Plate-Fin Heat Exchanger Flow Diverters for Maldistribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional plate heat exchangers suffer from single and multiple-phase flow maldistribution of working fluids, which degrades heat transfer efficiency and impacts overall thermal management system performance.
Innovation Solution
A plate heat exchanger with unique flow circuitry featuring flow diverters formed at angles within the flow channels to redirect fluid flow, optimizing the use of heat transfer surfaces without altering external inlet and outlet ports.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional flow channels are used in plate heat exchanger, then the structure is simple, but flow maldistribution occurs degrading heat transfer efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The flow channels are segmented into multiple sections by inserting flow distributors between the inlet and outlet manifolds. These distributors divide the single-phase flow into multiple streams that are distributed across different heat transfer channels, preventing flow maldistribution and improving heat transfer efficiency without requiring a complete redesign of the plate structure
Solution Approach 2:
Flow distributors are introduced as intermediary components within the flow channels. These distributors act as mediators that receive single-phase flow from the inlet manifold and redistribute it across multiple channels, ensuring uniform flow distribution and eliminating the harmful effect of flow maldistribution while maintaining structural simplicity
2Productivity
If flow distributors are added to improve flow distribution, then heat transfer efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow distributors are merged with the plate heat exchanger structure by being integrally formed with the plates or securely attached to them. This merging approach allows the flow distribution function to be added without significantly increasing device complexity, as the distributors become part of the overall plate assembly rather than separate components requiring additional assembly steps
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
Improves fluid distribution and enhances thermal energy transfer efficiency, minimizing complexity and maintaining performance even in low-flow conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a flow diverter formed in the sheet between the inflow opening and the outflow opening, wherein the flow diverter is formed at an angle to a direction of the flow of the fluid from the inflow opening to the outflow opening
Implementation Method 2
two working fluids, for example, a refrigerant and a coolant, flows through intermediate spaces between adjacent plates
Implementation Method 3
the refrigerant flows from a first side of the plate heat exchanger to the opposite second side of the plate heat exchanger, while the coolant flows parallel to the refrigerant or in the opposite direction
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger comprising a plurality of first plates and a plurality of second plates alternatingly arranged to form one or more first flow paths for a first fluid and one or more second flow paths for a second fluid. At least one thermal energy transfer device disposed in the first flow path and/or the second flow path. The at least one thermal energy transfer device comprises a sheet of material having an inflow opening, an outflow opening, a plurality of flow channels, and a flow diverter formed in the sheet between the inflow opening and the outflow opening. The flow diverter is formed at an angle to the direction of the flow of the at least one fluid from the inflow opening to the outflow opening.