Sectional Heat Exchanger For Heat Cells With Variable Flue-Gas Depth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sectional heat exchangers in heat cells have suboptimal performance and efficiency, and are not easily assembled to meet varying capacity requirements.
Innovation Solution
A sectional heat exchanger design featuring end segments and intermediate segments assembled parallel to each other, with a combustion chamber perpendicular to the intermediate segments, and a single burner, where the width and depth of flue gas channels decrease and increase respectively to enhance heat transfer and stability, and the use of aluminium or aluminium alloy segments with enhanced heat transfer means such as pins and fins.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If multiple burners are installed in each combustion chamber between segments, then heat generation capacity is increased, but device complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple combustion chambers into a single integrated combustion chamber that spans across multiple heat exchange sections. Instead of having separate combustion chambers between each segment with individual burners, the invention uses one combustion chamber with multiple burners installed within it, reducing the number of combustion chambers and simplifying the overall structure while maintaining heat generation capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The single combustion chamber serves multiple functions by accommodating multiple burners and providing heat exchange for multiple water channels simultaneously. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate combustion chambers for each heat exchange section, reducing device complexity while achieving the required power output.
2Ease of manufacture
If segments are assembled with constant width throughout, then manufacturing is simplified, but heat transfer efficiency and structural stability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the width of heat exchange sections along the length of the segments. The sections near the combustion chamber have different dimensions than those farther away, optimizing heat transfer efficiency in different zones. This local variation in geometry enhances thermal performance while segments remain manufacturable using standard casting processes.
3Ease of manufacture
If flue gas channels maintain constant depth, then manufacturing is easier, but heat transfer surface area and energy efficiency are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The flue gas channels are designed with varying depth along their length, with deeper sections positioned to maximize heat transfer surface area where it is most needed. This local variation in channel depth increases the effective heat exchange area and improves energy efficiency while remaining compatible with casting manufacturing methods.
4Productivity
If heat exchanger capacity is increased by adding more segments, then heating performance improves, but assembly complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple heat exchange sections into fewer, longer segments with increased width in certain areas. This merging approach achieves the required heating capacity without proportionally increasing the number of segments, thereby reducing assembly complexity and the overall number of joints required.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of increasing capacity by adding segments in one dimension (increasing length), the invention utilizes the width dimension by creating sections with variable width along the segment length. This dimensional approach allows capacity expansion without linearly increasing the number of segments needed.
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 design results in increased energy efficiency, a more compact and lighter heat exchanger with improved assembly ease, and enhanced heat transfer efficiency by optimizing the heat exchange surface and fluid flow dynamics.
Implementation Method 1
flue gas channels extending from the one or more combustion chambers in the heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
flue gas that will transfer its thermal energy to heat a liquid
Implementation Method 3
enhanced heat transfer means such as pins and fins
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention discloses a sectional heat exchanger for a heat cell. The sectional heat exchanger comprises two end segments and one or more intermediate segment(s) provided between the two end segments. The one or more intermediate segment(s) and the two end segments are assembled in the heat exchanger. A combustion chamber is provided in the sectional heat exchanger, perpendicular to the one or more intermediate segment(s). Each of the one or more intermediate segments comprises at least one flow channel for a fluid to be heated. In between each two consecutive segments at least one flow channel for flue gas is present, which extends from at the combustion chamber. In between two segments, in the plane parallel with the one or more intermediate segment, the total width of the sectional heat exchanger decreases over at least part of the length in the direction away from the combustion chamber. The depth of the flow channels for flue gas, measured perpendicularly to the one or more intermediate segment(s)and between consecutive segments, decreases in the direction away from the combustion chamber. In the one or more intermediate segment(s), the distance between the two walls delimiting the intermediate segment and which are in heat exchanging relation with flue gas channels formed between segments, increases in the direction away from the combustion chamber, thereby increasing the depth available for one or more fluid flow channels in the intermediate segment.