Microchannel Inlet Manifold Nozzle for Uniform Refrigerant Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat exchangers face challenges in efficiently distributing fluid among multiple microchannel tubes, leading to suboptimal performance and inefficient utilization of heat transfer surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A distributor for the inlet manifold of heat exchangers featuring a nozzle with a transition from a round to an oval or elliptical cross-section, reducing flow area to enhance fluid distribution across microchannel tubes with minimal pressure drop.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional distributor is used, then the structure is simple, but the fluid distribution among microchannel tubes is uneven and heat transfer surface utilization is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The distributor is segmented into multiple nozzles, each responsible for serving specific microchannel tubes. This segmentation ensures that fluid is distributed evenly across all tubes by dividing the distribution task into discrete, manageable sections, thereby improving heat transfer surface utilization without requiring a completely complex system
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzles are positioned at different heights and orientations (angular arrangement) rather than just linearly arranged. This dimensional change in spatial arrangement allows the fluid flow to cover a wider area more effectively, improving distribution uniformity across the microchannel tubes while maintaining reasonable structural complexity
2Productivity
If the nozzle flow area is reduced, then fluid distribution is improved, but pressure drop increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each nozzle is designed with specific local dimensions (inner diameter, length, angular orientation) optimized for its particular position and function. By tailoring the local geometry of each nozzle rather than using a uniform design, the system achieves improved fluid distribution uniformity while minimizing pressure drop through optimized flow paths in each local region
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzles have varying parameters including different inner diameters, lengths, and angular orientations based on their specific positions in the system. These parameter changes allow optimization of the balance between flow distribution uniformity and pressure drop, as each nozzle's dimensions are tuned to its specific functional requirements
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
Enables even distribution of fluid across microchannel tubes, improving heat exchanger performance and thermal capacity with reduced pressure loss.
Implementation Method 1
a nozzle gradually transitions from the first portion to the second portion and the flow area of the nozzle reduces in a direction from the first portion to the second portion
Data Source
AI summary
A distributor for an inlet manifold of a microchannel heat exchanger is disclosed. The distributor comprising a nozzle adapted to the fluidically connected to a supply tube of a refrigeration line of the heat exchanger, wherein the supply tube is at least partially disposed within an inlet manifold of the heat exchanger. The nozzle comprises a first hollow portion having a round cross-section and adapted to be fluidically connected to the supply tube, and a second hollow portion having an oval or elliptical cross-section, wherein the second portion is fluidically connected to the first portion such that the nozzle gradually transitions from the first portion to the second portion and flow area of the nozzle reduces in a direction from the first portion to the second portion.