Heat Exchanger with Multiple Conduits for Active Area Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat exchangers face issues with frost buildup and inefficient energy use due to the need for concentrated heat transfer fluids, which pose health, environmental, and economic risks, and traditional methods of controlling heat transfer capacity are inadequate.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger design that includes inlet, outlet, and intermediate conduits allows control of the active heat exchanging area by adjusting fluid flow rates, enabling efficient heat transfer without modifying fluid flow or temperature, using less concentrated fluids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If concentrated heat transfer fluids are used to control heat transfer capacity, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but health, environmental, and economic risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the concentration parameter of the heat transfer fluid, using less concentrated (more diluted) fluids instead of highly concentrated ones. This is achieved by adjusting the fluid composition parameter while maintaining effective heat transfer through optimized flow distribution in multiple parallel ducts, thereby reducing health and environmental risks associated with concentrated fluids.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger is divided into multiple parallel ducts with independent flow paths. This segmentation allows the heat transfer fluid to be distributed across multiple smaller channels, improving heat transfer efficiency through better surface area utilization while enabling the use of less concentrated fluids by increasing the total effective heat exchange surface area.
2Loss of energy
If fluid flow rate is restricted to control heat transfer capacity, then heat transfer capacity is reduced, but risk of fluid freezing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the heat transfer path into multiple parallel ducts. By distributing the fluid flow across multiple channels, each channel maintains sufficient flow velocity to prevent freezing while the aggregate heat transfer capacity is controlled by the number of active ducts. This allows heat transfer capacity reduction without proportionally reducing flow rate in each channel.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic control of the heat transfer capacity by selectively activating or deactivating specific ducts based on operational requirements. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adjust heat transfer capacity independently of fluid flow rate and temperature, maintaining reliable flow conditions that prevent freezing while achieving desired capacity control.
3Loss of energy
If fluid temperature is controlled to restrict heat transfer capacity, then heat transfer capacity is reduced, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically reconfigures the heat transfer path by selectively opening or closing valves that control access to different parallel ducts. This dynamic duct selection mechanism provides flexible control of heat transfer capacity through simple on/off valve control rather than continuous temperature or flow rate modulation, reducing control complexity while achieving capacity adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the heat exchanger into multiple independently controllable ducts, the system can adjust heat transfer capacity in discrete steps by activating specific numbers of ducts. This segmented approach simplifies control compared to continuous temperature regulation, as it uses binary valve states (open/closed) to achieve capacity control.
4Loss of energy
If active heat exchanging area is changed to control heat transfer capacity, then heat transfer capacity is controlled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is segmented into multiple parallel ducts that can be independently activated. By controlling which ducts are active, the system effectively changes the active heat exchanging area. This segmentation approach manages complexity by using simple valve controls rather than complex mechanical area adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple parallel ducts serve dual functions: they provide redundant heat transfer paths for reliability and enable flexible capacity control by selective activation. This multi-functionality justifies the increased device complexity, as the same duct structure serves both heat transfer and control purposes without requiring additional dedicated control components.
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 enhances energy and cost-efficiency by allowing frost-free operation and safer, more efficient heat transfer using less concentrated fluids, minimizing fluid freezing risks.
Implementation Method 1
heat contained in the heat transfer fluid is transferred into the one or more duct, and further into an incoming medium
Implementation Method 2
The one or more duct is configured to circulate the heat transfer fluid
Implementation Method 3
Cold incoming air may cause frost accumulation on the heat exchanger surface, or even freezing of the heat transfer fluid
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
AI summary
The invention relates to a heat exchanger comprising at least one or more duct configured to circulate heat transfer fluid, one or more inlet conduit, one or more outlet conduit and one or more intermediate conduit. The heat exchanger comprises means for controlling flow rate of the heat transfer fluid through at least one of said one or more inlet conduit, one or more outlet conduit and one or more intermediate conduit.