U-Shaped Heat Exchanger Pipe Layout to Reduce Casing Sealing Costs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat exchangers require expensive sealings to protect the casing from the heat of the flame, as the flame is not enclosed by pipes, leading to increased costs and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
The heat exchanger design includes a U-shaped body with pipes arranged in a specific pattern to surround the flame, minimizing the distance between adjacent pipes to restrict flue gas flow and cool it down, thus reducing the need for extensive sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the flame is not enclosed by pipes, then the heat exchanger structure is simpler, but expensive sealings are required to protect the casing from flame heat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful hot flue gas into a beneficial cooling medium by directing it through passages between the pipes and casing, where it cools the casing walls and reduces the need for expensive thermal insulation and sealing components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary cooling passage between the pipes and casing that mediates the thermal interaction, allowing hot flue gas to flow through and cool the casing structure, thereby reducing thermal stress and the need for expensive high-temperature sealings.
2Ease of manufacture
If the distance between adjacent pipes is large, then the manufacturing is easier, but hot flue gas flows freely to the casing requiring extensive sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a specific thermal environment in the passages between pipes and casing, where the geometry and flow conditions are locally optimized to maximize cooling effectiveness at the casing walls, rather than uniformly spacing all pipes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the flue gas flow by directing it through constrained passages with specific cross-sectional areas and lengths, transforming its temperature and velocity characteristics to achieve effective cooling of the casing structure.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If expensive sealings are used to protect the casing, then the casing is protected from heat, but the cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful hot flue gas into a beneficial cooling medium by directing it through passages between the pipes and casing, where it cools the casing walls and reduces the need for expensive thermal insulation and sealing components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by using the flue gas itself as the cooling agent, eliminating the need for external cooling systems or expensive passive insulation, as the process fluid automatically cools the casing through the designed passages.
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 effectively reduces the temperature of the flue gas to match the pipe wall temperature, minimizing the need for costly sealings and enhancing the heat exchanger's efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of pipes arranged within said casing and connected to said end plates, through which pipes in use a liquid can flow
Implementation Method 2
liquid flowing through a first pipe of the at least two pipes is directed to the other pipe of the at least two pipes
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a heat exchanger, comprising: - a casing, comprising: - a substantially U-shaped body as seen in cross-section and extending in a longitudinal direction, wherein a base of the U-shape body comprises a gas outlet opening and wherein an open end, opposite to the base, of the U-shape body comprises a receiving space for receiving a burner, and - two end plates arranged at the two longitudinal end zones of said U-shape body; - a plurality of pipes arranged within said casing and connected to said end plates, through which pipes in use a liquid can flow; - a plurality of connecting means for providing a liquid through flow connection between at least two pipes at each longitudinal end zone of said U-shape body, such that liquid flowing through a first pipe of the at least two pipes is directed to the other pipe of the at least two pipes, wherein a first part of the pipes is arranged in a first pattern defining two legs of a substantially U-shape as seen in cross-section, said first pattern being arranged substantially parallel to legs of said U-shape body, and wherein a second part of said pipes are arranged within a space at least partly bounded by said first pattern. The invention further relates to an assembly of a heat exchanger according to the invention and a burner, wherein the burner is arranged in said receiving space.