Shell-and-Multi-Triple Concentric-Tube Reactor Heat Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shell-and-tube reactors and heat exchangers face challenges in efficiently controlling temperature differences between reactant gas and heat exchange target materials, leading to hot and cold spots during exothermic and endothermic reactions, which affects heat exchange performance and catalyst efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A shell-and-multi-triple concentric-tube reactor and heat exchanger design that incorporates inner heating medium inlet tubes to minimize temperature differences by allowing heat exchange between the shell side heating medium and the catalytic reaction flow path, using baffles to separate heating medium flow zones and ensuring effective heat transfer through optimized flow paths and sealing barriers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a shell-and-tube reactor with a bundle of tubes is used, then heat exchange performance is improved and catalyst efficiency is maximized, but temperature differences between reactant gas and heat exchange target materials cause hot and cold spots
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested concentric tube structure where multiple tubes are arranged within each other (inner tube, middle tube, outer tube) to create multiple heat exchange pathways. This nested configuration allows heating medium to flow through multiple concentric zones, significantly improving temperature uniformity and eliminating hot/cold spots while enhancing overall heat exchange efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a conventional single-shell heat exchange dimension to a multi-dimensional concentric tube structure with radial heat exchange pathways. By adding radial heat exchange zones through multiple concentric tubes, the system achieves superior temperature control and heat exchange performance compared to traditional linear flow paths.
2Volume of moving object
If the reactor size is reduced for compact designs, then space efficiency is improved, but heat exchange performance and temperature control become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The nested concentric tube structure allows multiple heat exchange surfaces to be packed into a compact volume. By arranging tubes concentrically, the design maximizes heat exchange area within a reduced reactor footprint, achieving both compact size and effective temperature control simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes radial heat exchange pathways in the concentric tube structure to achieve efficient heat transfer in a compact configuration. This multi-dimensional approach allows sufficient heat exchange performance without requiring large reactor volumes, as heat can be exchanged across multiple radial zones within a small space.
3Loss of energy
If conventional shell-and-tube structure is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but heat exchange performance is insufficient due to temperature differences
Solution Approach 1:
While the nested concentric tube structure increases structural complexity compared to conventional designs, it delivers superior heat exchange efficiency by creating multiple heat exchange zones. The nested configuration allows heating medium to interact with reactant gas through multiple concentric tube walls, significantly reducing temperature differences and improving overall energy efficiency.
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 enhances heat exchange performance, stabilizes catalyst temperatures, increases reactant flow rates, and reduces reactor and heat exchanger sizes, improving overall efficiency and enabling compact designs suitable for various chemical processes, including GTL-FPSO and fuel cell applications.
Implementation Method 1
heat exchange between the shell side heating medium and the catalytic reaction flow path
Implementation Method 2
inner heating medium, which exchanges heat with the catalytic reaction flow path
Implementation Method 3
baffles positioned in the shell side heating medium flow path to separate the flow path of the shell side heating medium
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a shell-and-multi-triple concentric-tube reactor and a shell-and-multi-triple concentric-tube heat exchanger, and to a shell-and-multi-triple concentric-tube reactor and a shell-and-multi-triple concentric-tube heat exchanger which provide a new type of reactor and heat exchanger, thereby maximizing catalyst performance and improving performance of the reactor by optimizing heat exchange efficiency and a heat flow, uniformly distributing a reactant, and increasing a flow rate of the reactant, and accordingly making the reactor and the heat exchanger compact.