Horizontal Heat Exchanger Tubes With Integrated Phase Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Horizontal multi-channel heat exchangers face challenges in effective oil separation and refrigerant collection, requiring additional components that increase space and cost requirements.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger design with a horizontal distributor tube and collector tube, where refrigerant inlet and outlet are positioned at the upper cross-section for gas separation, and oil separation occurs at the lower cross-section, eliminating the need for additional components by integrating phase separation within the tubes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional components are added for oil separation and refrigerant collection in horizontal heat exchangers, then effective oil separation and refrigerant collection are achieved, but device complexity and installation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (oil separation, refrigerant distribution, refrigerant collection, and phase separation) into the horizontal distributor tube and collector tube structures. The distributor tube includes both refrigerant distribution outlets and oil separation functionality, while the collector tube integrates both refrigerant collection and phase separation capabilities, eliminating the need for separate dedicated components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The distributor tube and collector tube are designed as multi-functional components. The distributor tube serves as both a refrigerant distribution system and an oil separation device. The collector tube functions as both a refrigerant collection system and a phase separation device, allowing a single component to perform multiple critical functions that would traditionally require separate dedicated components.
2Reliability
If additional components are added for oil separation and refrigerant collection, then effective oil separation and refrigerant collection are achieved, but installation space and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (oil separation, refrigerant distribution, refrigerant collection, and phase separation) into the horizontal distributor tube and collector tube structures. The distributor tube includes both refrigerant distribution outlets and oil separation functionality, while the collector tube integrates both refrigerant collection and phase separation capabilities, eliminating the need for separate dedicated components for each function.
3Reliability
If vertical arrangement with segmented distributors and collectors is used, then effective refrigerant distribution and collection are achieved, but installation height requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional vertical arrangement into a horizontal arrangement. Instead of vertical distributors and collectors positioned at different heights, the system uses horizontal distributor and collector tubes positioned at the same elevation level, with phase separation achieved through vertical positioning of inlets and outlets within the horizontal tube cross-sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a vertical arrangement (utilizing the vertical dimension for distribution and collection) to a horizontal arrangement (utilizing the horizontal dimension). Phase separation is achieved by positioning gas and liquid inlets/outlets at different vertical positions within the horizontal tube cross-section, effectively using vertical positioning within the horizontal structure to achieve separation without increasing overall installation height.
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 reduces installation space and costs by efficiently separating phases within the heat exchanger tubes, enhancing flow mechanics and reducing refrigerant filling volumes by 40-50%, while maintaining high efficiency and preventing oil propagation.
Implementation Method 1
the refrigerant inlet into the heat exchanger tubes is arranged in the upper portion of the cross section of the distributor tube and the coolant outlet from the heat exchanger tubes is arranged in the upper portion of the cross section of the collector tube for liquefaction operation of the multi channel heat exchanger so that oil separation is provided in the lower portion of the cross section of the distributor tube and refrigerant liquid separation is provided in the lower portion of the cross section of the collector tube
Implementation Method 2
plural heat exchanger pipes in which the refrigerant is brought into indirect contact with the medium to be cooled or heated
Implementation Method 3
Heat exchangers of this type are used for example as condensers or evaporators in cooling- or heat pump cycles with a phase changing refrigerant
Data Source
AI summary
An exchanger for a phase changing refrigerant including a horizontal distributor tube, a horizontal collector tube, and at least one refrigerant carrying heat exchanger tube connected therebetween. A refrigerant gas inlet into the at least one heat exchanger tube is arranged in an upper portion of a cross section of the horizontal distributor tube. A refrigerant outlet from the at least one heat exchanger tube is arranged in an upper portion of a cross section of the horizontal collector tube for condenser operation of the multi channel heat exchanger so that oil separation is provided in a lower portion of the cross section of the horizontal distributor tube and liquid refrigerant separation is provided in a lower portion of the cross section of the horizontal collector tube.