Heat exchanger and air-conditioning apparatus including the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat exchangers require a separate gas-liquid separator to improve refrigerant distribution characteristics, which adds complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger design with a first header partitioned into a main flow space and a gas separation space, featuring openings that allow gas refrigerant to separate from two-phase refrigerant, reducing the gas fraction in the main flow space and enhancing uniform distribution to heat transfer tubes without additional assist devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a gas-liquid separator is added upstream of the header portion, then refrigerant distribution characteristics are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gas separation function is merged into the header portion by dividing its internal space into a main flow space and a gas separation space using a partition wall. This integration eliminates the need for a separate gas-liquid separator while maintaining the gas separation function, thereby improving refrigerant distribution characteristics without increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The header portion is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the refrigerant distribution header and the gas separation device. The partition wall creates a gas separation space that enables the header to simultaneously distribute refrigerant and separate gas from liquid phases, reducing the total number of components required
2Productivity
If the quality of refrigerant at header inlet is reduced, then heat exchange performance is improved, but additional refrigerant assist devices are required
Solution Approach 1:
The gas separation space is positioned upstream in the header to preliminarily separate gas refrigerant before the two-phase refrigerant reaches the heat transfer tubes. This preliminary gas removal action improves the liquid fraction in the main flow space, enhancing heat exchange performance without requiring additional assist devices downstream
Solution Approach 2:
The header's internal space is segmented into distinct zones: a gas separation space for gas refrigerant accumulation and a main flow space for liquid refrigerant distribution to heat transfer tubes. This segmentation allows different regions to perform different functions, improving overall heat exchange performance while maintaining a compact single-header structure
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
Improved refrigerant distribution characteristics lead to enhanced heat exchange performance by increasing the liquid fraction in the main flow space, uniformly distributing refrigerant to heat transfer tubes, thus optimizing heat transfer without additional components.
Implementation Method 1
a gas separation space (16) into which gas refrigerant is separated from two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger includes: heat transfer tubes; a first header; a second header; and a gas separation pipe. The first header includes a partition wall that partitions an internal space of the first header into spaces including a main flow space and a gas separation space. The partition wall has first openings through which the main flow space and the gas separation space communicate with each other. The gas separation space is located above the main flow space. The gas separation space and the refrigerant pipe are connected by the gas separation pipe.