WO2006053311A3 - Parallel flow evaporator with shaped manifolds - Google Patents

Abstract

In a parallel flow evaporator, the inlet manifold construction consists of alternating expansion and contraction chambers to promote homogeneous conditions of the refrigerant, as it flows longitudinally through the inlet manifold, as a result of partial evaporation (throttling) and mixing and jetting effects (due to velocity augmentation). In a preferred embodiment, the parallel channels are fluidly connected to the expansion chambers so as to receive a homogeneous refrigerant mixture therefrom. In one embodiment, the expansion and contraction chambers are progressively smaller in size toward a downstream end, so as to accommodate the diminishing refrigerant flow as it progresses longitudinally along the inlet manifold. In another embodiment, the outlet manifold also consists of a repetitive pattern of alternating expansion and contraction chambers, so as to balance the impedances of the inlet manifold. In still another embodiment, these chambers are progressively larger in size toward a downstream end of the outlet manifold. In yet another embodiment, the flow-mixing inserts are introduced into the contraction chambers to further promote homogeneous conditions within the manifold. As a result, maldistribution in the heat exchanger is avoided, resulting in system performance augmentation and compressor reliability enhancement.