Gas cooler

By designing a flow path structure in the gas cooler to separate and guide the flow of liquid and gas, the problem of ineffective liquid discharge is solved, achieving efficient liquid discharge management and reducing gas loss.

CN116745523BActive Publication Date: 2026-04-14KOSCO COMPRESSOR CO LTD
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Patents(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
KOSCO COMPRESSOR CO LTD
Filing Date
2022-01-13
Publication Date
2026-04-14

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

In existing gas coolers, the drain liquid is difficult to effectively discharge from outside the casing and may travel with the gas flow to the main body of the second-stage compressor, leading to malfunction.

Method used

A gas cooler is designed, comprising a shell, a cooling section, a drain recovery section, a drain tank, and a flow path. By separating and guiding the drained liquid and gas, and utilizing the relationship between different flow path cross-sectional areas and velocities, the drained liquid is ensured to be quickly separated and discharged, thus avoiding gas loss.

Benefits of technology

It effectively drains the liquid from outside the shell, reduces liquid retention, prevents liquid from reaching the gas outlet, reduces gas loss, and achieves efficient liquid drainage management.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Patent Text Reader

Abstract

A gas cooling device is provided with a drain recovery section (33), a drain discharge flow path (34), a drain tank (40), and a ventilation flow path (50). In the drain recovery section (33), drain separated from gas by the cooling section (21) is accumulated. The drain tank (40) has a separation section (47) that separates the drain from the gas and an accumulation section (48) that accumulates the separated drain. The drain discharge flow path (34) is in communication at one end with the drain recovery section (33) and at the other end with the separation section (47). The ventilation flow path (50) is in communication at one end with the separation section (47) and at the other end with a gas flow path that leads to a downstream space (37) above the drain recovery section (33) and a gas outlet (32).
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to gas coolers. Background Technology

[0002] In the gas cooler for a compressor disclosed in Patent Document 1, gas introduced into the interior through a gas inlet is cooled by a heat exchanger and discharged through a gas outlet. Liquid (discharge) condensed in the cooled gas accumulates in a discharge recovery section located at the bottom of the gas cooler and is discharged to the outside through an opening (discharge outlet) in the gas cooler's casing. If the cross-sectional area of ​​the gas flow path within the casing and the size of the discharge outlet are not properly set, or if they cannot be properly set due to structural constraints, the discharge accumulated in the discharge recovery section may flow with the gas and reach, for example, the main body of the second-stage compressor.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-21759. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] The objective of this invention is to efficiently discharge liquid to the outside of the gas cooler, regardless of the cross-sectional area of ​​the gas flow path within the housing.

[0008] Methods used to solve problems

[0009] The present invention provides a gas cooler comprising: a housing having a gas inlet and a gas outlet; a cooling section disposed inside the housing, dividing the interior of the housing into an upstream space opening through the gas inlet and a downstream space communicating with the gas outlet, and cooling gas introduced into the interior of the housing; a drain recovery section disposed at the bottom of the downstream space, accumulating drain liquid separated from the gas due to cooling of the gas in the cooling section; a drain tank having a separation section where the drain liquid accumulated in the drain recovery section is introduced together with a portion of the gas and the drain liquid is separated from the gas, an accumulation section for accumulating the separated drain liquid, and a drain outlet for discharging the drain liquid from the accumulation section; a drain discharge flow path having one end communicating with the drain recovery section and the other end communicating with the separation section; and a gas flow path having one end communicating with the separation section and the other end communicating with a gas flow path leading to the downstream space above the drain recovery section and the gas outlet.

[0010] In the gas cooler according to the present invention, the gas that is ejected from the compressor main body and reaches the drain recovery section is divided into a first flow that only flows through the inside of the housing from the drain recovery section and reaches the gas outlet, and a second flow that joins the first flow after passing through the drain tank from the drain recovery section. The drain accumulated in the drain recovery section is guided to the separation part of the drain tank together with the gas by the second flow, so that it is possible to prevent the drain from being guided to the gas outlet along with the first flow. In addition, the drain guided to the drain tank together with the gas is separated into gas and drain in the separation part, the separated drain accumulates in the accumulation part, and the separated gas joins the first flow after passing through the gas flow path. Therefore, it is also possible to prevent the drain from reaching the gas outlet along with the second flow. In addition, since the gas guided to the inside of the drain tank returns to the gas flow path via the gas flow path, it is possible to suppress the loss of gas due to gas leakage.

[0011] Alternatively, the aforementioned gas flow path may include a first gas flow path that extends upward from the aforementioned drain recovery section and connects the aforementioned downstream side space and the aforementioned gas outlet; the aforementioned other end of the aforementioned gas flow path is communicated with the aforementioned first gas flow path.

[0012] Alternatively, for example, the flow path cross-sectional areas of the aforementioned first gas flow path, the aforementioned separation part, the aforementioned drain discharge flow path, and the aforementioned gas flow path may have the following relationship,

[0013] A2>A1>A3>A4

[0014] A1: Flow path cross-sectional area of the first gas flow path

[0015] A2: Flow path cross-sectional area of the separation part

[0016] A3: Flow path cross-sectional area of the drain discharge flow path

[0017] A4: Flow path cross-sectional area of the gas flow path.

[0018] Alternatively, the speeds of the gas in the aforementioned first gas flow path and the aforementioned separation part may have the following relationship, <000004​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​V: Flow rate of gas guided to the drainage recovery section

[0026] V1: Flow rate of gas guided to the first gas flow path

[0027] V2: The flow rate of the gas guided to the separation section.

[0028] For example, when the housing is an existing part, the value of the flow path cross-sectional area A1 is fixed. Furthermore, depending on the compressor's operating conditions, such as customer requirements, the flow rate V of the gas ejected from the compressor body and guided to the drain recovery section is also fixed. Even under these conditions, by reducing the flow rate V1 of the gas guided to the first gas flow path, i.e., increasing the flow rate V2 of the gas guided to the separation section, the gas velocity U1 in the first gas flow path can be made less than the terminal velocity U. Furthermore, the flow path cross-sectional areas A2 to A4 of the drain discharge flow path, the drain tank, and the ventilation flow path can be arbitrarily set within the range satisfying the above relationships. Therefore, even if, for example, the flow path cross-sectional area A4 is increased, thereby increasing the flow rate V2, the gas velocity U2 in the separation section 47 can be set to be less than the terminal velocity U by increasing the flow path cross-sectional area A2. Based on the above, since velocities U1 and U2 can each be made less than the terminal velocity U, it is possible to prevent the drain from reaching the gas outlet along with the gas flow.

[0029] Alternatively, the height of the inner bottom surface of the aforementioned drain tank may be relatively lower than that of the inner bottom surface of the aforementioned housing; the aforementioned drain discharge path may open on the housing side in such a manner that it includes the height of the aforementioned inner bottom surface of the aforementioned housing, and the bottom surface of the drain discharge path may be horizontal or inclined downward toward the aforementioned drain tank side.

[0030] According to the aforementioned structure, the drained liquid can be rapidly guided from the drain recovery section to the drain tank. Therefore, the retention of drained liquid in the drain recovery section can be reduced, and the leakage of drained liquid to the gas outlet can be further suppressed.

[0031] The gas cooler may also be equipped with a throttle valve to adjust the flow rate of the gas passing through the aforementioned gas passage.

[0032] Based on the aforementioned structure, by adjusting the opening of the throttle valve, the flow rate V2 can be appropriately set and the speeds U1 and U2 can be adjusted.

[0033] The gas cooler may also have a perforated plate in the aforementioned drain tank that covers the top of the aforementioned drain that accumulates in the aforementioned storage section.

[0034] Based on the aforementioned structure, it is possible to prevent the liquid accumulated in the storage section from being carried away by the gas flow, thus more effectively preventing the liquid from reaching the gas outlet through the air passage.

[0035] Alternatively, the other end of the aforementioned airflow path may be opened to the atmosphere instead of being connected to the aforementioned gas outlet.

[0036] According to the aforementioned structure, the drained liquid can be stored in the storage section without causing the second flow to return to the first flow.

[0037] Invention Effects

[0038] According to the gas cooler of the present invention, regardless of the cross-sectional area of ​​the gas flow path inside the housing, the drain liquid can be efficiently discharged to the outside of the housing. Attached Figure Description

[0039] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of a compressor according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a compressor equipped with a gas cooler according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a compressor equipped with a gas cooler according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a modified example of the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a compressor equipped with a gas cooler according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a compressor equipped with a gas cooler according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 A cross-sectional view at line VII-VII.

[0046] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of a compressor equipped with a gas cooler according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of a compressor equipped with a gas cooler according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0048] (First Implementation)

[0049] The compressor 1 in this embodiment is an oil-free two-stage screw compressor. Air will be used as an example of the gas being processed.

[0050] Reference Figure 1The compressor 1 includes a first-stage compressor body 2, a second-stage compressor body 3, an intercooler 20, and an aftercooler 60. In this embodiment, the first-stage compressor body 2, the intercooler 20, the second-stage compressor body 3, and the aftercooler 60 are sequentially arranged and fluidly connected in the airflow path.

[0051] The first-stage compressor body 2 draws in air through the atmospheric-open intake 4, compresses the air internally, and ejects it from the outlet 5. The compressed air ejected from the outlet 5 is then transported to the intake 6 of the second-stage compressor body 3 via the intercooler 20.

[0052] If referred together Figure 2 An intercooler 20 is sandwiched between the first-stage compressor body 2 and the second-stage compressor body 3. A cooling section 21 is provided in the intercooler 20. In the cooling section 21, heat exchange occurs between external coolant and air ejected from the first-stage compressor body 2, cooling the air ejected from the first-stage compressor body 2. The air before passing through the cooling section 21 is, for example, at a high temperature of about 180°C, but the air in the intercooler 20 after passing through the cooling section 21 is cooled to, for example, about 40°C. Therefore, moderately cooled compressed air is supplied to the second-stage compressor body 3.

[0053] The second-stage compressor body 3 is drawn in and compressed internally by the compressed air supplied from the intercooler 20, and then ejected from the nozzle 7. The compressed air ejected from the nozzle 7 is cooled by the cooling section 61 of the aftercooler 60, just like the intercooler 20, and is supplied to the factory or other supply targets.

[0054] In the above structure, when air is cooled inside the intercooler 20 or the aftercooler 60, moisture in the air condenses, producing liquid discharge inside each. Since the liquid discharge flows into the second-stage compressor body 3 or the supply target due to the airflow, it may cause malfunctions. However, in this embodiment, the intercooler 20 and the aftercooler 60 are respectively equipped with a structure to remove the liquid discharge.

[0055] The following describes the structure in the intercooler 20 for removing drain fluid. In this embodiment, the aftercooler 60 also has the same structure as the intercooler 20.

[0056] Reference Figure 2 The intercooler 20 (gas cooler) includes a housing 30, a cooling section 21, and a drain tank 40.

[0057] The housing 30 is provided with a gas inlet 31 and a gas outlet 32. The gas inlet 31 is connected to the outlet 5 of the first-stage compressor body 2. The gas outlet 32 ​​is connected to the suction inlet 6 of the second-stage compressor body 3.

[0058] The cooling section 21 is located inside the housing 30, dividing the interior of the housing 30 into an upstream space 36 that opens to the gas inlet 31 and a downstream space 37 that connects to the gas outlet 32.

[0059] In addition, the cooling section 21 is cooled by air (gas) introduced into the housing 30. Specifically, the air comes into contact with the tube bundle 22 and fins 23, and is cooled by heat exchange with the cooling water inside the tube bundle 22. When the air is cooled, the moisture in the air condenses into droplets and falls down, thereby generating liquid discharge.

[0060] The housing 30 includes a drain recovery section 33 located at the bottom of the downstream space 37. In the drain recovery section 33, accumulated air (gas) is cooled by the cooling section 21, thereby separating the drain liquid from the air (gas).

[0061] Furthermore, the housing 30 has a gas flow path 38 leading to a downstream space 37 above the drain recovery section 33 and a gas outlet 32. The gas flow path 38 includes a first gas flow path 39 extending upward from the drain recovery section 33 and connecting the downstream space 37 and the gas outlet 32.

[0062] The drain tank 40 is a hollow cylindrical box with side walls 41, a top wall 42, and a bottom wall 43. The drain tank 40 has a separation section 47 located above the drain tank 40 and an accumulation section 48 located below the drain tank 40, where the drained liquid is accumulated as described later. The boundary between the accumulation section 48 and the separation section 47 is not fixed; the gas phase space above the liquid surface of the accumulated drained liquid is the separation section 47. The height H1 of the inner bottom surface 43a of the drain tank 40 is relatively lower than the height H2 of the inner bottom surface 30a of the shell 30. Furthermore, if the inner bottom surface 30a is not a horizontal flat surface, the height H2 is the lowest point within the inner bottom surface 30a.

[0063] Furthermore, the drain tank 40 has a drain discharge path 34, one end of which is connected to the drain recovery section 33 and the other end of which is connected to the separation section 47. That is, one end of the drain discharge path 34 is connected to the drain outlet 35 of the portion of the drain recovery section 33 provided in the housing 30, and the other end is connected to the drain inlet 49 of the portion of the separation section 47 provided in the side wall 41.

[0064] After the drained liquid and air pass through the drain discharge path 34, a portion of the drained liquid and air (gas) accumulated in the drain recovery section 33 are introduced into the separation section 47 to separate the drained liquid and air (gas). The separated drained liquid is then stored in the accumulation section 48. The depth of the accumulation section 48 is sufficient to prevent the drain inlet 49 from being blocked and drained liquid from accumulating.

[0065] A drain outlet 44 is provided on the bottom wall 43 for discharging liquid from the accumulation section 48. A drain pipe 45 is connected to the drain outlet 44. The drain pipe 45 is connected to an external pipeline via a sealing mechanism 46. The sealing mechanism 46 is, for example, a valve such as a solenoid valve.

[0066] The intercooler 20 includes an air passage 50 for returning air from the separator 47 to the housing 30. One end of the air passage 50 is connected to a gas outlet 51 located on the top wall 42 of the drain tank 40, and the other end is connected to a gas inlet 52 located in the portion of the housing 30 connected to the gas flow path 38. In other words, one end of the air passage 50 communicates with the separator 47, and the other end communicates with the gas flow path 38. Alternatively, the other end of the air passage 50 communicates with the first gas flow path 39. The gas inlet 52 may also be located in the portion of the housing 30 at the downstream end of the first gas flow path 39.

[0067] The flow of air and drained liquid will be explained in detail below.

[0068] As described above, compressed air ejected from the nozzle 5 of the first-stage compressor body 2 is transported to the suction port 6 of the second-stage compressor body 3 via the intercooler 20. In other words, inside the housing 30, an airflow is generated from the gas inlet 31 toward the gas outlet 32.

[0069] In this embodiment, the air flowing from the gas inlet 31 toward the gas outlet 32 ​​is divided into a flow that flows only within the housing 30 and a flow that passes through the drain tank 40. In other words, the air reaching the drain recovery section 33 is divided into a first flow, as indicated by arrows F1 and F2, flowing through the first gas flow path 39, and a second flow, as indicated by arrows F3 and F4, passing through the drain tank 40.

[0070] The drained liquid accumulated in the drain recovery section 33 is quickly guided to the separation section 47 along with air via the second flow.

[0071] The drained liquid, guided to the separation section 47 along with the air, is separated from the air and accumulates in the accumulation section 48 by its own weight. The air separated by the separation section 47, as indicated by arrow F4, merges into the first gas flow path 39 via the airflow path 50. Furthermore, if necessary, the drained liquid accumulated in the accumulation section 48 is discharged from the drain outlet 44 by opening the sealing mechanism 46. That is, the sealing mechanism 46 is only opened and closed for the purpose of discharging the drained liquid accumulated in the accumulation section 48. In other words, it is not necessary to open and close the sealing mechanism 46 to guide the drained liquid from the drain recovery section 33 to the separation section 47.

[0072] Furthermore, if the closing mechanism 46 is opened in a manner that maintains the accumulation of drained liquid in the accumulation section 48, air cannot leak out from the closing mechanism 46, so there is no need for opening and closing control of the closing mechanism 46 to minimize air leakage. For example, a first water level sensor 70 is provided in the lower half (e.g., near H1) between height H1 and height H3 to detect when the drained liquid decreases to a predetermined lower limit level of the accumulation section 48, and a second water level sensor 71 is provided in the upper half (e.g., near H3) between height H1 and height H3 to detect when the drained liquid increases to a predetermined upper limit level of the accumulation section 48. Moreover, the opening and closing control can be performed by the controller 72 to close the closing mechanism 46 (solenoid valve) when the first water level sensor 70 detects that the drained liquid accumulation has reached the lower limit level, and to open the closing mechanism 46 (solenoid valve) when the second water level sensor 71 detects that the drained liquid accumulation has reached the upper limit level. Alternatively, the first water level sensor 70 and the second water level sensor 71 can be replaced by a single water level sensor capable of continuously detecting the water level from the lower limit level to the upper limit level. Furthermore, a timer can be set instead of the second water level sensor 71, which can be set to operate for any time between when the first water level sensor 70 detects that the accumulated drainage volume has reached the lower limit level and when the drainage volume reaches the upper limit level. When the preset time has elapsed, the timer will control the opening and closing of the closing mechanism 46 (solenoid valve). Moreover, the closing mechanism is not limited to a solenoid valve; it can also be an unloaded air trap 46a (see reference). Figure 3 According to the unloaded air trap 46a, since no electrical opening and closing control is required, automatic drainage can be performed without opening and closing control.

[0073] Based on the above, the air arriving at the drain recovery section 33 is divided into a first flow that flows from the drain recovery section 33 only within the housing 30 and reaches the gas outlet 32, and a second flow that flows from the drain recovery section 33 through the drain tank 40 and then merges into the first flow.

[0074] The drained liquid accumulated in the drain recovery section 33 is guided to the separation section 47 of the drain tank 40 along with air via the second flow, thus preventing the drained liquid from being guided to the second-stage compressor body 3 along with the first flow. Furthermore, the drained liquid guided to the drain tank 40 along with air via the second flow is separated into air and drained liquid in the separation section 47. The separated drained liquid is accumulated in the accumulation section 48, and the separated air merges with the first flow through the air passage 50. Therefore, it is also possible to prevent the drained liquid from reaching the second-stage compressor body 3 along with the second flow. In addition, the air guided into the interior of the drain tank 40 returns to the gas flow path 38 via the air passage 50, thus suppressing air loss caused by air leakage.

[0075] As described above, the gas cooler according to this embodiment can efficiently discharge liquid outside the housing 30 regardless of the cross-sectional area of ​​the gas flow path within the housing 30. Furthermore, it can discharge liquid outside the housing 30 without requiring the opening and closing control of the sealing mechanism 46 for discharging liquid outside the housing 30 or the opening and closing control of the sealing mechanism 46 for minimizing air leakage.

[0076] The following is a further reference. Figure 2 While mentioning the cross-sectional area A1 of the first gas flow path 39, the cross-sectional area A2 of the separation section 47, the cross-sectional area A3 of the liquid discharge flow path 34, and the cross-sectional area A4 of the air passage 50, the flow of air and liquid is explained in detail. The cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path refers to the cross-sectional area of ​​each flow path that is approximately perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow when the fluid passes through each flow path. The cross-sectional area A2 of the separation section 47, which is a gas phase space, is the area of ​​the horizontal cross-section of the inner wall of the liquid discharge tank 40 in the separation section 47.

[0077] In this embodiment, the cross-sectional areas A1 to A4 of the first gas flow path 39, the separation section 47, the liquid discharge flow path 34, and the air passage 50 have the following relationship as expressed in equation (1).

[0078] [Formula 1]

[0079] A2>A1>A3>A4 (1)

[0080] The cross-sectional area A2 of the flow path is set to be sufficiently large compared to the cross-sectional area A1 of the flow path, so that even if the air velocity is above the terminal velocity U in the first gas flow path 39, it can become less than the terminal velocity U in the separation section 47. Here, the terminal velocity U refers to the highest velocity reached when the droplet falls freely in the air and balances with air resistance, for example, it can be set to about 5 m / s.

[0081] Since the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path A3 is much larger than that of the flow path A4, the liquid accumulated in the liquid recovery section 33 can be quickly guided to the separation section 47 along with the air by means of the second flow.

[0082] By setting the flow path cross-sectional area A3 to a size that can quickly guide the drained liquid accumulated in the drain recovery section 33 to the separation section 47, as described above, and setting it to be smaller than the flow path cross-sectional area A1, the installation feasibility can be improved. That is, the drain tank 40 and the like can be easily installed on, for example, existing housing 30.

[0083] The following is a further reference. Figure 2The velocity U1 of the air (gas) in the first gas flow path 39, the velocity U2 of the air (gas) in the separation section 47, the flow rate V1 of the air (gas) guided into the first gas flow path 39, and the flow rate V2 of the air (gas) guided into the separation section 47 are explained. Furthermore, in this specification, "flow rate" refers to "volume flow rate (unit: m³ / s)". 3 / Second)".

[0084] In this embodiment, the velocity of the air (gas) in the first gas flow path 39 and the separation section 47 has the following relationship (2) to (4).

[0085] [Formula 2]

[0086] U1=V1 / A1(m / s)<U(m / s) (2)

[0087] [Formula 3]

[0088] U2=V2 / A2(m / s)<U(m / s) (3)

[0089] [Formula 4]

[0090] V = V1 + V2 (4)

[0091] For example, if the housing 30 is an existing part, the value of the flow path cross-sectional area A1 is fixed. Furthermore, depending on the usage of the compressor 1, such as customer requirements, the value of the air flow rate V, which is ejected from the first-stage compressor body 2 and guided to the drain recovery unit 33, is also fixed.

[0092] Even under such conditions, by reducing the flow rate V1 of the air guided to the first gas flow path 39, that is, by increasing the flow rate V2 of the air guided to the separation section 47, the velocity U1 of the air in the first gas flow path 39 can be made less than the terminal velocity U.

[0093] Furthermore, the cross-sectional areas A2 to A4 of the drain discharge path 34, the drain tank 40, and the air passage 50 can be arbitrarily set within the range that satisfies the above-mentioned relationships. Therefore, even if the flow rate V2 is increased by increasing the cross-sectional area A4, for example, the air velocity U2 in the separation section 47 can be set to be less than the terminal velocity U by increasing the cross-sectional area A2.

[0094] Based on the above, since speeds U1 and U2 can become less than the terminal speed U, it is possible to suppress the liquid from reaching the second-stage compressor body 3 along with the air flow.

[0095] Hereinafter, the second to sixth embodiments of the present invention will be described. Unless otherwise specifically mentioned, these embodiments are the same as those described in the first embodiment. Furthermore, in the drawings relating to these embodiments, the same reference numerals are used for elements identical to those in the first embodiment.

[0096] (Second Implementation)

[0097] Reference Figure 3 In the intercooler 20 of the second embodiment, the height H3 of the bottom surface 34a of the drain discharge passage 34 is the same as the height H2 of the inner bottom surface 30a of the housing 30. That is, the drain discharge passage 34 opens on the housing 30 side at a position H2 including the height direction of the inner bottom surface 30a of the housing 30, and the bottom surface 34a of the drain discharge passage 34 is horizontal. Furthermore, in the intercooler 20 of the second embodiment, an unloaded air trap valve 46a is provided instead of the sealing mechanism 46.

[0098] In the second embodiment, the resistance to the flow of liquid from the drain recovery section 33 to the drain tank 40 is reduced, allowing the liquid to be guided quickly. Therefore, the retention of liquid in the drain recovery section 33 is reduced, further suppressing the liquid from reaching the gas outlet 32. Furthermore, since the unloaded air trap 46a eliminates the need for electrical opening and closing control, automatic draining can be achieved without opening and closing control.

[0099] like Figure 4 As shown, in a modified example of the second embodiment, the bottom surface 34a of the drain discharge path 34 is inclined downward toward the drain tank 40.

[0100] In a variation of the second embodiment, a downward force due to gravity also applies, which can guide the drain to the drain tank 40 more quickly.

[0101] (Third Implementation)

[0102] Reference Figure 5 The intercooler 20 of the third embodiment is equipped with a throttle valve 53 for adjusting the flow rate of gas passing through the gas passage 50.

[0103] The throttle valve 53 has the function of adjusting the flow rate of air passing through the air passage 50. Therefore, by adjusting the opening of the throttle valve 53, the flow rate V2 can be appropriately set and the speeds U1 and U2 can be adjusted.

[0104] (Fourth Implementation)

[0105] Reference Figure 6 and Figure 7The intercooler 20 of the fourth embodiment includes a perforated plate 54 in the drain tank 40 that covers the top of the drained liquid accumulated in the storage section 48. The perforated plate 54 is a thin plate with a plurality of small holes 54a. For example, the perforated plate 54 can be a component made by perforating a metal plate, such as a perforated metal plate, or it can be a component made by perforating a resin plate that is lighter than the drained water.

[0106] There are no particular limitations on the method of setting the perforated plate 54. It can be fixed at a specified depth position in the accumulation section 48, or it can simply be placed at the bottom of the accumulation section 48 in a way that it floats when the drained liquid accumulates in the accumulation section 48.

[0107] By providing the perforated plate 54, it is possible to prevent the liquid accumulated in the accumulation section 48 from being carried away by the air flow, thus further preventing the liquid from reaching the gas outlet 32 ​​via the air passage 50.

[0108] (Fifth Implementation)

[0109] Reference Figure 8 In the fifth embodiment, the other end of the air passage 50 is opened to the atmosphere instead of being connected to the gas outlet 32.

[0110] In the fifth embodiment, the drained liquid can be accumulated in the accumulation section without causing the second flow to return to the first flow.

[0111] (Sixth Implementation Method)

[0112] Reference Figure 9 In the sixth embodiment, the front end (the other end) of the air passage 50 is not connected to the housing 30 and is open to the atmosphere. Furthermore, the intercooler 20 of the sixth embodiment includes a throttle valve 53 for adjusting the flow rate of gas passing through the air passage 50.

[0113] The throttle valve 53 has the function of adjusting the flow rate of air passing through the air passage 50. Therefore, by adjusting the opening of the throttle valve 53, the flow rate V2 can be appropriately set and the speeds U1 and U2 can be adjusted.

[0114] Furthermore, in the sixth embodiment, the drained liquid can be accumulated in the accumulation section 48 without causing the second flow to return to the first flow. Moreover, by simply adjusting the airflow through the air passage 50, i.e., by simply adjusting the air loss, it is possible to prevent the drained liquid from being guided to the gas outlet 32 ​​along with the first flow.

[0115] The specific embodiments and variations of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described forms and can be implemented in various ways within the scope of the present invention. For example, the housing 30, the drain discharge path 34, the drain tank 40, and the air passage 50 can each be formed as separate components, or they can be integrally formed as at least two or more, such as castings. Furthermore, the case where the inner bottom surface 30a of the housing 30 is horizontal is illustrated, but the inner bottom surface 30a can also be formed in a manner that continuously or progressively decreases in height toward the drain outlet 35.

[0116] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0117] 1 compressor

[0118] 2. First-stage compressor body

[0119] 3. Second-stage compressor body

[0120] 4.6 suction port

[0121] 5 and 7 spray outlets

[0122] 20 Intercooler

[0123] 21, 61 Cooling section

[0124] 22 and 62 tube clusters

[0125] 23, 63 fins

[0126] 30. Housing

[0127] 31 Gas inlet

[0128] 32 Gas outlet

[0129] 33 Drainage Recovery Section

[0130] 34 Drainage flow path

[0131] 35 Drainage outlet

[0132] 36 Upstream side space

[0133] 37 Downstream space

[0134] 38 Gas Flow Path

[0135] 39 First gas flow path

[0136] 40 drain tank

[0137] 41 Sidewall

[0138] 42 Top Wall

[0139] 43 bottom wall

[0140] 44. Drainage outlet

[0141] 45 Drain drain pipe

[0142] 46. ​​Closed structure

[0143] 46a Air trap (sealing mechanism)

[0144] 47 Separation Section

[0145] 48. Accumulation Department

[0146] 49 Drainage inlet

[0147] 50. Airflow path

[0148] 51 Gas outlet

[0149] 52 Gas inlet

[0150] 53 Throttle valve

[0151] 54. Perforated plate

[0152] 60 aftercooler

[0153] 70, 71 water level sensors

[0154] 72 controller.

Claims

1. A gas cooler, characterized in that: It includes: A housing provided with a gas inlet and a gas outlet; A cooling part arranged inside the housing, dividing the inside of the housing into an upstream side space where the gas inlet opens and a downstream side space connected to the gas outlet, and cooling the gas introduced into the inside of the housing; A drain liquid recovery part arranged at the bottom of the downstream side space, accumulating the drain liquid separated from the gas by cooling the gas by the cooling part; A drain liquid tank having a separation part into which the drain liquid accumulated in the drain liquid recovery part and a part of the gas are introduced and separating the drain liquid from the gas, an accumulation part for accumulating the separated drain liquid, and a drain liquid discharge outlet for discharging the drain liquid from the accumulation part; A drain liquid discharge flow path, one end of which is connected to the drain liquid recovery part and the other end of which is connected to the separation part, so that the drain liquid accumulated in the drain liquid recovery part and a part of the gas are introduced together; And An air flow path, one end of which is connected to the separation part and the other end of which is connected to a gas flow path leading to the downstream side space and the gas outlet above the drain liquid recovery part.

2. The gas cooler according to claim 1, characterized in that: The gas flow path includes a first gas flow path extending upward from the drain liquid recovery part and connecting the downstream side space and the gas outlet; The other end of the air flow path is connected to the first gas flow path.

3. The gas cooler according to claim 2, characterized in that: The flow path cross-sectional areas of the first gas flow path, the separation part, the drain liquid discharge flow path and the air flow path have the following relationship, A2 > A1 > A3 > A4 A1: The flow path cross-sectional area of the first gas flow path A2: The flow path cross-sectional area of the separation part A3: The flow path cross-sectional area of the drain liquid discharge flow path A4: The flow path cross-sectional area of the air flow path.

4. The gas cooler according to claim 3, characterized in that: The speeds of the gas in the first gas flow path and the separation part have the following relationship, U1 = V1 / A1 (m / s) < U (m / s) U2 = V2 / A2 (m / s) < U (m / s) V = V1 + V2 U: Terminal velocity U1: The speed of the gas in the first gas flow path U2: The speed of the gas in the separation part V: The flow rate of the gas guided to the drain liquid recovery part V1: The flow rate of the gas guided to the first gas flow path V2: The flow rate of the gas guided to the separation part.

5. The gas cooler according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The position of the inner bottom surface of the drain liquid tank in the height direction is relatively lower than the position of the inner bottom surface of the housing in the height direction; The drain liquid discharge flow path opens on the housing side in a manner including the position of the inner bottom surface of the housing in the height direction, and the bottom surface of the drain liquid discharge flow path is horizontal or inclined downward toward the drain liquid tank side.

6. The gas cooler according to claim 1, characterized in that: It includes a throttle valve for adjusting the flow rate of the gas passing through the air flow path.

7. The gas cooler as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The aforementioned drain tank is equipped with a perforated plate that covers the top of the aforementioned drain that accumulates in the aforementioned storage section.

8. The gas cooler as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The other end of the aforementioned airflow path is opened to the atmosphere instead of being connected to the aforementioned gas outlet.

9. The gas cooler according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The gas arriving at the aforementioned drain recovery section is divided into a first stream that flows only within the aforementioned housing from the aforementioned drain recovery section and reaches the aforementioned gas outlet, and a second stream that flows from the aforementioned drain recovery section through the aforementioned drain tank and then merges with the aforementioned first stream.

Citation Information

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