HRSG Exhaust Flow Regulator With Guide Plate for Uniform Gas Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional heat recovery steam generators (HRSGs) face inefficiencies due to non-homogenized exhaust gas flows, leading to uneven flow rates and temperatures, which can cause damage to heat transfer tubes and reduce efficiency.

Innovation Solution

An exhaust gas flow regulator comprising a plurality of first tubes, a support plate, and a second tube with a guide plate that redirects exhaust gases to homogenize the flow, ensuring even distribution and reducing thermal expansion issues through bolt connections that absorb expansion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If exhaust gases flow directly into the HRSG without regulation, then the heat recovery process can proceed, but the flow becomes completely turbulent and uneven, causing damage to heat transfer tubes and reducing efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat transfer tube durabilityVSAvoidflow regulation structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The exhaust gas flow is divided into multiple separate flow paths by the plurality of first tubes. This segmentation transforms the single turbulent flow into multiple controlled flow streams, reducing turbulence and preventing damage to heat transfer tubes while maintaining effective heat recovery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support plate with multiple first tubes acts as an intermediary structure between the exhaust gas inlet and the heat recovery system. It mediates the flow by distributing exhaust gases uniformly across multiple paths, preventing direct turbulent impact on heat transfer tubes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the flow of exhaust gases is not homogenized, then the structure remains simple, but the flow rate and temperature become highly uneven, reducing HRSG efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat recovery efficiencyVSAvoidflow homogenization structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each first tube provides a localized controlled flow path with specific characteristics. The guide plates on second tubes locally redirect exhaust gases to specific first tubes, creating localized flow homogenization that collectively improves overall HRSG efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The support plate with multiple first tubes serves as an intermediary that distributes exhaust gases uniformly. This intermediate structure homogenizes the flow before it enters the heat recovery section, improving efficiency without requiring complex active control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If guide plates are added to redirect exhaust gases, then flow distribution improves, but the assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow distribution uniformityVSAvoidassembly structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide plates are merged with the second tubes as integrated components. This combining of functions reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies assembly while maintaining effective flow redirection and distribution uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 effectively diffuses exhaust gases, reduces resistance, and prevents damage to heat transfer tubes by ensuring a uniform flow, enhancing the efficiency of the HRSG and reducing assembly complexity.

Implementation Method 1

a guide plate configured to redirect exhaust gases flowing around or on the second tube toward the plurality of first tubes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow redirection:

Implementation Method 2

The solution effectively diffuses exhaust gases, reduces resistance, and prevents damage to heat transfer tubes by ensuring a uniform flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentEP4321801B1Exhaust gas flow regulator and heat recovery steam generator having same
Publication Date: 2024.09.25 DOOSAN ENERBILITY CO LTD
  • EP4321801B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4321801B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4321801B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

An exhaust gas flow regulator and a heat recovery steam generator including the same are provided. The exhaust gas flow regulator includes a plurality of first tubes spaced apart from each other in a vertical direction, a support plate disposed in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the first tubes and through which the plurality of first tubes penetrates, and a second tube disposed at one or both ends of the support plate so as to be coupled to the support plate and extending parallel to the first tubes, wherein the second tube is provided with a guide plate disposed to redirect exhaust gases flowing adjacent to the second tube toward the first tube.