Login| Sign Up| Help| Contact|

Patent Searching and Data


Title:
METHOD AND CONTROLLER FOR PREVENTING FORMATION OF DROPLETS IN A HEAT EXCHANGER
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2020/122799
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A method for preventing formation of droplets in a heat exchanger (1), in which a second medium transfers heat to a first. The method is performed by a controller (100) which receives different temperature values (Ti, T2, T3) and a pressure (P) value to be used for calculating a boiling point temperature value (TB) and determining a first temperature difference (ΔΤ1) and a second temperature difference (ΔΤ2). Generating a flow control signal, for controlling the flow of the first medium into the heat exchanger (1), based on the first temperature difference (ΔΤ1), the second temperature difference (ΔΤ2) and the first temperature value (T1) and sending the flow control signal to a regulator device (40, 41 ) for controlling the flow of the first medium in the heat exchanger (1).

Inventors:
AHLBOM ESKO (SE)
PETTERSSON RIKARD (SE)
Application Number:
PCT/SE2019/051263
Publication Date:
June 18, 2020
Filing Date:
December 10, 2019
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation   Help
Assignee:
CLIMEON AB (SE)
International Classes:
F01K13/02; F22B33/00; F25B39/02; F28F27/00
Domestic Patent References:
WO2017218317A12017-12-21
Foreign References:
KR20140029261A2014-03-10
US20100307155A12010-12-09
US20160076405A12016-03-17
EP2674697A12013-12-18
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
BERGENSTRÅHLE & PARTNERS STOCKHOLM AB (SE)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS

1. Method of preventing formation of droplets in a heat exchanger (1 ), in which a second medium transfers heat to a first medium, said method being per formed by a controller (100) and comprises:

- receiving (S102) a first temperature value (Ti), from a first temperature unit (10), of a temperature at a first position of the first medium exiting the heat exchanger (1 ),

- receiving (S104) a pressure value (P), from a pressure sensor unit (12), of a pressure of the first medium exiting the heat exchanger (1 ),

- receiving (S106) a second temperature value (T2), from a second temperature unit (15), of a temperature of the second medium entering the heat exchanger (1 ),

- receiving (S108) a third temperature value (T3), from a third temperature unit (16), of a temperature of the second medium exiting the heat exchanger (1 ),

- calculating (S1 10) a boiling point temperature value (TB) based on the pressure value (P) and heat exchanger parameters,

- determining (S112) a first temperature difference (DT1) between the second temperature value (T2) and the first temperature value (Ti),

- determining (S1 14) a second temperature difference (DT2) between the third temperature value (T3) and the boiling point temperature value (TB),

- generating (S1 16) a flow control signal, for controlling the flow of the first me dium into the heat exchanger (1 ), based on the first temperature difference (DT1), the second temperature difference (DT2) and the first temperature value (Ti),

- sending (S118) the flow control signal to a regulator device (40, 41 ) for control ling the flow of the first medium in the heat exchanger (1 ).

2. Method according to claim 1 , wherein the flow control signal is generated such that the first temperature difference (DT1) and the second temperature differ ence (DT2) are inversely proportional and the first temperature value (Ti) is directly proportional to the flow of the first medium in the heat exchanger (1 ).

3. Method according to any one of claims 1 or 2, further comprising

- receiving (S109) a fourth temperature value (T4), from the first temperature unit (10), of a temperature at a second position of the first medium exiting the heat ex- changer (1 ), and wherein the step of determining (S1 12) the first temperature differ ence (DT1) further comprises determining the temperature difference between the second temperature value (T2) and either one the first temperature value (Ti ) and the fourth temperature value (T4).

4. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the heat ex changer parameters comprise at least one of the following parameters: type of me dium used as first medium, type of medium used as second medium, pressure(s) and flows in the system, ambient temperature, selected overheating temperature ATover- heat, differential temperature of the second medium between an inlet port (6) and an outlet port (7) of the heat exchanger (1 ).

5. Method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the first tempera ture difference (DTi) and the second temperature difference (DT2) are inversely pro portional in a range of 0 - 6°C and the first temperature value (Ti) is directly propor tional in a range of 70-1 15°C to the flow of the first medium in the heat exchanger (1 ).

6. A controller (100) for preventing formation of droplets in a heat ex changer (1 ), in which a second medium transfers heat to a first medium, the control ler comprising a processor (120) and a non-transitory computer-readable medium (140), configured to store instructions (160), which when executed by the processor (120), cause the controller (100) to:

- receive a first temperature value (Ti), from a first temperature unit (10), of a tem perature at a first position of the first medium exiting the heat exchanger (1 ),

- receive a pressure value (P), from a pressure sensor unit (12), of a pressure of the first medium exiting the heat exchanger (1 ),

- receive a second temperature value (T2), from a second temperature unit (15), of a temperature of the second medium entering the heat exchanger (1 ),

- receive a third temperature value (T3), from a third temperature unit (16), of a temperature of the second medium exiting the heat exchanger (1 ),

- calculate a boiling point temperature value (TB) based on the pressure value (P) and heat exchanger parameters, - determine a first temperature difference (DT1) between the second temperature value (T2) and the first temperature value (Ti),

- determine a second temperature difference (DT2) between the third temperature value (T3) and the boiling point temperature value (TB),

- generate a flow control signal, for controlling the flow of the first medium into the heat exchanger (1 ), based on the first temperature difference (DT1), the second tem perature difference (DT2) and the first temperature value (Ti),

- send the flow control signal to a regulator device (40, 41 ) for controlling the flow of the first medium in the heat exchanger (1 ).

7. The controller (100) according to claim 6, wherein the controller (100) is further caused to generate the flow control signal such that the first temperature dif ference (DTi) and the second temperature difference (DT2) are inversely proportional and the first temperature value (Ti) is directly proportional to the flow of the first me dium in the heat exchanger (1 ).

8. The controller (100) according to any one of claims 6 to 7, wherein the controller (100) is further caused to receive a fourth temperature value (T4), from the first temperature unit (10), of a temperature at a second position of the first medium exiting the heat exchanger (1 ), and determine the first temperature difference (DT1) as the temperature difference between the second temperature value (T2) and either one the first temperature value (Ti) and the fourth temperature value (T4).

9. The controller (100) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the controller (100) is further caused to calculate the boiling point temperature value (TB) based on at least one of the following heat exchanger parameters: type of medium used as first medium, type of medium used as second medium, pressure(s) and flows in the system, ambient temperature, selected overheating temperature ATover- heat, differential temperature of the second medium between an inlet port (6) and an outlet port (7) of the heat exchanger (1 ).

10. The controller (100) according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the first temperature difference (DTi) and the second temperature difference (DT2) are in versely proportional in a range of 0 - 6°C and the first temperature value (Ti) is di rectly proportional in a range of 70-1 15°C to the flow of the first medium in the heat exchanger (1 ).

11. A computer program (160) comprising computer program code, the com puter program code being adapted, if executed on a processor (120), to implement the method according to any one of the claims 1 to 5.

12. A computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium (170), the computer readable storage medium having the computer program (180) according to claim 1 1.

Description:
METHOD AND CONTROLLER FOR PREVENTING FORMATION OF DROPLETS

IN A HEAT EXCHANGER

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to a method and controller for preventing for mation of droplets in a heat exchanger, and more specifically to controlling the flow of a first medium in the heat exchanger. The present invention also relates to a com puter program and a computer program product for performing the method.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

In power plants that are run by thermodynamic power cycles, such as a Rankine cy cle, a Kalina cycle, a Carbon Carrier cycle and/or a Carnot cycle, a turbine is an es sential element for generating power. A liquid is heated until it is converted in to dry gas which enters the turbine to perform work. Typically, the liquid is heated in a heat exchanger to produce dry gas, which exits the heat exchanger from an outlet port and is fed to the turbine.

One problem when heating the liquid into gas is that the gas is not totally dry, i.e. there may be liquid droplets in the gas. The momentum of fast moving liquid droplets exiting from a heat exchanger damages turbine blades and shortens the life span of the turbine. The turbine is typically the most expensive part of the power plant and if the life span of the turbine could be extended, costs for repairing or replacing turbine blades or turbines could be saved. A similar problem occurs with compressors that are coupled to heat exchangers, i.e. also here liquid droplets may damage the com pressor. Consequently, there is also a need of eliminating the cost of repairing or re placing compressors.

EP2674697 relates to an evaporator system for better control and distribution of a supply of a cooling agent, between fluid passages in order to improve the efficiency of a plate heat exchanger independent of the prevailing running condition. The sys tem comprises a sensor arrangement with temperature and pressure sensors for de tecting the presence of liquid content in the evaporated fluid. The pressure sensor and temperature sensor are arranged between an outlet of the evaporator and an in let of a compressor. The evaporator system further comprises an expansion valve, having the function of expanding cooling agent from a high to a low pressure side, and to fine tuning the flow. The expansion valve may be operated by a controller based on signals received from the pressure sensor and the temperature sensor.

Moreover, in some other prior art systems, there is a device for separating droplets from the gas which is led into the turbine. Such a droplet separator is positioned be tween the outlet of a first medium (i.e. working medium) and the turbine. The problem with droplet separators is that they are bulky and take up space in the system. There is also a cost aspect, which makes such a system more expensive. Thus, there is a need for a system which is both space and cost effective.

Consequently, in view of the above, there is a need for a controller and method for preventing formation of droplets in a heat exchanger which is more efficient and ac curate, and which is adapted to be used together with turbines.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an efficient method for preventing for mation of droplets in a heat exchanger, especially for a heat exchanger used as a boiler.

According to an aspect of the present invention this object is accomplished by a method of preventing formation of droplets in a heat exchanger, in which heat ex changer a second medium transfers heat to a first medium and the method is per formed by a controller. In the method the controller receives

- a first temperature value from a first temperature unit, of a temperature at a first po sition of the first medium exiting the heat exchanger,

- a pressure value, from a pressure sensor unit, of a pressure of the first medium ex iting the heat exchanger, - a second temperature value from a second temperature unit, of a temperature of the second medium entering the heat exchanger and

- a third temperature value from a third temperature unit, of a temperature of the sec ond medium exiting the heat exchanger.

The method performed in the controller then,

- calculates a boiling point temperature value based on the received pressure value and heat exchanger parameters,

- determines a first temperature difference between the second temperature value and the first temperature value and

- determines a second temperature difference between the third temperature value and the boiling point temperature value.

Thereafter the controller generates a flow control signal, for controlling the flow of the first medium into the heat exchanger, based on the first temperature difference, the second temperature difference and the first temperature value and sends the flow control signal to a regulator device for controlling the flow of the first medium in the heat exchanger.

In an exemplary embodiment the flow control signal may be generated such that the first temperature difference and the second temperature difference are inversely pro portional, and the first temperature value is directly proportional to the flow of the first medium in the heat exchanger. Especially, wherein the first temperature difference and the second temperature difference are inversely proportional in a range of 0 to 6°C and the first temperature value is directly proportional in a range of 70-1 15°C to the flow of the first medium in the heat exchanger.

In yet another exemplary embodiment of the method the controller receives a fourth temperature value, from the first temperature unit, of a temperature at a second posi tion of the first medium exiting the heat exchanger, and the step of determining the first temperature difference further comprises determining the temperature difference between the second temperature value and either one the first temperature value and the fourth temperature value. In a further embodiment the heat exchanger parameters comprise at least one of the following parameters: type of medium used as first medium, type of medium used as second medium, pressure(s) and flows in the system, ambient temperature, selected overheating temperature, differential temperature of the second medium between an inlet port an and outlet port of the heat exchanger.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a controller for efficiently pre venting formation of droplets in a heat exchanger, especially for a heat exchanger used as a boiler.

According to another aspect of the present invention this object is accomplished by a controller for preventing formation of droplets in a heat exchanger, in which a second medium transfers heat to a first medium. The controller comprises a processor and a non-transitory computer-readable medium, configured to store instructions, which when executed by the processor, causes the controller to receive

- a first temperature value from a first temperature unit, of a temperature at a first po sition of the first medium exiting the heat exchanger,

- a pressure value, from a pressure sensor unit, of a pressure of the first medium ex iting the heat exchanger,

- a second temperature value, from a second temperature unit, of a temperature of the second medium entering the heat exchanger, and

- a third temperature value, from a third temperature unit, of a temperature of the sec ond medium exiting the heat exchanger.

The controller is further caused to

- calculate a boiling point temperature value based on the pressure value and heat exchanger parameters,

- determine a first temperature difference between the second temperature value and the first temperature value and

- determine a second temperature difference between the third temperature value and the boiling point temperature value.

Furthermore, the controller is caused too generate a flow control signal, for control ling the flow of the first medium into the heat exchanger, based on the first tempera ture difference, the second temperature difference and the first temperature value and send the flow control signal to a regulator device for controlling the flow of the first medium in the heat exchanger.

In an exemplary embodiment the controller is further caused to generate the flow control signal such that the first temperature difference and the second temperature difference are inversely proportional, and the first temperature value is directly pro portional to the flow of the first medium in the heat exchanger. Especially, wherein the first temperature difference and the second temperature difference are inversely proportional in a range of 0 to 6°C and the first temperature value is directly propor tional in a range of 70-1 15°C to the flow of the first medium in the heat exchanger.

In another exemplary embodiment the controller is further caused to receive a fourth temperature value, from the first temperature unit, of a temperature at a second posi tion of the first medium exiting the heat exchanger and determine the first tempera ture difference as the temperature difference between the second temperature value and either one the first temperature value and the fourth temperature value.

In yet another exemplary embodiment the controller is further caused to calculate the boiling point temperature value based on at least one of the following heat exchanger parameters: type of medium used as first medium, type of medium used as second medium, pressure(s) and flows in the system, ambient temperature, selected over heating temperature, differential temperature of the second medium between an inlet port and outlet port of the heat exchanger.

According to further aspects of the present invention there is also provided a com puter program comprising computer program code, which is adapted, if executed on a processor, to implement the above described method. Furthermore, there is pro vided a computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium, the computer readable storage medium having the computer program mentioned above stored thereon.

One advantage with the method of the present invention is that flow of the first me dium is controllable much closer to a desired flow curve, since the input for generat ing the flow control signal is based on three separate parts namely the first tempera ture difference, the second temperature difference and the first temperature value which are added together in controller. This in turn makes it possible to increase the energy efficiency of heat exchanger system and also reduce the wear of the turbine blades used to generate the energy and thereby increase the life span thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 shows a heat exchanger system with a heat exchanger, a controller and a reg ulator device for controlling the flow in a first medium.

Figs. 2a and 2b are cross-sectional side views of the heat exchanger in Fig. 1.

Figs. 3a-e are detailed cross-sectional views of an outlet port of the first medium of the heat exchanger in Fig. 1 and illustrate different possible positions for sensors of a first temperature unit.

Figs. 4a and 4b are cross-sectional views of the outlet port of the first medium of the heat exchanger in Fig. 1 and illustrate different possible positions of temperature measuring wire(s) of the first temperature unit.

Figs. 4c-f are views of the outlet port of the first medium looking into the outlet port via the opening of said port and illustrate different possible configurations of tempera ture measuring wires.

Fig. 5 illustrates a waste heat power generator in which the present invention may be utilized.

Fig. 6 shows a schematic view of controller for controlling the flow of a first medium in the heat exchanger.

Fig. 7 is a flow chart showing the method for preventing formation of droplets.

DESCRIPTION

The present invention generally relates to controlling a flow in a heat exchanger, such that the heat exchanger system becomes more energy efficient. Fig. 1 shows such a heat exchanger system comprising a heat exchanger 1 , a controller 100 and a regulator device 40, 41 for controlling the flow in a first medium. In Fig. 2a and 2b the heat exchanger 1 in Fig. 1 is shown as cross-sectional side views. In the heat ex changer 1 a second medium transfers heat to the first medium. The heat exchanger 1 comprises an inlet port 2 and an outlet port 3 for the first medium, as well as an in let port 6 and an outlet port 7 for the second medium. In Fig. 1 arrows 4 and 5 indi cate the flow direction of the first medium entering and exiting the heat exchanger 1 , while arrows 8 and 9 indicate the flow direction of the second medium entering and exiting the heat exchanger 1. The first medium is in context of the present disclosure referred to as the medium to be heated while the second medium is referred to as the medium which transfers heat to the first medium. The first medium may also be re ferred as the working medium.

The first medium and the second medium may be selected from the following groups water, alcohols (such as methanol, ethanol, isopropanol and/or butanol), ketones (such as acetone and/or methyl ethyl ketone), amines, paraffins (such as pentane and hexane) and/or ammonia. In an exemplary embodiment the first medium and the second medium are selected differently, such that the boiling point of the first me dium is lower than the boiling point of the second medium. In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the first medium comprises acetone and is heated by the second me dium which comprises water.

The heat exchanger 1 further comprises a first temperature sensor unit 10, a second temperature sensor unit 15, a third temperature sensor unit 16 and a pressure sensor unit 12. The first temperature pressure unit 10 is arranged to measure the tempera ture and the pressure sensor unit 12 is arranged to measure the pressure of the first medium exiting the heat exchanger 1 at the outlet port 3. The second temperature sensor unit 15 is arranged to measure the temperature of the second medium when entering the heat exchanger 1 at the inlet port 6. The third temperature sensor unit 16 is arranged to measure the temperature of the second medium when exiting the heat exchanger 1 at the outlet port 7. All these measured temperature values and the measured pressure value are used when generating a flow control signal to control the flow of the first medium in the heat exchanger 1 , which will be described in more detail below. Turning now to Figs. 3a-e the arrangement and configuration of the first temperature unit 10 in the heat exchanger will be described in more detail. As mentioned above the first temperature unit 10 is arranged at the outlet port 3 where the first medium exists the heat exchanger 1 . The first temperature sensor unit 10 may comprise one or more temperature sensors 10A, 10B distributed at different positions of the outlet port 3 of the heat exchanger 1 . Temperature sensor 10A is arranged at a first posi tion and temperature sensor 10 B is arranged at a second position. In an exemplary embodiment the temperature sensors 10A, 10B of the first temperature unit 10 are resistance temperature detectors, such as a platinum resistance thermometer with a nominal resistance of 10-1000 ohms at 0 °C.

Figs. 3a-e illustrate different possible positions for the temperature sensors 10A, 10B of the temperature sensor array 1 . Measuring the temperature at different positions with different temperature sensor 10A, 10B may further increase the accuracy when generating the flow control signal for controlling the flow of the first medium in the heat exchanger 1 . The temperature sensors 10A, 10B may for example be arranged at a circumferential position 0-360° within the preferably circular heat exchanger out let port 3 of the first medium. The temperature sensors 10A, 10B of the first tempera ture sensor unit 10 are preferably arranged at a distance from the walls of the outlet port 3. The sensors 10A, 10B will then measure a more accurate temperature, since the temperature of the surroundings will not have an impact on the measured tem perature. Although it has been illustrated that the outlet port 3 has a conical shape in Figs. 3a-e, the outlet port 3 may have other shapes such as cylindrical shape.

In Fig. 3a, the first temperature sensor unit 10 only comprises one temperature sen sor 10A and is arranged at a top position, i.e. at 0°. The top position may also be re ferred to as the position furthest away in a direction opposite the gravitational field vector.

In Fig. 3b, the first temperature sensor unit 10 comprises two temperature sensors 10A, 10B, which are arranged opposite of each other at a top and a bottom position at a circumferential position of 0° and 180°. It is of course also possible to place the temperature sensors 10A, 10B at an angle of +/- 45° within said circumferential posi- tion and/or at any angle within said circumferential position. The angle is chosen de pending on the flow through the outlet port 3 of the first medium, thus where the droplets are gathered due to potential turbulence.

Fig. 3c shows an outlet 3 with a first temperature sensor unit 10 comprising two tem perature sensors 10A, 10B arranged at a bottom position of the outlet 3.

In Fig. 3d the first temperature sensor unit 10 comprises two temperature sensors 10A, 10B arranged at a top position of the outlet 3.

In Fig. 3e, the first temperature sensor unit 10 only comprises one temperature sen sor 10A and is arranged at a bottom position, i.e. at 180 °. The top position may also be referred to as the position closest to the gravitational field.

As understood by a person skilled in the art there are a wide variety of temperature sensors that may be used to measure the temperature at the outlet port 3 of the first medium in a heat exchanger 1 . Figs. 4a-f show examples where measuring wires are used as temperature sensors. In one exemplary embodiment, shown in Fig. 4a and Fig. 4c, a single temperature measuring wire 10A is used to measure the tempera ture. In other exemplary embodiments two temperature measuring wires 10A, 10B may be arranged at a distance from each other. The measuring wires may or may not intersect each other. In the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 4d two temperature measuring wires 10A, 10B, are configured in parallel with respect to each other and in the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 4b and Fig. 4e two temperature measuring wires 10A, 10B are configured perpendicular with respect to each other. In the exem plary embodiment with two perpendicular temperature measuring wires 10A, 10B, the temperature measuring wires 10A, 10B may be configured at any circumferential po sition 0-360° at the outlet 3 of the first medium. This is illustrated in Fig 4e in which the perpendicular temperature measuring wires 10A, 10B are configured in two differ ent circumferential positions at outlet port 3 of the first medium, wherein one configu ration is shown with dashed lines while in the other configuration is shown with full lines. In a further exemplary embodiment illustrated in Fig. 4f, there may be at least four temperature measuring wires 10A, 10B, 10C and 10D, of which two of the wires, 10A, 10B, are configured in parallel with respect to each other, and the other two wires, 10C, 10D, are configured in parallel with each other as well as configured per pendicular or at any other angle with respect to the other two wires 10A, 10B.

It should be noted that also the arrangement and configuration of temperature sen sors of the second temperature unit 15 at the inlet port 6 of the second medium, of the third temperature unit 16 at the outlet port 7 of the second medium and of the pressure sensor unit 12 at the outlet port 3 of the first medium may be made in a sim ilar way as for the temperature sensors of the first temperature unit 10. Given the thorough description of the arrangement and configuration of temperature sensors of the first temperature unit 10 above, this is readily accomplished by a person skilled in the art and will therefore not be repeated here. An example of the arrangement of the temperature sensors 15A, 15B of the second temperature unit 15 at the inlet 6 of the second medium is shown in Fig. 2a.

The heat exchanger 1 is arranged and/or adapted to vaporize the first medium and may be configured as a boiler and is preferably selected as one of a plate heat ex changer, plate-and-shell heat exchanger, plate-fin heat exchanger, shell-and-tube heat exchangers, or variants thereof.

Turning now to Fig. 5 an exemplary embodiment will be described in which the heat exchanger 1 is part of a waste heat power generator. The waste heat power genera tor is a closed loop thermodynamic system, preferably an Organic Rankine Cycle, ORC, system. The ORC system comprises a circulating working medium, i.e. the first medium, circulating through a turbine 20 coupled to a power-generating device 25 which is configured to generate electric power while expanding the gas which is pro duced in a first heat exchanger 1 by boiling and overheating the working medium.

The boiling and overheating is accomplished by guiding the hot heat transferring sec ond medium through the first heat exchanger 1 . The gas which has passed through the turbine 20 and power-generating device 25 is condensed in a condenser 30 by cooling the gas with a cooling medium. The condenser 30 comprises a second heat exchanger 30a arranged to cool a stream of working medium and a separate con denser tank 30b to condense the working medium. The second heat exchanger 30a has an inlet 36 and an outlet 37 for the cooling medium as well as an inlet 33 and an outlet 32 for the working medium, i.e. an inlet 32 for the gas entering the condenser 30 and an outlet 33 for the condensate. The regulator device 40, 41 conveys the working medium condensed at the conden ser 30 to the first heat exchanger 1. The working medium (i.e. the first medium) en ters the first heat exchanger 1 via the inlet port 2 of the first medium and exits through the outlet port 3 of the first medium in form of gas. The second medium en ters the first heat exchanger 1 via the inlet port 6 of the second medium and then ex its via the outlet port 7 of the second medium.

The regulator device 40, 41 is configured for controlling the flow of the first medium into the heat exchanger 1 through the first medium inlet port 2. The regulator device may comprise a pump 40, a valve 41 and/or an injector or any combination of such devices. Thus, when the controller 100 sends a flow control signal to the regulator device 40, 41 for controlling the flow of the first medium the regulator device 40, 41 may reduce or increase the area at the inlet port 2 of the first medium, reduce or in crease the rotational speed of the pump 40 or the injector, or both alternatives.

Turning now to Fig. 6 the controller 100 for controlling the flow of the first medium will be closer described. The controller 100 is configured to and is operable for perform ing the method to be described in conjunction with Fig. 7. The controller 100 com prises a processor 120 and a memory 140. In context of the present application the term processor 120 should be interpreted broadly as processing circuitry, which may comprise one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated cir cuits, field programmable gate arrays or combinations of these (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. The memory 140 contains instructions executable by said processing circuitry, whereby the controller 100 is operative to receive a first temper ature value Ti, from the first temperature unit 10, a pressure value P, from the pres sure sensor unit 12, a second temperature value T2, from the second temperature unit 15 and a third temperature value T3, from the third temperature unit 16, calculate a boiling point temperature value TB based on the pressure value P and heat ex changer parameters, determine a first temperature difference DT1 between the sec ond temperature value T2 and the first temperature value Ti and a second tempera ture difference DT2 between the third temperature value T3 and the boiling point tem perature value Ti, generate the flow control signal, for controlling the flow of the first medium into the heat exchanger 1 , based on the first temperature difference DT1, the second temperature difference DT2 and the first temperature value Ti and send the flow control signal to the regulator device for controlling the flow of the first medium in the heat exchanger.

According to other embodiments, the controller 100 may further comprise an inter face 190, which may be considered to comprise conventional means for communica tion with other units or devices. The instructions executable by the processor 120 may be arranged as a computer program 160 stored e.g. in the memory 140.

The computer program 160 may comprise computer readable code means, which when run in the controller 100 causes the controller 100 to perform the steps de scribed in method below. The computer program 160 may be carried by a computer program product connectable to the processor 120. The computer program product may be the memory 140. The memory 140 may be realized as for example a RAM (Random-access memory), ROM (Read-Only Memory) or an EEPROM (Electrical Erasable Programmable ROM). Further, the computer program may be carried by a separate computer-readable medium 170, such as a CD, DVD or flash memory, from which the program could be downloaded into the memory 140. Alternatively, the computer program may be stored on a server or any other entity connected or con nectable to the controller 100 via the interface 190. The computer program may then be downloaded from the server into the memory 140.

The controller 100 may in an exemplary embodiment further be operative to generate the flow control signal such that the first temperature difference T2-T1 = DT1 is in versely proportional to the flow of the first medium in the heat exchanger 1 within a range of 0 - 6°C. With other words, if the temperature difference DT1 is within said range an increase of the temperature difference DT1 will result in a decrease of the flow of the first medium into the heat exchanger 1. In a similar way the controller 100 is operative to generate the flow control signal such that second temperature differ ence T3-TB = DT2 is inversely proportional to the flow of the first medium in the heat exchanger 1 within a range of 0 - 6°C. Thus, if the temperature difference DT2 is within said range an increase of the temperature difference DT2 will result in a de crease of the flow of the first medium into the heat exchanger 1. Furthermore, the controller 100 is operative to generate the flow control signal such that the first temperature value Ti is directly proportional to the flow of the first me dium in the heat exchanger 1 , for 70°C < Ti < 1 15°C. Thus, an increase of the tem perature Ti will increase the flow of the first medium into the heat exchanger 1.

Thus, there are three different contributions when the controller 100 generates the flow control signal, namely the temperature difference DTi, the temperature differ ence DT2 and the first temperature value Ti, which are added together.

In an exemplary embodiment the controller 100 is further caused to receive a fourth temperature value T4 from the first temperature unit 10. The fourth temperature value is used to increase the accuracy of the temperature measurement at the outlet 3 for the first medium. In this exemplary embodiment the first temperature difference DT1 determined as the temperature difference between the second temperature value T2 and either one the first temperature value Ti and the fourth temperature value T4.

The controller 100 is further caused to calculate the boiling point temperature value TB based on at least one of the following heat exchanger parameters: type of medium used as first medium, type of medium used as second medium, pressure(s) and flows in the system, ambient temperature, selected overheating temperature ATover- heat, differential temperature of the second medium between an inlet port 6 and an outlet port 7 of the heat exchanger 1.

In an exemplary embodiment the calculation of the boiling point temperature value is calculated using the Antoine equation: log 10 p = A— — , where p is the vapour pres sure, T the temperature and A, B and C are specific heat exchanger parameters.

In an exemplary embodiment the controller 100 is a Proportional Integral Derivative, PID, regulator, a Programable Logic Controller, PLC, a personal computer or any other suitable control system.

Turning now to Fig. 7 the method according to the present invention will be closer described by means of a flow chart. As mentioned above, the method prevents for mation of droplets in the heat exchanger 1. In the heat exchanger 1 the second me dium transfers heat to the first medium and the method is performed by the controller 100 described above. Thus, features in common with the method and the controller will only be briefly described a second time.

In step S102 the controller 100 receives the first temperature value Ti from a first temperature unit 10. The first temperature value Ti is measured at a first position of the first medium exiting the heat exchanger. In step S104 the controller 100 receives a pressure value P from a pressure sensor unit 12. Also, the pressure value P is measured at a position where the first medium exits the heat exchanger. In step S106 a second temperature value T2 is received by the controller 100 from the sec ond temperature unit, which second temperature value T2 measured at a position where the second medium enters the heat exchanger. Furthermore, in step S108 a third temperature value T3 is received from the third temperature unit 16, which third temperature value is measured at a position where the second medium exits the heat exchanger. In an optional step S109, shown with dashed lines in Fig. 7, a fourth tem perature value T4 is received from the first temperature unit 10, which fourth tempera ture value T4 is measured at a second position of the first medium exiting the heat ex changer 1.

After receiving all temperature values and pressure the controller 100 calculates, in step S1 10, a boiling point temperature value TB based on the pressure value P and heat exchanger parameters. The heat exchanger parameters may comprise at least one of the following parameters: type of medium used as first medium, type of me dium used as second medium, pressure(s) and flows in the system, ambient temper ature, selected overheating temperature AToverheat, differential temperature of the sec ond medium between an inlet port 6 and an outlet port 7 of the heat exchanger 1.

This calculation may as mentioned above be performed using the Antoine equation.

In step S1 12 the first temperature difference DT1 is determined between the second temperature value T2 and the first temperature value Ti. If optional step S109 has been performed step S1 12 may instead determine the first temperature difference DT1 as the temperature difference between the second temperature value T2 and ei ther one the first temperature value Ti and the fourth temperature value T4. In step S1 14 a second temperature difference DT2 is determined between the third tempera ture value T3 and the boiling point temperature value TB. The first temperature difference DTi, the second temperature difference DT2 and the first temperature value Ti are the used for generating, in step S1 16, a flow control signal for controlling the flow of the first medium into the heat exchanger 1 . Then in step S1 18 the controller 100 sends the flow control signal to the regulator device 40, 41 for controlling the flow of the first medium into the heat exchanger 1 .

In an exemplary embodiment the flow control signal is generated such that the first temperature difference DT1 and the second temperature difference DT2 are inversely proportional within a range for ATiand DT2 of 0 - 6°C and such that he first tempera ture value Ti is directly proportional, for Ti between 70°C-1 15°C, to the flow of the first medium in the heat exchanger 1 .

Although the description above contains a plurality of specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the concept described herein but as merely providing illustrations of some exemplifying embodiments of the described concept.

It will be appreciated that the scope of the presently described concept fully encom passes other embodiments which may become obvious to those skilled in the art, and that the scope of the presently described concept is accordingly not to be limited. Reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean "one and only one" unless explicitly so stated, but rather "one or more." All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the above-described embodiments that are known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein and are intended to be encompassed hereby. Moreover, it is not necessary for the controller or method to address each and every problem sought to be solved by the presently described con cept, for it to be encompassed hereby. In the exemplary figures, a broken line gener ally signifies that the feature within the broken line is optional.