Core-in-Shell Heat Exchanger Drains for Equal Refrigerant Levels
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Solution Overview
Problem
The single drain configuration in core-in-shell heat exchangers with baffles leads to unequal refrigerant levels, causing inefficient heat exchange and mechanical integrity issues due to pressure gradients and gas ingestion, which affects the thermal performance and lifespan of the heat exchanger.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a plurality of drains positioned at different heights on opposite sides of baffles within the heat exchanger shell, each connected to a drain pipe that protrudes from the bottom and couples to an outlet drain line, to equalize shell-side liquid levels and reduce hydraulic pressure drops.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If baffles are installed to reduce sloshing of shell-side liquid, then liquid stability is improved, but liquid level becomes unequal across different cores causing heat exchange efficiency to deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single drain function into multiple drains positioned at different locations (e.g., opposite sides of baffles) within the shell. This segmentation allows each drain to serve a specific core region, equalizing liquid levels across all cores while maintaining the slosh-reducing effect of baffles, thus resolving the contradiction between liquid stability and heat exchange efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by positioning drains at specific locations corresponding to different core regions. Each drain is strategically placed to address the liquid level needs of adjacent cores, creating localized liquid level control that ensures uniform heat exchange conditions across all cores while preserving the overall liquid stability provided by baffles
2Object-affected harmful factors
If baffles create pressure gradient to suppress liquid motion, then liquid sloshing is reduced, but gas ingestion increases due to low liquid levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the drainage function into multiple drains positioned at optimal locations, ensuring that each drain maintains adequate liquid level in its vicinity. This prevents gas ingestion at any single location while preserving the pressure gradient effect of baffles for slosh suppression
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple drains act as intermediaries between the baffle-induced pressure gradient and the shell-side liquid. They mediate the liquid level distribution to ensure adequate levels are maintained at all locations, preventing gas ingestion while allowing the baffles to continue suppressing liquid sloshing through pressure gradients
3Device complexity
If single drain configuration is used, then device complexity is low, but thermal performance deteriorates due to unequal refrigerant levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the single drain into multiple drains positioned at different locations within the shell. This segmentation enables equalization of refrigerant levels across all cores, significantly improving thermal performance. The increase in complexity is minimal (adding a few drains and connections) compared to the substantial gain in heat exchange efficiency
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 arrangement maintains consistent refrigerant levels, enhances heat exchange efficiency, reduces thermally induced fatigue, and prevents gas ingestion, thereby improving the operational reliability and longevity of the heat exchanger.
Implementation Method 1
cooling a natural gas stream through indirect heat exchange with one or more refrigerants
Implementation Method 2
efficient heat exchange, in the form of boiling of the refrigerant
Implementation Method 3
efficient heat exchange, in the form of boiling of the refrigerant
Implementation Method 4
expanding the cooled natural gas stream to near atmospheric pressure
Data Source
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AI summary
A core-in-shell heat exchanger, a method of fabricating the core-in-shell heat exchanger, and a method of exchanging heat in a core-in-shell heat exchanger disposed on a slosh-inducing moving platform are described. The method of exchanging heat includes introducing a shell-side fluid into a shell of the core-in-shell heat exchanger and introducing a fluid to be cooled into each of one or more cores of the core-in-shell heat exchanger, the one or more cores being arranged along an axial length of the shell with a plurality of baffles disposed on either side of the one or more cores along the axial length of the shell to reduce slosh of the shell-side fluid. The method also includes draining excess shell-side fluid using a plurality of drains, at least two of the plurality of drains being disposed on opposite sides of one of the plurality of baffles.