Air cooler temperature control system

Abstract

The invention discloses an air cooler temperature control system, and relates to the technical field of air coolers, the system comprises an air cooler body, the air cooler body comprises a heat exchanger and a temperature sensing module, and the air cooler body is installed at a natural gas output end and used for detecting the temperature of natural gas after heat exchange in real time; the hot air conveying module comprises an air heating device and an air duct, and the air duct communicates with the air inlet end and is used for conveying heated air to the air inlet end; the first hot air valve is mounted on the air duct and used for adjusting the flow of hot air; the controller module responds to the temperature signal and controls the first hot air valve to be opened and closed according to the temperature deviation. The initial temperature of air at the air inlet end of the heat exchanger is low, the temperature of natural gas after heat exchange is too low, at the moment, the controller module controls the temperature sensing module to work, the first hot air valve is opened, hot air is led to the air inlet end, the initial air temperature of the air inlet end is increased, and then the natural gas temperature of the natural gas output end is increased; the natural gas outlet temperature is effectively controlled.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of air coolers, and in particular to a temperature control system for an air cooler. Background Art

[0002] Air coolers, as an important air cooling equipment, can be used in petrochemical and oil and gas processing. Air coolers use ambient air as a cooling medium to cool the oil or natural gas in the heat exchange pipeline. During the natural gas transportation process, the natural gas is usually temperature-regulated by an air cooler to adapt to different work requirements. Especially in the cold winter, when the ambient temperature is low, the temperature of the natural gas after heat exchange may drop below the set range, affecting the safety and efficiency of transportation.

[0003] In the related technology, usually only simple air volume control is relied on, which cannot achieve precise temperature control, and the problem of temperature out of control is prone to occur in the low temperature environment in winter, which needs to be improved. Summary of the invention

[0004] In order to effectively control the natural gas outlet temperature, the present application provides an air cooler temperature control system.

[0005] The present application provides an air cooler temperature control system, which adopts the following technical solution: An air cooler temperature control system, the system comprising: An air cooler body, the air cooler body comprising a heat exchanger, the heat exchanger comprising an air inlet, an air outlet, a heat exchange pipeline, a natural gas input end and a natural gas output end, the air inlet and the air outlet being respectively connected to two ends of the heat exchange pipeline; A temperature sensing module is installed at the natural gas output end, and is used to detect the temperature of the natural gas after heat exchange in real time, obtain current natural gas temperature data, and output a temperature signal; A hot air delivery module, comprising an air heating device and an air duct, wherein the air duct is connected to the air inlet end and is used to deliver heated air to the air inlet end to increase the initial temperature of the cooling air; A first hot air valve, installed on the air duct, for adjusting the flow of hot air; The controller module responds to the temperature signal, determines whether the current natural gas temperature is within a set range, and controls the opening and closing of the first hot air valve according to the temperature deviation.

[0006] By adopting the above technical solution, during the operation of the air cooler, the temperature sensing module monitors the temperature of the natural gas after heat exchange in real time and obtains the current natural gas temperature data. When the weather is cold in winter, the initial air temperature at the air inlet end of the heat exchanger is low, which will cause the natural gas temperature after heat exchange to be too low. At this time, the controller module controls the temperature sensing module to work and the first hot air valve to open, so that hot air flows to the air inlet end, thereby increasing the initial air temperature at the air inlet end, and then increasing the natural gas temperature at the natural gas output end, effectively controlling the natural gas outlet temperature.

[0007] Optionally, the system further comprises a gas mixing chamber, the input end of the gas mixing chamber is connected to a first air pipe, the output end of the gas mixing chamber is connected to the air inlet end via a second air pipe, and the output end of the air duct is connected to the gas mixing chamber.

[0008] Optionally, the input end of the first air duct is connected to a cooling fan, and the cooling fan is used to control the air volume. The controller module can control the fan speed of the cooling fan.

[0009] Optionally, a first temperature sensor is provided on the second air pipe, and the first temperature sensor is used to monitor the temperature of the air in the second air pipe and output a first temperature monitoring signal. The controller module is used to respond to the first temperature monitoring signal and control the opening size of the cooling fan and / or the first hot air valve.

[0010] By adopting the above technical solution, the first temperature sensor can monitor the temperature of the air in the second air pipe in real time, so as to control the temperature of the air after heating and mixing, and at the same time control the air volume of the cooling fan, and then control the air flow rate entering the heat exchanger, so as to make the air flow rate entering the heat exchanger constant, ensure the constant temperature of the natural gas output, and ensure the stability of the heat exchange efficiency.

[0011] Optionally, the controller module can adjust the opening of the first hot air valve in real time according to the temperature range level of the natural gas output end.

[0012] By adopting the above technical solution, the temperature range can be set according to the specific environment and usage requirements, and the temperature level exceeding the normal range can be set. The higher the level, the greater the opening of the first hot air valve is controlled, so as to improve the accuracy of controlling the natural gas temperature.

[0013] Optionally, the air outlet is connected to an auxiliary air duct, the auxiliary air duct is used to communicate with the gas mixing chamber, a second hot air valve is provided on the auxiliary air duct, and the controller module is used to control the opening and closing of the second hot air valve.

[0014] By adopting the above technical scheme, the air after heat exchange is discharged through the air outlet. At this time, the air temperature at the air outlet is relatively high. When the second hot air valve is opened, the auxiliary air duct can introduce the hot air at the air outlet into the gas mixing chamber, thereby achieving the purpose of increasing the initial air temperature. It can then partially or even completely reduce the hot air input through the air duct, and can reduce the power of the air heating device, thereby achieving energy-saving effects.

[0015] Optionally, the gas mixing chamber comprises a tube body, a spiral air guide plate and an air distributor, wherein the spiral air guide plate is fixedly arranged on the inner wall of the tube body, and the spiral air guide plate is spiral and extends along the axial direction of the tube body; One end of the tube body is provided with an air inlet, and the other end is provided with an air outlet, the first air pipe is connected with the air inlet, the air splitter is provided in the tube body, the air splitter is directly opposite to the air inlet, and one end of the air splitter facing the air inlet is provided with an inclined surface.

[0016] By adopting the above technical solution, the cold air of the first air duct enters the pipe body, is guided by the inclined surface of the air distributor, and the cold air is dispersed around the air distributor and flows toward the inner wall of the pipe body, while the hot air enters the pipe body through the air duct and / or the auxiliary air duct, the hot air and the cold air are mixed, and make a spiral circular motion under the action of the spiral air guide plate, so that the hot air and the cold air are evenly mixed, and at the same time, the impact caused by the contact between the hot air and the cold air is reduced, the vibration is reduced, and the noise is reduced.

[0017] Optionally, the system further includes a cooling module for reducing the air temperature at the air inlet end.

[0018] Optionally, the cooling module includes a cooling pipe, a liquid storage tank and a water pump, the input end of the water pump is connected to the liquid storage tank, the output end of the water pump is connected to the cooling pipe, the cooling pipe is arranged in the heat exchange pipe, and the controller module is used to control the opening and closing of the water pump.

[0019] Optionally, the cooling pipe is spirally arranged in the heat exchange pipe, and the cooling pipe extends along the length direction of the heat exchange pipe.

[0020] By adopting the above technical solution, when the initial air temperature is too high, the water pump starts to pump the coolant in the liquid storage tank into the cooling pipe, and the cooling pipe directly contacts the inner wall of the heat exchange pipe, reducing the temperature of the air entering the heat exchange pipe and the heat exchange pipe, so as to stabilize the natural gas temperature. There is no need to increase the air flow to increase the heat exchange effect, ensuring stable heat exchange efficiency.

[0021] In summary, the present application includes at least one of the following beneficial technical effects: 1. During the operation of the air cooler, the temperature sensor module monitors the temperature of the natural gas after heat exchange in real time and obtains the current natural gas temperature data. In winter, when the weather is cold, the initial air temperature at the air inlet of the heat exchanger is low, which will cause the temperature of the natural gas after heat exchange to be too low. At this time, the controller module controls the temperature sensor module to work and the first hot air valve to open, so that hot air flows to the air inlet, increasing the initial air temperature at the air inlet, thereby increasing the natural gas temperature at the natural gas output end, and effectively controlling the natural gas outlet temperature.

[0022] 2. The air after heat exchange is discharged through the air outlet. At this time, the air temperature at the air outlet is relatively high. When the second hot air valve is opened, the auxiliary air duct can introduce the hot air from the air outlet into the gas mixing chamber to increase the initial air temperature. It can then partially or even completely reduce the hot air input through the air duct, and can reduce the power of the air heating device to achieve energy-saving effects.

[0023] 3. The cold air from the first air duct enters the pipe body, and is guided by the inclined surface of the air distributor. The cold air is dispersed around the air distributor and flows toward the inner wall of the pipe body, while the hot air enters the pipe body through the air duct and / or the auxiliary air duct. The hot air and the cold air are mixed and make a spiral circular motion under the action of the spiral air guide plate, so that the hot air and the cold air are evenly mixed. At the same time, the impact caused by the contact between the hot air and the cold air is reduced, the vibration is reduced, and the noise is reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of an embodiment of the present application; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the gas mixing chamber mainly embodied in the embodiment of the present application; Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the heat exchange pipe and the cooling pipe in the embodiment of the present application.

[0025] Explanation of the reference numerals in the accompanying drawings: 1. heat exchanger; 11. box body; 12. heat exchange pipe; 13. natural gas input terminal; 14. natural gas output terminal; 15. air outlet terminal; 2. air heating device; 21. electric heating wire; 22. hot air blower; 3. air duct; 31. first hot air valve; 4. gas mixing chamber; 41. pipe body; 42. spiral air guide plate; 43. air distributor; 431. connecting rod; 51. first air pipe; 52. second air pipe; 6. cooling fan; 7. auxiliary air pipe; 71. second hot air valve; 8. cooling module; 81. cooling pipe; 82. liquid storage tank; 83. water pump. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0027] It should be noted that all directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.) in the embodiments of the present invention are only used to explain the relative position relationship, movement status, etc. between the components under a certain specific posture (as shown in the accompanying drawings). If the specific posture changes, the directional indication will also change accordingly.

[0028] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "connection", "fixation", etc. should be understood in a broad sense. For example, "fixation" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, it can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements, unless otherwise clearly defined. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0029] In addition, if there are descriptions involving "first", "second", etc. in the embodiments of the present invention, the descriptions of "first", "second", etc. are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In addition, the meaning of "and / or" appearing in the full text includes three parallel schemes. Taking "A and / or B" as an example, it includes scheme A, or scheme B, or a scheme that satisfies both A and B. In addition, the technical solutions between the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but it must be based on the ability of ordinary technicians in the field to implement. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be deemed that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection required by the present invention.

[0030] During the natural gas transportation process, natural gas is usually temperature-regulated by air coolers to adapt to different working requirements. Especially in the cold winter, when the ambient temperature is low, the temperature of natural gas after heat exchange may drop below the set range, affecting the safety and efficiency of transportation. In the related technology, usually only simple air volume control is relied on, which cannot achieve precise temperature control, and the problem of temperature out of control is prone to occur in the low temperature environment in winter, which needs to be improved.

[0031] For this purpose, see Figure 1The present application provides an air cooler temperature control system, the system comprising: an air cooler body, a temperature sensor module, a hot air delivery module and a controller module.

[0032] See also Figure 1 The air cooler body includes a heat exchanger 1, which includes a box body 11, an air inlet end, an air outlet end 15, a heat exchange pipe 12, a natural gas input end 13 and a natural gas output end 14. The air inlet end and the air outlet end 15 are respectively connected to the two ends of the heat exchange pipe 12, and the heat exchange pipe 12 is arranged in a serpentine shape and fixed in the box body 11.

[0033] See also Figure 1 The temperature sensing module is installed at the natural gas output end 14, and is used to detect the temperature of the natural gas after heat exchange in real time, obtain current natural gas temperature data, and output a temperature signal. In this embodiment, the temperature sensing module includes a temperature sensor.

[0034] See also Figure 1 The hot air delivery module includes an air heating device 2 and an air duct 3, wherein the air duct 3 is connected to the air inlet end and is used to deliver heated air to the air inlet end to increase the initial temperature of the cooling air. Optionally, the air heating device 2 includes an electric heating wire 21 and a hot air blower 22, wherein the output end of the hot air blower 22 is connected to the air duct 3 and is used to provide a hot air source to the air duct 3.

[0035] See also Figure 1 A first hot air valve 31 is provided on the air duct 3 for adjusting the flow of hot air. The first hot air valve 31 can be a ball valve or a butterfly valve.

[0036] The controller module responds to the temperature signal, determines whether the current natural gas temperature is within the set range, and controls the opening and closing of the first hot air valve 31 according to the temperature deviation. Optionally, the controller module includes a processor, a memory, an input / output interface, a power management, and a communication module. Through the synergy of these core components, functions such as signal acquisition, data processing, communication, and control output are realized to provide guarantee for the normal operation of the automation system.

[0037] See also Figure 1 and Figure 2 The system also includes a gas mixing chamber 4, the input end of the gas mixing chamber 4 is connected to a first air pipe 51, the output end of the gas mixing chamber 4 is connected to the air inlet end through a second air pipe 52, and the output end of the air duct 3 is connected to the gas mixing chamber 4.

[0038] See also Figure 1 and Figure 2The input end of the first air pipe 51 is connected to a cooling fan 6, and the cooling fan 6 is used to control the air volume. The controller module can control the fan speed of the cooling fan 6. The motor of the cooling fan 6 adopts a servo motor, which is convenient for accurately controlling the speed.

[0039] See also Figure 1 and Figure 2 A first temperature sensor is provided on the second air pipe 52, and the first temperature sensor is used to monitor the temperature of the air in the second air pipe 52 and output a first temperature monitoring signal. The controller module is used to respond to the first temperature monitoring signal and control the opening size of the cooling fan 6 and / or the first hot air valve 31.

[0040] The first temperature sensor can monitor the temperature of the air in the second air pipe 52 in real time, so as to control the temperature of the air after heating and mixing, and control the air volume of the cooling fan 6, and then control the air flow rate entering the heat exchanger 1, so as to make the air flow rate entering the heat exchanger 1 constant, thereby ensuring the constant temperature of the natural gas output and the stable heat exchange efficiency.

[0041] Optionally, the controller module can adjust the opening of the first hot air valve 31 in real time according to the temperature range level of the natural gas output end 14. The temperature range can be set according to the specific environment and use requirements, and the temperature level exceeding the normal range can be set. The higher the level, the larger the opening of the first hot air valve 31 is controlled, so as to improve the accuracy of controlling the natural gas temperature. In this embodiment, the target temperature range within the normal range of natural gas is set to T1-T2, and the actual output natural gas temperature is T3. The temperature difference above T2 or below T1 is within 2 degrees as the first level, the temperature difference above T2 or below T1 is above 2 degrees and below 5 degrees as the second level, and the temperature difference above T2 or below T1 is above 5 degrees as the third level. If the temperature difference level is the third level, and T3 is less than T1, that is, the initial temperature of the air is too low at this time, the corresponding first hot air valve 31 will be opened to the maximum.

[0042] Optionally, the air outlet 15 is connected with an auxiliary air duct 7, the auxiliary air duct 7 is used to communicate with the gas mixing chamber 4, the auxiliary air duct 7 is provided with a second hot air valve 71, and the controller module is used to control the opening and closing of the second hot air valve 71. The air after heat exchange is discharged through the air outlet 15, and the air temperature of the air outlet 15 is relatively high at this time. When the second hot air valve 71 is opened, the auxiliary air duct 7 can introduce the hot air of the air outlet 15 into the gas mixing chamber 4, so as to increase the initial temperature of the air, and can partially or even completely reduce the hot air input through the air duct 3, and can reduce the power of the air heating device 2, so as to achieve the effect of energy saving.

[0043] See also Figure 1 and Figure 2 The gas mixing chamber includes a tube body 41, a spiral air guide plate 42 and an air distributor 43. The tube body 41 is a cylindrical structure. The spiral air guide plate 42 is fixedly arranged on the inner wall of the tube body 41. The spiral air guide plate 42 is spiral and extends along the axial direction of the tube body 41. In order to further reduce noise, the spiral air shield is made of a mesh plate.

[0044] See also Figure 1 and Figure 2 The tube body 41 is provided with an air inlet at one end and an air outlet at the other end. The first air pipe 51 is connected to the air inlet. The air splitter 43 is provided in the tube body 41. The air splitter 43 is directly opposite to the air inlet. One end of the air splitter 43 facing the air inlet is provided as an inclined surface. The air splitter 43 is conical and is fixedly mounted in the middle of the tube body 41 by a connecting rod 431.

[0045] The air duct 3 and the auxiliary air duct 7 are connected to the side wall of the tube body 41 , and the air speed direction of the air duct 3 and the auxiliary air duct 7 is along the tangent direction of the tube body 41 , so that the air moves along the circumferential direction of the inner wall of the tube body 41 .

[0046] The cold air from the first air duct 51 enters the tube body 41, is guided by the inclined surface of the air distributor 43, and is dispersed around the air distributor 43 and flows toward the inner wall of the tube body 41, while the hot air enters the tube body 41 through the air duct 3 and / or the auxiliary air duct 7. The hot air and the cold air are mixed and make a spiral circular motion under the action of the spiral air guide plate 42, so that the hot air and the cold air are evenly mixed, and at the same time, the impact caused by the contact between the hot air and the cold air is reduced, the vibration is reduced, and the noise is reduced.

[0047] Also, see Figure 1 and Figure 3 The system further includes a cooling module 8 for reducing the air temperature at the air inlet end, and the cooling module 8 includes a cooling pipe 81, a liquid storage tank 82 and a water pump 83. The input end of the water pump 83 is connected to the liquid storage tank 82, and the output end of the water pump 83 is connected to the cooling pipe 81. The cooling pipe 81 is arranged in the heat exchange pipe 12, and the controller module is used to control the start and stop of the water pump 83.

[0048] For further information, see Figure 1 and Figure 3The cooling pipe 81 is spirally arranged in the heat exchange pipe 12, and the cooling pipe 81 extends along the length direction of the heat exchange pipe 12. The cooling pipe 81 is made of steel or copper, and the diameter of the cooling pipe 81 is 0.1-0.2 times of the heat exchange pipe 12. While reducing the temperature of the heat exchange pipe 12, it reduces the impact on the air flow rate in the heat exchange pipe 12. When the initial air temperature is too high, the water pump 83 starts to pump the coolant in the liquid storage tank 82 into the cooling pipe 81, and the cooling pipe 81 directly contacts the inner wall of the heat exchange pipe 12, reducing the temperature of the air entering the heat exchange pipe 12 and the heat exchange pipe 12, so as to stabilize the temperature of the natural gas. There is no need to increase the air flow to increase the heat exchange effect, ensuring the stability of the heat exchange efficiency.

[0049] The above are all preferred embodiments of the present application, and the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Therefore, any equivalent changes made according to the structure, shape, and principle of the present application should be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. An air cooler temperature control system, characterized in that: The system comprises: An air cooler body, the air cooler body comprising a heat exchanger (1), the heat exchanger (1) comprising an air inlet end, an air outlet end (15), a heat exchange pipeline (12), a natural gas input end (13) and a natural gas output end (14), the air inlet end and the air outlet end (15) being respectively connected to two ends of the heat exchange pipeline (12); A temperature sensing module, installed at the natural gas output end (14), for real-time detection of the temperature of the natural gas after heat exchange, obtaining current natural gas temperature data, and outputting a temperature signal; A hot air delivery module, comprising an air heating device (2) and an air duct (3), wherein the air duct (3) is connected to the air inlet end and is used to deliver heated air to the air inlet end to increase the initial temperature of the cooling air; A first hot air valve (31), installed on the air duct (3), for adjusting the flow of hot air; The controller module responds to the temperature signal, determines whether the current natural gas temperature is within a set range, and controls the opening and closing of the first hot air valve (31) according to the temperature deviation.

2. The air cooler temperature control system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The system further comprises a gas mixing chamber (4), the input end of the gas mixing chamber (4) being connected to a first air pipe (51), the output end of the gas mixing chamber (4) being connected to the air inlet end via a second air pipe (52), and the output end of the air duct (3) being connected to the gas mixing chamber (4).

3. The air cooler temperature control system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The input end of the first air pipe (51) is connected to a cooling fan (6), and the cooling fan (6) is used to control the air volume. The controller module can control the fan speed of the cooling fan (6).

4. The air cooler temperature control system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The second air pipe (52) is provided with a first temperature sensor, which is used to monitor the temperature of the air in the second air pipe (52) and output a first temperature monitoring signal, and the controller module is used to respond to the first temperature monitoring signal and control the opening size of the cooling fan (6) and / or the first hot air valve (31).

5. The air cooler temperature control system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The controller module is capable of adjusting the opening degree of the first hot air valve (31) in real time according to the temperature range level of the natural gas output end (14).

6. The air cooler temperature control system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The air outlet end (15) is connected to an auxiliary air duct (7), the auxiliary air duct (7) is used to be connected to the gas mixing chamber (4), a second hot air valve (71) is provided on the auxiliary air duct (7), and the controller module is used to control the opening and closing of the second hot air valve (71).

7. The air cooler temperature control system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The gas mixing chamber (4) comprises a tube body (41), a spiral air guide plate (42) and an air distributor (43); the spiral air guide plate (42) is fixedly arranged on the inner wall of the tube body (41); the spiral air guide plate (42) is spiral-shaped and extends along the axial direction of the tube body (41); An air inlet is provided at one end of the tube body (41), and an air outlet is provided at the other end; the first air pipe (51) is connected to the air inlet; the air splitter (43) is provided in the tube body (41); the air splitter (43) is directly opposite to the air inlet; and one end of the air splitter (43) facing the air inlet is provided as an inclined surface.

8. The air cooler temperature control system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The system also includes a cooling module (8) for reducing the air temperature at the air inlet end.

9. The air cooler temperature control system according to claim 8, characterized in that: The cooling module (8) comprises a cooling pipe (81), a liquid storage tank (82) and a water pump (83); the input end of the water pump (83) is connected to the liquid storage tank (82); the output end of the water pump (83) is connected to the cooling pipe (81); the cooling pipe (81) is arranged in the heat exchange pipe (12); and the controller module is used to control the opening and closing of the water pump (83).

10. The air cooler temperature control system according to claim 9, characterized in that: The cooling pipe (81) is arranged in a spiral shape in the heat exchange pipe (12), and the cooling pipe (81) extends along the length direction of the heat exchange pipe (12).

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