Heat Exchanger Flow Path Transition for Uniform Fluid Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat exchangers face issues with non-uniform fluid flow and increased pressure loss due to varying flow path structures, which hinder heat exchange efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger design featuring integrated, buffer, and divided flow path sections that gradually transition from wide to narrow spaces, minimizing pressure loss and promoting uniform flow, thereby enhancing heat exchange efficiency while suppressing non-uniform flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the flow path structure is varied according to position in the flow path to improve heat exchange efficiency, then heat exchange efficiency is improved, but non-uniform flow occurs at boundaries due to disturbance and stay of flow
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer part is provided in advance at the boundary between integrated and divided flow paths to prevent non-uniform flow before it occurs. This preliminary structural arrangement allows smooth transition of fluid from single to multiple flow paths without disturbance or stay, maintaining flow uniformity while enabling heat exchange efficiency improvement through variable flow path structure.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple divided flow paths are formed to increase heat transfer area, then heat transfer area is increased, but non-uniform flow occurs at the boundary between single and multiple divided flow paths
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer part acts as an intermediary structure between the integrated flow path and divided flow paths. This intermediate section provides a gradual transition zone that mediates the change from single to multiple flow paths, preventing direct abrupt transition that causes non-uniform flow while still enabling the increased heat transfer area through multiple divided paths.
3Productivity
If the shape of the flow path is varied in a complicated manner to improve heat exchange, then heat exchange efficiency is improved, but pressure loss of the fluid increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path structure is designed with local quality variations: the integrated part has a simple shape to minimize pressure loss, the buffer part has a gradual transition shape to balance flow uniformity and pressure loss, and the divided part has a complex shape to maximize heat exchange efficiency. This localized optimization of shape complexity at different positions achieves high heat exchange efficiency while controlling overall pressure loss.
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 design improves heat exchange efficiency by maintaining uniform fluid flow and reducing pressure loss, making the heat exchanger more efficient and compact.
Implementation Method 1
a first fluid (7) flows therethrough; and multiple second flow paths (23) provided in the main body such that a second fluid (5) that exchanges heat with the first fluid flows therethrough
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger includes a main body provided with first flow paths through which a first fluid flows and second flow paths through which a second fluid flows. Each first flow path includes an integrated part, a buffer part, and a divided part arranged in this order from an inlet of the main body. The integrated part includes a first flow path space defined by a peripheral wall including a pair of mutually facing partition walls. The buffer part includes a deformed flow path space formed by deforming the first flow path space such that first displacement parts or each of multiple pairs of first displacement parts provided at intervals on the pair of partition walls approach each other. The divided part includes multiple divided flow path spaces formed by dividing the first flow path space by connecting the first displacement parts of each pair to each other.