Modular Heat Exchanger With Turbulator Sheet for Wastewater Recovery

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional heat exchangers for recovering heat from wastewater are costly due to materials like copper and labor-intensive manufacturing processes, and are difficult to install as they require plumber intervention and soldering, which can be hazardous.

Innovation Solution

A modular heat exchanger design that can be installed during building construction, using a fitting system that connects without soldering, featuring an inner and outer pipe with a turbulator sheet for enhanced heat transfer and leak detection, and couplings for secure sealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If traditional heat exchanger materials like copper are used, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite material construction with inner and outer pipes made from different materials optimized for their specific functions. The inner pipe contacts wastewater while the outer pipe contacts freshwater, allowing selection of cost-effective materials for each layer while maintaining overall heat transfer efficiency through the composite structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Area of stationary object

If small-coiled pipe shaping is used in traditional heat exchangers, then heat transfer surface area is increased, but labor cost and manufacturing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transfer surface areaVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heat exchanger is segmented into distinct functional components: inner pipe, outer pipe, couplings, and gaskets. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using simple cylindrical geometries rather than complex coiled shapes, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining effective heat transfer through the concentric pipe structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If soldering is used to connect fittings to heat exchanger, then connection reliability is improved, but installation time and safety risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the thermal soldering process with a mechanical connection system using couplings and gaskets. The couplings mechanically secure the inner and outer pipes to each other and to the fittings, eliminating the need for open flame soldering operations during installation while maintaining connection reliability through proper mechanical fastening and sealing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If plumber intervention after pipe installation is required, then heat exchanger functionality is ensured, but installation difficulty and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat exchanger functionalityVSAvoidinstallation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The heat exchanger is designed as a pre-assembled modular unit with the inner pipe, outer pipe, couplings, and gaskets configured together before installation. This preliminary assembly allows the unit to be installed as a complete component during the rough-in phase of construction, eliminating the need for post-installation plumber intervention while ensuring proper functionality through factory-prepared connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 solution reduces manufacturing costs, simplifies installation, and enhances heat transfer efficiency while eliminating the risks associated with soldering, making it a more cost-effective and safer option for heat recovery from wastewater.

Implementation Method 1

a turbulator sheet located in the interstitial space that causes or increases turbulence of the freshwater for improving heat transfer between the freshwater and the inner pipe

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Implementation Method 2

the outer surface of the inner pipe and the inner surface of the outer pipe define an interstitial space for receiving freshwater, the inner pipe receiving the heat from the wastewater

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS11835301B2Modular heat exchanger and method of assembly thereof

Publication Date: 2023.12.05 ECOINNOVATION TECH INCORPOREE

AI summary

A heat exchanger for recovering heat from wastewater leaving a building and transferring the heat to freshwater for use in the building; it has an inner pipe defining an inner space for receiving wastewater that is being evacuated from the building; an outer pipe, wherein the inner pipe is placed in the outer pipe, and the outer surface of the inner pipe and the inner surface of the outer pipe define an interstitial space for receiving freshwater; a turbulator sheet located in the interstitial space that causes or increases turbulence of the freshwater for improving heat transfer between the freshwater and the wastewater; and two couplings, one on either end of the outer pipe and the inner pipe.