Heat Exchanger Core Insulation for Reduced Heat Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current plate-type heat exchanger cores have limitations in achieving high heat exchange efficiency due to heat loss between fluids flowing in upstream and downstream passages.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger core design where adjacent passages are folded on top of each other with a heat insulation layer between them, reducing heat loss by minimizing direct heat exchange between fluids in the same passage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If adjacent passages are folded on top of one another to increase heat exchange area, then heat exchange area is improved, but heat loss between upstream and downstream fluids increases
Solution Approach 1:
The passage is divided into multiple passage portions (first, second, third, fourth) that are folded and arranged in a segmented manner. This segmentation allows the insertion of heat insulation layers between specific portions, enabling localized heat loss prevention while maintaining the overall folded structure for high heat exchange area.
Solution Approach 2:
Heat insulation layers are introduced as intermediary elements between the first and second passage portions, and between the third and fourth passage portions. These intermediary layers block direct heat transfer between upstream and downstream fluids, preventing heat loss while allowing the passages to remain in close proximity for efficient heat exchange.
2Volume of moving object
If passages are arranged in a compact folded structure, then device compactness is improved, but heat loss between same fluids increases
Solution Approach 1:
The passages are arranged in a nested folded structure where the first, second, third, and fourth passage portions are stacked on top of one another in a compact vertical arrangement. This nesting achieves high compactness and small device volume while heat insulation layers are strategically placed within the nested structure to prevent heat loss between adjacent portions containing the same fluid.
3Loss of energy
If heat insulation layer is added between passage portions, then heat loss is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Heat insulation layers are not added throughout the entire passage structure, but only locally between specific passage portions (first and second, third and fourth) where heat loss occurs between upstream and downstream fluids. This local application reduces heat loss while avoiding unnecessary complexity in other areas of the device.
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 heat insulation layer effectively reduces heat loss, thereby enhancing the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger core.
Implementation Method 1
The core has a heat insulation layer between the pair of passage portions. The heat insulation layer disposed between the pair of passage portions reduces heat loss due to heat exchange between a fluid flowing in the upstream portion and a fluid flowing in the downstream portion
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger core includes a core formed such that a pair of adjacent passages are folded on top of one another while being adjacent. At least one passage of the pair of adjacent passages has a pair of adjacent passage portions between which the other passage is not interposed in a direction in which the passages lie on top of one another. The core has a heat insulation layer between the pair of passage portions.