Plate Heat Exchanger Channel Layout for Uniform Refrigerant Distribution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional plate heat exchangers face challenges in achieving uniform refrigerant distribution due to mal-distribution issues, particularly in two-phase flows, which affect the integral performance of evaporators, and existing solutions rely on distributors that are difficult to design and manufacture.
Innovation Solution
A plate heat exchanger design that separates fluid channels into upstream and downstream portions with a fluid communication device, such as a chamber, allowing for independent refrigerant distribution without the need for distributors, optimizing refrigerant distribution and heat transfer by varying flow resistance and using a mixing chamber for uniform pressure distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If distributors (guide duct, guide ring, embedded distributor) are used to control refrigerant mass flow rate, then refrigerant distribution uniformity is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the distributor component from the heat exchanger system entirely. Instead of using guide ducts, guide rings, or embedded distributors to control refrigerant flow, the patent achieves uniform distribution through the inherent channel geometry and flow dynamics of the simplified structure, thereby eliminating manufacturing complexity while maintaining distribution uniformity
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger channels are designed to automatically distribute refrigerant uniformly without external control devices. The channel geometry and flow path configuration enable the system to self-regulate refrigerant distribution based on pressure differentials and flow characteristics, eliminating the need for complex distributor mechanisms
2Manufacturing precision
If distributors with small aperture (0.5-2.0 mm) are used to control mass flow rate, then refrigerant distribution is improved, but design and manufacturing challenges increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces complex, precision-manufactured distributor components with simple, easily manufacturable channel structures. The design uses standard fabrication processes without requiring precise small aperture drilling or complex assembly, making the system easier and more cost-effective to manufacture while achieving the same refrigerant distribution control function
3Productivity
If refrigerant mal-distribution occurs in two-phase flow, then integral performance of evaporator deteriorates, but the problem is difficult to solve due to complicated application conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies different channel geometry characteristics to different sections of the heat exchanger to optimize two-phase flow distribution. By varying channel dimensions, curvature, or cross-sectional area along the flow path, the design addresses local flow conditions and pressure differentials that cause mal-distribution, thereby improving overall evaporator performance without requiring complex global control mechanisms
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 achieves uniform refrigerant distribution, reduces manufacturing difficulties, expands application scopes, lowers total pressure drop, and enhances heat transfer efficiency during both evaporation and condensation processes.
Implementation Method 1
using a mixing chamber for uniform pressure distribution
Implementation Method 2
the refrigerant entered into the heat exchanger is in a two-phase manner, since complicated application conditions and two-phase flows
Implementation Method 3
heat exchange plates each forms one or more first fluid channels and one or more second fluid channels, wherein a first fluid flows in the one or more first fluid channels, while a second fluid flows in the one or more second fluid channels
Data Source
AI summary
The prevent invention provides a plate heat exchanger. The plate heat exchanger comprises heat exchange plates each forms one or more first fluid channels and one or more second fluid channels. The one or more first fluid channels each has a fluid channel upstream portion and a fluid channel downstream portion separated from the fluid channel upstream portion, wherein the fluid channel upstream portion is fluidly communicated via a fluid communication device with the fluid channel downstream portion. The plate heat exchanger according to the present invention achieves uniform distribution of the refrigerant while being independent of the distributors, and, provides different heat exchange regions in the channels on the basis of heat-transfer mechanism correlated to refrigerant evaporation, to reinforce the heat transfer. The plate heat exchanger, without the distributors, according to the present invention not only reduces difficulties on productions and processes, but also, widens practical application scopes and conditions. In addition, as there is no distributor in the plate heat exchanger, compared with other similar products, the refrigerant stream has a lower total pressure drop, which brings more spaces for type selection of the expansion valve.