A device for recovering cold energy from liquid nitrogen vaporization in a lithium battery factory

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for recovering and utilizing liquid nitrogen vaporization cold energy in a lithium battery factory, which includes a liquid nitrogen storage tank, an air-type vaporizer, a liquid nitrogen inlet of the air-type vaporizer being connected to the liquid nitrogen storage tank, a container, a drainage mechanism, and an air compressor; the container is used to provide a vaporization chamber, and the air-type vaporizer is disposed in the vaporization chamber; the drainage mechanism is used to introduce air in the vaporization chamber into the air inlet of the air compressor. The present invention provides a container for providing a vaporization chamber, and disposes the air-type vaporizer in the vaporization chamber. When the air-type vaporizer vaporizes liquid nitrogen in the vaporization chamber, the high-quality cold energy generated during the vaporization process reduces the air temperature in the vaporization chamber. The drainage mechanism promptly introduces the cold air in the vaporization chamber into the air inlet of the air compressor, and the cooled air in the vaporization chamber is directly used as the air source of the air compressor, which can effectively reduce the energy consumption of the air compressor and effectively improve the working efficiency of the air compressor.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of energy recovery and utilization, and in particular to a device for recovering and utilizing cold energy from liquid nitrogen vaporization in a lithium battery plant. Background Art

[0002] During the production process of lithium battery factories, nitrogen is required in multiple stages. Nitrogen is often used as a protective gas in the filling, baking, and chemical composition stages of the lithium battery production process to prevent oxidation of high-temperature battery materials, maintain the stability of electrode materials and electrolytes, and improve lithium battery performance. Nitrogen is often supplied through pipelines using a nitrogen production system, or by vaporizing purchased liquid nitrogen and then transporting it through pipelines. In lithium battery production, liquid nitrogen is first vaporized in an air-type vaporizer exposed to air, and then the water is removed by a cold dryer before being transported to the production line through a pipeline. The liquid nitrogen temperature is below -196°C, which will cause a waste of high-quality cooling capacity during the vaporization process. In addition, direct heat exchange with air will cause the air around the vaporizer to condense and freeze, resulting in a decrease in the heat exchange effect of the air-type vaporizer and thus affecting the liquid nitrogen vaporization effect.

[0003] Compressed air is also crucial in the lithium battery production process. Lithium battery factories typically use air compressors to produce compressed air. The compressed air is high in temperature and has a high dew point, requiring cooling and drying before it can be supplied to the workshop. Currently, the air compression system used in lithium battery factories consists of air compressors and refrigerated dryers. Air compressors convert mechanical energy into gas pressure energy to produce compressed air. Air compressors use cooling water as the cooling medium. When outdoor temperatures reach 35°C or above, the cooling medium cannot meet the cooling temperature requirements of the air compressor process. Large amounts of new cooling water must be added to replace warm water or multiple cooling fans must be activated to reduce the temperature, consuming significant energy. Refrigerated dryers remove moisture from the compressed air through freeze-drying technology. Refrigerated dryers come in both air-cooled and water-cooled types. Air-cooled dryers use high-speed fans to cool the air, while water-cooled dryers use circulating cooling water as the cooling medium, which is cooled by fans in cooling towers. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Based on this, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a liquid nitrogen vaporization cooling energy recovery and utilization device for a lithium battery factory, which uses the low-temperature air generated when liquid nitrogen vaporizes directly as the air source of the air compressor, effectively reducing the energy consumption of the air compressor and fully utilizing the liquid nitrogen cooling energy of the lithium battery factory.

[0005] To achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0006] The present invention provides a device for recovering and utilizing liquid nitrogen vaporization cold energy in a lithium battery factory, which includes a liquid nitrogen storage tank and an air-type vaporizer. The liquid nitrogen inlet of the air-type vaporizer is connected to the liquid nitrogen storage tank. The device also includes a container, a drainage mechanism, and an air compressor. The container is used to provide a vaporization chamber, and the air-type vaporizer is arranged in the vaporization chamber. The drainage mechanism is used to introduce air in the vaporization chamber into the air inlet of the air compressor.

[0007] The present invention provides a container for a vaporization chamber and arranges an air-type vaporizer in the vaporization chamber. When the air-type vaporizer vaporizes liquid nitrogen in the vaporization chamber, the high-quality cold energy generated during the vaporization process reduces the air temperature in the vaporization chamber. The cold air in the vaporization chamber is promptly introduced into the air inlet of the air compressor through the drainage mechanism. The cooled air in the vaporization chamber is directly used as the air source of the air compressor, which can effectively reduce the energy consumption of the air compressor and effectively improve the working efficiency of the air compressor.

[0008] As a further improvement of the above-mentioned scheme of the present invention, the drainage mechanism includes a fan, the air inlet of the fan is connected to the vaporization chamber through pipe 1 and valve 1 is provided on pipe 1, and the air outlet of the fan is connected to the air inlet of the air compressor through pipe 2 and valve 2 is provided on pipe 2.

[0009] As a further improvement of the above solution of the present invention, it also includes an air filtering device, which is arranged in the air inlet of the vaporization chamber.

[0010] As a further improvement of the above solution of the present invention, it further comprises at least two fans, both of which are installed in the vaporization chamber, so as to improve the heat exchange effect between the nitrogen and the air in the vaporization chamber.

[0011] As a further improvement of the above solution of the present invention, it also includes a cold dryer, the air inlet of the cold dryer is connected to the air outlet of the air compressor, and the cooling medium inlet of the cold dryer is connected to the nitrogen outlet of the air vaporizer.

[0012] The present invention also uses the nitrogen vaporized by the air vaporizer as the cooling medium of the cold dryer, effectively improving the working efficiency of the cold dryer, further reducing energy consumption, achieving rapid cooling of the compressed air, making full use of the cooling capacity of liquid nitrogen, improving the utilization rate of the cooling capacity of the raw liquid nitrogen, and reducing the production cost of lithium-ion battery products. The present invention is suitable for a gas supply device for providing nitrogen and compressed air by vaporizing liquid nitrogen in a lithium battery factory.

[0013] As a further improvement to the above-mentioned solution of the present invention, it also includes a pressure-surge tank 1 and an air storage tank. The inlet of the pressure-surge tank 1 is connected to the air outlet of the air compressor via a pipe 3, and a valve 3 is provided on the pipe 3. The outlet of the pressure-surge tank 1 is connected to the air inlet of the cold dryer via a pipe 4, and a valve 4 is provided on the pipe 4. The inlet of the air storage tank is connected to the air outlet of the cold dryer via a pipe 5, and a drying filter is provided on the pipe 5. The purpose of the pressure-surge tank 1 is to ensure the stability of the pressure of the prepared compressed air.

[0014] The present invention dries and filters the compressed air through a drying filter and then stores the dried air in an air storage tank, which is convenient for use.

[0015] As a further improvement to the above-mentioned solution of the present invention, it also includes a second surge tank. The inlet of the second surge tank is connected to the nitrogen outlet of the air vaporizer via a pipe 6, and a valve 5 is installed on the pipe 6. The outlet of the second surge tank is connected to the cooling medium inlet of the cold dryer via a pipe 7, and a valve 6 is installed on the pipe 7. The purpose of the second surge tank is to ensure the stability of the pressure of the vaporized nitrogen.

[0016] As a further improvement of the above solution of the present invention, it also includes a nitrogen storage tank, the inlet of which is connected to the cooling medium outlet of the cold dryer through pipeline 8.

[0017] The nitrogen obtained by the present invention is stored in a nitrogen storage tank and is convenient to use.

[0018] As a further improvement to the above solution of the present invention, a vent pipe is connected to the pipe 6, and a vent valve and an electronically controlled vent valve are provided on the vent pipe. The vent pipe is intended to avoid safety accidents that may be caused by excessive pressure or gas accumulation.

[0019] As a further improvement of the above solution of the present invention, the container, the first surge tank and the second surge tank are all provided with pressure gauges, and the container is provided with a temperature gauge.

[0020] It is convenient to observe the pressure inside the container, surge tank 1, surge tank 2 and the temperature inside the container in real time to ensure safe production.

[0021] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0022] 1. The present invention provides a container for a vaporization chamber, and arranges an air-type vaporizer in the vaporization chamber. When the air-type vaporizer vaporizes liquid nitrogen in the vaporization chamber, the high-quality cold energy generated during the vaporization process reduces the temperature of the air in the vaporization chamber. The cold air in the vaporization chamber is promptly introduced into the air inlet of the air compressor through a drainage mechanism. The cooled air in the vaporization chamber is directly used as the air source for the air compressor, which can effectively reduce the energy consumption of the air compressor and effectively improve the working efficiency of the air compressor. At the same time, the cold air in the vaporization chamber is promptly introduced into the air compressor to prevent the cold air from condensing and freezing around the air-type vaporizer, thereby preventing the vaporization effect of the air-type vaporizer from being affected.

[0023] 2. The present invention also uses nitrogen vaporized by an air-type vaporizer as a cooling medium for the cold dryer, effectively improving the operating efficiency of the cold dryer, further reducing energy consumption, achieving rapid cooling of the compressed air, and fully utilizing the cooling capacity of liquid nitrogen. This improves the utilization rate of the cooling capacity of the raw liquid nitrogen and reduces the production cost of lithium-ion battery products. The present invention is suitable for use in lithium battery factories as a gas supply device for providing nitrogen and compressed air by vaporizing liquid nitrogen. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a device for recovering cold energy from liquid nitrogen vaporization in a lithium battery factory provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure numerals: 1, liquid nitrogen storage tank; 2, air vaporizer; 3, container; 4, air compressor; 5, vaporization chamber; 6, fan; 7, pipeline one; 8, valve one; 9, pipeline two; 10, valve two; 11, fan; 12, pressure-sustaining tank two; 13, cold dryer; 14, pipeline six; 15, valve five; 16, pipeline seven; 17, valve six; 18, nitrogen storage tank; 19, pipeline eight; 20, pressure-sustaining tank one; 21, pipeline three; 22, valve three; 23, pipeline four; 24, valve four; 25, air storage tank; 26, pipeline five; 27, drying filter; 28, vent pipeline; 29, vent valve; 30, electric vent valve; 31, pressure gauge; 32, temperature gauge. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] To facilitate understanding of the present invention, the present invention will be described more fully below in conjunction with specific embodiments. However, the present invention can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. On the contrary, the purpose of providing these embodiments is to provide a more thorough and comprehensive understanding of the disclosure of the present invention.

[0027] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art of the present invention. The terms used in the specification of the present invention herein are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0028] Reference Figure 1 This embodiment proposes a liquid nitrogen vaporization cold recovery and utilization device for a lithium battery factory, including a liquid nitrogen storage tank 1, an air vaporizer 2, a container 3, a drainage mechanism and an air compressor 4, and may also include a cold dryer 13, a pressure-surge tank 1 20, an air storage tank 25, a pressure-surge tank 2 12 and a nitrogen storage tank 18.

[0029] Container 3 is used to provide a vaporization chamber 5. To facilitate real-time measurement of the pressure and temperature within vaporization chamber 5, container 3 is equipped with a pressure gauge 31 and a temperature gauge 32. To provide fresh, clean air to vaporization chamber 5, an air filter is installed within the air inlet of vaporization chamber 5, and two fans 11 are installed within vaporization chamber 5. In this embodiment, the air filter can be an air filter or other known air filter.

[0030] The air vaporizer 2 is disposed within the vaporizer chamber 5. The air vaporizer 2 of this embodiment utilizes conventional air vaporizers. Air vaporizers 2 utilize ambient air temperature to heat and vaporize liquefied gas, and are widely used in industrial gasification and domestic gas supply. Their operating principle is to utilize a special heat exchange device to extract heat energy from the atmosphere within the smallest possible space, thereby converting liquid gas into gas. The operating principle is clear and will not be elaborated upon here.

[0031] The liquid nitrogen storage tank 1 is arranged outside the container 3. The liquid nitrogen storage tank 1 is connected to the liquid nitrogen inlet of the air vaporizer 2 through a pipeline, and a regulating valve is provided on the pipeline. When the regulating valve is opened, the liquid nitrogen in the liquid nitrogen storage tank 1 enters the air vaporizer 2, and the liquid nitrogen is vaporized in the air vaporizer 2. The high-quality cooling capacity generated by the vaporization of the liquid nitrogen will cool the air in the vaporization chamber 5.

[0032] The drainage mechanism is used to direct the air within the vaporization chamber 5 into the air inlet of the air compressor 4. In this embodiment, the drainage mechanism includes a fan 6. The air inlet of the fan 6 is connected to the vaporization chamber 5 via a pipe 1 7, which is equipped with a valve 1 8. The air outlet of the fan 6 is connected to the air inlet of the air compressor 4 via a pipe 2 9, which is equipped with a valve 2 10. When the fan 6 is activated, the cold air within the vaporization chamber 5 is drawn into the air compressor 4. Simultaneously, the outside air is filtered through the air filter and then enters the vaporization chamber 5.

[0033] The inlet of surge tank 1 (20) is connected to the air outlet of air compressor 4 via pipe 3 (21), which is equipped with valve 3 (22). The outlet of surge tank 1 (20) is connected to the air inlet of cold dryer 13 via pipe 4 (23), which is equipped with valve 4 (24). To facilitate real-time measurement of the pressure within surge tank 1 (20), a pressure gauge 31 is installed on surge tank 1 (20). The inlet of air storage tank 25 is connected to the air outlet of cold dryer 13 via pipe 5 (26), which is equipped with filter drying filter 27.

[0034] The inlet of the second surge tank 12 is connected to the nitrogen outlet of the air vaporizer 2 via a sixth pipe 14, which is equipped with a fifth valve 15. This pipe 14 is connected to a vent pipe 28, which is equipped with a vent valve 29 and an electronically controlled vent valve 30. The outlet of the second surge tank 12 is connected to the cooling medium inlet of the cold dryer 13 via a seventh pipe 16, which is equipped with a sixth valve 17. To facilitate real-time monitoring of the pressure within the second surge tank 12, a pressure gauge 31 is installed on the second surge tank 12. The inlet of the nitrogen storage tank 18 is connected to the cooling medium outlet of the cold dryer 13 via a eighth pipe 19.

[0035] Through the above structure, when this embodiment is in use, the liquid nitrogen in the liquid nitrogen storage tank 1 enters the air-type vaporizer 2 for vaporization. The high-quality cold energy generated during the vaporization process reduces the air temperature of the vaporization chamber 5. The fan 6 introduces the cold air in the vaporization chamber 5 into the air compressor 4 to directly serve as the air source of the air compressor 4, which can effectively reduce the energy consumption of the air compressor 4 and effectively improve the working efficiency of the air compressor 4; the compressed air compressed by the air compressor 4 enters the pressure-surge tank 1 20 through the pipeline 3 21 for pressure stabilization, and then flows into the cold dryer 13 through the pipeline 4 23. After the moisture in the compressed air is removed by the cold dryer 13, the compressed air is stored in the air storage tank 25 through the pipeline 5 26; in this process, the nitrogen vaporized by the air-type vaporizer 2 enters the pressure-surge tank 2 12 through the pipeline 6 14 for pressure stabilization, and then flows into the cooling medium channel of the cold dryer 13 through the pipeline 7 16 and serves as the cooling medium of the cold dryer 13. Finally, the nitrogen is stored in the nitrogen storage tank 18 through the pipeline 8 19. During the entire process, the cooling capacity of the liquid nitrogen is fully utilized, effectively reducing the energy consumption of the air compressor 4 and the cold dryer 13. In addition, since the cold air in the vaporization chamber 5 is introduced into the air compressor 4 in a timely manner, the cold air is prevented from condensing and freezing around the air vaporizer 2, thereby preventing the vaporization effect of the air vaporizer 2 from being affected.

[0036] The technical features of the above-mentioned embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. In order to make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above-mentioned embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0037] The above-described embodiments merely illustrate several implementations of the present invention, and while their descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the patent. It should be noted that a person skilled in the art would be able to make numerous variations and improvements without departing from the spirit of the present invention, all of which fall within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the patent for this invention shall be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A device for recovering and utilizing cold energy from liquid nitrogen vaporization in a lithium battery factory, comprising a liquid nitrogen storage tank (1) and an air-type vaporizer (2), wherein the liquid nitrogen inlet of the air-type vaporizer (2) is connected to the liquid nitrogen storage tank (1), and is characterized in that: It also includes a container (3), a drainage mechanism, and an air compressor (4); the container (3) is used to provide a vaporization chamber (5), and the air vaporizer (2) is arranged in the vaporization chamber (5); the drainage mechanism is used to introduce the air in the vaporization chamber (5) into the air inlet of the air compressor (4); It also includes a cold dryer (13), the air inlet of the cold dryer (13) is connected to the air outlet of the air compressor (4), and the cooling medium inlet of the cold dryer (13) is connected to the nitrogen outlet of the air vaporizer (2); It also includes a pressure stabilizing tank (20) and an air storage tank (25). The inlet of the pressure stabilizing tank (20) is connected to the air outlet of the air compressor (4) through a pipe (21) and a valve (22) is provided on the pipe (21). The outlet of the pressure stabilizing tank (20) is connected to the air inlet of the cold dryer (13) through a pipe (23) and a valve (24) is provided on the pipe (23). The inlet of the air storage tank (25) is connected to the air outlet of the cold dryer (13) through a pipe (26) and a drying filter (27) is provided on the pipe (26).

2. The device for recovering cold energy from liquid nitrogen vaporization in a lithium battery factory according to claim 1, characterized in that: The drainage mechanism includes a fan (6), an air inlet of the fan (6) is connected to the vaporization chamber (5) through a pipe (7), and a valve (8) is provided on the pipe (7), and an air outlet of the fan (6) is connected to the air inlet of the air compressor (4) through a pipe (9), and a valve (10) is provided on the pipe (9).

3. The device for recovering cold energy from liquid nitrogen vaporization in a lithium battery factory according to claim 1, characterized in that: An air filter device is provided in the air inlet of the vaporization chamber (5).

4. The device for recovering cold energy from liquid nitrogen vaporization in a lithium battery factory according to claim 1, characterized in that: At least two fans (11) are installed in the vaporization chamber (5).

5. The device for recovering cold energy from liquid nitrogen vaporization in a lithium battery factory according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a second pressure stabilizing tank (12), the inlet of which is connected to the nitrogen outlet of the air vaporizer (2) through a sixth pipe (14), and a valve fifth (15) is provided on the sixth pipe (14); the outlet of which is connected to the cooling medium inlet of the cold dryer (13) through a seventh pipe (16), and a valve sixth (17) is provided on the seventh pipe (16).

6. The device for recovering cold energy from liquid nitrogen vaporization in a lithium battery factory according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a nitrogen storage tank (18), the inlet of the nitrogen storage tank (18) is connected to the cooling medium outlet of the cold dryer (13) through a pipeline eight (19).

7. The device for recovering cold energy from liquid nitrogen vaporization in a lithium battery factory according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pipeline 6 (14) is connected to a vent pipeline (28), a vent valve (29) is provided on one branch of the vent pipeline (28), and an electric-controlled vent valve (30) is provided on the other branch of the vent pipeline (28).

8. The device for recovering and utilizing cold energy from liquid nitrogen vaporization in a lithium battery factory according to claim 5, characterized in that: The container (3), the second pressure stabilizing tank (12), and the first pressure stabilizing tank (20) are all provided with pressure gauges (31), and the container (3) is provided with a temperature gauge (32).

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