Rod Workpiece Preheating via Liquid Heat Transfer Intermediary
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing preheating devices for rod-shaped metallic workpieces, particularly aluminum rods, suffer from inefficient heat transfer due to the low heat capacity of gas flows and short contact times, resulting in poor heat transfer efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a heat exchanger device that transfers heat from a fluid flow to a heat carrier flow, which is then used to indirectly preheat the workpieces, utilizing a liquid heat transfer medium like water to enhance heat transfer efficiency, and incorporating a liquid dispensing device that ensures comprehensive wetting of the workpiece surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If direct flame exposure is used to heat rod-shaped workpieces in gas rapid heating furnaces, then heating speed is improved, but heat transfer efficiency deteriorates when using exhaust gas flows for preheating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a liquid heat transfer medium as an intermediary between the exhaust gas flow and the workpiece. The liquid medium absorbs heat from the exhaust gas in a heat exchanger and then transfers it to the workpiece surface through wetting, thereby improving heat transfer efficiency while maintaining the rapid heating capability of the system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the heat transfer medium from gas to liquid. By using liquid heat transfer medium instead of gaseous exhaust flow directly, the heat capacity and heat transfer coefficient are significantly improved, resolving the contradiction between heating speed and heat transfer efficiency
2Device complexity
If exhaust gas flow is directly applied to preheat rod-shaped workpieces, then device complexity is reduced, but heat transfer effectiveness deteriorates due to low heat capacity and short contact time
Solution Approach 1:
A liquid heat transfer medium serves as an intermediary carrier, absorbing heat from exhaust gases in a heat exchanger and then applying it to the workpiece. This intermediary approach significantly improves heat transfer effectiveness while keeping the overall device structure relatively simple
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs hydraulic principles by using liquid flow instead of gas flow for heat transfer. The liquid heat transfer medium can be pumped and controlled more effectively, ensuring adequate contact time and heat transfer effectiveness without substantially increasing device complexity
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 approach significantly increases the effectiveness of heat transfer to the workpieces, achieving more efficient preheating while allowing for economical operation and simultaneous cleaning of the workpieces using the same heat carrier circuit.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger device (11) is provided for transferring heat from the fluid flow to a heat transfer fluid flow in a fluid flow line (15) between a fluid flow connection (14) and the heating chamber (12)
Implementation Method 2
transferring heat from the fluid flow to a heat transfer fluid flow
Implementation Method 3
heat transfer from the exhaust gas flow to the workpiece
Implementation Method 4
the workpiece are not directly exposed to the exhaust gas flow from the heating device, but which provides for the interposition of a heat transfer fluid flow
Implementation Method 5
the wettability of a liquid compared to a gas, which allows for a corresponding residence or contact time of the liquid on the workpiece
Implementation Method 6
the surface of the workpiece is wetted by gravity, if the liquid applied to the upper surface of the workpiece can spread over the entire surface of the workpiece solely by gravity
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A device for preheating rod-like, metal workpieces, in particular aluminium rods, by means of a fluid flow heated by residual heat or waste heat of a combustion process occurring in a heating device for heating the workpieces. The device has a preheating chamber for receiving at least one workpiece, wherein, in order to transfer the heat from the fluid flow to a heat transfer medium flow in a fluid flow line between a fluid flow connection and the preheating chamber, a heat-exchanger unit is provided in such a way that the workpiece is preheated indirectly via the heat transfer medium flow heated in the heat-exchanger unit by the fluid flow.