Plate Heat Exchanger Guiding Ribs for Even Flow Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plate heat exchangers face issues with uneven distribution of heat exchange medium, which affects heat transfer performance, and turbulence in flow increases with larger dimensions, leading to decreased efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A plate heat exchanger design featuring guiding ribs and corrugated fins to evenly distribute heat exchange medium, with aligned channels and integrated guiding ribs to manage flow and prevent bypass channels, enhancing heat transfer performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the diameter of inlet and outlet channels is increased to enable large volume flow, then the exposed area of channels increases and flow distribution becomes more even, but the overall dimensions of the plate heat exchanger increase leading to turbulence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the flow passages into multiple smaller parallel passages instead of using large diameter channels. This segmentation approach maintains high volume flow capacity while keeping individual channel dimensions small enough to prevent turbulence, thereby resolving the contradiction between productivity and harmful flow effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional flow distribution approach to a three-dimensional arrangement with multiple parallel flow passages distributed through the plate thickness. This dimensional change allows achieving even flow distribution without increasing the horizontal channel diameter that would cause turbulence.
2Device complexity
If distribution channels are pressed directly in the heat exchanger plate, then the structure is simplified, but uneven distribution of heat exchange medium occurs affecting heat transfer performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different structural characteristics to different regions of the plate. The port portions have specific geometric features and the flow passages have tailored cross-sections optimized for distribution, while the heat exchange portions have surfaces optimized for heat transfer. This local optimization ensures even distribution without requiring complex overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates distribution channels and flow passage geometry into the plate design before the heat exchange process occurs. The channels are pre-formed with specific cross-sectional shapes and dimensions that actively guide and distribute the heat exchange medium evenly across all parallel passages, preventing uneven distribution before it can affect heat transfer performance.
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 improves heat exchange performance by ensuring even distribution and minimizing turbulence, resulting in increased efficiency and reduced pressure drop.
Implementation Method 1
first guiding ribs are arranged in the port portions, which first guiding ribs in every other flow passage between the heat exchanger plates are configured to guide and distribute the first heat exchange medium from the first inlet channel to the heat exchange portion and from the heat exchange portion to the first outlet channel
Implementation Method 2
fins are arranged in the heat exchange portion of the flow passages between the adjacent heat exchanger plates, which fins creates a number of parallel guide channels for each of the first and second heat exchange medium
Implementation Method 3
the heat exchange medium is distributed to a fin insert. After the heat exchange medium has passed the fin insert
Implementation Method 4
the fins are created by a corrugated sheet metal, which has wave peaks and wave troughs
Implementation Method 5
a number of the first and second guiding ribs extend into the mixing zone and abut against the respective end portion of the fins for positioning and guidance of the corrugated sheet metal of fins in the heat exchange portion of the flow passages
Implementation Method 6
The joints between the plates have a pressure bearing function and can thus resist pressures from the heat exchange medium in the plate heat exchangers
Implementation Method 7
first inlet and outlet channels through the package for a first heat exchange medium, which communicate with every other flow passage between the heat exchanger plates, and second inlet and outlet channels through the package for a second heat exchange medium, which communicate with remaining flow passages between the heat exchanger plates
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a plate heat exchanger comprising: a package of heat exchanger plates, each having a peripheral portion and several port portions with through flow ports communicating with flow passages between adjacent heat exchanger plates. First guiding ribs are arranged in the port portions, which first guiding ribs in every other flow passage between the heat exchanger plates are configured to guide and distribute the first heat exchange medium from a first inlet channel to a heat exchange portion and from the heat exchange portion to a first outlet channel, and in that second guiding ribs are arranged in the port portions, which second guiding ribs in the remaining flow passages between the heat exchanger plates are configured to guide and distribute a second heat exchange medium from a second inlet channel to the heat exchange portion and from the heat exchange portion to a second outlet channel.