Three-Way Heat Exchange Module With Controlled Fluid Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing three-way heat exchangers in HVAC systems face challenges in controlling the flow and distribution of heat transfer fluids and liquid desiccants, leading to uneven temperature differentials between the working fluids and air, which affects performance and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The proposed three-way heat exchanger design includes panel assemblies with airflow gaps and a heat transfer fluid flow guide that controls the flow of heat transfer fluid counter to the airflow direction, using a series of passageways and baffles to maintain a controlled temperature differential.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If free flow and distribution of working fluids are allowed through the panels, then the heat exchanger structure is simple, but a very high temperature differential between the air stream and fluids occurs at localized regions which negatively impacts performance
Solution Approach 1:
The flow guide introduces local structural variations within the heat transfer fluid channel. By adding baffles and passageways at specific locations, the fluid flow is locally redirected to achieve more uniform heat transfer across different regions of the panel, preventing localized high temperature differentials while maintaining overall structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The flow guide acts as an intermediary component between the heat transfer fluid inlet and the panels. It mediates the fluid flow distribution by using baffles and passageways to guide the fluid in a controlled manner across the airflow direction, ensuring more uniform temperature differentials without requiring complete redesign of the heat exchanger structure
2Temperature
If heat transfer fluid flow is controlled through panel assemblies, then temperature differential uniformity is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional flow control components
Solution Approach 1:
The flow guide is segmented into multiple functional elements (baffles and passageways) that divide the fluid flow path into controlled segments. Each baffle and passageway segment directs fluid flow to specific regions, achieving uniform temperature distribution across the panels while keeping each individual component relatively simple in design
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 the performance and efficiency of the heat exchanger by maintaining a uniform temperature differential across the panels, reducing the likelihood of condensation, and improving airflow and heat transfer efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
heat transfer fluid absorbs heat from the air stream
Implementation Method 2
liquid desiccant absorbs moisture from the air stream
Implementation Method 3
refrigerant in an evaporation stage of the vapor compression cycle absorbs heat from the heat transfer fluid
Implementation Method 4
the refrigerant is then channeled to a condensing stage in which the refrigerant rejects the absorbed heat into another fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A three-way heat exchanger includes an airflow inlet, an airflow outlet, a heat transfer fluid inlet manifold extending proximate the airflow outlet, and a heat transfer fluid outlet manifold extending proximate the airflow outlet. The heat exchanger also includes panel assemblies each including a frame defining a heat transfer fluid channel and a membrane positioned on the frame and defining a desiccant channel. The heat transfer fluid channel is connected to the heat transfer fluid inlet and outlet manifolds for channeling a flow of the heat transfer fluid therebetween counter to the airflow direction. Each panel assembly also includes a heat transfer fluid flow guide positioned in the heat transfer fluid channel to control the flow of the heat transfer fluid counter to the airflow direction.