Heat exchanger and heat exchange system including the same
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat exchangers have inefficiencies due to restricted spatial arrangement of heat exchange tube bundles, leading to suboptimal utilization of shell space and reduced heat transfer efficiency, affecting overall performance, safety, and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger design with distinct regions within the shell, where heat exchange tube bundles are fully immersed in refrigerant, incorporating a heating device, flow guiding member, and liquid blocking member to enhance space utilization and heat transfer efficiency, while preventing liquid carryover and ensuring system safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heat exchange tube bundles are arranged in conventional flooded evaporators, then liquid carryover limitation is maintained, but shell space utilization is reduced and heat transfer efficiency is decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The shell is divided into a first region for heat exchange tube bundles and a second region for refrigerant vaporization, allowing each region to have optimized spatial arrangement and function independently, thus improving both heat transfer efficiency and liquid carryover control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional bottom-mounted tube bundles to a multi-region spatial arrangement where tube bundles are distributed throughout the shell volume, maximizing space utilization while maintaining proper refrigerant flow and heat transfer
2Reliability
If heat exchange tube bundles are restricted in spatial arrangement, then liquid carryover is controlled, but shell space is not effectively utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The shell is segmented into distinct functional regions: a first region containing heat exchange tube bundles and a second region for refrigerant vaporization, enabling optimized spatial arrangement that maximizes shell space utilization while controlling liquid carryover
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the shell are assigned different functions and structural characteristics - the first region is optimized for heat exchange with tube bundles, while the second region is optimized for refrigerant vaporization, allowing each local area to perform its specific function efficiently
3Reliability
If heat exchange tube bundles are not fully immersed in refrigerant, then liquid carryover is prevented, but heat transfer efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates separate functional zones where tube bundles in the first region can be fully immersed in refrigerant for maximum heat transfer, while the second region provides a controlled environment for refrigerant vaporization, thus achieving both efficient heat transfer and liquid carryover prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The second region acts as an intermediary zone between the heat exchange region and the outlet, allowing refrigerant to complete vaporization and separate from liquid before exiting, thus preventing liquid carryover while maintaining efficient heat transfer in the first region
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 space utilization, enhances heat transfer efficiency, and increases system reliability by allowing full immersion of heat exchange tube bundles and effective vaporization of refrigerant, reducing adverse effects on associated components.
Implementation Method 1
a heating device being disposed in the second region
Implementation Method 2
effective vaporization of refrigerant
Implementation Method 3
heat exchange tube bundles configured to transfer heat received from a fluid flowing inside the heat-transfer tubes to the refrigerant flowing outside the heat-transfer tubes
Implementation Method 4
transfer heat received from a fluid flowing inside the heat-transfer tubes to the refrigerant flowing outside the heat-transfer tubes
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a heat exchanger 100 and a heat exchange system including the heat exchanger 100. The heat exchanger includes a shell 10 having an inlet 1 and an outlet 2, and heat exchange tube bundles 3 arranged in the shell 10, wherein the shell 10 is provided therein with: a first region 11 communicating with the inlet 1 and configured to accommodate the heat exchange tube bundles 3 and a refrigerant input 7 from the inlet 1, the refrigerant 7 performing heat exchange with a fluid in the heat exchange tube bundles 3; and a second region 12 arranged between the first region 11 and the outlet 2 and communicating with the first region 11 and the outlet 2, a heating device 4 being disposed in the second region 12. The present invention can optimize spatial layout of the heat exchanger tube bundles 3, effectively improve the utilization of shell space of the heat exchanger 100, considerably improve the heat transfer efficiency of the heat exchanger 100 at the same material cost, and enhance the overall performance, safety and reliability of the system.