Welded Plate Gland Condenser Skid for Compact Steam Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gland condenser systems based on shell and tubes heat exchangers face issues such as high foot-printing, large volume, weight, and cost, low heat exchanging capacity, equipment limitations, complex maintenance, and high installation costs, while shell and plates heat exchangers are not suitable due to potential leakage and contamination risks.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a shell and plates heat exchanger with fully welded plates to serve as a gland condenser, ensuring gasket-free operation and improved thermal efficiency, capable of handling higher pressures and temperatures, and reducing footprint and weight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If shell and tubes heat exchanger is used as gland condenser, then reliability is improved, but foot-printing, volume, weight and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The heat exchanger is divided into multiple plate segments arranged in a stacked configuration, replacing the traditional tube bundle structure. This segmentation allows for compact arrangement while maintaining heat transfer effectiveness, thereby reducing overall weight and footprint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design transitions from a three-dimensional tube bundle arrangement to a two-dimensional plate stacking configuration. This dimensional change enables compact packaging and reduces the foot-printing and volume of the heat exchanger while maintaining thermal performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If shell and tubes heat exchanger is used as gland condenser, then reliability is improved, but heat exchanging capacity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidheat exchanging capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The plate heat exchanger divides the heat transfer surface into multiple segments, increasing the effective heat transfer area and improving heat exchanging capacity while maintaining reliable sealed connections between plates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design optimizes heat transfer parameters by changing from tube-based conduction to plate-based convection and conduction, achieving higher heat exchanging capacity through improved thermal contact and larger effective surface area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If shell and tubes heat exchanger is used as gland condenser, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heat exchanger is segmented into modular plate units that can be easily assembled and disassembled, reducing device complexity compared to the integrated tube bundle structure while maintaining reliable sealed connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The plate heat exchanger allows for flexible configuration and adjustment of plate arrangements, enabling dynamic optimization of heat transfer surfaces and flow paths without increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If shell and tubes heat exchanger is used as gland condenser, then reliability is improved, but installation and maintenance costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidinstallation and maintenance costs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The modular plate structure enables easier manufacturing, installation, and maintenance compared to traditional tube bundles. Plates can be pre-fabricated and assembled on-site, reducing installation complexity and maintenance costs while maintaining reliable sealed connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The plate heat exchanger allows for easier replacement of individual plates or sections without discarding the entire unit, reducing maintenance costs and improving economic efficiency while maintaining system reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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 solution provides a more compact, efficient, and cost-effective gland condenser with enhanced heat transfer rates, lower installation costs, and robust design, suitable for a wide range of fluids and aggressive media, while maintaining safety and reliability.

Implementation Method 1

shell and plates heat exchanger with welded plates package to avoid any possible leakage and contamination

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a gland condenser skid system is used to condense the steam coming from a steam turbine sealing system

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Data Source

PatentUS12560107B2Gland condenser skid systems by shell and plates technology

Publication Date: 2026.02.24 NUOVO PIGNONE TECH SRL

AI summary

The disclosure concerns a gland condenser skid system for thermodynamic machine, namely a steam turbine, the gland condenser skid system comprising a shell and plates heat exchanger as gland condenser (10), said shell and plates heat exchanger being formed of gasket-free welded tube sheets.