Tapered Connecting Elements in Plate Heat Exchangers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel cell devices in submarines face challenges with heat exchangers that require compact, high-efficiency designs with minimal flow resistance and modularity, as existing heat exchangers often lead to shortened membrane service life due to dry gas inputs, necessitating humidification while maintaining operational efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A plate heat exchanger with elongated connecting elements that serve as mechanical stabilizers, heat transfer devices, and condensation nuclei, featuring a tapered cross-section to minimize pressure differences and reduce flow resistance, optimized for use in humidifiers and dehumidifiers within fuel cell systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional heat exchangers are used, then heat transfer function is provided, but flow resistance is high and membrane service life is shortened
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting elements are designed with specific geometric parameters (elongated cross-section, tapered shape) to optimize flow characteristics. The tapering parameter and cross-sectional dimensions are carefully controlled to reduce flow resistance while maintaining mechanical stability, directly addressing the contradiction between reliability and energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting elements have non-uniform thickness distribution with a tapered cross-section that varies along the longitudinal direction. This local variation in geometry optimizes the flow properties at different positions, reducing flow resistance in critical areas while maintaining structural integrity elsewhere.
2Volume of moving object
If compact heat exchanger design is implemented, then space is saved, but flow resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting elements utilize three-dimensional space efficiently with their elongated cross-section and tapered geometry. By optimizing the distribution of material in multiple dimensions, the design achieves compact packaging while maintaining low flow resistance through the strategically shaped flow paths.
3Strength
If connecting elements are added for mechanical stabilization, then structural strength is improved, but flow resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting elements are designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: mechanical stabilization of the partition walls, heat transfer between fluids, and flow guidance. This multi-functionality allows the same structural component to reduce flow resistance while providing the necessary mechanical strength, resolving the contradiction between strength and energy loss.
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 solution provides a compact, efficient heat exchanger with reduced flow resistance, enabling effective humidification and dehumidification, thereby extending membrane service life and reducing energy consumption and noise in fuel cell systems.
Implementation Method 1
the connecting elements specifically influence the flow of the gas flow, i.e., guide or mix it
Implementation Method 2
heat is transferred from the first medium to the second medium or from the second medium to the first medium
Implementation Method 3
the connecting elements can also serve as condensation nuclei and/or for liquid guidance
Implementation Method 4
This prevents a pressure difference, according to Bernoulli's law, from occurring due to different flow velocities of the surrounding gas
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The present invention relates to a heat exchanger 10, wherein the heat exchanger 10 is designed as a plate heat exchanger, wherein the heat exchanger 10 has partitions 20, wherein the heat exchanger 10 has first areas 30 between the partitions 20 for a first medium and second areas 40 between the partitions 20 for a second medium, wherein the first areas 30 and the second areas 40 are separated by a plurality of partitions 20, wherein first areas 30 and second areas 40 are arranged alternately between each pair of adjacent partitions 20, and wherein connecting elements 50 are arranged in the first area 30 between the partitions 20.