Helical Fluid Distributor for Two-Phase Heat Exchanger Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat exchangers face challenges with uneven distribution of two-phase working fluids, leading to imbalances in thermal characteristics and reduced heat transfer efficiency due to varying heat transfer coefficients between vapor and liquid phases.
Innovation Solution
A fluid distributor with a helical configuration and optional central channel separates vapor and liquid phases by causing a two-phase fluid to flow in a helical motion, allowing the liquid phase to radially flow into heat exchange tubes and the vapor phase into a central channel or header compartments, ensuring uniform distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional fluid distributor is used in a heat exchanger, then the structure is simple, but the two-phase working fluid is unevenly distributed leading to imbalanced thermal characteristics and reduced heat transfer efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a helical curvature design in the distributor channels, where the fluid flows along a spiral path rather than straight lines. This curved geometry generates centrifugal forces that enhance phase separation and improve distribution uniformity across the heat exchange tubes, directly addressing the heat transfer efficiency problem while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The distributor is segmented into multiple functional zones including a vapor separation chamber, helical flow channels, and multiple outlet ports arranged at different radial locations. This segmentation allows different regions to perform specific functions (vapor-liquid separation, helical flow generation, uniform distribution) thereby improving heat transfer efficiency through targeted functionality.
2Stability of the object's composition
If outlet ports are arranged at different radial locations, then uniform distribution is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The helical arrangement of outlet ports along the curved path creates a natural radial distribution pattern. As fluid travels along the helical channel, outlet ports positioned at different radial distances automatically receive proportional amounts of fluid based on the centrifugal force distribution, achieving uniform overall distribution without requiring complex multi-location port arrangements.
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 solution enhances thermal performance by achieving uniform distribution of the liquid phase across all heat exchange tubes, reducing vapor phase flow into tubes, and allowing outlet ports to be arranged at the same radial location, thereby improving overall heat exchanger efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
causing the two-phase fluid to flow in helical motion, wherein the helical motion of the two-phase fluid causes the two-phase fluid to radially flow out of the distributor
Implementation Method 2
enhances thermal performance by achieving uniform distribution of the liquid phase across all heat exchange tubes
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
A fluid distributor (108) for a heat exchanger (100) comprises a first tube (112) having an open first end (112-1) and a closed second end (112-2), wherein a plurality of first channels (HC) extends in a helical configuration along a length in an interior of the first tube (112) and one or more outlet ports (202) are configured along a surface of the first tube (112), wherein the fluid distributor (108) is configured with the heat exchanger (100) such that the one or more outlet ports (202) fluidically connect the plurality of first channels (HC) to a plurality of tubes (106) associated with a heat exchange section of the heat exchanger (100) or an interior volume of an inlet header (102) associated with the heat exchanger (100).