Heat Transfer Plate Port Corrugation Layout for Easier Cleaning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The 'honeycomb' pattern formed by the contact areas of heat transfer plates in plate heat exchangers makes the inlet and outlet ports difficult to clean, jeopardizing hygiene.
Innovation Solution
The heat transfer plate design reduces the number of contact areas within the inlet and outlet ports by locally decreasing the press depth, allowing for improved cleaning access to gaskets and enhancing fluid flow efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If corrugations of inner edge portions of heat transfer plates abut adjacent plates to form a honeycomb pattern, then sealing between plates is improved, but cleaning of inlet and outlet ports becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the corrugation press depth in two distinct regions: the port portion (within inlet/outlet ports) has reduced or zero press depth to eliminate contact areas and improve cleaning access, while the field portion (outside ports) maintains full press depth to ensure proper sealing between plates. This localized differentiation resolves the contradiction by optimizing each region for its specific function.
2Stability of the object's composition
If corrugations are pressed to form contact areas between plates, then structural stability and sealing are enhanced, but fluid flow efficiency and cleaning access are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements local quality by creating two distinct corrugation zones: the port portion with reduced press depth that eliminates honeycomb formation and obstructions, thereby improving fluid flow efficiency and cleaning access; and the field portion with full press depth that maintains structural stability and sealing. This spatial differentiation allows each zone to optimize for its primary function.
3Reliability
If full press depth is applied to all corrugations, then sealing performance is maximized, but the formation of honeycomb patterns obstructs cleaning fluid flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating corrugation press depth between the port portion and field portion. The port portion has reduced or zero press depth to eliminate honeycomb patterns and expose gaskets for effective cleaning, while the field portion maintains full press depth to ensure sealing performance. This resolves the contradiction by optimizing each region for its specific requirement.
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
Facilitates easier cleaning of plate heat exchangers by exposing gaskets to more cleaning fluid and improving fluid flow efficiency, thereby enhancing the overall performance and hygiene of the PHE.
Implementation Method 1
the corrugations of each of the heat transfer plates abut corrugations of the adjacent heat transfer plates
Implementation Method 2
locally reduce a press depth within one or more of the inner edge portions of the heat transfer plate to reduce the number of plate contact areas within one or more of the inlets and outlet ports
Implementation Method 3
Two fluids of initially different temperatures can flow through every second channel for transferring heat from one fluid to the other
Data Source
AI summary
A heat transfer plate includes an outer edge portion having corrugations between and in first/second planes, and a porthole defined by an annular port edge, an annular ring gasket groove on the front side of the plate around the porthole, and an annular port portion between the ring gasket groove and the porthole and including the port edge. The port portion comprises inner port corrugations along an inner section of the port edge. A bottom of the ring gasket groove extends, along at least a major portion of the inner section, in a third plane, and, along at least a major portion of an outer section of the port edge, in a fourth plane. Plural of the inner port corrugations extend between and in the second plane and an intermediate plane between the first and second planes. The third and first planes extend on opposite sides of the intermediate plane.