Heat Exchanger With Modular Elements for Precise Thermal Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional heat exchanger designs fail to allow precise calculation and prediction of heat transfer between fluids, leading to suboptimal thermal energy transfer and fluid temperature control.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger design with a primary fluid path and a secondary fluid path, featuring heat transfer elements disposed within the primary cavity, allowing for precise calculation and adjustment of heat exchange amounts by controlling the number and flow rate of secondary fluid through series-connected heat transfer elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional heat exchanger designs are used, then the structure is simple, but the heat transfer amount cannot be precisely calculated and predicted
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is divided into multiple discrete heat transfer elements (e.g., tubes, plates) that can be individually configured and arranged in series or parallel configurations. Each element contributes a calculable portion to the total heat transfer, enabling precise prediction through summation of individual element performances.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows adjustment of multiple parameters including the number of heat transfer elements, their arrangement configuration (series/parallel), fluid flow rates, and physical dimensions. By varying these parameters, the heat transfer amount can be precisely controlled and predicted for different operating conditions.
2Productivity
If the number of heat transfer elements is increased to achieve desired thermal energy transfer, then the heat transfer efficiency improves, but the device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger system is designed to be dynamically configurable, allowing the number and arrangement of heat transfer elements to be adjusted based on the specific thermal energy transfer requirements. This enables optimization of the element count to achieve desired efficiency without unnecessary complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular heat transfer elements can be arranged in various series or parallel configurations to serve different thermal energy transfer needs. The same basic elements can be universally applied in different arrangements to achieve diverse heat transfer rates and temperature profiles.
3Quantity of substance
If the heat exchanger size is increased to improve heat transfer, then the thermal energy transfer amount increases, but the space requirement and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Heat transfer elements are arranged in compact nested or bundled configurations where multiple elements share common fluid passages or structural supports. This nesting allows maximum heat transfer surface area to be packed into minimum volume, increasing thermal energy transfer amount without proportionally increasing overall size.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement of heat transfer elements, including radial, axial, and circumferential configurations. By optimizing the spatial distribution and orientation of elements in multiple dimensions, the heat transfer surface area is maximized within the available volume, achieving high thermal energy transfer in compact form.
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 precise control of thermal energy transfer and fluid temperature changes by calculating and adjusting the number and flow rate of heat transfer elements, enhancing thermal energy transfer efficiency and precision.
Implementation Method 1
the primary fluid contacts a secondary outer shell of the first heat transfer element... heat exchange amounts resulting from the primary fluid contacting the secondary outer shells of the additional heat transfer elements may be calculated
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger may comprise a primary fluid path comprising an outer shell enclosing a primary cavity through which a primary fluid may flow; and a secondary fluid path coupled to the primary fluid path comprising a secondary fluid supply conduit, a secondary fluid exit conduit, and a first heat transfer element coupled fluidly between the secondary fluid supply conduit and the secondary fluid exit conduit, wherein the secondary fluid path is configured such that a secondary fluid may flow through the secondary fluid supply conduit, the first heat transfer element, and the secondary fluid exit conduit, which are in fluid communication with one another. The first heat transfer element, and additional heat transfer elements, may be disposed in the primary cavity such that the primary fluid contacts a secondary outer shell of the first heat transfer element.