Two-Phase Closed Thermosyphon With Internal Adiabatic Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional two-phase closed thermosyphons (TPCTs) face inefficiencies in ultra-long-distance heat exchange due to inadequate thermal insulation, entrainment limits, boiling limits, and intense heat exchange between vapor and liquid phases, limiting their application in projects requiring efficient heat transfer over long distances.
Innovation Solution
A TPCT design with an internal adiabatic section featuring vapor and liquid guiding core pipes within a sealed cavity filled with adiabatic material or vacuumed to isolate heat exchange, ensuring directional flow and minimizing heat transfer between phases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If external thermal insulation is used in conventional TPCT, then heat exchange between working medium and environment is reduced, but thermal insulation performance is insufficient due to material limitations and construction disturbances
Solution Approach 1:
The adiabatic section is segmented into multiple layers: an inner adiabatic layer (foam plastic or vacuum) and an outer protective layer (steel pipe or concrete). This segmentation allows the thermal insulation function to be separated from the protective function, achieving both excellent insulation performance and construction reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
A protective layer (steel pipe or concrete) is introduced as an intermediary between the adiabatic material and the external environment. This intermediary protects the fragile adiabatic material from construction disturbances while maintaining thermal insulation performance.
2Device complexity
If vapor and liquid flow in the same closed cavity, then circulation is simplified, but heat exchange between high-temperature vapor and low-temperature liquid reduces heat transfer efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The single closed cavity is segmented into two separate flow paths: a vapor phase flow path (through the vapor guiding core pipe) and a liquid phase flow path (through the liquid guiding core pipe). This segmentation prevents direct heat exchange between phases while maintaining circulation functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The adiabatic section acts as an intermediary barrier between the vapor and liquid phases, allowing them to flow separately without direct thermal interaction, thus maintaining heat transfer efficiency while preserving circulation simplicity.
3Loss of energy
If adiabatic material is used for thermal insulation, then heat exchange is reduced, but adiabatic material performance and thickness are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The adiabatic section uses composite material structure: foam plastic provides thermal insulation while the outer steel pipe or concrete layer provides mechanical protection. This composite approach overcomes the limitations of single adiabatic materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The adiabatic section is segmented into functional layers: the inner adiabatic layer for thermal insulation and the outer protective layer for structural integrity. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized for its specific function.
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
Enhances heat transfer efficiency by reducing heat exchange between vapor and liquid phases, overcoming entrainment and boiling limits, suitable for ultra-long-distance applications like deep geothermal energy exploitation and deep frozen soil cooling.
Implementation Method 1
a sealed cavity formed by the top sealing partition plate, the bottom sealing partition plate, the wall of TPCT, the vapor guiding core pipe and the liquid guiding core pipe, wherein the sealed cavity is filled with adiabatic material or vacuumed
Implementation Method 2
the sealed cavity is filled with adiabatic material or vacuumed
Implementation Method 3
vapor is formed after endothermic evaporation of a working medium in the evaporation section, rises to the condensation section under the action of a pressure difference and condenses into liquid in the condensation section
Implementation Method 4
the condensate flows back to the evaporation section along a pipe wall under the action of gravity
Implementation Method 5
vapor is formed after endothermic evaporation of a working medium in the evaporation section
Implementation Method 6
rises to the condensation section under the action of a pressure difference and condenses into liquid in the condensation section
Implementation Method 7
After undergoing the circulating evaporation and condensation of the working medium, the heat energy from the evaporation section is consistently transferred to the condensation section
Data Source
AI summary
A TPCT with an internal adiabatic section for efficient ultra-long-distance heat exchange is provided, and includes a condensation section, an adiabatic section and an evaporation section. It is internally equipped with a vapor guiding core pipe and a liquid guiding core pipe passing through the adiabatic section side by side. A top sealing partition plate and a bottom sealing partition plate are arranged at each end of the adiabatic section to fix a wall of TPCT, along with the vapor and liquid guiding core pipes. A cavity is formed by the top and bottom sealing partition plates, the wall of TPCT, the vapor and liquid guiding core pipes, remaining sealed from the outside. Both the top and bottom sealing partition plates are independently sealed from the vapor and liquid guiding core pipes.