Plate Heat Exchanger Leakage Detection via Single Drain Nozzle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plate heat exchangers face challenges in timely detection of fluid leakage, which can lead to fluid loss and potential unhealthy or dangerous conditions, and do not allow for easy stopping of fluid leakage during repair.
Innovation Solution
A plate heat exchanger design featuring a single outlet fluid collector and a single drain nozzle, with separation channels adjacent to both fluid channels, allowing for immediate detection and easy containment of fluid leakage through a single discharge point.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple drain nozzles are used to discharge leaking fluid, then fluid leakage can be detected, but detection is delayed and fluid loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple drain nozzles into a single drain nozzle that collects fluid from all separation channels. This merging allows centralized detection of leakage from any channel through one common outlet, enabling timely detection while preventing fluid loss that occurs when multiple分散ed nozzles delay detection.
2Reliability
If multiple drain nozzles are provided, then leakage can be detected, but leaking fluid enters unwanted spaces creating dangerous conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges all drain nozzles into a single centralized drain that collects leaking fluid from all separation channels. This consolidation ensures that fluid leaks are channeled to one controlled discharge point, preventing fluid from entering unwanted spaces and creating dangerous conditions while maintaining reliable leakage detection.
3Reliability
If multiple drain nozzles are used, then fluid leakage can be detected, but leakage cannot be temporarily stopped during repair
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines all drain nozzles into a single drain nozzle with one common outlet. This merger enables easy temporary containment of leakage during repair by allowing a single plug or closure element to seal all separation channels simultaneously, whereas multiple分散ed nozzles would require multiple separate closure operations.
4Reliability
If multiple drain nozzles are provided, then leakage detection is possible, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual drain nozzles into a single drain nozzle that serves all separation channels. This consolidation reduces device complexity by eliminating redundant components while maintaining the ability to detect leakage from any channel through the unified drain structure.
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
Enables rapid detection and containment of fluid leakage, reducing fluid loss and preventing unhealthy conditions, while allowing for temporary stopping of leakage during repairs.
Implementation Method 1
metal plates are used to transfer heat between two fluids... the two fluids exchange their thermal content
Implementation Method 2
the heat exchanger plates stacked onto one another and placed in a furnace having a temperature sufficiently hot to at least partially melt the brazing material... After the temperature of the furnace has been lowered, the brazing material will solidify
Implementation Method 3
the separation channels are in fluid communication with the single outlet fluid collector only... A single drain nozzle is provided on the single outlet fluid collector for the discharge to the external environment of any fluids flowing into the separation channels
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3~4
AI summary
A plate heat exchanger (10) comprises a plurality of heat exchanger plates (12A, 12B, 14, 16) which are stacked onto one another. The heat exchanger plates (12A, 12B, 14, 16) are obtained by forming from respective metal sheets and are permanently joined to each other through a joining technology of metallic materials, so as to form a plate package (30) provided with first plate interspaces, which form respective first channels (32) of a first circulation circuit for a first fluid, second plate interspaces, which form respective second channels (34) of a second circulation circuit for a second fluid, and third plate interspaces, which form respective separation channels (36) between the first channels (32) and the second channels (34). The separation channels (36) are arranged adjacent to both the first channels (32) and the second channels (34). Each heat exchanger plate (12A, 12B, 14, 16) is provided with a plurality of portholes (P1, P2, P3, P4) which communicates with the first channels (32) and the second channels (34). Each heat exchanger plate (12A, 12B, 14, 16) is provided with one or more side edges (26, 28) which form the outer perimeter of the heat exchanger plates (12A, 12B, 14, 16). A single outlet fluid collector (38) is arranged on one of the side edges (26, 28). The separation channels (36) are sealed with respect to the first channels (32), the second channels (34) and the side edges (26, 28). The separation channels (36) are in fluid communication with the single outlet fluid collector (38) only. A single drain nozzle (40) is provided on the single outlet fluid collector (38) for the discharge to the external environment of any fluids flowing into the separation channels (36) and through the single outlet fluid collector (38).