Offset Corrugated Heat Transfer Surface for Reduced Pressure Drop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heat transfer surfaces in heat exchangers enhance performance but often increase pressure drop, negatively impacting overall heat transfer efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A heat transfer surface design featuring transverse rows of corrugations with offset bridge portions and fin surface portions, incorporating heat transfer enhancement features like ridges or openings, to create a more turbulent flow path while minimizing pressure drop.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If heat transfer surfaces (turbulizers) are positioned inside fluid flow passages to increase heat transfer performance, then heat transfer surface area is increased, but pressure drop through the fluid channel increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat transfer surface is segmented into multiple transverse rows of corrugations with discrete bridge portions and fin surface portions, creating a modular structure that distributes flow disruption across multiple segments rather than a continuous obstruction, thereby maintaining heat transfer area while reducing overall pressure drop
Solution Approach 2:
The corrugations feature curved or sinusoidal profiles rather than sharp angular transitions, and the bridge portions have rounded contours that promote smoother fluid flow transitions, reducing flow separation and turbulence-induced pressure losses while maintaining effective heat transfer surface area
2Productivity
If corrugations are positioned in rows to enhance heat transfer, then heat transfer performance is improved, but friction losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heat transfer surface employs alternating upper and lower bridge portions with fin surface portions in between, creating zones of different flow characteristics along the axial direction. This local variation in structure allows optimized heat transfer in fin regions while reducing friction in bridge regions, achieving balanced performance
Solution Approach 2:
The corrugations are arranged in periodic transverse rows with alternating offset patterns, creating a repeating sequence of flow disruption and recovery zones. This periodic structure enhances heat transfer through controlled turbulence while allowing flow to periodically recover, reducing cumulative friction losses compared to continuous disruption
3Productivity
If corrugations in adjacent rows are offset to create turbulent flow paths, then heat transfer is enhanced, but pressure drop increases
Solution Approach 1:
Adjacent rows of corrugations are offset asymmetrically relative to each other, creating staggered flow paths that enhance turbulence and heat transfer. The asymmetric offset pattern prevents symmetric flow alignment that would create high-velocity channels, distributing flow more evenly while maintaining turbulence benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The offset corrugation rows create nested flow paths where fluid flows through alternating upper and lower channels formed by adjacent rows. This nested arrangement maximizes the use of available space for heat transfer while keeping the overall structure compact, enhancing heat transfer without proportionally increasing pressure drop
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 transfer performance while reducing friction losses, resulting in improved pressure drop characteristics and overall efficiency compared to traditional turbulizers.
Implementation Method 1
heat transfer surfaces, often referred to as turbulizers, that are positioned either inside or outside the fluid flow passages of the heat exchanger to increase and/or enhance overall heat transfer performance
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of fin surface portions extending between and interconnecting the spaced apart upper and lower bridge portions
Data Source
AI summary
A heat transfer surface for use in conjunction with a heat exchanger is disclosed. The heat transfer surface a corrugated member where rows of corrugations that are offset relative to each other forming at least an alternating series of first and second rows or first, second and third rows. In some embodiments the heat transfer surface includes a heat transfer enhancement feature disposed within individual corrugations of the corrugated member to provide a more turbulent or tortuous fluid flow path through the heat transfer surface. In some example embodiments the heat transfer enhancement feature is a ridge disposed in the planar portions of at least some of the rows of corrugations. In other example embodiments the planar fin portions are porous fin surfaces. In other embodiments, the corrugated member cooperates with heat transfer enhancement features in the form of triangular protuberances disposed on their inner surfaces of spaced apart plates.