Flow assisted anti-fouling geometries for compact heat exchangers
| DWPI Title: Header for microchannel heat exchanger for distributing fluid through multiple adjacent channels, has inlet port that is in fluid communication with total surface area of filter, where cleaning fluid flows through surface area of filter screen to dislodge fouling material collected on filter screen |
| Abstract: A header for a heat exchanger and method for cleaning a heat exchanger in a loop without disconnecting loop components is provided. The header is in flow communication with the heat exchanger for distributing fluid through a plurality of adjacent channels. The header is connected between a main heat exchanger inlet nozzle and a channel flow distributor. A filter element is disposed within the header between the nozzle and channel flow distributor. Under normal operation, the filter element removes particulates and fouling material from the main flow stream before it enters the heat exchanger channels. During the cleaning process, fluid is injected on or through the filter element to remove particulates and fouling material through at least one outlet port. The header arrangement allows the filter element to be ‘cleaned in place’ without draining the system and disconnecting the heat exchanger or other components from the flow loop. |
| Use: Header for microchannel heat exchanger for distributing fluid through multiple adjacent channels. |
| Advantage: The header cleans the channels much easier while improving flow uniformity and lowering manufacturing costs. The header has cleaning in place, flow uniformity and incorporates a screen or filter in the header normalize local pressure gradients and increase flow uniformity and incorporates cleaning features in the heat exchanger is expected to reduce system cost. The apertures are sized to prevent particulates or contamination from entering the micro channels where particulates and fouling are more difficult to remove. The reduction in channel dimensions leads to a chronic risk of heat exchanger particulate fouling where foreign debris accumulates in the small passages and reduces flow area or completely blocks channels and reduces heat exchanger performance. |
| Novelty: The header (10) has a filter screen (20) arranged within the header to collect fouling material, where the filter screen has a total surface area through which the fluid flows. A clean-out port is provided in the header between an inlet nozzle and the screen to which the flow laden with the material during the cleaning process is discharged from the header. A cavity (14) is provided between the screen and a channel flow distributer of a heat exchanger. An inlet port (16) is in fluid communication with the total surface area of the filter, where cleaning fluid is introduced into the cavity through the port and flows through the total surface area of the filter screen to dislodge fouling material collected on the filter screen, and is discharged from the clean-out port. |
| Filed: 1/20/2021 |
| Application Number: US17153753A |
| Tech ID: SD 14610.0 |
| This invention was made with Government support under Contract No. DE-NA0003525 awarded by the United States Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration. The Government has certain rights in the invention. |
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