Nested Tempering Fluid Heater-Cooler With Water Condensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature control devices for temperature control fluids, such as thermostats in chemical plants, require significant space due to the arrangement of heating and cooling devices and lack an efficient method to remove unwanted water from the fluid, which can lead to moisture-related issues and inefficiencies in temperature control.
Innovation Solution
The device incorporates an expansion vessel for water condensation, a circulating pump for efficient fluid circulation, and a nested design for the heating and cooling devices within a common cylindrical container, allowing for compact space usage and effective water removal through condensation and drainage, along with a refrigeration circuit that includes a suction gas cooler for space savings and efficient cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heating and cooling devices are arranged separately, then each device can function independently, but the overall device occupies a large amount of space
Solution Approach 1:
The heating device and cooling device are nested within a common cylindrical container, with the heating device positioned centrally and the cooling device arranged around it. This nested configuration allows both devices to occupy the same spatial envelope, significantly reducing the overall footprint while maintaining independent operational capability of each device.
2Temperature
If the tempering fluid is heated to high temperatures, then temperature control range is extended, but water in the fluid can evaporate and cause moisture-related issues
Solution Approach 1:
The expansion vessel serves dual purposes: it accommodates thermal expansion of the tempering fluid at high temperatures, and simultaneously functions as a water separation device where evaporated water condenses and collects at the bottom. This converts the harmful effect of water evaporation into a manageable condensation process, allowing high-temperature operation while preventing moisture-related issues in the system.
3Loss of energy
If the shaft and sleeve are made thin to conduct less heat, then heat loss to the drive is reduced, but the structural strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft and sleeve are designed with minimal thickness necessary for structural integrity, accepting that they will conduct some heat to the drive. Rather than over-engineering them for maximum strength, the design uses the thinnest possible walls that still provide adequate mechanical support, thereby minimizing heat conduction while maintaining necessary structural strength for the application.
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 enables rapid and precise temperature control within a narrow tolerance range, reduces the need for high-temperature seals, and allows for simultaneous heating and cooling, while utilizing space efficiently and effectively managing water removal, thus improving the overall performance and reliability of the temperature control system.
Implementation Method 1
an expansion vessel (161) for the tempering fluid... Below the bottom (163) of the expansion vessel (161), there is a condensed water collection pot (165)... unwanted water contained in the temperature control fluid can be removed
Implementation Method 2
the first evaporator 5 is designed as a heat exchanger... By evaporating cold refrigerant from the compressor 9 , the tempering fluid flowing around the first evaporator 5 is cooled
Implementation Method 3
The second evaporator 11 represents what is known as a suction gas cooler... acts as a heat exchanger between the cold refrigerant and the warm refrigerant, so that the compressor 9 is supplied with refrigerant that has already been pre-cooled
Data Source
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AI summary
The device (101) has a cooling device (107) formed by vaporization of a coolant circuit. A closed fluid guiding unit (112) guides tempering fluid i.e. thermo oil, in the device, and guides the fluid between the device and a consumer load. A helical heating device (105) and the cooling device are connected to each other and arranged in a cylindrical container (103) that is provided as a part of the closed fluid guiding unit. A circulation unit (113) i.e. pump wheel, is arranged in the closed fluid guiding unit, and is formed such that the tempering fluid is transferred to the container.