an intermediate layer having a high density of elongated openings filled with adsorbent material, which enhances heat transfer through the adsorption process without using a binder, ensuring mechanical stability even beyond conventional delamination limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the thickness ratio of adsorbent material to substrate is increased to improve heat transfer efficiency, then the heat transfer efficiency is improved, but the adsorbent material detaches from the substrate causing mechanical instability
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the adsorbent material into multiple layers, each with thickness not exceeding the delamination limit, arranged in series on the substrate. This segmentation allows the overall thickness ratio to exceed the conventional limit while maintaining mechanical stability, as each individual layer remains bonded to the substrate or adjacent layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-thickness adsorbent layer to a multi-layered structure in the vertical dimension. By stacking multiple thinner layers, the system achieves an equivalent total thickness that improves heat transfer efficiency while each layer's individual thickness remains within the stable bonding range.
2Quantity of substance
If the thickness of adsorbent material is increased to improve adsorption capacity, then the adsorption capacity is improved, but the adsorbent material detaches leading to reduced performance
Solution Approach 1:
The adsorbent material is divided into multiple discrete layers, each with controlled thickness within the delamination limit. This segmentation enables the total quantity of adsorbent material to increase while maintaining mechanical stability through multiple bonding interfaces between layers and the substrate.
Solution Approach 2:
The adsorbent layers are configured with porous structures that enhance adsorption capacity per unit volume. The porous morphology allows increased surface area for adsorption within each thin layer, enabling high adsorption capacity without requiring excessive layer thickness that would cause detachment.
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 solution significantly improves heat transfer efficiency and mechanical stability by allowing the adsorbent material to grow beyond the substrate thickness without detaching, maintaining operational effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
Some heat exchangers employ adsorption processes, wherein adsorption is a reversible process by which gas or liquid molecules are fixed onto a solid matrix, typically a surface of a porous material.
Implementation Method 2
a thermally conductive substrate, an intermediate layer and an adsorbent material
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchange device having a thermally conductive substrate, an intermediate layer, and an adsorbent material. The intermediate layer at least partially covers the thermally conductive substrate. A plurality of openings is formed at a surface of the intermediate layer. The openings have an elongated shape in a direction from an outer surface of the intermediate layer towards the thermally conductive substrate, and the adsorbent material at least partially fills the plurality of openings.