Modular Heat Exchanger Wetting for Precise Cooling Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat exchangers in industrial cooling plants face inefficiencies in energy consumption and operational costs due to the need for high chilling capacities, with previous solutions like finned heat exchangers and microchannel designs limited by material costs and abrupt power increases when wetting is initiated.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger design with multiple modules, each equipped with independent wetting apparatus that can be selectively activated to match cooling capacity demands, allowing for precise temperature regulation and reduced consumption of wetting media, while extending the service life of the apparatus by sequential wetting of modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a wetting apparatus is provided for the heat exchanger, then cooling efficiency is improved, but energy consumption increases abruptly when wetting is initiated
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is divided into multiple modules (first module, second module, etc.), each with its own independent wetting apparatus. This segmentation allows selective activation of wetting in specific modules based on cooling demands, avoiding abrupt energy increases across the entire system and enabling gradual, controlled energy consumption adjustment.
2Measurement precision
If the wetting apparatus is activated to increase cooling capacity, then temperature control precision is improved, but the service life of the wetting apparatus decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The wetting apparatus is designed to be dynamically controllable, allowing selective and sequential activation of different modules. This dynamic operation enables precise temperature control when needed while allowing periods of reduced operation to extend the service life of the wetting components, creating a flexible balance between precision and durability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple wetting apparatus are provided for multiple modules, then adaptability to cooling demands is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into multiple independent modules, each with its own wetting apparatus. This modular segmentation improves adaptability to varying cooling demands in different zones while managing complexity through standardized module designs that can be independently controlled and maintained.
Solution Approach 2:
Each module can be independently wetted based on local cooling requirements, allowing different parts of the heat exchanger to have different wetting states. This local quality approach enhances adaptability to specific cooling demands in different regions without requiring complex centralized control of the entire system.
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 enhances cooling efficiency, reduces energy consumption by up to 95% compared to prior art, extends the service life of the wetting apparatus, and allows for precise temperature control, avoiding abrupt power increases and minimizing material usage.
Implementation Method 1
a third fluid medium wets the second fluid medium or the heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
heat exchange between a first fluid medium and a second fluid medium
Implementation Method 3
The heat transfer rate and the efficiency are essentially determined by the temperature difference between the fins, on the one hand, and the pipe or pipes, on the other hand
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger including at least one first module and one second module for the heat exchange between a first fluid medium and a second fluid medium, wherein the first fluid medium can be conducted through a closed channel system separate from the second fluid medium, with the closed channel system being able to be flowed around by the second fluid medium and with the second fluid medium being gaseous. A first wetting apparatus is provided for the first module and a second wetting apparatus is provided for the second module by means of which the first module and the second module can be wetted by a third fluid medium, with the first wetting apparatus for the first module being able to be actuated independently of the wetting apparatus for the second module.