Staggered Hexagonal Heat Exchanger Plates for Vortex-Enhanced Thermal Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current plate heat exchangers require two sets of production molds for high theta and low theta plates, leading to increased production costs and limitations in achieving both high heat transfer efficiency and low pressure drop simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A plate heat exchanger with a fluid guide plate featuring heat exchanging portions with a right hexagonal planar contour, arranged in a staggered pattern to form a channel system that promotes a longitudinal vortex, reducing the need for multiple molds and enhancing heat transfer efficiency while lowering pressure drops.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If high theta plates are used, then heat transfer coefficient is improved, but pressure drop increases
Solution Approach 1:
The plate design incorporates different theta angles in different regions. The included angle varies along the flow direction, allowing the plate to provide high heat transfer coefficients in some areas while maintaining low pressure drops in others. This local variation of the theta angle parameter enables simultaneous optimization of both heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics.
2Stress or pressure
If low theta plates are used, then pressure drop is reduced, but heat transfer coefficient decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The plate design incorporates different theta angles in different regions. The included angle varies along the flow direction, allowing the plate to provide high heat transfer coefficients in some areas while maintaining low pressure drops in others. This local variation of the theta angle parameter enables simultaneous optimization of both heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics.
3Adaptability or versatility
If two sets of molds are fabricated for high theta and low theta plates, then different application requirements are met, but production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single plate design with variable theta angles can replace the need for separate high theta and low theta plate molds. The plate structure incorporates multiple theta angle regions within one component, enabling it to serve multiple functions and meet different application requirements simultaneously. This universal design eliminates the need for maintaining separate mold sets for different plate types.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the theta angle parameter along the flow direction within a single plate design. By varying the included angle parameter continuously or in steps along the plate surface, the design achieves both high heat transfer efficiency and low pressure drop characteristics that previously required separate specialized plates.
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 reduces production costs by approximately 50% and achieves a balance between high heat transfer efficiency and low pressure drop, similar to high and low theta plates respectively, without the need for separate molds.
Implementation Method 1
the heat exchanging portions allow two fluids to vigorously flow and form a longitudinal vortex in the channel system to further produce a strong turbulence for enhancing heat transfer efficiency
Implementation Method 2
heat exchange of the cold and hot fluids in the plate heat exchanger is thoroughly performed to achieve maximized conversion efficiency
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A fluid guide plate (10) and a plate heat exchanger (20) are provided. The fluid guide plate (10) includes a first heat exchanging surface (11), a second heat exchanging surface (12), and a plurality of heat exchanging portions (13) formed by recessing the first heat exchanging surface (11) and disposed in protrusion at the second heat exchanging surface (12). Each of the heat exchanging portions (13) has a polygonal planar contour. The plate heat exchanger (20) includes a plurality of fluid guide plates (21, 22). The heat exchanging portions (213, 223) on the fluid guide plates (21, 22) are staggered to form a channel system. Accordingly, the heat exchanging portions (213, 223) allow fluids (100, 101) to vigorously flow and form a longitudinal vortex in the channel system to further generate a strong turbulence for enhancing heat transfer efficiency and reducing pressure drops of the fluids (100, 101). Further, the fluid guide plates (10, 21, 22) of the present invention are capable of significantly reducing mold developments and lowering production costs.