Plate Heat Exchanger Brazing via Internal Gas Flow Heating
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing brazing methods for plate heat exchangers are time-consuming and energy-intensive due to slow heat conduction through the plates and inefficient heat transfer.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for brazing plate heat exchangers that involves conducting a gas through nozzles into port openings of the plates, creating a flow of gas through interplate flow channels for rapid, uniform, and energy-efficient heating and cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If heat is transferred through the peripheral surfaces of the stack by radiation and convection, then the brazing process can be completed, but the heat transport inside the stack is slow and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the heat transfer path into multiple segments by introducing gas flow through port openings and interplate flow channels. Instead of relying on a single external heat source, the stack is segmented into multiple zones that can be heated simultaneously from different locations (peripheral surfaces and internal channels), thereby reducing the overall heating time while maintaining brazing quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from one-dimensional heat transfer (external peripheral heating only) to three-dimensional heat transfer by introducing internal gas flow channels. The heating gas is conducted through port openings and distributed via interplate flow channels, enabling heat to be applied from multiple spatial dimensions simultaneously, which dramatically reduces the time required to heat the entire stack.
2Use of energy by stationary object
If conventional brazing methods are used with external heating only, then the process is simpler, but considerable amounts of energy are required for heating
Solution Approach 1:
The plate heat exchanger stack itself serves as the heat distribution system. The interplate flow channels, which are already part of the exchanger structure, are utilized to conduct heating gas internally. This eliminates the need for separate external heating systems and reduces energy consumption by using the object's own structure for heat distribution, while the added complexity is minimal since it uses existing components.
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 approach significantly reduces brazing cycle times, improves product properties by minimizing exposure to elevated temperatures, and enhances mechanical and corrosion properties of the heat exchanger.
Implementation Method 1
conducting a gas for changing the temperature of the stack of heat exchanger plates through a plurality of nozzles inside the heating chamber
Implementation Method 2
the rapid, more uniform and energy efficient heating and/or cooling during a brazing process
Implementation Method 3
the furnace is heated to a temperature sufficiently high to at least partially melt the brazing material. After the temperature of the furnace has been lowered, the brazing material will solidify
Implementation Method 4
the brazing material will solidify, whereupon the heat exchanger plates will be joined to one another
Data Source
AI summary
A method for brazing a plate heat exchanger (10) having a stack of heat exchanger plates with depressions and elevations forming interplate flow channels and port openings being in selective fluid communication with said interplate flow channels, the method comprising the steps of placing the stack of heat exchanger plates in a heating chamber (16) of a furnace (15), conducting a gas for changing the temperature of the stack of heat exchanger plates through a plurality of nozzles (23) inside the heating chamber (16), and conducting gas from at least one of said nozzles (23) into at least one of the port openings (O1-O4) of the stack of heat exchanger plates. Disclosed is also a system for brazing a plate heat exchanger (10).