A liquid metal electric heater

Abstract

This invention belongs to the field of electric heater technology, specifically disclosing a liquid metal electric heater, comprising: a fixing assembly, which includes a mounting flange with multiple heating elements, each heating element having a heating section; a heating cylinder connected to the fixing assembly, containing multiple heating pipes, with the heating elements penetrating the heating cylinder and the heating sections located within the heating pipes; and a flow equalization plate disposed on the side of the heating cylinder away from the fixing assembly, having multiple liquid inlet holes, with each heating pipe communicating with at least one liquid inlet hole. This invention, through the design of the heating cylinder and fixing assembly, can uniformly heat the molten metal, improving the performance of the molten metal, while simultaneously preventing the molten metal from contacting the mounting flange during heating, thus ensuring the flange's performance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of electric heater technology, and in particular to a liquid metal electric heater. Background Technology

[0002] Electric heaters are a popular type of electric heating equipment internationally. They are used for heating, maintaining, and warming flowing liquid and gaseous media. When the heating medium passes through the heating chamber of the electric heater under pressure, the enormous heat generated by the heating element is uniformly carried away using the principles of fluid thermodynamics, ensuring that the temperature of the heated medium meets the user's process requirements.

[0003] Liquid metal electric heaters are primarily used to heat special metal solutions. The heater is directly immersed in the molten metal, and the heat generated by the electric heating element raises the temperature of the solution, thus achieving heat exchange. In existing technologies, the market mainly uses electric heaters with ordinary structures to heat metal solutions. These heaters have dead zones, leading to locally high temperatures and uneven heating of the metal solution, which is detrimental to studying the heat transfer characteristics of the metal solution. In view of this, the applicant has proposed a liquid metal electric heater. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art described above, the purpose of this invention is to provide a liquid metal electric heater to solve the problem of insufficient uniformity in heating metal solutions by electric heaters in the prior art.

[0005] To achieve the above and other related objectives, the present invention provides a liquid metal electric heater, comprising:

[0006] A fixing assembly, the fixing assembly including a mounting flange, the mounting flange being provided with a plurality of heating elements, the heating elements having a heating part;

[0007] A heating cylinder is connected to the fixing assembly. The heating cylinder has multiple heating pipes inside, and the heating element passes through the heating cylinder. The heating part is located inside the heating pipes.

[0008] A flow equalization plate is disposed on the side of the heating cylinder away from the fixed component. The flow equalization plate has multiple liquid inlet holes, and the heating pipe is connected to at least one of the liquid inlet holes.

[0009] Optionally, the flow equalization plate has mounting holes corresponding to the heating pipes one-to-one. The heating element passes through the mounting holes, and the mounting holes are spaced apart from the liquid inlet holes. Each mounting hole corresponds to at least one liquid inlet hole. Optionally, the fixing assembly further includes a fixing cylinder, which is fixedly connected to the side of the mounting flange near the heating cylinder. All heating elements pass through the fixing cylinder.

[0010] Optionally, the mounting flange is provided with multiple air inlet pipes and multiple air outlet pipes. One end of the air inlet pipe passes through the mounting flange and communicates with the internal space of the fixed cylinder, and one end of the air outlet pipe passes through the flange and communicates with the internal space of the fixed cylinder.

[0011] Optionally, the number of air inlet pipes and air outlet pipes are the same, and both air inlet pipes and air outlet pipes are welded to the mounting flange.

[0012] Optionally, the heating element is provided with mounting bolts, and the heating element is connected to the mounting flange via the mounting bolts. Optionally, it also includes a tie rod, one end of which is fixedly connected to the mounting flange, the tie rod passes through the mounting flange, the fixed cylinder, the heating cylinder and the flow equalization plate, and the other end of which is fixedly connected to the flow equalization plate.

[0013] Optionally, the two ends of the tie rod are respectively mounted on the mounting flange and the flow equalization plate by fixing nuts, and the fixing nuts at both ends of the tie rod are welded to the mounting flange and the flow equalization plate respectively.

[0014] Optionally, the heating cylinder includes a fixing plate disposed at both ends of the heating cylinder, the heating element passes through the fixing plate, and the heating pipe is welded between the fixing plates.

[0015] Optionally, the heating element is provided with a thermocouple for measuring the temperature of the heating element.

[0016] As described above, the liquid metal electric heater proposed in this invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0017] (1) Compared with the prior art, the present invention ensures that the flow field of the metal solution entering the heater is uniform by setting a flow equalization plate; each heating element has an independent flow channel in the heating part, and the heating part of the heating element can be in uniform contact with the metal solution, thereby achieving uniform heating of the metal solution and there is no dead zone. The heat generated by the heating element can be carried away by the metal solution in time, ensuring that the local temperature of the heating element does not exceed the limit.

[0018] (2) Compared with the prior art, the present invention can stably fix the heating element by setting the fixing component, and at the same time ensure the performance of the heating element, so that the heating element can work stably. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 The diagram shown is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 The diagram shown is a schematic representation of a heating cylinder according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 3 The image shown is an enlarged view of point A in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 4 The diagram shown is a schematic representation of the flow equalization plate in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 5 The diagram shown is a schematic representation of a heating element according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 6 The diagram shown is a schematic representation of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0026] 1. Installation flange; 2. Fixing cylinder; 3. Heating element; 3. Cable; 301. Protective cap; 302. Metal pipe; 303. Connecting rod; 304. Heating element; 305. Insulator; 306. Plug; 307. Inlet pipe; 4. Outlet pipe; 5. Tie rod; 6. Heating cylinder; 7. Fixing plate; 8. Heating pipe; 9. Flow equalization plate; 10. Mounting hole; 1001. Liquid inlet hole; 1002. Fixing nut; 11. Thermocouple; 12. Mounting bolt; 13. Container; 14. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The following specific examples illustrate the implementation of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present invention from the content disclosed in this specification. The present invention can also be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and various details in this specification can also be modified or changed based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0028] It should be noted that the illustrations provided in this embodiment are only schematic representations of the basic concept of the present invention. Therefore, the drawings only show components relevant to the present invention and are not drawn according to the actual number, shape, and size of components in implementation. In actual implementation, the form, quantity, and proportion of each component can be arbitrarily changed, and the component layout may be more complex. The structures, proportions, sizes, etc., depicted in the accompanying drawings are only for illustrative purposes to aid those skilled in the art and are not intended to limit the implementation conditions of the present invention. Therefore, they have no substantial technical significance. Any modifications to the structure, changes in proportions, or adjustments to size, without affecting the effects and objectives of the present invention, should still fall within the scope of the technical content disclosed in the present invention. Furthermore, the terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "middle," and "one" used in this specification are only for clarity of description and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Changes or adjustments to their relative relationships, without substantially altering the technical content, should also be considered within the scope of the present invention.

[0029] like Figures 1-6 As shown, the present invention proposes a liquid metal electric heater.

[0030] like Figure 1 As shown, in one exemplary embodiment, the liquid metal electric heater includes:

[0031] The fixing assembly includes a mounting flange 1, on which a plurality of heating elements 3 are provided, and each heating element 3 has a heating section.

[0032] Heating cylinder 7 is connected to a fixing component. Multiple heating pipes 9 are provided inside the heating cylinder 7. Heating element 3 passes through the heating cylinder 7 and the heating part is located inside the heating pipes 9.

[0033] The flow equalization plate 10 is located on the side of the heating cylinder 7 away from the fixed component. The flow equalization plate 10 has multiple liquid inlet holes 1002, and the heating pipe 9 is connected to at least one liquid inlet hole 1002.

[0034] In this embodiment, the flow equalization plate 10 ensures that the flow field of the metal solution entering the heater is uniform; each heating element has an independent flow channel, and the heating part of the heating element can be in uniform contact with the metal solution, thereby achieving uniform heating of the metal solution and eliminating dead zones. The heat generated by the heating element can be carried away by the metal solution in time, ensuring that the local temperature of the heating element does not exceed the limit.

[0035] In this embodiment, the heating element 3 is also stably fixed by a fixing component, which ensures the performance of the heating element 3 and enables the heating element 3 to work stably.

[0036] In an exemplary embodiment, the flow equalization plate 10 has mounting holes 1001 that correspond one-to-one with the heating pipes 9. The heating element 3 is disposed through the mounting holes 1001. The mounting holes 1001 and the liquid inlet holes 1002 are spaced apart, and each mounting hole 1001 corresponds to at least one liquid inlet hole 1002.

[0037] In this embodiment, by providing mounting holes 1001 on the flow equalization plate 10, and by having mounting holes 1001 correspond one-to-one with heating pipes 9, the heating element 3 can be positioned and limited by the mounting holes 1001 after passing through the heating pipes 9. Each mounting hole 1001 corresponds to at least one liquid inlet hole 1002, thereby enabling the metal solution to enter the heating pipes 9.

[0038] For example, in this embodiment, each mounting hole 1001 corresponds to two liquid inlet holes 1002. That is, in a heating channel, there is one mounting hole 1001 and two liquid inlet holes 1002 on the flow equalization plate 10. The two liquid inlet holes 1002 can increase the efficiency of the metal solution entering the heating pipe 9.

[0039] It is worth noting that in this embodiment, the inner diameter of the heating pipe 9 needs to be greater than the maximum width between the mounting hole 1001 and the liquid inlet hole 1002, so that while the heating element 3 is fixed through the mounting hole 1001, the liquid inlet hole 1002 and the internal space of the heating pipe 9 can be connected.

[0040] In one exemplary embodiment, the fixing assembly further includes a fixing cylinder 2, which is fixedly connected to the side of the mounting flange 1 near the heating cylinder 7, and the heating elements 3 all pass through the fixing cylinder 2.

[0041] In this embodiment, the fixed cylinder 2 can effectively isolate the molten metal from the mounting flange 1, prevent the high-temperature molten metal from contacting the mounting flange 1, and prevent the temperature of the mounting flange 1 from rising, thus affecting the performance of the mounting flange 1.

[0042] For example, in this embodiment, the fixing cylinder 2 is welded to the lower end face of the mounting flange 1.

[0043] It is worth noting that the mounting flange 1 and the fixed cylinder 2 are only partially connected. The mounting flange 1 acts like a cover over the surface of the fixed cylinder 2, and at the same time, the fixed cylinder 2 is sealed by the mounting flange 1.

[0044] In an exemplary embodiment, the mounting flange 1 is provided with a plurality of air inlet pipes 4 and a plurality of air outlet pipes 5. One end of the air inlet pipe 4 passes through the mounting flange 1 and communicates with the internal space of the fixed cylinder 2, and one end of the air outlet pipe 5 passes through the flange and communicates with the internal space of the fixed cylinder 2.

[0045] In this embodiment, by setting multiple air inlet pipes 4 and air outlet pipes 5 on the mounting flange 1, inert insulating gas is introduced through the air inlet pipes 4 during the heating of the metal solution. The inert insulating gas enters the interior of the fixed cylinder 2 and fills the internal cavity of the fixed cylinder 2. During this process, after the inert insulating gas is continuously introduced, the internal pressure increases, and the air in the fixed cylinder 2 will be discharged from the air outlet pipes 5. During the discharge process, the temperature of the mounting flange 1 can be carried away, ensuring the performance of the mounting flange 1. At the same time, since the heating element 3 is the main heating component, the temperature of the non-heating parts will also be high. The inert insulating gas can carry away the temperature of the heating element 3 at the metal pipe 303, thereby effectively dissipating heat for the heating element 3 and extending the service life of the heating element 3.

[0046] For example, in this embodiment, there are three air inlet pipes 4 and three air outlet pipes 5, which are circumferentially arranged on the mounting flange 1, and the air inlet pipes 4 and the air outlet pipes 5 are symmetrically arranged.

[0047] For example, in this embodiment, both the inlet pipe 4 and the outlet pipe 5 have two ports. One port of each pipe passes through the mounting flange 1 and communicates with the internal space of the fixed cylinder 2. The other port of each pipe is fixedly connected to a docking flange to connect to a device for introducing or recovering inert insulating gas. For example, in this embodiment, both the inlet pipe 4 and the outlet pipe 5 are welded to the mounting flange 1, so that the internal space of the fixed cylinder 2 can be sealed. After the inert insulating gas is introduced, a certain air pressure can be formed in the fixed cylinder 2, thereby preventing the molten metal from contacting the mounting flange 1.

[0048] It is worth noting that in this embodiment, the number of air inlet pipes 4 and air outlet pipes 5 can be increased to improve the airflow exchange speed in the fixed cylinder 2 and enhance the heat dissipation performance of the entire device. At the same time, the amount of inert insulating gas introduced per unit time must be greater than the amount of inert insulating gas discharged per unit time to provide a pressure environment.

[0049] In an exemplary embodiment, the heating element 3 is provided with mounting bolts 13, and the heating element 3 is connected to the mounting flange 1 by the mounting bolts 13.

[0050] In this embodiment, the heating element 3 is mounted on the mounting flange 1 by mounting bolts 13, which enables the heating element 3 to be sealed with the flange.

[0051] For example, the heating element 3 is fixedly connected to the mounting bolt 13, which can be fixed by welding. The mounting bolt 13 is then passed through the mounting flange 1 and locked onto the mounting flange 1 by a lock nut.

[0052] It is worth noting that in this embodiment, the air inlet pipe 4 and the air outlet pipe 5 are welded to the flange, and the heating element 3 is sealed to the mounting flange 1 by the mounting bolt 13, so that the upper end of the fixed cylinder 2 is sealed, ensuring that the inert insulating gas can only be discharged from the air outlet pipe 5, so as to ensure the pressure inside the fixed cylinder 2.

[0053] In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention further includes a pull rod 6, one end of which is fixedly connected to the mounting flange 1, the pull rod 6 passing through the mounting flange 1, the fixing cylinder 2, the heating cylinder 7 and the flow equalization plate 10, and the other end of which is fixedly connected to the flow equalization plate 10.

[0054] In this embodiment, the mounting flange 1, the fixing cylinder 2, the heating cylinder 7, and the flow equalization plate 10 are connected by the tie rod 6, which enhances the connection between the parts, increases the connection strength, and is beneficial to the overall stability of the device.

[0055] For example, in this embodiment, there are six tie rods 6, which are evenly distributed axially on the flange.

[0056] For example, in this embodiment, the specific installation method of the pull rod 6 is as follows: the pull rod 6 is divided into an upper end and a lower end. The pull rod 6 is passed through the mounting flange 1, the fixing cylinder 2, the heating cylinder 7 and the flow equalization plate 10 in sequence. The upper end of the pull rod 6 is fixed to the mounting flange 1 using the fixing nut 11, and the lower end of the pull rod 6 is fixed to the flow equalization plate 10 using the fixing nut 11. Finally, the upper fixing nut 11 is welded to the mounting flange 1 in sequence, and the lower mounting flange 1 is welded to the flow equalization plate 10, thereby fixing the pull rod 6 and connecting the various parts together.

[0057] In an exemplary embodiment, the heating cylinder 7 includes a fixing plate 8, which is disposed at both ends of the heating cylinder 7. The heating element 3 passes through the fixing plate 8, and the heating pipe 9 is welded between the fixing plates 8.

[0058] In this embodiment, the heating pipe 9 can be installed through the heating cylinder 7 and the fixing plates 8 at the upper and lower ends of the heating cylinder 7. Specifically, the heating pipe is fixedly connected between the fixing plates 8 and located inside the heating cylinder 7. At the same time, the fixing plates 8 are all provided with through holes so that the heating part of the heating element 3 can enter the interior of the heating pipe 9.

[0059] For example, in this embodiment, the diameter of the through hole is smaller than the inner diameter of the heating pipe 9, so that the heating part of the heating element 3 can enter the interior of the heating pipe 9.

[0060] In one exemplary embodiment, the heating element 3 is provided with a thermocouple 12 for measuring the temperature of the heating element 3.

[0061] In this embodiment, the electric heating element stops working when the temperature exceeds the set target value by using the thermocouple 12, thus preventing the heating element from overheating.

[0062] For example, in this embodiment, the heating element 3 includes a metal tube 303, an insulator 306, a heating element 305, a connecting rod 304, a protective cap 302, a plug 307, a cable 301, etc.

[0063] It is worth noting that in this embodiment, the metal tube 303 mainly serves as a protector and heat transfer agent, ensuring that the insulator 306 does not directly contact the molten metal. The metal tube 303 can transfer the heat generated by the heating element 305 to the molten metal in a timely manner. The insulator 306 mainly serves to isolate the heating element 305 from the metal tube 303 and to conduct heat. The insulator 306 can ensure the voltage resistance of the electric heating element and transfer heat. The insulator 306 is made of magnesium oxide and nitride. The heating element 305 mainly serves to generate heat and is made of high-temperature alloy material Cr20Ni80 or other high-resistance alloys. The connecting rod 304 mainly serves to conduct electricity and is made of materials with good conductivity such as copper, silver, gold, and nickel. The protective cap 302 is used to protect the sealing material inside and is made into a cylindrical shape. The plug 307 mainly serves a positioning function. It passes through the mounting hole 1001 of the flow equalization plate 10 to achieve positioning. The cable 301 serves to conduct electricity.

[0064] Specific implementation steps: First, when heating the molten metal, the entire device is placed inside a special container 14. Container 14 has an inlet and an outlet. The molten metal is pumped in through the inlet and flows out through the outlet. Simultaneously, the molten metal flows towards the flow equalization plate 10. Second, as... Figure 6 As shown, the molten metal enters the heating pipe 9 through the inlet hole 1002 on the flow equalization plate 10. The arrow indicates the flow direction of the molten metal. The heating part in the heating element 3 can heat the molten metal. After heating, as the molten metal continues to enter, it flows out from the through hole on the fixed plate 8 and finally reaches the outlet. In the third step, while performing the second step, the air inlet pipe 4 and the air outlet pipe 5 are opened. Inert insulating gas is introduced into the fixed cylinder 2 through the air inlet pipe 4 and discharged from the air outlet pipe 5 to ensure that a certain pressure is formed in the fixed cylinder 2, so as to avoid the molten metal from contacting the mounting flange 1 and prevent the flange temperature from rising.

[0065] In summary, the present invention, through the heating cylinder 7 and the fixing components, can uniformly heat the metal solution, improve the performance of the metal solution, and at the same time avoid the metal solution from contacting the mounting flange 1 during heating, thus ensuring the performance of the flange.

[0066] The above embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and effects of the present invention and are not intended to limit the invention. Any person skilled in the art can modify or alter the above embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent modifications or alterations made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and technical concept disclosed in the present invention should still be covered by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A liquid metal electric heater, characterized in that, include: A fixing assembly, the fixing assembly including a mounting flange, the mounting flange being provided with a plurality of heating elements, the heating elements having a heating part; A heating cylinder is connected to the fixing assembly. The heating cylinder has multiple heating pipes inside, and the heating element passes through the heating cylinder. The heating part is located inside the heating pipes. A flow equalization plate is disposed on the side of the heating cylinder away from the fixed component. The flow equalization plate has multiple liquid inlet holes. The heating pipe is connected to at least one of the liquid inlet holes. The flow equalization plate has mounting holes that correspond one-to-one with the heating pipe. The heating element passes through the mounting holes. The mounting holes and the liquid inlet holes are spaced apart. Each mounting hole corresponds to at least one liquid inlet hole. The fixing assembly also includes a fixing cylinder, which is fixedly connected to the side of the mounting flange near the heating cylinder, and all heating elements pass through the fixing cylinder; The mounting flange is provided with multiple air inlet pipes and multiple air outlet pipes. One end of the air inlet pipe passes through the mounting flange and communicates with the internal space of the fixed cylinder, and one end of the air outlet pipe passes through the flange and communicates with the internal space of the fixed cylinder.

2. The liquid metal electric heater according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number of air inlet pipes and air outlet pipes are the same, and both air inlet pipes and air outlet pipes are welded to the mounting flange.

3. A liquid metal electric heater according to claim 2, characterized in that: The heating element is provided with mounting bolts, and the heating element is connected to the mounting flange through the mounting bolts.

4. A liquid metal electric heater according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a tie rod, one end of which is fixedly connected to the mounting flange, the tie rod passes through the mounting flange, the fixing cylinder, the heating cylinder and the flow equalization plate, and the other end of the tie rod is fixedly connected to the flow equalization plate.

5. A liquid metal electric heater according to claim 4, characterized in that: The two ends of the tie rod are respectively fixed to the mounting flange and the flow equalization plate by fixing nuts, and the fixing nuts at both ends of the tie rod are welded to the mounting flange and the flow equalization plate respectively.

6. A liquid metal electric heater according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heating cylinder includes a fixing plate, which is disposed at both ends of the heating cylinder. The heating element passes through the fixing plate, and the heating pipe is welded between the fixing plates.

7. A liquid metal electric heater according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heating element is equipped with a thermocouple for measuring the temperature of the heating element.

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