Plate Heat Exchanger Module Uniform Flow Distribution
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat exchanger modules with stacked plates and integrated fluid circuits face challenges in achieving uniform fluid distribution, particularly between plates, which compromises thermal efficiency and thermomechanical strength, while maintaining compactness, especially in applications like fast neutron reactors where liquid metal and gas exchange is critical.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a stack of plates with fluid circulation channels defined by grooves, featuring a feeding zone, bifurcation zone, and connection zone, allowing channel communication within and between plates to ensure homogeneous fluid distribution without additional components, reducing the number of channels and manifold size, and enhancing thermomechanical integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional stacked plate heat exchanger design is used, then compactness is maintained, but fluid distribution uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The channel is divided into three distinct zones: feeding zone with parallel channels, bifurcation zone where channels split, and connection zone with curved profiles. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function optimally, improving fluid distribution uniformity while maintaining a manageable structural complexity through systematic zoning.
Solution Approach 2:
The channel transitions from straight parallel configuration in the feeding zone to curved profiles in the connection zone, and then to bifurcated straight channels in the bifurcation zone. This dimensional transformation of the channel geometry enables controlled fluid redistribution, achieving uniform distribution without requiring additional complex components.
2Manufacturing precision
If additional components are added to improve fluid distribution, then distribution uniformity improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The feeding zone, connection zone, and bifurcation zone are merged into a single integrated channel structure within the plate, eliminating the need for separate distribution components. This integration achieves uniform fluid distribution while avoiding additional parts, thereby maintaining device simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The channel structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it guides fluid flow, distributes fluid uniformly through its geometric design, and integrates with the stacked plate configuration. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated distribution devices, reducing overall device complexity.
3Volume of moving object
If channel size is reduced to maintain compactness, then compactness improves, but head losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
Different zones of the channel have different geometric qualities optimized for their specific functions: the feeding zone has parallel channels for uniform flow, the connection zone has curved profiles for smooth transitions, and the bifurcation zone has optimized split angles. This local optimization reduces turbulence and head losses while maintaining compact overall dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The channel geometry parameters (curvature radius, bifurcation angle, channel spacing) are optimized to minimize head losses. The curved connection zones provide smooth transitions that reduce flow separation, and the bifurcation geometry is designed to balance flow distribution, thereby reducing energy losses in the compact channel configuration.
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 configuration ensures homogeneous fluid distribution, reduces head losses, and maintains compactness, improving thermal efficiency and thermomechanical strength, as validated by computational fluid dynamics calculations for liquid sodium in a fourth-generation nuclear reactor context.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger module with longitudinal axis (X) comprising a stack of plates defining at least two fluid circuits... exchanges of heat are effected between the two fluid circuits
Implementation Method 2
the channels of at least one of the two circuits, termed the first circuit... in which the fluid circulates
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger module with a longitudinal axis including a stack of plates defining at least two fluid circuits, at least a portion of the plates each including fluid circulation channels each delimited, at least in part, by a groove. A communication is produced between the channels within a same plate and between all the plates of a same circuit, in a feed or pre-collector zone, with a succession of channel groupings, two-by-two, in the form of bifurcations.