Industrial plant with one or more heating modules integrated

Abstract

Industrial plant comprising a heating module (10) which comprises a solar concentrator (11) provided at least with a reflecting surface (12).

Description

[0001] “INDUSTRIAL PLANT WITH ONE OR MORE HEATING MODULES INTEGRATED”

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention concerns an industrial plant comprising one or more heating modules integrated to feed the industrial plant’s user devices.

[0003] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In industrial plants where processes that provide uniform heating at high temperatures are carried out, it is known to use a heat transfer fluid to transfer heat from a heat source to the user devices to be fed. For example, the use of diathermic oil as a heat transfer fluid is widespread in the petrochemical, chemical, pharmaceutical, construction, steel, textile, food and other industries.

[0005] For example, in plants for producing bituminous materials, the diathermic oil is generally heated to about 250°C by a boiler and then conveyed to the user devices by suitable pipes.

[0006] By user devices, in this type of plants, we mean, purely as non-exhaustive examples, pipes for transporting bitumen and compounds, filters and refiners, pumps, storage tanks, primary and secondary or service mixers, homogenizers, transport augers, impregnation tanks, coating tanks, tanks for producing special products, etc.

[0007] The boiler used to heat the diathermic oil is usually a combustion boiler, generally a methane or in any case a fossil fuel boiler. Consequently, heating diathermic oil results in high costs both in economic as well as in environmental terms. The Chinese utility model CN219I20790U describes a system for heating a tub containing asphalt in which solar energy is used, in part, for the heating.

[0008] There is therefore the need to perfect an industrial plant with a heating module integrated that can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art. To do this, it is necessary to solve the technical problem of heating a heat transfer fluid eliminating, or at least reducing, the use of fossil fuels.

[0009] In particular, one purpose of the present invention is to integrate a heating module into an industrial plant, in particular for producing bituminous membranes, capable of satisfying the heating requirements of the industrial plant at low cost and with a low environmental impact.

[0010] Another purpose of the present invention is to integrate a heating module that can easily be placed alongside or replace heating devices already in use in the industrial plant.

[0011] Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an industrial plant provided with one or more heating modules, as a function of the thermal power required by the user devices of the industrial plant itself.

[0012] The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

[0013] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims.

[0015] The dependent claims describe other characteristics of the present invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

[0016] In accordance with the above purposes and to resolve the technical problem described above in a new and original way, also achieving considerable advantages compared to the state of the prior art, an industrial plant according to the present invention integrates one or more heating modules, each comprising a solar concentrator provided at least with a reflecting surface.

[0017] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the heating module is configured to heat a heat transfer fluid, having a boiling temperature at atmospheric pressure of about 350°C or higher, from an outlet temperature from at least one user device of an industrial plant to a heating temperature. The use of a solar concentrator has the advantage of obtaining a heating module that supplies thermal energy at low cost and with a low environmental impact.

[0018] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, each heating module is configured to supply a thermal power starting from 400 kW - 600 kW.

[0019] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the heating module provides that the solar concentrator is of the orientable type for maximum energy exploitation.

[0020] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the heating module also comprises a control unit, configured and programmed so as to adjust the inclination of the aforementioned reflecting surface.

[0021] The industrial plant according to the present invention is preferably used to produce bituminous membranes, and uses at least one user device that requires uniform heating at high temperatures, chosen from one or more of either pipes for transporting bitumen and compounds, filters and refiners, pumps, storage tanks, primary and secondary or service mixers, homogenizers, transport augers, impregnation and coating tanks for producing special products.

[0022] These user devices are heated by means of coils, jackets, heat exchangers, or similar or comparable elements, inside which the diathermic oil is circulated. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the aforementioned industrial plant is a plant for producing bituminous materials.

[0023] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the industrial plant comprises a plurality of heating modules connected to each other in series and / or in parallel. This advantageously allows to easily scale the number of heating modules to the amount of thermal power required by the at least one user device of the industrial plant.

[0024] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the industrial plant also comprises a boiler, able to heat the heat transfer fluid up to a feed temperature for the at least one user device of about 230°C - 270°C. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] These and other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

[0026] - fig. 1 is a simplified, schematic and not to scale representation of an industrial plant comprising a heating module according to the present invention;

[0027] - fig. 2 is a simplified, schematic and not to scale representation of the heating module of fig. 1;

[0028] - fig. 3 is an example of a possible series and parallel connection of heating modules according to the present invention; - figs. 4 and 5 show two examples of user devices of the industrial plant according to the present invention.

[0029] We must clarify that the phraseology and terminology used in the present description, as well as the figures in the attached drawings also in relation as to how described, have the sole function of better illustrating and explaining the present invention, their purpose being to provide a non-limiting example of the invention itself, since the scope of protection is defined by the claims.

[0030] To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can be conveniently combined or incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications.

[0031] DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

[0032] With reference to fig. I, an industrial plant 100 according to the present invention is described which comprises and uses at least one heating module 10.

[0033] The industrial plant 100 comprises at least one user device 101 which requires substantially uniform heating at high temperatures.

[0034] The user device 101 is chosen, in a non-limiting manner, from at least a mixer 103, shown in fig. 4, a pipe 104, shown in fig. 5, a tub, a pump, a tank, a filter, in which a substance 105 in the liquid or pasty state circulates or is deposited, which has to be heated in order to prevent it from solidifying. The tubs, pumps, tanks, mixers, etc. are associated with elements for the passage of a heat transfer fluid FT, such as a diathermic oil, such as coils 106, jackets, heat exchangers or similar or comparable elements. Therefore, the industrial plant 100 uses the heat transfer fluid FT to feed thermal energy to at least one of the user devices 101. For example, the industrial plant 100 is a plant for producing bituminous materials which comprises, as mentioned, user devices 101 able to process the liquid bitumen, which therefore have to keep the bitumen at temperatures of the order of 140°C - 200°C. Therefore, the heat transfer fluid FT has to reach high temperatures, for example of the order of about 250°C. Moreover, the heat transfer fluid FT preferably has high specific heat and high thermal conductivity, so that heat can be transferred to the user devices 101 quickly.

[0035] The heat transfer fluid FT can advantageously be chosen to be a liquid at atmospheric pressure at least in the working temperature range, so as not to require pressurization.

[0036] For example, the heat transfer fluid FT can have a boiling temperature at atmospheric pressure of about 350°C or higher. For example, the heat transfer fluid FT is a diathermic oil.

[0037] The industrial plant 100 can be provided, in order to heat the heat transfer fluid FT and feed it to the user devices 101, with a fluidic circuit 102 comprising a boiler 110, for example a combustion boiler, first pipes 111 and second pipes 112. In alternative embodiments, the boiler 110 may not be a combustion boiler, for example it can be an electric boiler.

[0038] The boiler 110 is able to heat the heat transfer fluid FT up to a feed temperature T1 for the at least one user device 101, for example thanks to the heat generated by the combustion of a fuel such as methane. For example, the feed temperature Tl, necessary for the process carried out by the at least one user device 101, can be equal to about 230°C - 270°C, preferably about 250°C.

[0039] The first pipes 111 put an outlet of the boiler 110 in fluidic communication with the at least one user device 101 , for example with a heat exchanger thereof, through at least one inlet / outlet pipe 108, shown in fig. 5. The first pipes 111 are configured to feed the heat transfer fluid FT, at the feed temperature Tl, to the at least one user device 101.

[0040] Following the transfer of heat to the at least one user device 101, the heat transfer fluid FT cools, reaching an outlet temperature T2 from the user devices 101, lower than the feed temperature Tl . For example, the outlet temperature T2 can be of the order of 200°C.

[0041] The second pipes 112 put an outlet of the at least one user device 101 in fluidic communication with an inlet of the boiler 110. The second pipes 112 are configured to feed the heat transfer fluid FT to the boiler 110, thus realizing a recirculation of the heat transfer fluid FT. According to possible embodiments, the fluidic circuit 102 also comprises the at least one heating module 10, for example upstream of the boiler 110. In particular, the second pipes 112 can be configured to feed the heat transfer fluid FT at output from the at least one user device 101 to the heating module 10, and to feed the heat transfer fluid FT at output from the heating module 10 to the boiler 110.

[0042] The heating module 10 is configured to heat the heat transfer fluid FT from the outlet temperature T2 to a heating temperature T3.

[0043] According to the present invention, the heating module 10 comprises a solar concentrator 11. The solar concentrator 11 comprises at least one reflecting surface 12 (figs. 1-2).

[0044] The reflecting surface 12 is suitably configured to concentrate the sunlight’s thermal energy, for example in correspondence with a receiver tube 13. For example, the reflecting surface 12 can have the shape of a parabolic cylinder, or of a parabolic disk, or it can be a flat or essentially flat surface, or have any other similar shape useful for concentrating the sunlight’s thermal energy in correspondence with the receiver tube 13.

[0045] Furthermore, the solar concentrator 11 can comprise a plurality of reflecting surfaces 12, suitably conformed and reciprocally disposed so as to concentrate the sunlight’s thermal energy in correspondence with the receiver tube 13. As a nonlimiting example, the plurality of reflecting surfaces 12 could constitute a Fresnel concentrator.

[0046] According to possible embodiments, shown in figs. 1-3, the reflecting surface 12 is a linear parabolic mirror, that is, a reflecting surface in the shape of a parabolic cylinder. As known, by virtue of its geometry, the linear parabolic mirror can concentrate the sunlight’s thermal energy along a focal line LF thereof.

[0047] In this case, the receiver tube 13 is located in correspondence with the focal line LF and is configured to allow the flow of the heat transfer fluid FT from an inlet end 13a thereof to an outlet end 13b thereof.

[0048] Therefore, at least one second pipe 112 is configured to feed the heat transfer fluid FT, at outlet from the user devices 101 at the outlet temperature T2, to the inlet end 13a. Furthermore, at least one second pipe 112 is configured to feed the heat transfer fluid FT, at outlet from the outlet end 13b at the heating temperature T3 , to the boiler 110.

[0049] We must clarify that the heating module 10 is easily insertable into an already existing fluidic circuit 102, for example already provided with the boiler 110, simply by configuring the second pipes 112 in order to put the outlet of the at least one user device 101 in fluidic communication with the inlet end 13 a, and the outlet end 13b in fluidic communication with the boiler’s 110 inlet.

[0050] Also in this configuration, the second pipes 112 perform the function of putting the outlet of the at least one user device 101 in fluidic communication with the boiler’s 110 inlet, in an indirect manner, that is, through the receiver tube 13. The receiver tube 13 is configured in a known manner to optimally receive the solar thermal energy concentrated by the reflecting surface 12, and to reduce the dispersion of heat from its interior to its exterior as much as possible. For example, the receiver tube 13 can be made of steel or other metal material and be surrounded by a protective glass and vacuum, to reduce heat dispersion.

[0051] Advantageously, in some embodiments the solar concentrator 11 is of the orientable type, so as to guarantee maximum energy exploitation. By way of a nonlimiting example, the heating module 10 can include rotation means 16, able to rotate at least the reflecting surface 12 to adjust its inclination, for example with respect to the position of the Sun (fig. 2).

[0052] The heating module 10 can also comprise a drive member 18 configured to move the rotation means 16.

[0053] Furthermore, the heating module 10 can comprise one or more solar sensors 17 configured to detect the position of the Sun with respect to the reflecting surface 12.

[0054] In possible embodiments, the heating module 10 can be provided with a control unit 19, configured and programmed to adjust the inclination of the reflecting surface 12. For example, the control unit 19 can be connected at least to the drive member 18 and, if present, to the one or more solar sensors 17. According to possible embodiments, the control unit 19 can also be connected to other sensors, such as for example temperature sensors installed in correspondence with suitable positions of the fluidic circuit 102 to detect the temperature of the heat transfer fluid FT, and / or to the boiler 110.

[0055] The control unit 19 can be configured and programmed to selectively drive the drive member 18, possibly based on the detections of the solar sensor 17 and / or of the other sensors, so as to adjust the inclination of the reflecting surface 12.

[0056] According to possible alternative embodiments, the industrial plant 100 is provided with a control unit external to the heating module 10, suitably configured and programmed to adjust the inclination of the reflecting surface 12. Advantageously, several heating modules 10 can easily be connected in series and / or in parallel (fig.3), therefore it is possible to easily adjust their quantity depending on the amount of thermal power required by the user devices 101.

[0057] For example, the industrial plant 100 can comprise a plurality of heating modules 10 connected to each other in series.

[0058] For example, the industrial plant 100 can comprise a plurality of heating modules 10 connected to each other in parallel.

[0059] For example, the industrial plant 100 can comprise a plurality of heating modules 10, of which some are connected to each other in series and others are connected to each other in parallel.

[0060] For example, a single heating module 10 can be configured to supply a thermal power of about 400 kW - 600 kW.

[0061] According to possible embodiments, the heating of the heat transfer fluid FT at the industrial plant 100 can comprise a preheating step at the heating module 10 and a temperature reaching step at the boiler 1 10.

[0062] The preheating step provides to heat the heat transfer fluid FT thanks to the Sun’s thermal energy, concentrated by the reflecting surface 12 in correspondence with the receiving tube 13, inside which the heat transfer fluid FT flows. In some embodiments, the heat transfer fluid FT is heated in the heating module 10 from the outlet temperature T2 to the heating temperature T3, higher than the outlet temperature T2 but lower than the feed temperature T1.

[0063] In this case, in the subsequent temperature reaching step, the boiler 110 heats the heat transfer fluid FT from the heating temperature T3 to the feed temperature T 1 , by means of heat obtained through combustion.

[0064] In this way, the thermal jump that the boiler 110 has to make the heat transfer fluid FT undergo so that it reaches the feed temperature T1 is reduced. As a result, the boiler 110 has to supply less energy, thus achieving fuel savings that bring both economic as well as environmental benefits. According to possible embodiments, in the preheating step the heat transfer fluid FT can already reach the feed temperature T1 in the heating module 10, thanks only to the Sun’s thermal energy.

[0065] In this case, the temperature reaching step is superfluous, and the boiler 110 does not have to supply additional heat to the heat transfer fluid FT, so that the fuel saving is as high as possible.

[0066] As is known, the Sun is not a constant source of energy, in the sense that it is not always available and does not always supply the same power, depending on weather conditions, latitude and time. It follows that, depending on weather conditions, latitude and time, three different cases may occur.

[0067] In a first case, the heating temperature T3 could be equal to the outlet temperature T2, in conditions in which the Sun does not supply energy, or does not supply it enough to raise the temperature of the heat transfer fluid FT. In this case, the presence of the boiler 110 guarantees that the heat transfer fluid FT still reaches the feed temperature Tl.

[0068] In a second case, the heating temperature T3 could be higher than the outlet temperature T2, and lower than or equal to the feed temperature Tl, as described above. In this case, the presence of the boiler 110 guarantees that the heat transfer fluid FT still reaches the feed temperature Tl , with a greater fuel saving the smaller the difference between the feed temperature Tl and the heating temperature T3.

[0069] In a third case, it is possible that the heating temperature T3 exceeds the feed temperature Tl. In the latter case, embodiments provide that the control unit 19 drives the drive member 18, so that it moves the rotation means 16 until the inclination of the solar concentrator 11 in modified in such a way as to reduce or zero the amount of solar thermal energy concentrated in correspondence with the receiver tube 13 by the reflecting surface 12. Furthermore, in this case the boiler 110 does not have to supply additional heat to the heat transfer fluid FT. According to possible embodiments, the operation of the boiler 110, for example the amount of fuel used, can advantageously be controlled and regulated by a thermostat of the boiler 110.

[0070] In alternative embodiments, this control can also be carried out by the control unit 19, or other control unit external to the heating module 10, suitably configured. It is clear that modifications and / or additions of parts or steps may be made to the heating module 10 and to the industrial plant 100 as described heretofore, without thereby departing from the field and scope of the present invention, as defined by the claims.

[0071] It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art will be able to achieve other equivalent forms of heating module and industrial plant using such module, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby. In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in brackets is to facilitate their reading and they must not be considered as restrictive factors with regard to the field of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Industrial plant, advantageously for producing bituminous materials, comprising at least one user device (101) which requires uniform heating at high temperatures, chosen from one or more of either pipes (107) for transporting bitumen and compounds, filters and refiners, pumps, storage tanks, primary and secondary or service mixers (103), homogenizers, transport augers, impregnation and coating tanks for producing special products, wherein these user devices (101) are heated by means of coils (106), jackets (107), heat exchangers, or similar or comparable elements, inside which a heat transfer fluid (FT) is circulated, characterized in that it comprises in an integrated manner one or more heating modules (10), each comprising a solar concentrator (11) provided at least with a reflecting surface (12), configured to heat said heat transfer fluid (FT), having a boiling temperature at atmospheric pressure of about 350°C or higher, from an outlet temperature (T2) from at least one of said user devices (101) of the industrial plant (100) which requires uniform heating at high temperatures to a heating temperature (T3), the heat transfer fluid (FT) being able to feed thermal energy to said at least one user device (101).

2. Industrial plant (100) as in claim 1, characterized in that each heating module(10) is configured to supply a thermal power starting from about 400 kW - 600 kW.

3. Industrial plant (100) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said solar concentrator (11) is of the orientable type.

4. Industrial plant (100) as in claim 3, characterized in that it also comprises a control unit (19), configured and programmed so as to adjust the inclination of said reflecting surface (12).

5. Industrial plant (100) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said heat transfer fluid (FT) is a diathermic oil.

6. Industrial plant (100) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of heating modules (10) connected to each other in series and / or in parallel.

7. Industrial plant (100) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it also comprises a boiler (110), able to heat the heat transfer fluid (FT) up to a feed temperature (Tl) for said at least one user device (101) of about 230°C - 270°C.

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