Radiant Tube Surface Patterns for Thermal Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiant tubes have limitations in thermal efficiency due to restricted height of negative electrode protrusions and pattern sharing, which reduces the radiant heat emission surface area and productivity.
Innovation Solution
A radiant tube apparatus with parallel continuous patterns on its surface, each having a height of 3 mm or greater and a height/thickness ratio of 1.0 or greater, formed using methods like 3D printing or welding, to increase the radiant heat emission surface area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a negative electrode protrusion is formed on the radiant tube surface using centrifugal casting or polygon patterning, then thermal efficiency is improved, but the protrusion height is limited by the surface thickness and pattern sharing reduces the radiant heat emission surface area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from 2D surface patterns to 3D protruding structures with height dimension. The continuous patterns extend vertically from the tube surface with heights of 3mm or more, creating three-dimensional radiant heat emission surfaces that increase both the emission area and thermal efficiency simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The radiant tube surface is divided into multiple discrete continuous patterns (first, second, third patterns) spaced at specific intervals. Each pattern is an independent radiant heat emission element, allowing the total emission surface area to be maximized without pattern interference while maintaining high thermal efficiency
2Productivity
If intermittent pattern formation is used, then productivity is reduced, but continuous pattern formation increases the radiant heat emission surface area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs continuous patterns that extend along the longitudinal direction of the tube without interruption. The patterns maintain consistent height and spacing throughout their length, ensuring continuous radiant heat emission along the entire pattern length, which maximizes both productivity and heat emission surface area
3Ease of manufacture
If patterns are arranged to share one side with adjacent polygons, then manufacturing is simplified, but the shape variety is limited and radiant heat emission surface area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Each continuous pattern is designed with specific local geometric characteristics (triangular, trapezoidal, or rectangular cross-sections) that optimize radiant heat emission. The patterns have uniform height and spacing throughout, creating localized high-emission zones that maximize surface area without compromising manufacturing simplicity
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 solution significantly enhances radiant heat efficiency by 13.38% compared to non-patterned tubes and 12.2% when patterns are partially connected, improving heat treatment processes.
Implementation Method 1
the flame generated by the burner circulates inside the radiant tube to heat the radiant tube and the strip is indirectly heated by radiant heat emitted from the heated radiant tube
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a radiant tube apparatus disposed in a heat treatment facility to perform a heat treatment of a strip and a method for manufacturing the same. The radiant tube apparatus includes a tube having an internal pipe, wherein the tube has a first continuous pattern and a second continuous pattern extending side by side and spaced apart from each other at a predetermined distance on a surface, and, in each of the first continuous pattern and the second continuous pattern, a plurality of unit patterns having a predetermined height from the surface are connected to each other in a longitudinal direction.