Refrigerant Distributing Device Nozzle Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerant distributing tubes in heat exchangers face issues with non-uniform refrigerant distribution due to gas-liquid separation and pressure imbalances, making it difficult to maintain uniform flow rates and clean the tubes effectively.
Innovation Solution
The refrigerant distributing device features a distributing tube with a series of nozzles along its length, each with a through hole that enhances mixing of gaseous and liquid refrigerants, increasing the refrigerant distribution pressure difference and flow rate uniformity, and optimizing the nozzle design to balance pressure drops across the tube.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional distributing tube with openings is used, then refrigerant distribution is attempted, but gas-liquid separation occurs due to density difference, affecting distribution uniformity
Solution Approach 1:
A spiral groove is introduced as an intermediary element within the distributing tube. This spiral groove acts as a mediator that forces the refrigerant flow to rotate, creating a centrifugal effect that prevents gas-liquid separation while the refrigerant passes through the tube, thereby maintaining mixture stability and distribution uniformity
Solution Approach 2:
The spiral groove structure induces rotational motion and turbulence in the refrigerant flow, creating a dynamic mixing effect that continuously prevents gas-liquid separation. The mechanical motion generated by the spiral groove keeps the two-phase flow homogeneous throughout the distributing tube
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple openings are added to distributing tube, then refrigerant distribution coverage is improved, but pressure imbalance occurs between openings, causing flow rate imbalance
Solution Approach 1:
The spiral groove structure creates a rotational flow field that equalizes the pressure distribution among multiple openings. By inducing centrifugal force, the spiral groove ensures that pressure at different radial positions and along the tube length is balanced, preventing flow rate imbalance even when multiple openings are present
3Manufacturing precision
If complex opening patterns are used, then refrigerant distribution uniformity is improved, but machining difficulty increases due to increased amount and types of openings
Solution Approach 1:
The complex refrigerant distribution function is segmented into two parts: the spiral groove structure (which can be formed by simpler processes like rolling or extrusion) and the openings (which can be standardized). This segmentation allows the spiral groove to handle the complex flow control while openings remain simple features, reducing overall machining difficulty
4Manufacturing precision
If multiple openings are created in distributing tube, then refrigerant distribution is enhanced, but cleaning becomes difficult due to burrs on machining surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of creating openings first and then dealing with burrs, the spiral groove is formed first (which has no burrs), and openings are then created within this smooth groove structure. This inverted sequence ensures that the spiral groove surfaces remain smooth and burr-free, making cleaning easier while still providing effective refrigerant distribution
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 improves refrigerant distribution uniformity and heat exchange performance by maintaining consistent pressure differences between nozzles, reducing gas-liquid separation, and facilitating easier machining and cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
each nozzle 2 has a predetermined length and is formed with a through hole 21 communicating an interior of the distributing tube 1 and an exterior of the distributing tube, the gaseous refrigerant and the liquid refrigerant may be mixed again when flowing in the through holes 21 of the nozzles 2
Implementation Method 2
Pressures at individual openings are not balanced in a refrigerant flow direction, thus causing flow rate imbalance between individual openings in a length direction of the distributing tube
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A refrigerant distributing device and a heat exchanger comprising the refrigerant distributing device are provided. The refrigerant distributing device comprises a distributing tube (1) defining a first end and a second end in a length direction thereof, and a plurality of nozzles (2) disposed on the distributing tube (1) along the length direction of the distributing tube, each nozzle having a predetermined length and being formed with a through hole (21) communicating an interior of the distributing tube and an exterior of the distributing tube. By provision of the nozzles, the flow resistance is increased, the refrigerant flow rate is more uniform along the length direction of the distrusting tube. In addition, the refrigerant can be ejected along the radial direction, the axial direction, the circumferential direction and other directions, so that the uniformity of the refrigerant in the space outside the distributing tube is improved.