Toroidal Heat Exchanger Design for Compact Refrigeration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid coolers are large and energy inefficient, requiring a more compact and efficient refrigeration system for fluid cooling in industries such as fast food restaurants and catering.
Innovation Solution
A compact heat exchanger design with a tube arranged in a coil-like fashion within a vessel, allowing for efficient heat exchange between the refrigerant and fluid, with controlled refrigerant flow and pressure to achieve predetermined fluid temperatures, and featuring a toroidal shape to minimize space usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional fluid coolers are used to cool fluids, then refrigeration function is achieved, but the device occupies large space and is energy inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The tube is nested inside the vessel, with the refrigerant flowing through the tube while the fluid to be cooled flows through the annular space between the tube and vessel wall. This nested configuration maximizes heat exchange surface area within a compact volume, resolving the contradiction between small space occupation and high refrigeration efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from conventional coil arrangements to a toroidal (doughnut-shaped) vessel configuration with the tube running through the center. This dimensional change optimizes the heat exchange path length within a compact footprint, achieving high refrigeration efficiency while minimizing space occupation
2Use of energy by moving object
If conventional fluid coolers are used, then cooling function is provided, but energy consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The toroidal configuration with the tube passing through the center creates a continuous heat exchange path without dead zones or sudden direction changes. This continuous action ensures efficient heat transfer throughout the entire system, reducing energy consumption while maintaining high refrigeration efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The toroidal (curved) configuration of the vessel and tube arrangement optimizes fluid flow patterns and heat exchange efficiency. The curved geometry eliminates sharp corners and dead zones, ensuring continuous effective heat transfer and reducing energy waste, thus resolving the contradiction between energy consumption and refrigeration efficiency
3Area of stationary object
If the tube is arranged with turns or twists to extend through inner space, then heat exchange surface area is increased, but fluid flow is agitated and energy efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The smooth curved toroidal configuration of the vessel and tube arrangement eliminates sharp turns and twists. This curved geometry allows fluid to flow smoothly along the heat exchange path, maximizing surface area contact while minimizing turbulence and energy loss, thus resolving the contradiction between heat exchange surface area and 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
The design provides efficient refrigeration, reduces energy consumption, and prevents liquid refrigerant from reaching the compressor, ensuring safe operation while allowing for smooth fluid flow and efficient heat exchange, making it suitable for refrigerating beverages like beer.
Implementation Method 1
heat exchange between the refrigerant and fluid
Implementation Method 2
the inner space is filled with refrigerant in a liquid state and/or in a gaseous state
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
A vessel for containing a refrigerant comprising an inner wall and an outer wall arranged concentrically and having an inner space bounded by the inner wall and outer wall, an inlet and an outlet for transport of refrigerant into and out of the inner space; a tube inside the inner space arranged turn around the inner wall; an input tube fluidly connected to the inner space and arranged to allow flow of the refrigerant through the input tube into the inner space; an output tube connected to the inner space and arranged to allow flow of the refrigerant out of the inner space into the output tube; a compressor arranged to receive the refrigerant from the output tube and to compress the refrigerant; and a condenser arranged to receive the compressed refrigerant fluid from the compressor, to condense the refrigerant, and to forward the compressed refrigerant into the input tube.