Industrial heating apparatus and method

Abstract

Industrial plant comprising: a circuit (2) in which a working fluid circulates, said circuit (2) comprising heating means (20) for said working fluid and without an evaporator; a circulation line (31) in which a heat transfer fluid circulates, the circulation line (31) being automatically closed, the flow rate of the heat transfer fluid in the circulation line (31) being between 10 m3 / h and 500 m3 / h; a first heat exchanger (901), the first heat exchanger (901) making the loop (2) and the circulation line (31) in thermal communication; an industrial heater (92) comprising a second heat exchanger (902) through which said circulation line (31) passes, characterized in that said heating device (20) consists of a piston pump (21).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an industrial device and a heating method for the industrial device. Background Art

[0002] It is known that heating devices are used in industrial plants, such as pasteurization plants. In such cases, the necessary heat can be obtained with the help of a boiler burning fuel. In an alternative solution, a heat pump can be used, in which the classical elements of the reverse refrigeration cycle are used: compressor acting on an at least partially gaseous fluid, condenser, evaporator and throttling device. Summary of the invention

[0003] In this context, the technical task on which the present invention is based is to propose a heating device and method capable of obtaining high performance while optimizing energy consumption. Another object is to enable easy maintenance. An additional object is to provide a low noise solution.

[0004] The technical task and the indicated objects are basically achieved by the heating device and method described below.

[0005] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to an industrial plant comprising:

[0006] a circuit in which a working fluid circulates, said circuit comprising heating means for said working fluid and being devoid of an evaporator;

[0007] A circulation pipeline in which a heat transfer fluid circulates, the circulation pipeline is self-closing, and the flow rate of the heat transfer fluid in the circulation pipeline is between 10m 3 / h to 500m 3 / h;

[0008] a first heat exchanger that thermally connects the loop and the circulation line;

[0009] an industrial heater comprising a second heat exchanger through which the circulation line passes,

[0010] The device is characterized in that the heating device consists of a piston pump.

[0011] In other words, the circuit in which the working fluid circulates has no evaporator and the heating means consist only of a piston pump for heating the working fluid circulating in the circuit. Therefore, the heating of the working fluid does not require air or liquid from the external environment. This means that the heating of the device does not depend on the external or surface temperature.

[0012] According to another feature, the heat transfer fluid is not water.

[0013] Advantageously, the first heat exchanger is a tube bundle exchanger.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises a capacity control device for controlling the flow rate of the working fluid in the circuit; the capacity control device comprises an electric valve located on the circuit.

[0015] According to a first embodiment, the apparatus comprises a steam generator; or a dryer; the steam generator or the dryer in turn comprises the heater, the heater receiving heat from the circulation line and using the heat for a predetermined process.

[0016] According to a second embodiment, the apparatus comprises a distiller; or an emulsifier; or a pasteurizer, which in turn comprises the heater, which receives heat from the circulation line and uses the heat for a predetermined process.

[0017] According to a third embodiment, the apparatus comprises a reactor for performing a chemical reaction; the reactor in turn comprises the heater, which receives heat from the circulation line and uses the heat for a predetermined process.

[0018] One of the main features of the invention is that the circuit comprises only one piston pump for heating the working fluid circulating inside it.

[0019] Accordingly, the device advantageously comprises an electric motor for driving the piston pump; the electric motor comprises / is a magnetic asynchronous motor.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the working fluid is selected from the group consisting of R1233ZD(E), R1234ZE and R295.

[0021] Advantageously, the working fluid is R1233ZD(E), which has a global warming potential (GWP) of 5, ie, low greenhouse effect.

[0022] According to a particular embodiment, the device comprises a control unit for regulating the temperature and pressure required to keep the working fluid circulating in the circuit in the liquid phase.

[0023] The invention also relates to a heating method involving a device according to the above disclosure, comprising the following steps:

[0024] circulates a working fluid in a circuit;

[0025] heating the working fluid circulating in the circuit;

[0026] transferring heat from the working fluid to a heat transfer fluid which is recirculated in a first circulation line,

[0027] The heat from the heat transfer fluid is provided in a heater located on the circulation line.

[0028] Preferably, the working fluid has a pressure between 6 and 8 bars and is preferably always kept in liquid phase in the circuit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] like Figure 1 Additional features and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly from the approximately non-limiting description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a heating device and a method, shown schematically.

[0030] In the drawings, an industrial heating plant is denoted by reference numeral 1 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The device 1 comprises a circuit 2 in which a working fluid circulates.

[0032] The working fluid may be a HFO fluid (hydrofluoroolefin based fluid), such as for example R1366Mzz or R1233 ZD, or an amino fluid or an inhibited calcium carbonate based fluid, or other fluids. Advantageously, the working fluid is R1233ZD(E).

[0033] Suitably, the working fluid in loop 2 is always kept in liquid phase and is advantageously kept between 6 bar and 8 bar. Suitably, the flow rate of the working fluid in loop 2 is between 20 m 3 / h (cubic meters / hour) to 500m 3 / h.

[0034] The circuit 2 comprises a heating device 20 of the working fluid. The heating device 20 will be better described below. The circuit 2 defines a heat pump.

[0035] The device 1 comprises a pipeline 31 for circulating a heat transfer fluid. The volume flow rate of the heat transfer fluid in this pipeline 31 is advantageously greater than 10 m 3 / h; preferably greater than 30m 3 / h. Suitably, the volume flow rate of the heat transfer fluid is less than 500m 3 / h; advantageously less than 200m 3 / h, even more preferably less than 150m 3 / h. Preferably, the pipeline 31 defines a self-closing path. Therefore, this pipeline is a recirculation pipeline.

[0036] The apparatus 1 comprises a first heat exchange device 5 between the loop 2 and the circulation pipeline 31. The first heat exchange device 5 comprises a first heat exchanger 901. The first heat exchanger 901 thermally connects the loop 2 and the pipeline 31. Therefore, the first heat exchanger 901 thermally connects the working fluid circulating in the loop 2 with the heat transfer fluid circulating in the pipeline 31. Figure 1 As illustrated, the first heat exchanger 901 is a tube bundle exchanger. This solution is particularly advantageous because in industrial applications it is important to have a large flow rate. In an alternative solution, the first heat exchanger can be a plate exchanger.

[0037] Suitably, the heat transfer fluid in line 31 remains liquid at all times. Suitably, the heat transfer fluid is not water. Advantageously, the heat transfer fluid is an HFO fluid (hydrofluoroolefin-based fluid), such as, for example, R1366Mzz or R1233 ZD-E, or an amino fluid or an inhibited calcium carbonate-based fluid, or other fluids. Advantageously, the working fluid is R1233ZD(E).

[0038] In a specific operating mode, the working fluid in the first heat exchanger 901 experiences a temperature variation between 35° C. and 85° C. The working fluid is cooled in the first heat exchanger 901 and heats the heat transfer fluid circulating in the pipeline 31 .

[0039] Suitably, the device 1 comprises a capacity control device 93 for controlling the flow of the working fluid in the control circuit 2. The capacity control device 93 comprises an electric valve 930 located on the circuit 2. The electric valve 930 is preferably remotely actuated. To this end, the electric valve has a special electric actuator (for example, it can have a motor or an electromagnet). The valve 930 can be actuated by an operator or by a pressure sensor along the circuit 2 to keep the working fluid circulating in the circuit in the liquid phase.

[0040] Suitably, the electric valve 930 is located downstream of the first heat exchanger 901 and upstream of the heating device 20 .

[0041] like Figure 1 As illustrated in FIG. 2 , the heating device 20 , the electric valve 930 and the first heat exchanger 901 are arranged in series along the loop 2 .

[0042] Along line 31, the apparatus 1 may include a recirculation pump for the heat transfer fluid. The water recirculation pump is typically a centrifugal pump. The centrifugal pump allows the heat transfer fluid to recirculate along line 31.

[0043] The heating device 20 is a piston pump 21. The piston pump is typically a high-pressure piston pump 21. The device 1 can be considered a heat pump, because the COP of the device is greater than 7, preferably greater than 10. The COP (coefficient of performance) is an efficiency indicator of a heat pump and is the ratio between the energy delivered and the electricity consumed. However, in contrast to a standard heat pump, the system of the present invention does not include an evaporator.

[0044] The pump 21 thus heats the working fluid. This is achieved by acting on the incompressible working fluid. This action forces the working fluid to flow along the conduit of the pump 21, increasing its kinetic energy and heating the fluid by friction.

[0045] Suitably, the circuit 2 comprises only this piston pump 21 for heating the working fluid circulating inside it.

[0046] If considered separately, the piston pump 21 is a volumetric pump of a known type. The piston pump can be an axial piston pump or another type of piston pump. For example, the piston pump comprises a piston accommodated in a respective pumping chamber. Advantageously, the pump 21 comprises more than three pistons. Suitably, the pumping chamber is integrated in a body that can be arranged to rotate. The rotation of the body and thus the rotation of the pumping chamber pulls the piston in rotation and thus causes the piston to move alternately back and forth in the respective pumping chamber. In practice, the end of the piston is pressed by elastic means on a plate inclined relative to the axis of rotation of the pumping chamber.

[0047] The device 1 comprises an electric motor 22 for driving the piston pump 21. The electric motor 22 preferably comprises / is a magnetic asynchronous motor 22. This contributes to the low noise operation of the device 1. Suitably, the electric motor 22 comprises an inverter. The operation of the electric motor 22 is also regulated based on feedback provided by a temperature probe 321 located on the pipeline 31.

[0048] The apparatus 1 may comprise a filter 61 and a sight glass 62. Suitably, the filter and the sight glass are arranged downstream of the first heat exchanger 901 and upstream of the piston pump 21.

[0049] Suitably, the apparatus 1 comprises a soundproof housing within which the piston pump 21 is accommodated.

[0050] The plant 1 also comprises a central control unit for controlling the overall operation and regulating the required temperature and pressure required to keep the working fluid circulating in the circuit 2 in the liquid phase.

[0051] The apparatus 1 further comprises an industrial heater 92. The heater 92 comprises a second heat exchanger 902. The circulation line 31 passes through the second heat exchanger 902. Thus, the circulation line 31 conveys the heat transfer fluid from the first heat exchanger 901 to the second heat exchanger 902 and enables the heat transfer fluid to return from the second heat exchanger 902 to the first heat exchanger 901. This is done along a closed path. Thus, the second heat exchanger 902 is arranged along the circulation line 31. The heat transfer fluid is cooled in the second heat exchanger 902. Thus, the line 31 defines the hot side of the second heat exchanger 902. The cold side may be a conduit in which another fluid circulates, or an environment in which the released heat triggers a process. Thus, the second heat exchanger 902 may release heat to the environment, or transfer it to another fluid to be heated. Suitably, the heat transfer fluid is a liquid and remains in a liquid state along the entire path of the line 31.

[0052] The heat transfer fluid thus carries at least a portion of the heat generated by the pump 21 in the circuit 2 to the heater 92 , which will then be used by the industrial device 1 .

[0053] By way of non-exhaustive example, the device 1 may in fact comprise one of the following means:

[0054] Steam generator, or

[0055] Dryer; or

[0056] a distiller; or

[0057] emulsifier; or

[0058] pasteurizer; or

[0059] A reactor used to carry out chemical reactions.

[0060] The device further comprises a heater 92 to receive heat from the circulation line 31. The heat thus obtained is used to perform the dedicated process of each device. Therefore, the device can be defined as an industrial thermal treatment device.

[0061] The invention also relates to a heating method for industrial equipment.

[0062] Advantageously, the method is implemented by a device 1 having one or more of the above-mentioned features.

[0063] The method comprises the following steps:

[0064] Circulating a working fluid in the loop 2; suitably, the working fluid always remains in liquid state when it is recirculated in the loop 2 (and therefore may also be referred to as working fluid);

[0065] The working fluid circulating in the loop 2 is heated.

[0066] The step of heating the working fluid flowing in the circuit 2 takes place during its passage through the piston pump 21 situated on the circuit 2 .

[0067] Thus, the piston pump 21 heats the working fluid. Suitably, at least at the pump 21 (but preferably at any position), the working fluid is a liquid. The piston pump 21 acts on the working fluid to increase the pressure, which is between 11 bar and 50 bar, between 6 bar and 8 bar (for example when using R1233ZD (E)), and / or to increase the temperature by at least 100° C. Downstream of the piston pump 21, the temperature of the working fluid obtained can even be higher than 110° C. or 165° C. In addition to heating the working fluid, the pump 21 is also solely responsible for the movement of the working fluid.

[0068] The method comprises the step of transferring heat from the working fluid to the heat transfer fluid recirculating in the first circulation line 31. This is done by means of a first heat exchanger 901.

[0069] Suitably, the method comprises the following steps: providing heat from the heat transfer fluid in a heater 92 located on the circulation line 31. The heater 92 uses this heat to perform a specific operation. In fact, the heater 92 comprises a second heat exchanger. For example, the heater 92 can be integrated in a steam generator. In this case, the heat carried by the heat transfer fluid through the second heat exchanger 902 is used to generate steam.

[0070] Alternatively, the heater may be a dryer, and the heat is used to dry food (or non-food) products that may be placed in the environment.

[0071] Or, in the case of a still, heat can be used to promote the transition of states and separate chemical components.

[0072] Alternatively, in the case of a pasteurizer, heat can be used to treat raw materials and fresh semi-processed products at a temperature that significantly reduces the bacterial load while maintaining the nutritional properties of the food.

[0073] The present invention achieves important advantages.

[0074] First, the present invention can obtain remarkable heating performance.In addition, the present invention also makes maintenance more convenient.

[0075] The present invention also allows for a compact, low noise solution.

[0076] The invention thus conceived is susceptible to many modifications and variations, all of which fall within the scope of the creative concept characterizing the present invention. In addition, all details can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements. All materials and sizes used can be selected arbitrarily as needed in practice.

Claims

1. An industrial device comprising: a circuit (2) in which a working fluid circulates, said circuit (2) comprising heating means (20) for said working fluid and being devoid of an evaporator; A circulation pipeline (31) in which a heat transfer fluid circulates, the circulation pipeline (31) is self-closing, and the flow rate of the heat transfer fluid in the circulation pipeline (31) is within 10m 3 / h to 500m 3 / h; a first heat exchanger (901), the first heat exchanger (901) thermally connecting the loop (2) and the circulation line (31); an industrial heater (92) comprising a second heat exchanger (902) through which the circulation line (31) passes, It is characterized in that the heating device (20) is composed of a piston pump (21).

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that The heat transfer fluid is not water.

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The first heat exchanger (901) is a tube bundle exchanger.

4. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The device comprises a capacity control device (93), which is used to control the flow rate of the working fluid in the circuit (2); the capacity control device (93) comprises an electric valve (930) on the circuit (2).

5. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The device comprises a steam generator; or a dryer; the steam generator or the dryer further comprises the heater (92), which receives heat from the circulation line (31) and uses the heat for a predetermined process.

6. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The apparatus includes a distiller; or an emulsifier; or a pasteurizer, and the distiller or emulsifier or pasteurizer further includes the heater (92), which receives heat from the circulation line (31) and uses the heat for a predetermined process.

7. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The apparatus comprises a reactor for carrying out a chemical reaction; the reactor further comprises the heater (92) which receives heat from the circulation line (31) and uses the heat for a predetermined process.

8. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The device comprises an electric motor (22) for driving the piston pump (21); the electric motor (22) comprises / is a magnetic asynchronous motor (22).

9. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The working fluid is R1233ZD(E).

10. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The device comprises a control unit for regulating the temperature and pressure required to keep the working fluid circulating in the circuit (2) in the liquid phase.

11. A method for heating the device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising the following steps: circulate a working fluid in a circuit (2); heating the working fluid circulating in the circuit (2); Heat is transferred from the working fluid to a heat transfer fluid which is recirculated in a first circulation line (31), the heat from the heat transfer fluid being provided in a heater (92) located on the circulation line (31).

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The pressure of the working fluid is between 6 bar and 8 bar.

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