Plate Heat Exchanger Corrugation Width for Stronger Plate Joints
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The connection strength between adjacent heat exchange plates in stainless steel plate heat exchangers is inadequate, affecting the working stability and service life of the exchanger.
Innovation Solution
The ratio of the minimum connecting width between the wave crest and wave trough of the heat exchange plate is designed to be within the range of 0.25 to 2.5, ensuring strong connections and preventing issues like false welding and excessive contact that can reduce heat exchange performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the connecting width between wave crest and wave trough is increased, then the connection strength between adjacent plates is improved, but the heat exchange performance deteriorates due to excessive contact area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the ratio of connecting width to corrugation height within the range of 0.25-2.5. This quantitative parameter optimization ensures that the connection width is sufficient to provide strong mechanical bonding between plates while maintaining adequate gap space to preserve heat exchange efficiency, thus resolving the contradiction between connection strength and heat exchange performance
2Reliability
If the connecting width is too small, then the heat exchange performance is maintained, but the connection strength is insufficient leading to false welding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes a minimum threshold for the connecting width by setting the ratio to at least 0.25 of the corrugation height. This parameter boundary ensures that the connection width reaches a sufficient level to prevent false welding and ensure reliable mechanical connection, while still maintaining the heat exchange performance through controlled contact area
3Strength
If the connecting width is increased beyond optimal range, then the connection strength is improved, but the channel volume is reduced affecting fluid flow efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the connecting width parameter by limiting the ratio to a maximum of 2.5 times the corrugation height. This upper bound prevents the connecting width from becoming excessively large, thereby maintaining adequate channel volume for efficient fluid flow while still providing sufficient connection strength through the controlled contact area
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 design enhances the connection strength, improves working stability, and maintains heat exchange performance by preventing welding issues and optimizing channel volumes for efficient fluid flow.
Implementation Method 1
Adjacent heat exchange plates form a network of multi contact points... The connection strength of the contact point directly affects the working stability and service life
Implementation Method 2
heat exchange is performed through the corrugations of the plates... high heat exchange coefficient
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
A plate heat exchanger includes a number of first heat exchange plates and a number of second heat exchange plates. The first heat exchange plate includes a first wave crest and a first wave trough. The second heat exchange plate includes a second wave crest and a second wave trough. Along a thickness direction, a maximum distance between the first wave crest and the first wave trough is h. In a direction of a shortest line connecting tops of adjacent first wave crests, a minimum connecting width of the first wave trough and the second wave crest is W1, and a minimum connecting width of the first wave crest and the second wave trough is W2. At least one of a ratio of W1/h and a ratio of W2/h is within a range of 0.25 to 2.5 to ensure the connection strength between adjacent heat exchange plates.