Recuperator Channel Protuberances for Uniform Flow and Heat Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing recuperators with trapezoidal channels suffer from uneven fluid flow distribution and inefficient heat transfer due to slight convergence of side walls, leading to sub-optimal utilization of lateral contact surface and increased distance for heat exchange.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating protuberances on the end walls of the channels to facilitate uniform fluid distribution and reduce the distance between adjacent channels, with a cross-sectional ratio of at least 5:1 in the transverse direction to the main plane, allowing for improved heat exchange efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the side walls of the channels extend at right angles to the main plane of the panels, then the lateral contact surface for heat exchange is maximized, but the profiled panel cannot be released from the mould during manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
The end walls are designed with an asymmetric configuration where they are not perpendicular to the side walls, creating a deliberate angular deviation. This asymmetry allows the profiled panel to be released from the mould while maintaining sufficient lateral contact surface area for effective heat exchange between adjacent channels
2Ease of manufacture
If the side walls of the channels converge slightly in the direction of the end wall, then the profiled panel can be released from the mould, but the fluid flow distribution becomes uneven and is concentrated in the wider half of the channel
Solution Approach 1:
The end walls are designed with a specific angular orientation relative to the side walls before the fluid flow occurs. This preliminary geometric configuration pre-establishes flow conditions that compensate for the convergence effect, ensuring uniform fluid distribution throughout the channel including the narrower half, while still allowing mould release
3Ease of manufacture
If the direction of convergence for laterally adjacent channels alternates, then the mould release is facilitated, but the distance between areas with greatest flow rate in adjacent channels increases diagonally, reducing heat transfer efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The end walls of laterally adjacent channels are designed to have the same angular orientation relative to their respective side walls, creating a symmetric and equipotential configuration. This ensures that areas with greatest flow rate in adjacent channels are positioned at similar distances from the lateral contact surface, optimizing heat transfer efficiency while maintaining mould release capability
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 achieves a uniform fluid distribution and significantly enhances heat exchange efficiency by minimizing the distance between adjacent channels, optimizing the flow rate and contact surface utilization.
Implementation Method 1
heat is exchanged between the two separate flows via the walls of the channels
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1.1
Figure 2
AI summary
Recuperator, comprising: - a number of stacked panels whose main planes extend mutually parallel and which are provided with repeating, mutually parallel profiled sections which form channels which extend between the panels, - wherein one of the sides of each of the panels delimits channels of the first kind and the other side delimits channels of the second kind, - wherein the profiled sections are provided with parts which form side walls of the channels and one directional component of which parts extends transversely to the main plane of the panels, and with parts which extend substantially parallel to the main plane of the panels and which form end walls of the channels, in such a way that each channel comprises two side walls and two end walls, and - wherein the channels have a cross section of a trapezoid, whose dimensions are greater in the direction transverse to the main plane of the panels than in the direction of the main plane of the panels, characterized in that each channel comprises two end walls which are each provided with a protuberance.