Plate Heat Exchanger Inner Shell Sealing and Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plate heat exchangers face inefficiencies in heat transfer due to suboptimal flow patterns and require separate flexible flow guides for tightness, and Raucell type heat exchangers lack a solid shell structure at high pressures, leading to underutilization of heat exchange surfaces and increased costs for corrosion resistance.
Innovation Solution
A plate heat exchanger design featuring a plate pack surrounded by two shells, with baffle plates on the outer surface forming flow channels between the inner and outer shells, allowing efficient heat transfer and eliminating the need for separate flow guides, while the inner shell can be made from the same material as the heat exchange plates to avoid mixed-structure welding seams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate flexible flow guides are used to ensure tightness, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity increases and manufacturing precision requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the sealing function directly into the rigid shell structure through precision-machined sealing surfaces and gasket arrangements, eliminating the need for separate flexible flow guides. The shell itself becomes both the structural containment and the sealing element, reducing component count while maintaining reliability through rigid-to-rigid sealing interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the sealing function from separate flexible flow guide components and incorporates it directly into the rigid shell structure. By taking out the need for independent flexible sealing elements and integrating sealing capabilities into the main shell body, the design simplifies the overall device while maintaining tightness requirements.
2Strength
If heat exchange plates are welded tightly together at openings and perimeters, then structural strength is improved, but heat exchange surface area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the welding locations to specific strategic points (openings and perimeters) rather than continuous welding across the entire plate structure. This segmented approach provides structural strength at critical joints while leaving the majority of the plate surface area available for heat exchange, optimizing the balance between mechanical integrity and thermal performance.
3Stress or pressure
If a solid shell structure is used at high pressures, then pressure resistance is improved, but manufacturing cost increases due to material requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using different materials for different functional zones: the shell contacting corrosive heat exchange media is made from corrosion-resistant materials, while the outer shell providing structural pressure containment can use cost-effective pressure vessel steel. This localized material selection optimizes both pressure resistance and manufacturing cost by avoiding unnecessary use of expensive materials throughout the entire structure.
4Ease of operation
If flow connections are placed at the ends of the heat exchanger, then ease of operation is improved, but heat exchange efficiency deteriorates due to suboptimal flow patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional end-only flow connections to a multi-dimensional connection scheme where flow connections can be accessed through the shell structure at optimized locations. This spatial reconfiguration allows inlet and outlet connections to be positioned for both operational convenience and optimal flow pattern generation, enabling better heat exchange efficiency without sacrificing ease of operation.
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 manufacturing costs, and increases pressure resistance by utilizing the entire heat exchange surface area and allowing for flexible arrangement of baffle and dividing plates to achieve cross-flow or counter-flow configurations.
Implementation Method 1
a primary circuit of the heat exchanger is formed between the openings in the plates and a secondary circuit between connections of the shell surrounding the plate pack, so that a primary side flow medium flows in every other plate space and a secondary side flow medium in every other plate space
Data Source
AI summary
A Plate and Shell type plate heat exchanger, which comprises an inner shell (9) completely surrounding a plate pack (2) and inner end plates (11a, 11b) in the direction of the ends of the plate pack. The inner shell (9) is by its inner surface arranged into contact with the outer edge of the baffle plates (8a, 8b) arranged on the surface of the plate pack and by its outer surface the inner shell (9) is arranged to support itself against the inner surface of the shell (3) of the outer casing of the heat exchanger. The inner end plates (11a, 11b) are supported by their outer surface against the inner surface of the end plates (4a, 4b) of the outer casing.