Horizontal Heat Exchanger Layout for In-Pipe Oil and Phase Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-flow heat exchangers with horizontal arrangements face challenges in effective oil separation and refrigerant collection, requiring additional components that increase space and cost requirements.
Innovation Solution
A horizontal multi-flow heat exchanger design with a distributor pipe and collector pipe, where refrigerant gas inlet and liquid outlet are positioned to facilitate oil separation and phase separation within the pipes, eliminating the need for additional components by integrating these functions into the heat exchanger's structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional components are used for oil separation and refrigerant collection in horizontal heat exchangers, then effective phase separation is achieved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The distributor pipe and collector pipe are designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: refrigerant distribution/collection and oil separation/phase separation. The distributor pipe combines refrigerant gas inlet, oil separation, and heat exchanger tube distribution functions, while the collector pipe combines refrigerant liquid collection, phase separation, and outlet functions. This merging eliminates the need for separate oil separators and refrigerant collectors, reducing device complexity while maintaining separation effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The horizontal distributor pipe and collector pipe are designed as multi-functional components. The distributor pipe serves as both a refrigerant distribution manifold and an oil separation chamber, while the collector pipe serves as both a refrigerant collection manifold and a phase separation chamber. This universality allows the heat exchanger to perform oil separation and phase separation functions without requiring additional dedicated components
2Reliability
If additional components are added for oil separation and refrigerant collection, then phase separation function is improved, but installation space and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The collector pipe is designed to combine refrigerant liquid collection, phase separation, and outlet functions in a single horizontal component. The upper region collects refrigerant liquid from heat exchanger tubes while the lower region facilitates phase separation, eliminating the need for separate refrigerant collectors and oil separators, thereby reducing installation space
Solution Approach 2:
The horizontal collector pipe serves multiple functions: collecting refrigerant liquid from heat exchanger tubes, separating liquid and gaseous phases, and providing outlet connections. This multi-functionality consolidates what would traditionally require separate components into a single element, reducing both installation space and associated costs
3Adaptability or versatility
If refrigerant gas inlet is positioned in the upper area and liquid outlet in the lower area, then phase separation occurs within the pipes, but device design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The distributor pipe and collector pipe are designed with differentiated local qualities: the upper regions are optimized for gas inlet and liquid collection, while the lower regions are optimized for oil accumulation and phase separation. This spatial differentiation of functions within the horizontal pipes enables effective phase separation while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from vertical to horizontal orientation of the distributor and collector pipes, utilizing the horizontal dimension to achieve phase separation through gravity-driven oil settling in the lower regions and gas accumulation in the upper regions. This dimensional change enables phase separation functionality without requiring additional vertical space or complex three-dimensional component 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
This design reduces space and installation costs, enhances refrigerant circuit efficiency by ensuring phase separation occurs within the heat exchanger, reducing refrigerant charge by 40-50% and preventing gas penetration during pressure changes, thus improving overall system efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the oil separation takes place in the lower region of the cross section of the distributor pipe and the refrigerant liquid is separated in the lower region of the cross section of the collector pipe
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a heat exchanger (1) for phase-changing refrigerants with a horizontal distribution pipe (2) and a horizontal collector pipe (4) and interposed refrigerant-carrying heat exchanger pipes (3), with the refrigerant gas inlet into the heat exchanger pipes (3) being in the upper area of the cross section of the distributor pipe (2) and the refrigerant liquid outlet from the heat exchanger pipe (3) in the upper area of the cross section of the collector pipe (4) are arranged in such a way that in the lower area of the cross section of the distributor pipe (2) the oil separation and in the lower area of the cross section of the collector tube (4) the refrigerant liquid separation takes place.