Heat exchanger with liquid/gas mixer device having openings with an improved shape
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat exchangers face challenges in achieving uniform distribution of liquid and gas phases in multi-constituent mixtures, leading to uneven temperature profiles and reduced performance due to non-uniform phase distribution, which complicates the design and mechanical strength of the device.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger design featuring parallel plates with a mixer device that includes channels with openings of varying cross-sections, where the first portion has a larger cross-section than the second portion, promoting uniform fluid flow and distribution of the liquid-gas mixture without increasing complexity or size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If openings are machined perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the fluid flow, then the mixer device structure is simple, but the fluid distribution becomes uneven with inlet openings over-supplied and outlet openings under-supplied
Solution Approach 1:
The opening cross-sectional area varies along the flow direction, with larger areas at the inlet and smaller areas at the outlet. This local variation in geometry compensates for the decreasing fluid pressure and velocity along the channel, ensuring uniform fluid distribution to all openings despite the simple perpendicular machining approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening dimensions are changed along the flow direction, with the cross-sectional area decreasing from inlet to outlet. This parameter change adapts the opening characteristics to the local flow conditions, maintaining consistent fluid supply to each opening while preserving manufacturing simplicity.
2Manufacturing precision
If the number of channels is increased to improve fluid distribution, then the mixing performance improves, but the mechanical strength and brazing complexity of the device deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the number of channels, the invention varies the opening characteristics within existing channels. This local optimization of opening dimensions along the flow direction achieves improved fluid distribution without adding structural complexity that would compromise mechanical strength and brazing integrity.
3Manufacturing precision
If openings are positioned to compensate for flow reduction, then fluid distribution uniformity improves, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The opening cross-sectional area is varied locally along the flow direction within each channel, with larger areas at the inlet and smaller areas at the outlet. This simple geometric progression compensates for flow reduction without requiring complex positioning calculations or intricate opening configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening dimension parameter changes systematically along the flow direction, creating a gradient that naturally compensates for flow reduction. This systematic parameter change achieves uniform distribution while maintaining simple, regular opening patterns that are easy to manufacture.
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 ensures a more homogeneous distribution of the liquid-gas mixture, enhancing the performance of the heat exchanger by maintaining uniform temperature profiles and mechanical integrity.
Implementation Method 1
vaporizes at least one flow of liquid-gas mixture, particularly a flow of multi-constituent mixture, for example a mixture of hydrocarbons, through exchange of heat with at least one other fluid, for example natural gas
Implementation Method 2
A heat exchanger design featuring parallel plates with a mixer device that includes channels with openings of varying cross-sections, where the first portion has a larger cross-section than the second portion, promoting uniform fluid flow and distribution of the liquid-gas mixture
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger with several plates arranged in parallel is provided. The heat exchanger has a first series of passages for channeling at least one first fluid and a second series of passages for channeling at least one second fluid. The second fluid being in a heat-exchange relationship with at the first fluid. A mixer is arranged in the passage of the first series. The mixer has at least one first channel for the flow of a first phase of the first fluid in a flow direction. The mixer has at least one second channel for the flow of a second phase of the first fluid. The mixer has at least one opening fluidically connecting the first channel to the second channel.