Tangential Inlet Liquid Heater to Prevent Bubble Boiling Noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid heating systems face inefficiencies due to bubble or film boiling, leading to noise, reduced heat transfer, and mineral deposition, which are not effectively addressed in domestic systems as they rely on natural convection and limited water pressure.
Innovation Solution
A flow heat-exchange system with a processing chamber featuring a helical guide at the liquid inlet, imparting axial and circumferential velocity, promoting a rotary helical movement and centrifugal force that maintains liquid in contact with the heated surface, preventing boiling and enhancing heat transfer efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the surface temperature is increased to maximize heat transfer surface load, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but bubble or film boiling occurs causing noise and reduced heat transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid is pre-accelerated before reaching the heated surface through a nozzle or inlet structure, creating a high-velocity jet that maintains liquid contact with the heated surface and prevents vapor bubble formation and film boiling
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid flow is transformed from static or natural convection to dynamic forced convection with high velocity, creating a flowing liquid state that enhances heat transfer while preventing bubble boiling through continuous liquid renewal at the heated surface
2Power
If forced circulation is used to prevent vapor bubbles, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but the system becomes inapplicable to static reservoir heating systems and natural circulation systems
Solution Approach 1:
Forced circulation through nozzle acceleration is applied locally only at the inlet region where liquid contacts the heated surface, rather than requiring system-wide forced circulation. This allows the invention to work in both natural circulation and static reservoir systems by creating a localized high-velocity jet that prevents bubble boiling without requiring pumps or complex circulation systems
3Device complexity
If natural convection is used in domestic heating systems, then system simplicity is maintained, but heat transfer efficiency is reduced due to low surface load
Solution Approach 1:
A nozzle or inlet structure is used to pre-accelerate the liquid before it contacts the heated surface, creating a high-velocity jet that increases the heat transfer surface load without requiring complex forced circulation systems throughout the entire heating system
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid flow parameters (velocity, pressure) are changed locally at the inlet region through geometric features like nozzles or tapered passages, transforming natural convection into a high-velocity flow regime that enhances heat transfer while maintaining overall system simplicity
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 significantly increases heat energy transfer efficiency by maintaining liquid overpressure and reducing boiling, achieving faster heating and longer contact time with the heated surface, thus improving system performance and reducing noise.
Implementation Method 1
a rectifying element in the form of a helical guide imparting an axial and a circumferential component of the velocity of movement to the flowing liquid generating a centrifugal force and directing the flowing liquid in a rotary helical movement
Implementation Method 2
heat energy exchange at the solid and liquid environment interface
Implementation Method 3
process of heat energy exchange at the solid and liquid environment interface by natural convection
Implementation Method 4
the liquid flow is continuously pressed against the wall of the processing chamber by the effect of the dynamic movement of the generated centrifugal force. At the same time, the turbulent boundary layer formed at the solid and liquid environment interface is influenced by the centrifugal force generated in the flowing liquid by movement along the curved path. This maintains the liquid overpressure manifested in higher system resistance to bubble or film boiling
Data Source
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AI summary
A device for liquid heating by means of a flow heat-exchange liquid system with at least one processing chamber of a substantially circular cross-section and with a heated heat-exchange wall of the processing chamber, wherein the processing chamber has at least one liquid inlet and at least one liquid outlet which is characterized in that the liquid inlet is connected to the processing chamber in a substantially tangential direction with respect to the inner surface of a substantially circular cross-section of the processing chamber, and/or the processing chamber is provided with at least one rectifying element imparting a circumferential component of the velocity of movement to the flowing liquid.