Heat Transfer Plate Corrugation Layout for Better Flow Mixing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat exchangers face challenges in optimizing fluid flow and heat transfer efficiency due to the lack of a structured and efficient design of the flow channels, leading to inefficiencies in heat transfer and heat transfer resistance.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger with a heat transfer zone that includes multiple sub-regions with corrugations arranged at different angles relative to the longitudinal centerline, and junctions that are not aligned longitudinally to improve fluid distribution and mixing, enhancing heat transfer efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional heat exchangers use simple flow channel designs, then manufacturing is easier, but heat transfer efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The flow channel is segmented into multiple sub-regions with different corrugation angles (first sub-region with first angle, second sub-region with second angle). This segmentation allows each region to perform specific functions: the first sub-region promotes fluid mixing while the second sub-region enhances heat transfer, thereby improving overall heat transfer efficiency without significantly complicating manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the flow channel are given different local qualities through varying corrugation angles in different sub-regions. The first sub-region has corrugations at a first angle optimized for mixing, while the second sub-region has corrugations at a second angle optimized for heat transfer. This local differentiation enables each region to optimize its specific function, improving overall heat transfer efficiency
2Ease of manufacture
If uniform corrugation patterns are used throughout the plate, then manufacturing is simpler, but fluid distribution and mixing are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The plate surface is divided into multiple sub-regions with different corrugation patterns. The first sub-region has corrugations extending at a first angle to the longitudinal centerline, while the second sub-region has corrugations extending at a second angle. This segmentation creates varied flow paths that enhance fluid distribution and mixing throughout the heat exchanger, preventing stagnant zones while maintaining manufacturing feasibility
Solution Approach 2:
The corrugation angles in different sub-regions are asymmetric relative to each other (first angle vs. second angle), creating non-uniform flow patterns that promote thorough fluid mixing. This asymmetric design ensures that fluids from different inlet ports are well-distributed and mixed across the heat transfer surface, improving operational performance
3Ease of manufacture
If junctions of adjacent sub-regions are longitudinally aligned, then manufacturing is easier, but fluid stagnation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The junctions between adjacent sub-regions are deliberately positioned asymmetrically - they are not longitudinally aligned with each other. This asymmetric junction arrangement creates staggered flow paths that prevent fluid stagnation by ensuring continuous flow movement through all regions. The misaligned junctions force fluids to follow more complex, mixing-enhancing paths rather than allowing straight-through stagnant zones
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 enhances fluid distribution and mixing, improving heat transfer efficiency and reducing fluid stagnation, thereby optimizing the performance of the heat exchanger.
Implementation Method 1
multiple corrugations provided in the plate that define flow channels through which fluid flows. The corrugations extend at an angle to the reference plane and at least some of the corrugations are intersected by the reference plane
Implementation Method 2
two fluids, one relatively hot and the other relatively cold, may be passed between alternating channels defined by the plates
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A plate for a heat exchanger has a longitudinal centerline, a reference plane parallel to the longitudinal centerline, and multiple corrugations provided in the plate that define flow channels through which fluid flows. The corrugations extend at an angle to the reference plane and at least some of the corrugations are intersected by the reference plane, wherein over at least a portion of a surface area of the plate the corrugations are arranged in sub-regions that have a longitudinal length and the corrugations of each sub region are at the same angle relative to the longitudinal centerline, and the corrugations of adjacent sub-regions are at different angles from each other, and wherein the corrugations in adjacent sub-regions meet at junctions and the junctions are not longitudinally aligned.