Vertical Heat Exchanger Structure for Better Heat Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current heat exchangers in central heating boilers suffer from inefficient heat transfer due to horizontal pipe arrangements, leading to heat dispersal and increased energy consumption, as well as complex and costly designs with high fuel consumption and environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger structure with vertically arranged radiating components composed of symmetrically coupled metal plates and wings, allowing complete heat absorption and transfer to flowing water without fume recovery, featuring a simple and modular design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If horizontal pipe arrangements are used in heat exchangers, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but heat transfer efficiency is poor due to limited contact zone with the burner
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the traditional horizontal pipe arrangement into a vertical configuration. The heat exchanger comprises a vertical tube bundle where tubes are arranged vertically rather than horizontally, allowing the burner to be positioned at the bottom and heat to rise through the entire length of the tubes, maximizing thermal contact zone and eliminating heat dispersal in empty spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional heat exchanger design by positioning the burner at the bottom instead of the top, and arranging tubes vertically rather than horizontally. This inversion allows hot gases to rise naturally through the tube bundle, improving heat transfer efficiency and eliminating the need for complex fume recovery systems.
2Loss of energy
If complex fume recovery devices are added to heat exchangers, then heat recovery efficiency improves, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex fume recovery devices from the heat exchanger system. By adopting a vertical tube bundle configuration with the burner at the bottom, the system naturally utilizes buoyancy-driven convection to circulate hot gases through the tubes, achieving effective heat recovery without additional complex components.
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical heat exchanger design enables the system to self-regulate heat flow through natural convection. Hot gases rise automatically through the vertical tubes due to buoyancy, creating a self-sustaining thermal circulation that eliminates the need for external fume recovery mechanisms or complex control systems.
3Loss of energy
If vertical tube bundle arrangement is implemented, then heat transfer efficiency increases by maximizing contact zone, but manufacturing complexity may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is segmented into multiple vertical tubes arranged in a bundle, allowing modular construction. Each tube can be manufactured separately using standard pipe fabrication techniques, and then assembled into the vertical bundle configuration, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving superior heat transfer performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical tube bundle design serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the heat transfer surface, the structural support, and the flow channel for hot gases. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components, simplifying manufacturing while maximizing heat transfer efficiency through the vertical arrangement.
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 enables efficient heat transfer across a large surface area, reducing energy consumption by over 50% and minimizing environmental emissions, while being cost-effective and easy to manufacture and maintain.
Implementation Method 1
the exchange of heat between two liquids is generally obtained across a surface made of a good heat-conducting material, such as metal, which separates the two liquids that flow through the exchanger at the same time
Implementation Method 2
the heat is transmitted, across the surface, from the hotter liquid to the cooler one
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a heat exchanger structure that is substantially composed of a frame (2) inside which is arranged, parallel with each other, a plurality of radiating components (3) in which each radiating component (3) is composed of a pair of basic components (3a and 3b) coupled with each other symmetrically. The frame (2) is provided with at least one first cold liquid inlet duct (5) positioned below the base of the frame itself and at least one second hot liquid outlet duct (6) positioned above the top of the structure. In particular, each basic component (3a or 3b) is composed of a plate (30) with, on its inner side, a plurality of primary wings (31) spaced equally from each other and positioned orthogonally to the plate itself and on the outer side a series of secondary wings (32) which are also positioned orthogonally to the plate (30) and spaced equally from each other but closer to each other with respect to the primary wings (31). Besides, the plate (30) is equipped with two projections (30a and 30b) forming an arch, opposite each other and designed to couple with the corresponding projection present in the other basic component forming a channel (350).