Series Condenser Segmentation for Non-Azeotropic Mixture Heat Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steam power cycles using non-azeotropic mixtures as working fluids face inefficiencies due to limited temperature reduction of the working fluid in condensers, leading to suboptimal heat exchange and increased costs for heat exchanger capacity, which affects overall system performance and economic viability.
Innovation Solution
A steam power cycle system with multiple condensers connected in series allows for varying component ratios of the working fluid, enabling the working fluid's temperature to be closer to the low-temperature heat source, enhancing heat exchange efficiency and system capacity by gradually decreasing the working fluid's temperature across multiple condensation stages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a single condenser is used in conventional steam power cycles, then the structure is simple, but the working fluid temperature cannot be sufficiently reduced close to the low-temperature heat source
Solution Approach 1:
The condenser is divided into multiple stages (first condenser and second condenser) connected in series. The working fluid passes through each condenser stage sequentially, allowing progressive temperature reduction. The first condenser handles the initial condensation while the second condenser completes the temperature reduction closer to the low-temperature heat source temperature, thereby resolving the contradiction between achieving low working fluid temperature and maintaining simple structure.
2Productivity
If multiple condensers are used to reduce working fluid temperature, then heat exchange efficiency improves, but facility costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The condenser system is segmented into multiple stages that can be manufactured separately and then assembled. This modular approach allows for standardized production of individual condenser units, reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost while achieving the benefits of multi-stage temperature reduction. The segmentation enables parallel production and easier installation, mitigating the cost increase associated with multi-condenser configurations.
3Loss of energy
If the working fluid temperature is reduced close to the low-temperature heat source, then cycle heat efficiency improves, but the temperature difference for heat exchange is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchange process is divided into multiple stages across different condensers. In the first condenser, a larger temperature difference exists between the working fluid and low-temperature heat source, enabling efficient heat transfer. In the second condenser, the working fluid temperature is closer to the heat source temperature, but the reduced temperature difference is compensated by the progressive nature of the heat exchange. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high cycle heat efficiency while maintaining adequate temperature differences for effective heat transfer at each stage.
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 configuration effectively utilizes the temperature difference between heat sources, improving cycle heat efficiency and reducing facility costs by ensuring the working fluid's temperature approaches that of the low-temperature heat source, thereby enhancing the system's performance and economic potential.
Implementation Method 1
an evaporator that causes a working fluid of non-azeotropic mixture to make heat exchange with a predetermined high-temperature fluid and evaporates at least part of the working fluid
Implementation Method 2
a condenser that causes the working fluid in a gas phase from the expander and the working fluid in a liquid phase from the gas-liquid separator together to make heat exchange with a predetermined low-temperature fluid and condenses the gas phase substance
Implementation Method 3
causes the working fluid repeating a phase change to work, thus obtaining a power
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a steam power cycle system that permits to perform an appropriate heat exchange between a working fluid that is a non-azeotropic mixture and a heat source, to enhance the performance of the whole system. More specifically, a plurality of condensers are provided so as to be connected to each other in series, and the working fluid in a gas phase from the expander is introduced into the respective condensers. Consequently, the ratio of a low boiling point substance of the working fluid becomes higher toward the posterior condenser, it is possible to make the condensation temperature of the working fluid lower than that of the anterior condenser. It is therefore possible to make the temperature of the working fluid possibly close to the temperature of the low-temperature fluid, thus permitting an effective use of the difference in temperature of the heat source.