Recuperator module for ventilation systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ventilation systems face inefficiencies in heat recovery due to the limitations of conventional recuperator designs, which often require substantial space and complex installation processes, hindering compactness and maintenance accessibility.
Innovation Solution
A recuperator module featuring a hexagonal plate heat exchanger configuration with a casing design that includes parallel columns of hexagonal plates, additional vertical and slanted walls for inlet and outlet spaces, and integrated condensate drainage, allowing for efficient counterflow heat exchange without expanding system size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional recuperator designs are used, then heat recovery function is provided, but space requirements increase and installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The recuperator is divided into multiple independent hexagonal plate heat exchanger modules arranged in parallel columns. Each module can be independently manufactured, installed, and maintained. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high heat recovery efficiency through multiple exchange surfaces while maintaining a compact footprint by arranging modules vertically in columns rather than spreading them out horizontally.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional horizontal or scattered arrangements of heat exchanger plates to a vertical columnar arrangement within a hexagonal casing. By stacking hexagonal plate modules vertically and connecting them through inlet/outlet spaces that extend the full height of the module, the design utilizes the vertical dimension to increase heat exchange area without proportionally increasing the horizontal footprint, thus reducing overall space requirements.
2Loss of energy
If conventional recuperator designs are used, then heat recovery function is provided, but installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into standardized modular hexagonal plate heat exchanger units that can be pre-assembled and tested independently. These modules are designed with consistent inlet and outlet connections that align with the hexagonal casing structure, simplifying the installation process. The modular design allows for straightforward replacement and maintenance without requiring complex disassembly of the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The hexagonal plate heat exchanger modules are designed as universal components that can be arranged in different numbers of columns depending on the required heat recovery capacity. The standardized module design with consistent inlet/outlet spaces extending over the entire height allows the same basic component to serve multiple functions and configurations, reducing installation complexity while maintaining adaptability to different performance requirements.
3Loss of energy
If conventional recuperator designs are used, then heat recovery function is provided, but maintenance accessibility is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The recuperator is segmented into independent modular columns that can be accessed and maintained separately. The hexagonal casing design with vertical columns allows maintenance personnel to access individual modules from the sides or top, depending on the configuration. This modular segmentation enables localized maintenance and repair of specific heat exchanger modules without requiring shutdown or disassembly of the entire system, significantly improving maintenance accessibility while preserving overall system heat recovery efficiency.
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 configuration enhances heat recovery efficiency, reduces space requirements, simplifies installation, and facilitates maintenance while maintaining high performance, making it suitable for large ventilation systems with improved ecological energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
hexagonal plate heat exchanger whereby the module takes the form of a set of hexagonal plate heat exchangers placed in a casing... the streams of the medium between which heat is exchanged flow in opposite directions
Implementation Method 2
counterflow heat exchange... the streams of medium flow through each of the heat exchangers, one after another
Implementation Method 3
Known from the publication of the international patent application WO2015/121536A1 is a hexagonal structure of a plate heat exchanger where the plates are corrugated so that the crests and troughs are perpendicular to the direction in which the medium flows and feature bulges which separate the neighbouring plates from one another, where the heat exchanger is fitted with means which prevent condensate accumulation on the plates
Data Source
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AI summary
The recuperator module for ventilation systems is characterised in that it takes the form of a set of hexagonal plate heat exchangers (1) placed in a hexagonal casing fitted with a rectangular base (2) and a rectangular top wall (3) parallel thereto, where the base and the top wall are connected to each other with two parallel side walls (4) in the shape of convex hexagons, and where the walls are additionally connected to each other with two opposite connecting elements (5) at the level of their free apexes. The hexagonal plate heat exchangers (1) are arranged in the casing in at least one column so that all hexagonal plates of the heat exchangers (1) are parallel to the base (2) and the top wall (3) of the casing, and the longitudinal sections of the ducts within the heat exchangers (1) run parallel to one another and to the side walls (4) of the casing, whereas fixed between the base (2), the top wall (3), side walls (4), connecting elements (5), and external vertical edges (6) of the columns of the heat exchangers (1) are additional walls (7, 8) which form the inlet (A) and outlet (B) spaces arranged alternately, identical on both sides of the module and partially screened so that each inlet space (A) and each outlet space (B) extends over the entire height of the module.