Modular fired heat exchanger

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing modular heat exchangers for industrial boiler water heating installations face limitations in efficiently exchanging heat and structurally supporting high temperatures and varying loads, with a need for flexible configurations and enhanced thermal efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A modular fired heat exchanger design featuring a cylindrical dome-shaped combustion chamber segment within a water jacket with detachable connections, hollow-like indentations for improved strength and heat exchange, and a modular structure allowing for easy expansion and configuration, including a casing for inserting heat exchange elements and detachable water supply and collection tubes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a modular structure is used to improve flexibility and ease of assembly, then adaptability and ease of operation are improved, but structural strength and reliability under high temperature and varying loads may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility of configurationVSAvoidstructural strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The heat exchanger is divided into multiple modular units, each comprising a combustion chamber segment, water jacket segment, and heat exchange elements. These modules can be assembled in series to create heat exchangers of various sizes and capacities, enabling flexible configuration adaptation to different industrial applications while maintaining structural integrity through standardized connection interfaces designed for high temperature and load conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If traditional monolithic heat exchanger design is used to ensure structural strength, then reliability is improved, but adaptability and ease of assembly deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural reliabilityVSAvoidconfiguration flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The monolithic structure is segmented into standardized modular units that can be reliably assembled in series. Each module maintains structural reliability through robust design of combustion chamber segments, water jacket segments, and connection interfaces, while the modular architecture enables flexible configuration by assembling different numbers of modules according to specific application requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The modular design creates universal building blocks that can serve multiple functions and configurations. The standardized modules with universal connection interfaces can be assembled in various arrangements to meet different heating capacities and spatial requirements, providing both structural reliability and configuration flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of energy

If complex structural design is used to enhance heat exchange efficiency, then thermal efficiency is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat exchange efficiencyVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Heat exchange elements are strategically positioned within the combustion chamber segments to optimize thermal efficiency at critical locations. The design incorporates local quality improvements such as enhanced heat transfer surfaces where thermal exchange is most needed, while maintaining simpler structures in less critical areas, thus improving overall heat exchange efficiency without excessive complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The heat exchanger is segmented into modular units, each with integrated heat exchange elements designed for optimal thermal performance. This segmentation allows for standardized manufacturing of individual modules with optimized heat transfer characteristics, reducing overall manufacturing complexity compared to designing a single complex monolithic structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of operation

If modular design with detachable connections is used to simplify assembly, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision and assembly reliability may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidassembly precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The heat exchanger is divided into modular segments with standardized connection interfaces designed for straightforward assembly. The segmentation enables easy assembly by allowing modules to be connected in series using standardized interfaces, while the design incorporates precision features in the connection elements to ensure reliable and accurate assembly of the modular components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 design enhances heat exchange efficiency, structural strength, and flexibility, allowing for scalable configurations while reducing material consumption and simplifying assembly, thereby improving the overall performance and adaptability of the heat exchanger.

Implementation Method 1

heat exchange elements are provided and are associated with the supply duct in order to increase the thermal efficiency

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

heat exchange elements... increase the thermal efficiency

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3097366B1Modular fired heat exchanger
Publication Date: 2020.04.01 AIC SPOLKA AKCYJNA
  • EP3097366B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3097366B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3097366B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A fired heat exchanger module having at least one set of heat exchange elements, at least one fluid inlet stub pipe, and at least one fluid outlet stub pipe, characterised in that at its top there is a segment of the combustion chamber (2) encased in a segment of the water jacket (3) fitted with at least one fluid outlet stub pipe (4), wherein, connected to the segment of the combustion chamber (2) is at least one set (5) of the elements for the exchange of heat between the combustion gases and the fluid, at the bottom fitted with at least one fluid inlet stub pipe (6), where the chamber through which the fluid flows in each set (5) of heat exchange elements is connected to a segment of the water jacket (3). The module (1) connected to each other form a heat exchanger with a single combustion chamber, heated with a single burner.