Plate Heat Exchanger Side Panel Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Block-type plate heat exchangers face challenges with high material consumption and weight due to the need for strong enclosures to withstand high pressures, which complicates handling and transportation, especially when side panels have machinings or details that reduce strength.
Innovation Solution
The plate heat exchanger design divides at least one side panel into separate plates along the longitudinal direction, allowing for tailored thickness and material usage based on force requirements, reducing material consumption, and enabling a modular system for easier fabrication and handling, with bolt holes and notches for secure mounting without additional reinforcing elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a metal box-like enclosure is used to provide sufficient mechanical strength for high pressure, then the required mechanical strength is achieved, but material consumption and weight increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The side panels are divided into multiple separate plates arranged one after another along the longitudinal direction. Each plate is bolted to the top head and bottom head, distributing the structural load and reducing the weight of individual components while maintaining overall enclosure strength
Solution Approach 2:
Different plates have different thicknesses tailored to their specific force requirements. Plates experiencing higher stresses are made thicker, while plates in lower-stress regions are made thinner, optimizing material usage and reducing overall weight
2Strength
If side panels are made thicker to compensate for strength reduction from machinings, then the required mechanical strength is maintained, but material consumption and fabrication cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Plates are provided with varying thicknesses based on their specific structural requirements and the presence of machinings. This allows maintaining strength where needed while minimizing material consumption in less critical areas
Solution Approach 2:
The thickness parameter of the side panels is varied according to the specific force requirements of each plate, optimizing the balance between mechanical strength and material consumption
3Device complexity
If a single large side panel is used, then the enclosure is simpler in design, but handling and transportation become troublesome
Solution Approach 1:
Side panels are divided into multiple separate plates that can be handled, transported, and assembled independently. This segmentation makes the components more manageable while maintaining the integrity of the overall enclosure structure
4Strength
If additional reinforcing elements are added to maintain strength with divided panels, then the required mechanical strength is achieved, but device complexity and fabrication difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The division into separate plates themselves serves as the structural solution, with each plate bolted to the top and bottom heads. This segmentation approach maintains strength without requiring additional reinforcing elements beyond the bolt connections
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a plate heat exchanger (100) comprising a top head (104), a bottom head (106), four side panels (108a, 108b, 108c, 108d), and four corner girders (110a, 110b 110c, 110d) bolted together to form a sealed enclosure (102) for housing a pack of heat exchanging plates. At least one of the side panels (108a, 108b, 108c, 108d) is divided into at least two separate plates (112a, 112b, 112c, 112d, 112e) arranged one after another along a longitudinal direction (L). The least two separate plates (112a, 112b, 112c, 112d, 112e) include a first separate plate (112e) being adapted to be bolted to the top head (104) and a second separate plate (112a) being adapted to be bolted to the bottom head (106).