Partitioned Heat Exchanger Core for Compact High-Pressure Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat exchangers face challenges in achieving a compact design while maintaining high pressure resistance, especially when fluids with high pressure flow through them, leading to potential damage to the heat exchange core.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger design featuring a heat exchange core surrounded by a shell with a first partition wall that separates the core into adjacent header spaces, allowing for compact construction and enhanced pressure resistance, along with a method for replacing the heat exchange core by uncoupling, moving, and recoupling it within the shell.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a heat exchange core with multiple flow path layers is used to reduce the size of the heat exchanger, then the compactness is improved, but the pressure resistance performance deteriorates when high pressure fluids flow through
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchange core is divided into multiple flow path layers (first flow path layer, second flow path layer, etc.) that are stacked and separated by partition walls. This segmentation allows the compact heat exchanger to maintain structural integrity under high pressure by distributing the pressure load across multiple separated layers rather than a single continuous structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple flow path layers are nested within each other in a stacked configuration, with each layer containing flow paths and being separated by partition walls. This nested arrangement achieves compactness by utilizing three-dimensional space efficiently while maintaining the pressure resistance of individual layers.
2Volume of moving object
If the heat exchange core is designed for compactness, then the volume is reduced, but the reliability under high pressure conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The compact heat exchange core is segmented into multiple flow path layers with partition walls between them. This segmentation enhances reliability under high pressure by preventing pressure-induced damage to the entire core structure, as each layer can independently withstand pressure loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchange core employs a composite structure combining multiple flow path layers, partition walls, and support ribs. This composite design maintains reliability under high pressure while achieving compactness through the integrated multi-layer configuration.
3Strength
If a shell and tube type heat exchanger is used, then the pressure resistance performance is improved, but the size increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple flow path layers are nested within a compact stacked arrangement, replacing the extended shell and tube configuration. This nesting achieves compactness by utilizing vertical stacking rather than horizontal expansion, while maintaining pressure resistance through the layered structure with partition walls.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchange core transitions from the traditional horizontal shell and tube arrangement to a vertical stacked configuration with multiple flow path layers. This dimensional change achieves compactness by utilizing the vertical dimension while maintaining pressure resistance through the structured layered design.
4Volume of moving object
If the heat exchange core is made compact with stacked flow path layers, then the volume is reduced, but the ease of repair deteriorates when core damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchange core is segmented into multiple replaceable flow path layers. When damage occurs, individual layers or the entire core can be independently replaced without replacing the entire heat exchanger assembly, improving ease of repair while maintaining compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchange core is designed as a separate, extractable component from the heat exchanger housing. This allows the core to be easily removed and replaced as a single unit, improving maintenance ease while the compact stacked design maintains reduced overall volume.
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 results in a compact heat exchanger with improved pressure resistance performance, reducing the likelihood of damage from high fluid pressures and facilitating easy replacement of the heat exchange core.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchange element (heat exchange core) for performing heat exchange between two fluids has a plurality of flow path groups that extend along the directions in which the fluids flow. When the two fluids flow through the plurality of flow path groups, heat exchange is performed via a partition wall or the like that separates the two fluids
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger according to one embodiment includes: a heat exchange core; a shell provided to surround the heat exchange core; and a first partition wall that is provided in a space surrounded by an outer surface of the heat exchange core and an inner surface of the shell, and partitions the space into a first header space communicating with the heat exchange core and a second header space communicating with the heat exchange core. The first header space and the second header space are adjacent to each other, separated by the first partition wall.