Fluid distributor for a shell-and-tube flooded evaporator

Abstract

Described herein is a distributor for a shell-and-tube flooded evaporator. The distributor comprises a first header comprising one or more first outlets located along a length at a bottom side of the first header, and a second header comprising one or more second outlets located along a length at a bottom side of the second header. The distributor is configured to be disposed within a shell associated with the evaporator such that the first header and the second header extend along a length, on opposite sides of an inner wall of the shell, and the first header and the second header are fluidically connected to one or more refrigerant inlet tubes provided on the shell.

1 . A distributor for a shell-and-tube flooded evaporator, the distributor comprising:
 a first header comprising one or more first outlets located along a length at a bottom side of the first header; and   a second header comprising one or more second outlets located along a length at a bottom side of the second header,   wherein the first header and the second header are configured to be disposed within a shell associated with the evaporator such that the first header and the second header extend along a length, on opposite sides of an inner wall of the shell, and the first header and the second header are fluidically connected to one or more refrigerant inlet tubes provided on the shell.   
     
     
         2 . The distributor of  claim 1 , wherein the distributor is configured to receive a refrigerant within the first header and/or the second header and allow the refrigerant to flow along the length of the first header and the second header and flow within the shell in a downward direction via the corresponding first and second outlets. 
     
     
         3 . The distributor of  claim 1 , wherein the second header is fluidically connected to the first header via one or more connection ports extending between the first header and the second header, and wherein the distributor is configured to receive a refrigerant within the first header and supply the refrigerant into the second header via the one or more connection ports. 
     
     
         4 . The distributor of  claim 1 , wherein the distributor is disposed at a bottom portion of the shell, and wherein the distributor is configured at a predefined height from a bottom-most point of the shell. 
     
     
         5 . The distributor of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of tubes associated with the evaporator, wherein a first set of tubes of the plurality of tubes remains or extends below the distributor. 
     
     
         6 . The distributor of  claim 3 , further comprising a plurality of tubes associated with the evaporator, wherein the plurality of tubes remains or extends above the one or more connection ports or the distributor. 
     
     
         7 . The distributor of  claim 3 , wherein a first side of each of the first header and the second header are oriented at a first predefined angle, in opposite directions, with respect to a plane, the plane extending tangentially along a bottom-most point of the shell, and wherein the one or more connection ports extends parallel to the plane. 
     
     
         8 . The distributor of  claim 7 , wherein the first predefined angle is greater than or equal to 10 degrees. 
     
     
         9 . The distributor of  claim 7 , wherein a second side, opposite to the first side, of each of the first header and the second header are oriented at a second predefined angle with respect to the plane. 
     
     
         10 . The distributor of  claim 9 , wherein the one or more first outlets of the first header are configured at a third predefined angle with respect to a longitudinal axis and/or transverse axis of the first header, and the one or more second outlets of the second header are configured at a fourth predefined angle with respect to the longitudinal axis and/or transverse axis of the first header. 
     
     
         11 . The distributor of  claim 3 , wherein the one or more connection ports are a hollow member having a rectangular profile or square profile. 
     
     
         12 . The distributor of  claim 3 , wherein the one or more connection ports are located adjacent to or in-line with an inlet of the first header or the inlet tube. 
     
     
         13 . The distributor of  claim 3 , wherein the one or more connection ports comprise a connection port centrally located between the first header and the second header, the connection port extending orthogonally to a longitudinal axis of the first header and the second header. 
     
     
         14 . The distributor of  claim 13 , wherein an end, adjacent to the first header, of the connection port has a bell-shaped inlet, and wherein a cross-section of the bell-shaped inlet reduces while moving in a direction toward the connection port. 
     
     
         15 . The distributor of  claim 14 , wherein another end, adjacent to the second header, of the connection port has a bell-shaped outlet, and wherein a cross-section of the bell-shaped outlet increases while moving in a direction away from the connection port. 
     
     
         16 . The distributor of  claim 3 , wherein the one or more connection ports extend orthogonally between a bottom end of the first header and the second header. 
     
     
         17 . The distributor of  claim 3 , wherein the one or more connection ports extend orthogonally between a top end of the first header and the second header. 
     
     
         18 . The distributor of  claim 3 , wherein the one or more connection ports extend orthogonally between a middle section of the first header and the second header. 
     
     
         19 . The distributor of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more first outlets and the one or more second outlets are in line. 
     
     
         20 . The distributor of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more first outlets and the one or more second outlets are offset from each other.