Plate Heat Exchanger Distributor for Uniform Flow Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional plate heat exchangers experience uneven distribution of the first fluid medium as the number of heat transfer plates increases, leading to increased circulating resistance and degraded heat exchange performance due to longer fluid medium supply channels.
Innovation Solution
A plate heat exchanger with a distributor that includes a tubular wall with overlapping tubular portions forming a distributing flow channel, allowing the first fluid medium to be distributed evenly to both sides, with outflow portions communicating with the first flow channels, thereby reducing the difference in circulating path lengths and suppressing uneven distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the number of heat transfer plates is increased to increase heat exchange area, then heat exchange performance is improved, but the circulating resistance of the fluid medium increases and uneven distribution occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The distributor is divided into multiple tubular portions (first tubular portion, second tubular portion, third tubular portion) that are stacked in the thickness direction. Each tubular portion has through-holes that align to form distributed flow paths, segmenting the fluid distribution function across multiple levels to reduce circulating resistance while maintaining large heat exchange area
Solution Approach 2:
The distributor extends in the thickness direction (Z-axis) of the heat transfer plates, creating a three-dimensional distribution structure. The tubular portions are stacked vertically with through-holes aligned in the thickness direction, adding a vertical dimension to fluid distribution that reduces horizontal flow path length and circulating resistance
2Area of stationary object
If the number of heat transfer plates is increased to increase heat exchange area, then heat exchange performance is improved, but uneven distribution of fluid medium occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The distributor is segmented into multiple tubular portions with through-holes distributed across different levels. This segmentation creates multiple independent flow paths that converge at the heat transfer plates, ensuring uniform fluid distribution across the large heat exchange area by distributing flow through multiple routes rather than a single long path
Solution Approach 2:
Each tubular portion has through-holes positioned at specific locations (e.g., corners or edges) that correspond to specific heat transfer plates. This local quality approach ensures that each region of the heat exchange area receives appropriate fluid distribution, with the pattern of through-holes in each tubular portion optimized for its specific spatial location
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 distributor effectively reduces the uneven distribution of the first fluid medium, enhancing heat exchange performance by minimizing circulating resistance and maintaining consistent fluid flow across multiple first flow channels.
Implementation Method 1
the first fluid medium A flowing through the first flow channels Fa and the second fluid medium B flowing through the second flow channels Fb exchange heat with each other via the heat transfer plates 101
Implementation Method 2
the distributor has a distributing flow channel through which the first fluid medium can be circulated in two or more tubular portions continuously overlapped in the thickness direction
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention includes: a heat exchanger body including a plurality of heat transfer plates stacked on each other in a certain direction to form a plurality of first flow channels; and a distributor to allow a first fluid medium to be distributed. The plurality of heat transfer plates respectively have through holes at positions corresponding to each other. The through holes are lined up to form a communicating space communicating with the plurality of first flow channels. The distributor has a tubular wall defining a hollow portion and including a plurality of tubular portions overlapped with each other in their thickness direction. The tubular wall has a distributing flow channel in two or more of the plurality of tubular portions. The distributing flow channel includes: a distributing portion allowing the first fluid medium that has flown through the hollow portion to be distributed to one side and an other side in the certain direction; and a plurality of outflow portions each communicating with the one side and the other side of the distributing portion and communicating with the communicating space or the plurality of first flow channels.