Packed Bed Heat Exchanger with Multi-Direction Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat exchanger systems for carbon dioxide removal in closed environments, such as spacecraft and submarines, face challenges in size, weight, manufacturing complexity, and cost, while also requiring efficient heat transfer and multi-directional airflow to maintain isothermal operation.
Innovation Solution
A packed bed heat exchanger design featuring alternating fin layers with lanced offset fins and perforated sheets made of aluminum, configured to facilitate multi-directional airflow and thermal coupling between adjacent beds, allowing for efficient heat transfer and carbon dioxide adsorption and desorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If open cell foam filled with CO2 adsorbent material is used, then carbon dioxide removal function is achieved, but size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a packed bed structure with porous sorbent material contained within a frame and fin assembly. The porous structure provides high surface area for CO2 adsorption while maintaining compact dimensions, eliminating the need for bulky open cell foam configurations.
2Temperature
If traditional heat exchanger design is used, then heat transfer is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is segmented into multiple fin layers (first fin layer, second fin layer, third fin layer) separated by perforated sheets. This modular segmentation allows for simplified manufacturing of individual components that are later assembled, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining effective heat transfer surface area.
Solution Approach 2:
Perforated sheets serve as intermediary components between fin layers, providing thermal coupling while allowing airflow passage. These intermediate elements simplify the overall structure by combining support, thermal conduction, and flow management functions into single components.
3Device complexity
If single-direction airflow is used, then simple structure is maintained, but isothermal operation and sorbent material life are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The fin structures incorporate lanced offset fins arranged in alternating patterns across multiple layers, creating three-dimensional airflow pathways. This multi-directional flow configuration enables uniform heat distribution throughout the packed bed in multiple spatial dimensions, maintaining isothermal operation without significantly increasing structural complexity.
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 enables efficient heat transfer between adjacent packed beds, maintaining isothermal operation and extending the life of sorbent materials by alternating adsorption and desorption processes, thus optimizing energy use and reducing system complexity and cost.
Implementation Method 1
The first fin layer may be thermally coupled to the second fin layer... efficient heat transfer... maintaining isothermal operation
Implementation Method 2
A sorbent material may be disposed within a volume defined by at least one of the first fin layer or the second fin layer... configured to adsorb carbon dioxide
Implementation Method 3
Heat generated exothermically by adsorption of carbon dioxide by the first sorbent material may be transferred to the second packed bed
Data Source
AI summary
A packed bed for a heat exchanger may comprise a frame and a first fin layer disposed within the frame. A second fin layer may be disposed within the frame. A first perforated sheet may be disposed between the first fin layer and the second fin layer. A sorbent material may be disposed within a volume of at least one of the first fin layer or the second fin layer.