Heat Exchanger Layout With Integrated Gas-Liquid Separator
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing heat exchanger designs require a larger space due to the placement of the gas-liquid separator, which increases the overall size and reduces heat exchange efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The heat exchanger incorporates a gas-liquid separating portion that overlaps with the heat transfer pipes when viewed orthogonally, allowing for a compact design while maintaining efficient heat exchange by ensuring a clearance between the separator and pipes, allowing the air stream to pass easily.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the gas-liquid separator is arranged outside the heat exchanger in the flow direction of the air stream, then the separator can function properly to separate gas-liquid refrigerant mixture, but the overall size of the heat exchanger unit increases and heat exchange efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The gas-liquid separator is merged with the refrigerant distributor to form an integrated structure. The separator is positioned to overlap with the heat transfer pipes when viewed from the direction orthogonal to both the first and second directions, allowing the separator and heat exchanger to occupy the same spatial region. This merging eliminates the need for separate arrangement of the separator outside the heat exchanger, thereby reducing the overall unit size while maintaining separation functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The separator is arranged in a different spatial dimension relative to the heat transfer pipes. When viewed along the first direction (air stream flow direction), a clearance is maintained between the separator and pipes, but when viewed orthogonally, the separator overlaps the pipe region. This dimensional arrangement allows the air stream to pass freely between the separator and pipes, maintaining heat exchange efficiency while achieving compact integration.
2Reliability
If the gas-liquid separator is arranged outside the heat exchanger, then the separator can be positioned for proper operation, but the space required in the air stream flow direction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The separator is combined with the refrigerant distributor structure, which is already positioned within the heat exchanger unit. By integrating the separator into the existing distributor framework and positioning it to overlap with the heat transfer pipes, the design eliminates the need for additional length in the air stream flow direction that would be required if the separator were arranged separately outside the heat exchanger.
Solution Approach 2:
The separator is positioned in a spatial arrangement where it overlaps the heat transfer pipes when viewed orthogonally, but maintains clearance when viewed along the air stream flow direction. This dimensional positioning allows the separator to function properly without extending the overall length of the unit in the air stream flow direction, as the separator and pipes occupy overlapping regions in the orthogonal view while maintaining operational clearance in the flow direction view.
3Volume of stationary object
If the gas-liquid separator overlaps the heat transfer pipes, then the overall size is reduced, but the air stream passage may be blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The separator is positioned to overlap the heat transfer pipes when viewed from the direction orthogonal to both the first and second directions, but when viewed along the first direction (air stream flow direction), a clearance is maintained between the separator and the pipes. This dimensional arrangement ensures that the air stream can pass freely between the separator and pipes without blockage, while the orthogonal overlap achieves compact integration and reduces overall unit size.
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 configuration enables the separation of gas-liquid refrigerant mixtures while minimizing the increase in size and maintaining heat transfer efficiency between the refrigerant and air stream.
Implementation Method 1
a gas-liquid refrigerant mixture is separated into a liquid refrigerant and a gas refrigerant by a gas-liquid separator
Implementation Method 2
heat is exchanged between the refrigerant and an air stream through passage of the air stream between the plurality of heat transfer pipes
Implementation Method 3
heat is exchanged between the refrigerant and an air stream through passage of the air stream
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a heat exchanger, including: a refrigerant distributor including: a gas-liquid separating portion having a function of separating a gas-liquid refrigerant mixture into a liquid refrigerant and a gas refrigerant; and a distributing portion provided to the gas-liquid separating portion. A plurality of heat transfer pipes connected to the distributing portion. The plurality of heat transfer pipes are arranged side by side in a first direction, and extend along a second direction intersecting with the first direction. When the refrigerant distributor is viewed along a direction orthogonal to each of the first direction and the second direction, a first space forming portion overlaps a region of the plurality of heat transfer pipes. When the refrigerant distributor and the heat transfer pipes are viewed along the first direction, a clearance is present between the gas-liquid separating portion and the heat transfer pipes.