Modular Stackable Elements for Mass and Heat Exchange Device Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for constructing and modifying mass and heat exchange devices, such as air separation and distillation apparatuses, require significant human effort and time due to the assembly of heterogeneous packages, and are complicated by the need for precise dimensions and insulation, making them difficult to assemble and modify quickly with unskilled labor.
Innovation Solution
A method using modular elements with a parallelepipedic design, where each element has a layer of thermal insulation and openings for fluid transfer, allowing for easy stacking and connection, enabling quick assembly and modification by unskilled labor, and facilitating the addition or removal of elements to adjust capacity and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heterogeneous packages containing entire equipment are assembled, then the device can be constructed with complete functional units, but significant human effort and time are required for assembly and start-up
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is divided into multiple modular elements of identical geometry (parallelepipedic boxes with standardized dimensions), each containing a chamber with mass/heat exchange body. These standardized modules can be assembled like building blocks, eliminating the need for complex custom fitting and reducing assembly time while maintaining functional completeness through systematic arrangement of identical units.
Solution Approach 2:
Each modular element is designed with universal standardized dimensions and identical external geometry, allowing any module to serve multiple positions and functions within the apparatus. The standardized openings and chamber configurations enable modules to be interchangeably arranged to create different functional configurations, reducing the need for specialized custom components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If equipment is arranged in packages with different dimensions to fit specific equipment, then the device can accommodate various equipment sizes, but assembly becomes complicated and requires skilled labor
Solution Approach 1:
While the external geometry of all modules is standardized, the internal chamber dimensions and mass/heat exchange body configurations can be varied within each module type. This allows customization of local functional properties (adsorption capacity, heat exchange surface area) while maintaining uniform external dimensions for easy assembly, thus achieving both adaptability and ease of operation.
3Loss of energy
If insulation material is filled around assembled columns, then thermal insulation is achieved, but the process requires cranes and complicated assembly procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The modular elements are designed with insulation layers already integrated into their structure before assembly. The insulation chambers are pre-configured within each module, so that thermal insulation is automatically achieved through the modular arrangement itself, eliminating the need for separate insulation filling operations and heavy lifting equipment.
4Reliability
If the apparatus is constructed as a fixed installation, then stable operation is achieved, but modification of capacity and product content becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is designed with dynamically reconfigurable modular elements that can be easily added, removed, or rearranged. The standardized interfaces and identical geometries allow for flexible modification of system capacity and configuration without compromising the stability of the installed system, enabling the apparatus to adapt to changing operational requirements while maintaining reliable operation.
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
This approach simplifies the construction and modification of mass and heat exchange devices, reducing assembly time and labor requirements, allowing for quick installation, easy capacity adjustments, and efficient energy use, while maintaining stability and insulation integrity.
Implementation Method 1
the box containing at least one layer of thermal insulation, the layer of insulation covering at least the side faces and front of the box
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 1c
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for constructing or altering a matter- and/or heat-exchange device, said mass- and/or heat-exchange device comprising an assembly of at least one first and one second stackable modular elements (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L), in which the first element is secured to the second element or the second element is secured below the first element in a sealed manner, such that a fluid can flow from the body of the first element towards the body of the second element and/or from the body of the second element towards the body of the first element.