Manifold, a buffer tank comprising the manifold, and a method for operating a heat exchange system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat exchange systems face challenges in coupling multiple heat sources with varying return heat exchange water temperature requirements, as conventional manifolds do not efficiently manage temperature differences between heat sources, affecting their operational efficiency and condensation processes.
Innovation Solution
A manifold design with a hollow interior region featuring a flow chamber, return chamber, and bypass chamber, where the flow and return chambers communicate through apertures to equalize pressure and minimize mixing, allowing for separate temperature management of return heat transfer medium to different heat sources, and a bypass chamber to adjust temperature differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional manifold with a single return chamber is used, then the structure is simple, but all heat sources receive return heat exchange water at the same temperature which prevents optimal operation of heat sources with different temperature requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The manifold is divided into multiple return chambers (first return chamber and second return chamber) that are spatially separated and independently connected to different heat sources. This segmentation allows each chamber to maintain different return water temperatures, enabling the system to accommodate heat sources with different temperature requirements while keeping the overall structure manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the manifold (different return chambers) are designed with different thermal characteristics to serve different local needs. The first return chamber is optimized for heat sources requiring higher return temperatures, while the second return chamber is optimized for heat sources requiring lower return temperatures, allowing each part of the system to have the specific quality needed for its function.
2Temperature
If the flow chamber and return chamber are completely separated, then temperature management is improved, but pressure equalization becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A bypass chamber is introduced as an intermediary component between the flow chamber and return chambers. This bypass chamber contains a bypass flow that connects the flow chamber to both return chambers, serving as a mediator that enables pressure equalization across the otherwise separated chambers while preserving the temperature differentiation achieved by the segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes hydraulic principles by designing a bypass flow path that allows liquid heat transfer medium to circulate between chambers. The bypass chamber creates a hydraulic connection that equalizes pressure across the manifold while maintaining thermal separation, leveraging fluid dynamics to resolve the pressure equalization challenge.
3Stress or pressure
If heat transfer medium flows directly from flow chamber to return chamber, then pressure equalization is achieved, but mixing of temperatures occurs reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The return flow path is segmented into separate channels leading to different return chambers, preventing the mixing of heat transfer medium with different temperatures. The bypass chamber further segments the flow by creating distinct bypass paths that maintain thermal stratification while still enabling pressure equalization through the hydraulic connection.
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 enables heat sources to operate at optimal efficiency by allowing different return temperatures, equalizing pressures, and preventing condensation issues, thus enhancing the overall performance of the heat exchange system.
Implementation Method 1
adjacent ones of the flow, return and bypass chambers are configured to communicate with each other to substantially equalize the pressure in the heat transfer medium in the hollow interior region
Implementation Method 2
allowing for separate temperature management of return heat transfer medium to different heat sources
Implementation Method 3
a bypass chamber communicating with the flow chamber and configured to provide heat transfer medium from the bypass chamber to another one of the at least two heat sources
Data Source
AI summary
A manifold (15) comprising a flow chamber (35) for receiving flow heat exchange water from respective heat sources (3, 5, 7) through first inlet ports (47, 48) and from which the flow heat exchange water is delivered to heat exchange circuits (8, 9) through flow ports (57, 58). A return chamber (36) in the manifold (15) for receiving return heat exchange water from the heat exchange circuits (8, 9) through return ports (57, 58), and from which the return heat exchange water is returned to some of the heat sources (3, 5, 7) through first outlet ports (53, 54). A bypass chamber (37) located in the manifold (15) between the flow chamber (35) and the return chamber (36) receives flow water from the flow chamber (35), which has not been drawn off by the heat exchange circuits (8, 9), through a communicating passageway (40). Heat exchange water from the bypass chamber (37) is returned through second outlet ports (55, 56) to others of the heat sources (3, 5, 7).