Heat Exchanger Central Pipe Degassing Chimney Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat exchanger systems face challenges in achieving effective liquid distribution within the shell space due to high liquid descent rates, which can introduce gas bubbles into the distributor arms, leading to improper liquid distribution onto the tube bundle.
Innovation Solution
The central pipe is redesigned as a degassing chimney, connected flow-guidedly to the distributor arms, allowing for degassing of liquid and reducing descent rates, while also enabling liquid transfer between arms through slot-shaped openings, and the introduction of sloped roofs on distributor arms facilitates gas bubble migration to the central pipe for escape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If liquid is directed downward through a vertical pipe into distributor arms, then liquid distribution is achieved, but gas bubbles are entrained into the liquid and distributed improperly onto the tube bundle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the liquid distribution system into multiple distributor arms radiating from the central pipe, with each arm having its own distribution holes. This segmentation allows liquid to be distributed to multiple locations simultaneously while maintaining controlled flow paths that prevent gas bubble entrainment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a preliminary degassing stage where liquid accumulates in the ring channel before being distributed to the tube bundle. This preliminary action allows gas bubbles to separate from the liquid in advance, preventing them from being entrained into the distribution system.
2Productivity
If liquid flows rapidly through the vertical pipe, then liquid delivery speed is improved, but gas bubbles cannot ascend against the flow and are entrained into distributor arms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a preliminary accumulation zone in the ring channel where liquid gathers before being delivered to the tube bundle. This preliminary action slows the liquid flow rate, allowing gas bubbles to ascend and separate from the liquid in advance, thus preventing entrainment while maintaining overall productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The ring channel acts as an intermediary element between the vertical pipe and the distributor arms. It serves as a buffer zone that moderates the liquid flow, allowing gas-liquid separation to occur before the liquid reaches the distribution holes, thus preventing gas bubble entrainment.
3Ease of operation
If a two-stage liquid distribution system with ring channel and collection pan is used, then liquid distribution coverage is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the ring channel and collection pan into a single integrated ring channel structure. The ring channel serves dual functions: it distributes liquid to multiple distributor arms and also acts as the collection and degassing zone. This merging reduces the number of separate components while maintaining comprehensive liquid distribution coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The ring channel is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it collects liquid from the vertical pipe, serves as a degassing zone, and distributes liquid to multiple distributor arms. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining distribution coverage.
4Ease of operation
If liquid accumulates in distributor arms, then liquid distribution is achieved, but gas bubbles accumulate and affect distribution quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary degassing in the ring channel before liquid accumulates in the distributor arms. This preliminary action removes gas bubbles from the liquid in advance, ensuring that only bubble-free liquid is stored in the distributor arms and distributed onto the tube bundle, thus maintaining high distribution quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The ring channel serves as an intermediary degassing zone between the vertical pipe and the distributor arms. It allows liquid to accumulate while providing a dedicated space for gas-liquid separation, ensuring that the liquid stored in distributor arms is free of gas bubbles and maintains high distribution quality.
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 design creates a one-stage liquid distribution system with improved degassing and reduced gas bubble entrainment, ensuring optimal liquid distribution and utilization of the heating surface, even under varying conditions, and allows for adjustable liquid supply to specific sections of the tube bundle.
Implementation Method 1
the central pipe provides for degassing of the liquid (F) to be distributed that accumulates in distributor arms
Implementation Method 2
the introduction of sloped roofs on distributor arms facilitates gas bubble migration to the central pipe for escape
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a heat exchanger (1) having a tube bundle (10) with a large number of tubes wound around a central pipe (100), a shell (20) enclosing the tube bundle (10) and defining a shell space (200) surrounding the tube bundle (10), and a liquid distributor (30) having distributor arms (300) for distributing a liquid (F) into the shell space (200) and onto the tube bundle (10), and drain pipes (340) for supplying the distributor arms with liquid (F). The distributor arms (300) are connected in a flow-guiding manner to a ring channel (400) positioned along the periphery of the shell (20). For degassing liquid (F), central pipe (100) is connected in a flow-guiding manner to the distributor arms (300).