Heat Exchange Device Using Solid-Liquid Phase Change Without Pressure Stress
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dual-phase heat pipes require strong containers to withstand internal pressure changes due to phase transitions of solutes like alcohol between gas and liquid phases.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchange device with a container containing a solvent and a solute that influences the surface activity of the liquid-gas interface, where the liquid's surface tension decreases with solute concentration, maintaining temperatures below the solvent's boiling and solute's solidification points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional dual-phase heat pipe uses a solute like alcohol that undergoes phase transition between gas and liquid, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but the container requires strength to withstand internal pressure changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the solute from gas-liquid phase transition to solid-liquid phase transition. By selecting a solute that solidifies at temperatures below the solvent's boiling point, the system achieves efficient heat transfer through solidification freezing at the cold end while avoiding the high-pressure gas phase, thus maintaining heat transfer efficiency without requiring high container strength
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical pressure-withstanding requirement with a thermal field-based solution. Instead of relying on mechanical container strength to contain gas pressure from alcohol evaporation, the system uses temperature control and solidification freezing to manage phase changes, substituting mechanical constraints with thermal field management
2Reliability
If the container is made stronger to withstand pressure changes from phase transition, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the phase transition parameter of the solute from gas-liquid to solid-liquid. By selecting a solute with a solidification point below the operating temperature range, the system achieves reliable operation without high-pressure gas phases, eliminating the need for complex pressure-withstanding container 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
Eliminates the need for the container to withstand internal pressure changes caused by phase transitions, enhancing structural integrity and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the liquid having surface tension that lowers as concentration of the solute increases
Implementation Method 2
the solute influencing surface activity of an interface on which the liquid contacts the gas
Implementation Method 3
the solute undergoes phase transition between the gas and the liquid
Implementation Method 4
a low temperature area of the container is at a temperature lower than a solidification point of the solvent
Implementation Method 5
a high temperature area of the container is at a temperature lower than a boiling point of the solvent and a boiling point of the solute
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchange device includes: a container in which a gas, and a liquid having a solvent and a solute are sealed in, the solute influencing surface activity of an interface on which the liquid contacts the gas, and the liquid having surface tension that lowers as concentration of the solute increases, in which a high temperature area of the container is at a temperature lower than a boiling point of the solvent and a boiling point of the solute, and a low temperature area of the container is at a temperature lower than a solidification point of the solvent.