Vertical Heat Exchange Flue with Segmented Dampers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat exchange devices face challenges with ash accumulation and condensation due to large, horizontally extending flue gas dampers that complicate manufacture, installation, and maintenance, and result in reduced flue gas temperature and undesired condensation, leading to inefficiencies in heat transfer.
Innovation Solution
A 'sandwich'-type heat exchange flue design with vertically oriented side flues and a central heating surface, featuring small-sized flue gas dampers in each side flue, allowing independent control of flue gas flow paths and preventing direct heat exchange with the heating surface, while maintaining flue gas temperature and preventing condensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If large horizontally extending flue gas dampers are used to control flue gas flow, then the flue gas flow direction can be reversed to remove ash, but the manufacture, installation, and maintenance become difficult and the thermal expansion and contraction effect increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the flue into multiple flue sections with individually controllable flue gas dampers. Each damper is segmented to control flow in specific zones rather than requiring a single large damper spanning the entire flue, making manufacturing and installation more manageable while maintaining ash removal capability through localized flow control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from horizontal flue gas dampers to vertically oriented dampers arranged in multiple layers. This dimensional change allows the dampers to be positioned at different heights within the flue section, enabling flow control without requiring large horizontal spans, thus reducing manufacturing complexity and thermal expansion issues
2Use of energy by moving object
If flue gas passes through the heating surface for heat exchange, then heat transfer occurs, but the flue gas temperature is further reduced causing condensation and acid rot
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamically controllable flue gas dampers that can adjust the flue gas flow path in real-time. By dynamically switching between different flow paths (through heating surface vs. bypass), the system optimizes heat transfer when needed while preventing condensation by maintaining higher temperatures when flue gas conditions require it
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a bypass flue as an intermediary pathway that allows flue gas to flow around the heating surface. This intermediary path enables the system to selectively route flue gas away from the heating surface when temperature reduction would cause condensation, while still allowing heat exchange when conditions are favorable
3Use of energy by moving object
If flue gas flows along a serpentine path through horizontal flue sections, then heat exchange occurs, but the flue gas velocity decreases leading to ash accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the flue into multiple vertical flue sections with controlled access points. This segmentation allows the flue gas to maintain higher velocities by flowing through vertically stacked sections rather than long horizontal serpentine paths, reducing ash accumulation while still enabling heat exchange in controlled zones
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
Facilitates simplified assembly, maintenance, and diverse flue gas flow paths, maximizing temperature control and preventing ash accumulation and condensation, ensuring efficient heat transfer.
Implementation Method 1
the flue gas dampers in the left side flue are horizontally aligned with the corresponding flue gas dampers in the right side flue, each flue gas damper has a flue gas damper frame defining a flue gas port and a flue gas port opening and closing device capable of selectively opening and closing the flue gas port
Implementation Method 2
the heat exchange section includes a heat exchange tube bank in the middle, the top flue gas chamber collects upstream flue gas and allows the flue gas to flow into the left side flue and/or the right side flue
Implementation Method 3
the frame has its part corresponding to the heat exchange tube bank connected to a substantially horizontal flue gas shield plate in an airtight manner; the flue gas shield plate has its front and rear sides air-tightly fixed to the corresponding front and rear flue walls
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchange flue has a top flue gas chamber, a bottom flue gas chamber, and a heat exchange section located therebetween that includes a heat exchange tube bundle located in the middle and a left side flue and a right side flue located at two sides of the heat exchange tube bundle. The axis of the heat exchange tube bundle is positioned in a vertical plane extending substantially forward and backward, allowing the flue gas to laterally flush against the surfaces of heat exchange tubes. The left and right side flues are in a vertical box shape, and the flues are each provided with a plurality of flue gas dampers (3). Each of the flue gas dampers is provided with a flue gas damper frame for defining a flue gas port and a flue gas port opening/closing device capable of selectively opening and closing the flue gas port.