Vaporization Device Manifold Pipe Cross-Section

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vaporizing apparatuses for cryogenic liquefied gases lack the ability to differentiate the supply amounts of heating liquid among multiple troughs, leading to inefficient heat exchange and vaporization processes.

Innovation Solution

A vaporizing apparatus with a manifold system that includes first and second supplying pipes with different cross-sectional areas, allowing for varying flow rates of heating liquid to be supplied to different troughs, enabling differentiated supply amounts to heat transfer panels, thereby optimizing the heat exchange process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If uniform supplying pipes are used for all troughs, then the structure is simple and manufacturing cost is low, but the heating liquid supply amount cannot be differentiated among troughs leading to inefficient heat exchange

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat exchange efficiencyVSAvoidsupplying pipe configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making each supplying pipe have different flow path cross-sectional areas according to the specific heat exchange requirements of each trough. Outermost troughs receive less heating liquid through smaller cross-sectional area pipes, while intermediate troughs receive more through larger cross-sectional area pipes, optimizing heat exchange efficiency for each location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If valves are installed to control heating liquid flow to each trough, then differentiated supply amounts can be achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating liquid distribution efficiencyVSAvoidvalve system
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical parameter of the supplying pipes by varying their flow path cross-sectional areas. This passive geometric parameter change automatically controls the heating liquid flow distribution to each trough, eliminating the need for active valve control systems while achieving differentiated supply amounts optimized for each trough's heat exchange requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 allows for efficient vaporization of liquefied gases by ensuring appropriate heating liquid distribution, eliminating the need for valves and reducing material and resistance costs, while maintaining consistent heat exchange rates among heat transfer tubes.

Implementation Method 1

a first supplying pipe connecting the manifold with the first trough for supplying the heating liquid from the manifold to the first trough; and a second supplying pipe connecting the manifold with the second trough for supplying the heating liquid from the manifold with the second trough, the second supplying pipe having a smaller flow path cross-sectional area than the first supplying pipe

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow through pipes with different cross-sectional areas:

Implementation Method 2

While the heating liquid is flowing down along the outer surface of each of the heat transfer tubes, the liquefied gas does heat exchange with the heating liquid with flowing upward in the heat transfer tubes. Owing to the heat exchange, the heating liquid has a decreased temperature, and the liquefied gas having an increased temperature vaporizes.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 3

the heating liquid is supplied to the plurality of troughs through the manifold and the plurality of supplying pipes. The heating liquid overflows from the troughs and is supplied to the plurality of heat transfer tubes of the heat transfer panels adjacent to each of the troughs. While the heating liquid is flowing down along the outer surface of each of the heat transfer tubes, the liquefied gas does heat exchange with the heating liquid with flowing upward in the heat transfer tubes.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3922937B1Vaporization device
Publication Date: 2023.11.01 KOBE STEEL LTD
  • EP3922937B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3922937B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3922937B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present application discloses a vaporizing apparatus for vaporizing a liquefied gas by a way of heat exchange between the liquefied gas and heating liquid having a higher temperature than the liquefied gas. The vaporizing apparatus includes: a plurality of heat transfer panels; a first trough and a second trough each for supplying the heating liquid to an outer surface of each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes; a manifold allowing the heating liquid to flow in; a first supplying pipe connecting the manifold with the first trough for supplying the heating liquid from the manifold to the first trough; and a second supplying pipe connecting the manifold with the second trough for supplying the heating liquid from the manifold to the second trough, the second supplying pipe having a smaller flow path cross-sectional area than the first trough.