Heat Exchanger Plate Studs for Uniform Fluid Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat exchanger modules with multiple fluid circuits face challenges in achieving uniform fluid distribution, minimizing pressure drops, and reducing thermal inertia while maintaining compactness and mechanical integrity, particularly in applications like sodium fast reactors where liquid metal and gas exchange occurs.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a stack of metal plates with fluid supply and distribution zones defined by studs, forming pre-headers that ensure homogeneous fluid distribution and minimize pressure drops, replacing traditional forked zones with studs that allow for efficient fluid circulation and reduced thermal inertia, enabling compact and efficient heat exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional forked zones are used for fluid distribution, then fluid circulation is achieved, but uniform fluid distribution and low pressure drops are not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution zone is segmented into multiple independent channels defined by studs, where each stud creates a separate fluid pathway. This segmentation allows uniform distribution of fluid across multiple parallel channels, eliminating the non-uniform flow patterns associated with traditional forked zones while reducing pressure drops through parallel flow paths.
Solution Approach 2:
Studs are strategically positioned at specific locations on the plates to create localized fluid distribution points. The studs are distributed across the plate surface with optimized spacing and positioning, ensuring that fluid is introduced at multiple locations simultaneously, which achieves uniform distribution without requiring complex distributed piping.
2Power
If compact plate design is used, then thermal efficiency is improved, but mechanical integrity under pressure is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The studs serve multiple functions simultaneously: they define channel geometry, provide structural support, and act as fluid distribution points. By merging these functions into a single structural element, the design achieves compact dimensions without sacrificing mechanical integrity, as the studs reinforce the plate structure while enabling efficient heat exchange.
Solution Approach 2:
The studs are positioned and welded to the plates before final assembly, pre-establishing the structural framework and fluid distribution network. This preliminary action ensures that the mechanical strength is built into the structure during manufacturing, allowing the compact design to withstand operational pressures without requiring additional reinforcement.
3Volume of moving object
If fluid distribution zones are minimized, then compactness is improved, but fluid circulation efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid distribution is transitioned from a two-dimensional planar arrangement to a three-dimensional structure using studs that extend perpendicular to the plate surface. This dimensional change allows fluid to be distributed through the thickness of the plate assembly, creating multiple flow paths in the vertical dimension while maintaining a compact horizontal footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The studs act as intermediary elements between the fluid inlet and the heat exchange channels. These studs provide a compact interface that efficiently transfers fluid from the distribution zone into the circulation channels, maintaining high circulation efficiency within a minimized volume by serving as both structural and functional mediators.
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 ensures uniform fluid distribution, reduces pressure drops, and minimizes thermal inertia, enhancing the thermal efficiency and mechanical integrity of the heat exchanger modules, allowing for easier piping arrangements and improved compactness.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid supply and distribution zone (ZH) for supplying and distributing fluid from outside the stack, forming a fluid pre-header, in which zone the channels are delimited by studs distributed over the surface of the plate
Implementation Method 2
the present invention relates to the creation of heat exchanger modules with a heat exchange function alone and which incorporate two fluid circuits
Implementation Method 3
a stack of metal plates, incorporating at least two fluid circuits
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger module having at least two fluid circuits, of longitudinal axis including a stack of plates, defining at least two fluid circuits, at least a part of the plates each including fluid circulation channels, the channels of at least one of the two circuits, referred to as first circuit, having at least one fluid supply and distribution zone for supplying and distributing fluid from outside the stack, forming a fluid pre-header, in which zone the channels are delimited by studs distributed over the surface of the plate; an exchange zone continuous with the pre-header and wherein the channels are each delimited by a groove separated from one another by a rib and extending along the longitudinal axis.