Indirect Fluid Heater Using Evaporating Heat Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing natural gas heating systems face inefficiencies and safety concerns due to direct heating methods, and prior indirect heating systems using liquid water as a heat transfer fluid require large volumes, leading to high thermal inertia and reduced responsiveness.
Innovation Solution
A heater system utilizing a heat transfer fluid that evaporates to efficiently transfer heat, with a heat source tube immersed in the fluid and a separate condenser vessel, allowing for radiant heat transfer and a two-phase system that reduces the volume of heat transfer fluid needed, enhancing efficiency and responsiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If liquid water is used as heat transfer fluid in indirect heating systems, then heat transfer can be achieved, but the volume of water required is large leading to high thermal inertia and reduced responsiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the heat transfer fluid from liquid to vapor phase. By using evaporating liquid (such as water turning to steam), the system achieves much higher heat transfer coefficients and reduces the required volume of heat transfer fluid by 50-60%, thereby reducing thermal inertia and improving system responsiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transition of the heat transfer fluid from liquid to vapor and back. The evaporating liquid absorbs large amounts of heat during vaporization, and the vapor condenses on the heat exchange surfaces, releasing heat efficiently. This phase change mechanism enables compact system design with reduced fluid volume while maintaining high heat transfer efficiency.
2Use of energy by moving object
If more heat transfer fluid is used to increase heat transfer capacity, then heat transfer efficiency improves, but thermal inertia increases reducing system responsiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs phase transitions to achieve high heat transfer capacity with reduced mass. The latent heat of vaporization and condensation provides intense heat transfer without requiring large volumes of fluid. The vapor phase contacts the heat exchange surfaces directly, transferring heat efficiently, then condenses and returns to the evaporator, creating a high-capacity but low-mass heat transfer system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameters of the heat transfer fluid from liquid-phase convection to vapor-phase heat transfer. This parameter change increases the specific heat transfer coefficient and allows achieving the same or higher heat transfer capacity with significantly less fluid mass, thereby reducing thermal inertia.
3Temperature
If direct heating of natural gas in pipeline is used, then heating can be achieved, but control is difficult and safety is compromised due to potential overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary heat transfer fluid (evaporating liquid) between the heat source and the natural gas. The liquid evaporates and its vapor heats the pipeline indirectly through heat exchange surfaces, preventing direct contact between the flame and the gas. This intermediary mechanism provides controlled, uniform heating without the safety risks of direct heating, while maintaining reliable temperature control.
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 system achieves 95-98% heat transfer efficiency, reduces thermal inertia by 50-60%, and requires less surface area and mass of heat transfer fluid, resulting in a more compact and responsive heating solution.
Implementation Method 1
the heat source tube being suppliable with heated gas to allow the heated gas to flow along the heat source tube to evaporate the heat transfer fluid
Implementation Method 2
the heat exchanger being arranged so that the second fluid can be heated by the evaporated heat transfer fluid
Implementation Method 3
heat is transferred from the heated gas flow inside the heat source tube to the heat transfer fluid outside the heat source tube through the walls of the heat source tube
Implementation Method 4
This provides improved radiant heat transfer because heat can radiate from the heat source tube further into the vessel
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a heater suitable for heating a flow of natural gas. There is provided a heater (1) suitable for heating a flow of natural gas, comprising a vessel (2) containing a heat transfer fluid, a heat source tube (3) passing through the vessel and being at least partially immersed in the heat transfer fluid, the heat source tube (3) being suppliable with heated gas to allow the heated gas to flow along the heat source tube (3) to evaporate the heat transfer fluid and at least one heat exchanger being connectable to a source of second fluid (9) to be heated, the heat exchanger being arranged so that the second fluid can be heated by the evaporated heat transfer fluid.