What are the advantages of large cross-section multi-channel folding pipes

Source：m.sdsucheng.cn Release date： 2025-06-03

Information summary：The large cross-section multi-channel folding tube is a fluid transport component with a special structure, and its core advantages are reflected in efficient heat/mass transfer, compact structure, and strong adaptability. It is widely used in fields such as heat exchange, chemical engineering, refrigeration, and new energy. The following is an analysis of its main advantages and application scena

The large cross-section multi-channel folding tube is a fluid transport component with a special structure, and its core advantages are reflected in efficient heat/mass transfer, compact structure, and strong adaptability. It is widely used in fields such as heat exchange, chemical engineering, refrigeration, and new energy. The following is an analysis of its main advantages and application scenarios:
1、 Significant improvement in heat/mass transfer efficiency
1. Multi channel enhanced turbulence effect
Structural features: The interior contains multiple parallel slender channels (cross-sectional shapes can be rectangular, trapezoidal, circular, etc.), which make it easy for fluid to form turbulent states when flowing in narrow channels, reducing boundary layer thickness and thermal resistance.
Effect: Compared to traditional single tube or large-diameter pipelines, the heat transfer coefficient can be increased by 30% -80%, especially suitable for high viscosity fluids or phase change heat transfer (such as condensation and boiling) scenarios.
Application scenarios:
Condensers and evaporators of refrigeration and air conditioning systems (such as microchannel heat exchangers in multi split air conditioners).
Gas liquid reaction towers and heat exchangers in the chemical industry (such as the heat exchange unit in methanol reforming hydrogen production units).
2. Balance between large cross-section and compact layout
Design advantages: The cross-sectional size of a single pipeline is large (such as 10-100mm width), but the internal flow channels are fine (0.5-5mm width of a single flow channel), and the heat transfer area per unit volume is significantly increased (2-5 times higher than traditional circular pipes).
Case: In the thermal management system of new energy vehicle batteries, the multi-channel folding tube can tightly fit the battery module, and quickly remove heat through the coolant in the narrow channel, achieving temperature control with a temperature difference of ≤ 2 ℃.
2、 Compact structure and lightweight advantages
1. High space utilization rate
Flat folding structure: The cross-section of the pipeline is flat (usually 1-5mm thick), which can be stacked in multiple layers or arranged in a snake shape, suitable for narrow spaces (such as aerospace equipment, electronic chip heat dissipation modules).
Compared to traditional solutions, under the same heat transfer capacity, the volume can be reduced by 40% -60% and the weight can be reduced by 30% -50% (especially when using lightweight materials such as aluminum alloy and copper alloy).
2. Potential for integrated design
Multi channel parallel: It can achieve isolated flow of multiple fluids (such as cold and hot fluids, gas-liquid two-phase flow) in the same pipeline, simplifying the system pipeline layout.
Typical applications:
Integrated design of hydrogen/air flow channels and coolant flow channels in fuel cell stacks.
Aseptic fluid transport in the food processing industry (such as simultaneous transportation of sauces, additives, and sterilization media through multiple channels).
3、 Uniformity and stability of fluid distribution
1. Multi channel diversion characteristics
Parallel flow channel design: The fluid is evenly distributed to each sub channel through the inlet manifold, avoiding the bias and stagnation phenomena of traditional single tube high flow, especially suitable for scenarios that require flow control (such as liquid dispensing systems in the pharmaceutical industry).
Experimental data: Within the range of Reynolds number Re=1000-5000, the flow deviation of each channel can be controlled within ± 5%.
2. Strong resistance to fluctuations
Consistency of channel dimensions: Formed through precision extrusion or stamping processes, the channel section error is ≤± 0.05mm, ensuring uniform fluid resistance and better system stability than traditional welded or assembled multi tube structures.
4、 Material and process adaptability
1. Diversified material selection
Metal materials: copper, aluminum, stainless steel, etc., suitable for high temperature, high pressure or corrosive environments (such as chemical reactor cooling pipes, seawater desalination equipment).
Non metallic materials: plastics (such as PVC, PP), rubber, used in low-energy consumption and corrosion-resistant scenarios (such as acid and alkali liquid transportation in sewage treatment plants).
2. Flexible molding process
1. Mainstream process:
Extrusion molding: suitable for mass production of multi-channel pipes with regular cross-sections (such as aluminum microchannel pipes for air conditioning).
Stamping and folding: capable of processing complex cross-sections (such as serrated and corrugated flow channels), enhancing fluid disturbance effects.
Customization advantage: The number of flow channels (such as 10-100), cross-sectional shape, and arrangement can be designed according to the needs to meet personalized heat transfer requirements.
5、 Cost and maintenance advantages
1. Comprehensive cost reduction
Material savings: Under the same heat exchange area, the amount of metal used is reduced by 30% -50% compared to traditional round tube heat exchangers.
System simplification: A compact structure can reduce pump power, valves, and pipeline connections, thereby lowering installation and maintenance costs.
2. Convenient cleaning and maintenance
Flow channel designability: Some products support disassembly and cleaning (such as modular folding tube components), or removing impurities through reverse flushing, suitable for fluids that are prone to scaling (such as industrial circulating water, particulate media).

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