Series Heat Exchanger Header Layout for Uniform Refrigerant Flow
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current heat exchanger assemblies have limitations in enhancing heat exchange capability, particularly in the configuration and arrangement of partition plates within communicating header pipes, which affect the efficiency and uniformity of refrigerant distribution.
Innovation Solution
The proposed heat exchanger assembly incorporates a trapezoidal and a rectangular heat exchanger, where the partition plates in the communicating header pipes are strategically positioned to create specific fluid communication chambers and paths, optimizing the arrangement to improve heat exchange efficiency and uniform refrigerant distribution by adjusting the placement of partition plates along the axial direction and utilizing multiple chambers and pipes to enhance heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If partition plates are arranged at the midpoint in the axial direction of communicating header pipes, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the refrigerant distribution uniformity and heat exchange efficiency are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The partition plates are positioned at different locations in different header pipes rather than uniformly at midpoints. Specifically, the first partition plate is at the midpoint of the first communicating header pipe, the second partition plate is at the midpoint of the second communicating header pipe, the third partition plate is at the midpoint of the first header pipe, and the fourth partition plate is at the midpoint of the second header pipe. This localized differentiation optimizes refrigerant distribution to each heat exchange tube group, improving heat exchange efficiency while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
2Productivity
If partition plates are biased to the wider side of trapezoidal heat exchanger, then the refrigerant distribution uniformity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The partition plates are strategically positioned at midpoints of respective header pipes, creating an asymmetric distribution pattern that adapts to the trapezoidal heat exchanger geometry. This asymmetric arrangement ensures uniform refrigerant distribution to heat exchange tubes located at different positions (wider and narrower sides) without requiring complex positioning calculations or adjustments.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple partition plates are used to create three communicating chambers, then the heat exchange area is increased, but the device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The communicating header pipes are divided into multiple communicating chambers using partition plates. The first communicating header pipe is divided into first and second communicating chambers, and the second communicating header pipe is divided into third and fourth communicating chambers. This segmentation increases the heat exchange area by creating multiple flow paths while the partition plates are positioned at midpoints, which simplifies the overall structure and facilitates installation.
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 increases the heat exchange area and capacity, improves refrigerant distribution uniformity, and stabilizes unit operation, achieving a 22% increase in effective heat exchange area compared to traditional designs, while simplifying installation and connection processes.
Implementation Method 1
heat exchange tubes arranged between the first communicating header pipe and the first header pipe
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A heat exchanger assembly (100), the heat exchanger assembly (100) comprising: a first heat exchanger (1), the first heat exchanger (1) comprising a first communicating header pipe (10), a first header pipe (12), and heat exchange tubes (9) arranged between the first communicating header pipe (10) and the first header pipe (12); and a second heat exchanger (2), the second heat exchanger (2) comprising a second communicating header pipe (20), a second header pipe (22), and heat exchange tubes (9) arranged between the second communicating header pipe (20) and the second header pipe (22), wherein the first communicating header pipe (10) is provided with a partition plate (30) and thus has a plurality of first communicating chambers (14) arranged in the axial direction of the first communicating header pipe (10), the second communicating header pipe (20) is provided with a partition plate (30) and thus has a plurality of second communicating chambers (24) arranged in the axial direction of the second communicating header pipe (20), and the plurality of first communicating chambers (14) are in fluid communication with the corresponding plurality of second communicating chambers (24), such that a refrigerant entering the heat exchanger assembly (100) successively enters the second heat exchanger (2) and the first heat exchanger (1) in series. The heat exchange capability of the heat exchanger assembly (100) can be effectively improved.