Heat Transfer Plate with Variable Flow Resistance Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heat exchangers with individual fluid distribution and collection plates face inefficiencies in fluid distribution to their central heat transfer sections, affecting overall heat transfer performance.
Innovation Solution
A heat transfer plate design featuring a base plate with a fluid distribution plate at one end and a fluid collection plate at the other, where the fluid distribution channels have varying flow resistance to ensure uniform fluid distribution and collection, enhancing flow characteristics and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If fluid distribution channels have uniform flow resistance, then manufacturing is simplified, but fluid distribution uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid distribution channels are designed with varying flow resistance characteristics at different locations. Specifically, channels closer to the inlet have higher flow resistance while channels farther from the inlet have lower flow resistance, creating a gradient in flow resistance across the distribution plate. This local differentiation ensures uniform fluid distribution across the heat transfer section while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standardized fabrication processes.
2Manufacturing precision
If fluid distribution channels have varying flow resistance, then fluid distribution uniformity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The design systematically varies the flow resistance parameter of fluid distribution channels based on their position relative to the inlet. By controlling parameters such as channel cross-sectional area, length, or number of channels at different locations, a controlled gradient in flow resistance is achieved. This parameter variation enables uniform fluid distribution while the complexity remains manageable through structured design patterns.
3Productivity
If individual fluid distribution and collection plates are used, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but fluid distribution performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The heat transfer plate is segmented into distinct functional zones: a fluid distribution section with specially designed channels, a heat transfer section with heat transfer patterns, and a fluid collection section. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized independently - the distribution section ensures uniform fluid delivery while the heat transfer section maximizes thermal exchange efficiency, thereby resolving the contradiction between heat transfer performance and fluid distribution performance.
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 improves fluid distribution and collection, leading to more uniform fluid characteristics and increased heat transfer efficiency across the heat transfer section.
Implementation Method 1
Fluid distribution channels at the second section have a higher flow resistance in relation to the length of the fluid distribution channel than fluid distribution channels at the first section
Implementation Method 2
As such flow goes on and when there is a temperature difference between the fluids, heat is transferred from the warmer fluid to the colder fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A heat transfer plate that has a base plate; a fluid distribution plate that is arranged on a first end section of the base plate, and a fluid collection plate that is arranged on a second end section of the base plate, the fluid distribution plate comprising a base edge that faces a heat transfer section of the base plate, a distal part that is located at a distance from the base edge, a fluid passage edge that comprises an extension in a direction from the base edge, towards the distal part, a closed edge that comprises an extension in the direction from the base edge, towards the distal part, and fluid distribution channels that extend from the fluid passage edge to the base edge, for leading fluid from the fluid passage edge to the heat transfer section.