Method of using an indirect heat exchanger and facility for processing liquefied natural gas comprising such heat exchanger
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing indirect heat exchangers used in the oil and gas industry, such as those for liquefying natural gas, face challenges in achieving a balance between maximizing heat transfer per unit volume and minimizing pressure drop, while also being cost-efficient and lightweight, as they often require complex designs that result in significant pressure losses and high material usage.
Innovation Solution
A method for designing an indirect heat exchanger with a rectangular grid arrangement of heat exchange modules, where first and second fluid flow channels are oriented in specific directions to facilitate simple distribution and collection headers, minimizing heat exchange in manifolds and allowing for serial or parallel connection of modules to optimize heat transfer and pressure drop, using 3D printing or chemical etching techniques for manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If complex distribution and collecting arrangements are used to maximize heat transfer surface area, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but pressure losses increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is divided into multiple modular heat exchange modules arranged in a grid, each module containing simplified distribution and collecting arrangements. This segmentation allows heat transfer optimization within each module while reducing overall pressure losses through parallel flow paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional two-dimensional plate heat exchanger designs to a three-dimensional grid arrangement of heat exchange modules. This spatial reconfiguration enables heat transfer in multiple directions while simplifying fluid distribution paths and reducing pressure losses.
2Reliability
If traditional manufacturing techniques are used for heat exchangers, then manufacturing reliability is improved, but design freedom and complexity reduction are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes additive manufacturing parameters (layer thickness, infill patterns, material deposition rates) to create optimized heat exchange module geometries that would be impossible with traditional manufacturing. This enables complex internal structures with simplified external forms, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining manufacturing reliability.
3Power
If larger heat exchanger volume is used to maximize heat transfer area, then heat transfer capacity is improved, but device size and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple heat exchange modules are nested within a compact grid structure, with fluid channels and heat transfer surfaces arranged concentrically and in parallel. This nesting enables high heat transfer capacity within a reduced overall volume by efficiently utilizing internal space.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchange modules utilize composite construction combining high thermal conductivity materials for heat transfer surfaces with structurally optimized support structures. This allows maximization of heat transfer capacity per unit volume while minimizing overall device size and material usage.
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 achieves a higher heat transfer efficiency with reduced pressure drop and material usage, allowing for a more compact, cost-effective, and flexible heat exchanger that can be scaled up for industrial applications, such as liquefied natural gas processing facilities.
Implementation Method 1
Indirect heat exchangers are heat exchangers in which two fluid flows can exchange heat without being in direct contact as the fluids are separated by one or more heat exchange surfaces
Implementation Method 2
The fluid flows may be liquid, vapor, gaseous or multiphase flows
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method of using an indirect heat exchanger comprising a plurality of heat exchange modules arranged in a rectangular grid. Each heat exchange module comprises a plurality of first and second fluid flow channels extending in a first and second direction. The indirect heat exchanger comprises first and second manifolds fluidly connecting the first and second fluid flow channels of one heat exchange module with the first and second fluid flow channels of adjacent heat exchange modules thereby forming one or more first fluid paths. The invention also relates to a facility for processing liquefied natural gas including at least one indirect heat exchanger as described above.