Plate Heat Exchanger with Segmented Channel-Free Regions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plate heat exchangers face limitations in heat transfer efficiency due to cross-flow configurations, which restrict their performance and functionality.
Innovation Solution
The plate heat exchanger design incorporates alternating channel and channel-free areas, combined with counter-current flow, where the fluid flow is deflected by 30 to 60 degrees, particularly 45 degrees, at the flow start and end, allowing for efficient heat transfer and additional fluid treatment through cross-flow, enabling both counter-current and cross-flow operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If cross-flow configuration is used in plate heat exchanger, then fluid treatment functions are enabled, but heat transfer efficiency is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The plate heat exchanger is divided into distinct channel areas and channel-free areas. The channel areas provide cross-flow paths for fluid treatment, while the channel-free areas maintain counter-current flow for efficient heat transfer. This segmentation allows the same device to perform both heat exchange and fluid treatment functions simultaneously without compromising either performance.
2Productivity
If counter-current flow is used in plate heat exchanger, then heat transfer efficiency is maximized, but additional fluid treatment functions are not available
Solution Approach 1:
Different flow patterns are applied to different local areas of the plate heat exchanger. The channel-free areas are designed with parallel flow paths optimized for counter-current heat exchange, while the channel areas incorporate transverse flow paths that enable fluid treatment functions. This local differentiation allows each area to perform its specialized function while contributing to the overall system performance.
3Ease of operation
If channels are added to all interspaces, then fluid distribution is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding channels to all interspaces, the invention extracts channels only from specific interspaces to create channel areas. The remaining interspaces maintain their simple channel-free design with natural flow distribution. This selective extraction approach provides sufficient fluid distribution where needed while avoiding the manufacturing complexity that would result from universal channel incorporation.
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 heat transfer efficiency, reduces external dimensions, simplifies production and assembly, ensures high reliability and ease of cleaning, and allows for simultaneous dehumidification, cooling, or heating of fluids, while maintaining a long service life and tightness.
Implementation Method 1
the heat-emitting fluid flowing alternately through the successive spaces between the plates in one direction and the heat-absorbing fluid in the opposite direction in the adjacent space
Implementation Method 2
the flow of the fluid varies by 30 to 60 degrees, preferably by 45 degree is deflected in the same plane
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a countercurrent plate heat exchanger having mutually spaced plates, the heat-liberating fluid flowing in one direction alternately through the interspaces located in the plates and following one another, and the heat-accepting fluid flowing in the opposite direction in the adjacent interspace, and parallel flow channels being divided up in the flow direction, wherein the interspaces are in each case divided up such that a first intermediate space region, as a "channel region", is divided up into channels and a second intermediate space region, as a "channel-free region", has no channels and wherein, in the region in which an interspace has a channel region, the adjacent interspace has a channel-free region and, in the region in which an interspace has a channel-free region, the adjacent interspace has a channel region.