Heat Transfer Plate Set Recess Layout for Stagnant Flow Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Stagnant zones and impaired heat transfer occur between heat transfer plates due to fluid wakes and increased fouling, which are caused by the different main tasks of distribution and heat transfer areas on the plates.
Innovation Solution
The heat transfer is enhanced by incorporating bypasses at the contact areas to reduce the fluid flow resistance, the fluid flow is controlled by the fluid flow resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If heat transfer plates are stacked with corrugations contacting in contact areas, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but stagnant zones and fluid flow resistance increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating plate recesses at specific locations corresponding to contact areas between corrugations. These recesses locally modify the plate structure to provide bypass paths only where needed, allowing fluid to flow around contact areas without disrupting the overall corrugation contact structure that enables heat transfer. This resolves the contradiction by enhancing heat transfer through maintained corrugation contact while eliminating stagnant zones through localized bypass provisions.
2Productivity
If distribution area and heat transfer area have different corrugation patterns, then fluid distribution and heat transfer functions are optimized, but wake formation and fouling increase
Solution Approach 1:
The plate recesses act as intermediary structures that mediate between the distribution area and heat transfer area. They provide alternative flow paths that allow fluid to bypass the wake regions formed by the corrugation patterns, thereby reducing fouling and wake formation while maintaining the functional benefits of differentiated corrugation patterns for fluid distribution and heat transfer.
3Area of stationary object
If contact areas are densely arranged, then heat transfer area utilization is improved, but fluid flow stagnation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the plate structure into regions with and without recesses. The recesses are strategically positioned at contact areas to segment the flow path, creating bypass channels that allow fluid to flow around densely arranged contact areas. This maintains high heat transfer area utilization while preventing fluid flow stagnation through the segmented bypass 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
The fluid flow is enhanced by incorporating bypasses at the contact areas to increase the fluid flow around these, reducing stagnant zones and maintaining thermal performance.
Implementation Method 1
Two fluids of initially different temperatures can flow through every second channel for transferring heat from one fluid to the other
Implementation Method 2
Parallel flow channels are formed between the heat transfer plates, one channel between each pair of heat transfer plates
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
A plate set (2) comprising a first heat transfer plate (4), a second heat transfer plate (6) and a third heat transfer plate (7) is provided. The first, second and third heat transfer plates each has a heat transfer area (14) provided with a heat transfer pattern comprising elongate inclined corrugations (18). The corrugations of the second heat transfer plate cross the corrugations of the first and third heat transfer plates. The corrugations of the second heat transfer plate contact a sub-set of the corrugations of the first heat transfer plate and a sub-set of the corrugations of the third heat transfer plate in contact areas (20a, 20b). The plate set is characterized in that each of at least a plurality of the corrugations of the first, second and third heat transfer plates comprises a number ≥ 1 of plate recesses (22a, 22b). Further, each of at least a plurality of the contact areas is surrounded by a respective one of the plate recesses formed in one of the first, second and third heat transfer plates. Said respective one of the plate recesses extends at least on two opposite sides of the contact area.