Parallel Tube Heat Booster for Pressure-Stable Thermodynamic Flow

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing thermodynamic systems for producing heat by compressing a fluid struggle to increase the temperature of the fluid upstream of a heat exchanger without altering the setpoint pressure, leading to inefficiencies and potential pressure changes due to geometric transformations in the channel structure.

Innovation Solution

The system organizes the channel conveying the compressed fluid into a plurality of elementary channels with specific geometric configurations, including inlet and outlet chambers designed to maintain pressure and flow rate, utilizing a combination of flare and Venturi effect principles to minimize pressure changes and enhance heat transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the channel is transformed from a single pipe to a plurality of elementary channels, then the heat transfer efficiency is improved, but the pressure stability deteriorates due to geometric structural changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoidpressure stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The single channel is divided into multiple elementary channels arranged in parallel, increasing the surface area for heat transfer while maintaining fluid flow characteristics. This segmentation allows heat to be transferred more efficiently across multiple smaller pathways rather than one large channel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The elementary channels are arranged concentrically with an inner channel and an outer channel, creating a nested structure where the inner channel is surrounded by the outer channel. This nested arrangement maximizes heat transfer surface area while maintaining compact geometry and pressure stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Temperature

If the channel geometry is modified to increase heat transfer, then the temperature increase is improved, but the pressure change becomes harmful

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid temperatureVSAvoidpressure deviation
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Different sections of the channel system have different geometric properties optimized for their specific functions. The elementary channels have smaller diameters optimized for heat transfer, while the inlet and outlet chambers have larger dimensions optimized for maintaining pressure stability and reducing flow resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Inlet and outlet chambers are introduced as intermediary structures between the single inlet/outlet pipes and the multiple elementary channels. These chambers act as buffers that distribute incoming flow evenly to all elementary channels and collect outflow, preventing pressure fluctuations that would occur with direct connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If the cumulative sections of elementary channels match the main section, then the flow rate is maintained, but the pressure control becomes difficult due to transition zones

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid flow rateVSAvoidpressure control
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

Inlet and outlet chambers serve as intermediary structures that facilitate smooth transitions between the single main channel and multiple elementary channels. These chambers reduce flow resistance at transition zones by providing gradual area changes rather than abrupt expansions or contractions, thereby maintaining pressure control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The inlet chamber is designed with a flare that dynamically adapts the flow distribution to the multiple elementary channels. The flared geometry gradually expands the flow area, allowing smooth distribution of fluid into the parallel channels while maintaining velocity and pressure characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 configuration results in a significant increase in fluid temperature, up to 50% of the initial temperature, while maintaining the setpoint pressure, thereby improving heat production efficiency without substantial pressure modifications.

Implementation Method 1

means for producing heat by compression of a first fluid, gas in particular, which implement a compressor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdiabatic compression: Adiabatic Heating

Implementation Method 2

utilizing a combination of flare and Venturi effect principles to minimize pressure changes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVenturi effect: Venturi Effect

Implementation Method 3

a heat exchanger apparatus between the pressurized first fluid and a second fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP2174075B1Thermodynamic system employing a device for producing heat by passing a fluid at pressure through a plurality of tubes
Publication Date: 2011.09.21 IB NTEC
  • EP2174075B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2174075B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

This invention relates to a device (5) for the secondary production of heat intended to be fitted to a closed-circuit thermodynamic system combining primary means (1) for the production of heat by compression of a fluid, with a heat exchanger (2), these being connected together by a fluid flow channel (3). This device (5) consists primarily of a plurality of elementary channels (8, 9) interposed between an inlet chamber (11) and an outlet chamber (13), each of these chambers (11, 13) having an inlet duct (10) and an outlet duct (12), respectively, said ducts being coaxial and their respective main cross sections being identical and corresponding to the sum of the sections of the elementary channels (8, 9).