EP3732426A1 - A heat exchanger - Google Patents

A heat exchanger

Info

Publication number
EP3732426A1
EP3732426A1 EP18830255.8A EP18830255A EP3732426A1 EP 3732426 A1 EP3732426 A1 EP 3732426A1 EP 18830255 A EP18830255 A EP 18830255A EP 3732426 A1 EP3732426 A1 EP 3732426A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
air
evaporator
heat exchanger
upper region
inlet duct
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP18830255.8A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Mutlu IPEK
Selcuk KARAGOZ
Mert GUNEY
Hafize OZKILINC
Samet HOCAOGLU
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Arcelik AS
Original Assignee
Arcelik AS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Arcelik AS filed Critical Arcelik AS
Publication of EP3732426A1 publication Critical patent/EP3732426A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
    • F28F17/00—Removing ice or water from heat-exchange apparatus
    • F28F17/005—Means for draining condensates from heat exchangers, e.g. from evaporators
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F58/00—Domestic laundry dryers
    • D06F58/20—General details of domestic laundry dryers 
    • D06F58/24—Condensing arrangements
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
    • F28D1/00—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary conduit assemblies for one heat-exchange medium only, the media being in contact with different sides of the conduit wall, in which the other heat-exchange medium is a large body of fluid, e.g. domestic or motor car radiators
    • F28D1/02—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary conduit assemblies for one heat-exchange medium only, the media being in contact with different sides of the conduit wall, in which the other heat-exchange medium is a large body of fluid, e.g. domestic or motor car radiators with heat-exchange conduits immersed in the body of fluid
    • F28D1/0233—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary conduit assemblies for one heat-exchange medium only, the media being in contact with different sides of the conduit wall, in which the other heat-exchange medium is a large body of fluid, e.g. domestic or motor car radiators with heat-exchange conduits immersed in the body of fluid with air flow channels
    • F28D1/024—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary conduit assemblies for one heat-exchange medium only, the media being in contact with different sides of the conduit wall, in which the other heat-exchange medium is a large body of fluid, e.g. domestic or motor car radiators with heat-exchange conduits immersed in the body of fluid with air flow channels with an air driving element
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
    • F28F1/00—Tubular elements; Assemblies of tubular elements
    • F28F1/10—Tubular elements and assemblies thereof with means for increasing heat-transfer area, e.g. with fins, with projections, with recesses
    • F28F1/12—Tubular elements and assemblies thereof with means for increasing heat-transfer area, e.g. with fins, with projections, with recesses the means being only outside the tubular element
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F58/00—Domestic laundry dryers
    • D06F58/20—General details of domestic laundry dryers 
    • D06F58/206—Heat pump arrangements
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
    • F28D21/00—Heat-exchange apparatus not covered by any of the groups F28D1/00 - F28D20/00
    • F28D2021/0019—Other heat exchangers for particular applications; Heat exchange systems not otherwise provided for
    • F28D2021/0038—Other heat exchangers for particular applications; Heat exchange systems not otherwise provided for for drying or dehumidifying gases or vapours
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
    • F28F2215/00—Fins
    • F28F2215/04—Assemblies of fins having different features, e.g. with different fin densities

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a heat exchanger enabling effective air flow and saving energy for heat pump systems.
  • Heat pump dryers are commonly used in the market.
  • the hot and humid air drawn from a drum cools and dehumidifies while passing through an evaporator.
  • the air dehumidified on the evaporator then passes through a condenser.
  • the condenser enables heating the air and thereby increasing its moisture holding capacity.
  • the air passed through the condenser is then sent onto the laundry items in the drum again. The drying cycle thus continues until the laundry items are dried.
  • the air passes to the front door portion. From there, the air passes through the evaporator and the condenser in the lower chassis and is directed to the fan suction duct. The air exits the fan duct and is redirected into the drum.
  • the critical element in an air flow process lies in the presence of a perpendicular curve of 90 degrees at the portion where air is directed from the front door portion to the lower chassis, due to structural limitations.
  • said curve of 90 degrees on the passage from the front door portion to the lower chassis is determined to adversely affect the air flow on the evaporator.
  • EP2990517B1 relates to air flow in a lower chassis of a heat pump dryer. It is suggested to avoid sharp curves and angles in lower chassis design. Such angles also increase noise levels and energy consumption by creating pressure drops and increasing turbulence. Designing a longer distance between the inlet and the outlet of the air duct enables degrading the curve on the condenser outlet side, decreasing the effects of pressure drops and turbulences along the air duct by avoiding sharp curves.
  • EP3014010 discloses a dryer in which the distance between two separate pitches are not identical and are positioned at three different distances. Said distances vary in the range of 5 and 20 mm. In addition, the fins provided on each pitch differ as well.
  • the aim of the present invention is to realize a heat exchanger with increased cooling capacity efficiency.
  • Another aim of the present invention is to realize a heat exchanger increasing condensing efficiency and humidity holding capacity of air, thereby saving energy by reducing process duration.
  • a heat exchanger for systems having an air flow comprises
  • the heat exchanger of the invention comprises a humidity volume having wet or damp surfaces therein.
  • An air inlet duct and an air outlet duct are connected to the humidity volume.
  • a fan is placed in the system for circulating air from the humidity volume to the air inlet duct and therefrom to the air outlet duct.
  • the humid air exiting the humidity volume enters into the air inlet duct.
  • the humid air exiting the air inlet duct by the circulation provided by the fan is dehumidified at the evaporator.
  • the dehumidified dry air enters the condenser and is heated therein.
  • the heated air advances from the condenser to the air outlet duct, and re-enters the humidity volume therefrom.
  • At least two finned regions are provided in the condenser having fin arrangements of different densities.
  • An upper region consisting of fins is placed in the evaporator, and a lower region is placed in the evaporator, consisting of fins arranged more densely with respect to the upper region.
  • a plurality of lower regions are formed below the upper region.
  • the humid air exiting the air inlet duct by the circulation provided by the fan has varying air densities. Due to said varying air densities, the humid air at the upper region of the evaporator is less dense, and the humid air at the lower region of the evaporator is more dense.
  • the evaporator consists of at least two regions with different fin arrangement densities as the humid air reaching the evaporator has varying densities.
  • the less dense air with less humidity is dried by passing through the fins provided in the upper region, and the more dense air with higher humidity is passed through the lower region having fins arranged more densely with respect to the upper region.
  • the efficiency of the cooling capacity of the heat exchanger is enhanced by passing humid air through regions with different fin densities.
  • passing humid air though regions with different fin densities increases the condensation efficiency of the heat exchanger and the moisture holding capacity of air, reducing the energy consumption of the system.
  • the heat exchanger of the invention can be used in heat pump dryers.
  • the drum In heat pump dryers, the drum is used as the humidity volume and the wet laundry items are placed therein.
  • the hot and humid air drawn from the drum by means of the fan passes through the air inlet duct and reaches the lower chassis connected to the air inlet duct.
  • the hot and humid air reaches the evaporator placed in the lower chassis, and is dehumidified while passing through the evaporator.
  • the air dehumidified on the evaporator then passes to the condenser provided in the lower chassis.
  • the condenser enables heating the air and thereby increasing its moisture holding capacity.
  • After passing through the condenser the air reaches the air outlet duct by means of the fan provided in the air outlet duct.
  • the heated air is sent into the drum connected to the air outlet duct, enabling drying the laundry items therein.
  • the portion where the air is directed in the air inlet duct to the lower chassis where the evaporator is disposed has a curvy structure due to structural limitations.
  • the air inlet duct has a perpendicular curve of 90 degrees.
  • the evaporator operates inefficiently during air circulation due to a perpendicular curve of 90 degrees at the air outlet duct. Therefore, in order to make the air flow on the evaporator more efficient, the fin structure and arrangement on the present evaporator consists of two separate regions.
  • the fins Due to the obligated curve on the passage of the air flow from the air inlet duct towards the lower chassis, the fins are arranged less densely at the upper region where the air flow is weaker and non-existent in parts in the first two pitches (tube arrangement) of the evaporator. In the lower region with strong air flow, the fins are arranged closer to each other, forming a denser fin arrangement. Thus, it is not required to use additional fins redundantly at the upper region where the air flow is weak.
  • the density of the fins placed in the evaporator at separate regions, as well as the distance between the tubes can be changed. Both fin and tube arrangements are designed to be denser at the lower region of the evaporator, i.e. the portion where denser air flows.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Geometry (AREA)
  • Detail Structures Of Washing Machines And Dryers (AREA)
  • Heat-Exchange Devices With Radiators And Conduit Assemblies (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention relates to a heat exchanger for appliances with air flow, characterized by at least one humidity volume, at least one air inlet duct connected to the humidity volume, at least one air outlet duct connected to the humidity volume, at least one fan enabling air to be circulated from the humidity volume to the air inlet duct and therefrom to the air outlet duct, at least one condenser to heat the dry air entering the air outlet duct, at least one evaporator to dehumidify the humid air from the air inlet duct before it is introduced into the condenser, at least one upper region provided in the evaporator and consisting of fins, and at least one lower region provided in the evaporator and consisting of fins of a number higher than those of the upper region so as to have a fin arrangement denser than that of the upper region.

Description

    A HEAT EXCHANGER
  • Technical Field
  • The present invention relates to a heat exchanger enabling effective air flow and saving energy for heat pump systems.
  • Prior Art
  • Heat pump dryers are commonly used in the market. In heat pump dryers, the hot and humid air drawn from a drum cools and dehumidifies while passing through an evaporator. The air dehumidified on the evaporator then passes through a condenser. The condenser enables heating the air and thereby increasing its moisture holding capacity. The air passed through the condenser is then sent onto the laundry items in the drum again. The drying cycle thus continues until the laundry items are dried. After the drum, the air passes to the front door portion. From there, the air passes through the evaporator and the condenser in the lower chassis and is directed to the fan suction duct. The air exits the fan duct and is redirected into the drum. The critical element in an air flow process lies in the presence of a perpendicular curve of 90 degrees at the portion where air is directed from the front door portion to the lower chassis, due to structural limitations. In conducted computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analyses, said curve of 90 degrees on the passage from the front door portion to the lower chassis is determined to adversely affect the air flow on the evaporator.
  • State of the art patent document no. EP2990517B1 relates to air flow in a lower chassis of a heat pump dryer. It is suggested to avoid sharp curves and angles in lower chassis design. Such angles also increase noise levels and energy consumption by creating pressure drops and increasing turbulence. Designing a longer distance between the inlet and the outlet of the air duct enables degrading the curve on the condenser outlet side, decreasing the effects of pressure drops and turbulences along the air duct by avoiding sharp curves.
  • State of the art patent document no. EP3014010 discloses a dryer in which the distance between two separate pitches are not identical and are positioned at three different distances. Said distances vary in the range of 5 and 20 mm. In addition, the fins provided on each pitch differ as well.
  • Problems Solved by the Invention
  • The aim of the present invention is to realize a heat exchanger with increased cooling capacity efficiency.
  • Another aim of the present invention is to realize a heat exchanger increasing condensing efficiency and humidity holding capacity of air, thereby saving energy by reducing process duration.
  • Detailed Description of the Invention
  • In its most basic form, a heat exchanger for systems having an air flow comprises
    • at least one humidity volume,
    • at least one air inlet duct connected to the humidity volume,
    • at least one air outlet duct connected to the humidity volume,
    • at least one fan enabling air to be circulated from the humidity volume to the air inlet duct and therefrom to the air outlet duct,
    • at least one condenser provided in front of the air outlet duct to heat the dry air,
    • at least one evaporator to dehumidify the humid air from the air inlet duct before it is introduced into the condenser,
    • at least one upper region consisting of fins, provided in the evaporator, and
    • at least one lower region provided in the evaporator, consisting of fins of a number higher than those of the upper region so as to have a fin arrangement denser than that of the upper region.
  • The heat exchanger of the invention comprises a humidity volume having wet or damp surfaces therein. An air inlet duct and an air outlet duct are connected to the humidity volume. A fan is placed in the system for circulating air from the humidity volume to the air inlet duct and therefrom to the air outlet duct. The humid air exiting the humidity volume enters into the air inlet duct. The humid air exiting the air inlet duct by the circulation provided by the fan, is dehumidified at the evaporator. The dehumidified dry air enters the condenser and is heated therein. The heated air advances from the condenser to the air outlet duct, and re-enters the humidity volume therefrom.
  • At least two finned regions are provided in the condenser having fin arrangements of different densities. An upper region consisting of fins is placed in the evaporator, and a lower region is placed in the evaporator, consisting of fins arranged more densely with respect to the upper region. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a plurality of lower regions are formed below the upper region. The humid air exiting the air inlet duct by the circulation provided by the fan has varying air densities. Due to said varying air densities, the humid air at the upper region of the evaporator is less dense, and the humid air at the lower region of the evaporator is more dense. The evaporator consists of at least two regions with different fin arrangement densities as the humid air reaching the evaporator has varying densities. The less dense air with less humidity is dried by passing through the fins provided in the upper region, and the more dense air with higher humidity is passed through the lower region having fins arranged more densely with respect to the upper region. The efficiency of the cooling capacity of the heat exchanger is enhanced by passing humid air through regions with different fin densities. Moreover, passing humid air though regions with different fin densities, increases the condensation efficiency of the heat exchanger and the moisture holding capacity of air, reducing the energy consumption of the system.
  • The heat exchanger of the invention can be used in heat pump dryers. In heat pump dryers, the drum is used as the humidity volume and the wet laundry items are placed therein. The hot and humid air drawn from the drum by means of the fan, passes through the air inlet duct and reaches the lower chassis connected to the air inlet duct. The hot and humid air reaches the evaporator placed in the lower chassis, and is dehumidified while passing through the evaporator. The air dehumidified on the evaporator then passes to the condenser provided in the lower chassis. The condenser enables heating the air and thereby increasing its moisture holding capacity. After passing through the condenser, the air reaches the air outlet duct by means of the fan provided in the air outlet duct. The heated air is sent into the drum connected to the air outlet duct, enabling drying the laundry items therein.
  • In the air flow process, the portion where the air is directed in the air inlet duct to the lower chassis where the evaporator is disposed, has a curvy structure due to structural limitations. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the air inlet duct has a perpendicular curve of 90 degrees. The evaporator operates inefficiently during air circulation due to a perpendicular curve of 90 degrees at the air outlet duct. Therefore, in order to make the air flow on the evaporator more efficient, the fin structure and arrangement on the present evaporator consists of two separate regions. Due to the obligated curve on the passage of the air flow from the air inlet duct towards the lower chassis, the fins are arranged less densely at the upper region where the air flow is weaker and non-existent in parts in the first two pitches (tube arrangement) of the evaporator. In the lower region with strong air flow, the fins are arranged closer to each other, forming a denser fin arrangement. Thus, it is not required to use additional fins redundantly at the upper region where the air flow is weak.
  • In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the density of the fins placed in the evaporator at separate regions, as well as the distance between the tubes can be changed. Both fin and tube arrangements are designed to be denser at the lower region of the evaporator, i.e. the portion where denser air flows.

Claims (6)

  1. A heat exchanger for appliances with air flow, comprising in its most basic form, at least one humidity volume, at least one air inlet duct connected to the humidity volume, at least one air outlet duct connected to the humidity volume, at least one fan enabling air to be circulated from the humidity volume to the air inlet duct and therefrom to the air outlet duct, and at least one condenser to heat the dry air, characterized by
    - at least one evaporator to dehumidify the humid air from the air inlet duct before it is introduced into the condenser,
    - at least one upper region consisting of fins, provided in the evaporator, and by
    - at least one lower region provided in the evaporator, consisting of fins of a number higher than those of the upper region so as to have a fin arrangement denser than that of the upper region.
  2. A heat exchanger according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of lower regions formed below the upper region.
  3. A heat exchanger according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by being suitable for use in heat pump dryers.
  4. A heat exchanger according to claim 3, comprising at least one humidity volume in which damp laundry items are placed.
  5. A heat exchanger according to claims 3 to 4, comprising at least one lower chassis in which the evaporator and the condenser are disposed.
  6. A heat exchanger according to claim 1 or 3, comprising at least one air inlet duct an end of which is connected to the humidity volume and the other end to the lower chassis, having a curve for twisting.
EP18830255.8A 2017-12-26 2018-12-20 A heat exchanger Withdrawn EP3732426A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
TR2017/21789A TR201721789A2 (en) 2017-12-26 2017-12-26 ONE EXCHANGER
PCT/EP2018/086084 WO2019129614A1 (en) 2017-12-26 2018-12-20 A heat exchanger

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3732426A1 true EP3732426A1 (en) 2020-11-04

Family

ID=64959334

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP18830255.8A Withdrawn EP3732426A1 (en) 2017-12-26 2018-12-20 A heat exchanger

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3732426A1 (en)
TR (1) TR201721789A2 (en)
WO (1) WO2019129614A1 (en)

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4603489A (en) * 1984-10-05 1986-08-05 Michael Goldberg Heat pump closed loop drying
FR2829231B1 (en) * 2001-09-05 2004-12-10 Esswein Sa METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DRYING BY AIR CIRCULATION
WO2011005986A2 (en) * 2009-07-10 2011-01-13 Johnson Controls Technology Company Multichannel heat exchanger with differing fin spacing
US20140262188A1 (en) * 2013-03-15 2014-09-18 Ramana Venkato Rao Sistla Fin Spacing On An Evaporative Atmospheric Water Condenser
WO2014206483A1 (en) * 2013-06-28 2014-12-31 Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag Heat pump laundry dryer and method to optimize the heat exchange of such a heat pump laundry dryer
EP2990517B1 (en) 2014-08-29 2017-03-08 Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag Laundry dryer including a heat pump system
CN106480681B (en) * 2015-08-31 2019-08-27 青岛海尔滚筒洗衣机有限公司 A kind of straight-line heat pump clothes dryer

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2019129614A1 (en) 2019-07-04
TR201721789A2 (en) 2019-07-22

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